TORREMOLINOS, COSTA DEL SOL, SPAIN

If you are a fan of James A. Michener and read his novel "The Drifters",
you may recall Britta Bjørndahl, the young girl escaping the gloom and
darkness of her original northern Norway, and in her quest for the bright sunny places she dreams about, finds herself on the "Costa del Sol' in southern Spain, specifically in Torremolinos in the early 1970’s.
Even then. Torremolinos was a Scandinavian - among other European tourist, - destination where girls like Britta hoped to land a job, and stay there, enjoying the sunny, bright days and beaches on the coast of the blue Mediterranean.
Today, if anything, tourism has increased. It is a noisy, fast paced 24 hours a day resort area, with about 6 miles of sandy beaches and a variety of water sports. Packed with restaurants and bars, Torremolinos is a very lively place. specially in high season; with a very high voltage nightlife. A good placee to
start the evening is one of the bars in :“Calle San Miguel", or in one of the restaurants on the promenade.
The menus, often in a few languages offer good dishes such as fish and chips. steak and pasta. However some excellent Spanish seafood restaurants can be found in the fisherman's district of La Carihuela, which has been
relatively undisturbed and has retained its Andalucian coastal charm.
There is a noticiable large gay community, centered on La Nogalera, where the clubs vary from the main stream to drag bars. Exotic shows are a feature here, and are popular\with both, the gay and straight visitor.
Playamar and Bajondillo are the two largest and most popular beaches, with all kinds of water sports. If tired, take a break at any of many bars and cafes along the promenade.- An excursion worth taking, includes a visit to "El Ranchito" where you'll see a wonderfully performed, skillful equestrian ballet, choreograph\to music, with beautiful horses, and their\riders.
MALAGA.
At only 16 mile east of Torremolinos, Malaga with its 500,000 habitans is
the second largest city in Andalucia. It’s als capital of the province, and
famous for its raisins and excellent wines. It also happens to be the hometown
of actor Antonio Banderas.
THE CATHERAL.
Malagas‘ Cathedral\at the Plaza de La Catedral, is one of the outstanding
buildings in the city. - The construction started in 1528 n the placeof a Malaga Mosque that stpped construction for lack of money, Even at this time, the southern tower of the church is ot yet completed, and theerefore, in Spanish is called “La manquita.“ ( Manquita being an endearing nick-name for a female with a missing\hand).
PICASSO MUSEUM.
One, if not the most, famous sons of the city is Pablo Picasso. His House at the Plaza de La Merced 15., is home of the Picasso Fundation. A more famous and larger Picasso Museum\ is at the Palacio de Buenavista at Calle San Agustin. A visit to Malagas most famous painter’s Museun should be in your “Things to do in Malaga“ list.
Many very pleasant and interestig towns and places n the Costa del Sol, are accessible from this well located and interesting city.