It had been a tough week in Gibraltar. I'd had issues with my bank, issues with my accommodation, and found out I may not be able to keep my car in Gibraltar. So I was looking forward to a change of scene, and a bit relaxation in Fuengirola. However, first I had to get there. Due to the uncertainty over the status of my car, I was reluctant to take it out of Gibraltar, in case I couldn't get it back in. Therefore I decided to take the bus to Fuengirola.
 |
| I was looking forward to it! |
The bus was due to leave from La Linea bus station at 4.30 on a Saturday afternoon, and arrive in Fuengirola at 6.30pm. You can't get a bus to anywhere in Spain from Gibraltar. You need to go over the border for that. I had already had an opportunity to practice the border crossing the previous night (when I went out in La Linea), so I knew where the bus station was. I therefore turned up confidently 15 minutes early to La Linea bus station ready to get on the bus. Unfortunately, the bus I was booked on wasn't there.
 |
| La Linea Bus Station |
I knew I was looking for a bus going to Malaga, but I didn't know the bus number, or the stance it was leaving from. Unfortunately, La Linea bus station, is not so much a bus station, but more a building buses park next to. Inside the bus station, there is lovely mural on the wall, of all the destinations buses go to, but no actual information (in English or Spanish) about departures or arrivals. There wasn't even a ticket office, or information desk, I could ask at. So I went outside to where the buses were coming and going, and I waited, and I watched. As 4.30 came and went there was still no bus for Malaga. I was just about to text Ewan to tell him there was a problem with the bus, when it pulled into the station. I guess that's Spain. Things may take their time, but you get there eventually, so don't stress! |
| All aboard to Malaga via Fuengirola! |
The bus journey was actually quite fun. The driver had some lively Spanish music on the radio, and I just sat back and watched the beautiful scenery of Spain's southern coast. At Fuengirola, the bus just parked at the side of the main road, next to the bus office (set back on the street). At least here there was a ticket office and arrival/departure information. As I walked the short walk to my hotel, I thought if only you could put La Linea and Fuengirola bus stations together, then you might have a normal bus station!
 |
| Plenty to look at from the bus. |
I'd really lucked out with my hotel. I'd booked it because it was cheap (only 30 euros per night). However, it was also clean, comfortable, the staff were really helpful, and it was in a great location. It was only 5-10 minutes walk from the bus station, and as I would find out later, only a couple of minutes walk from the beach, and 10 seconds walk from one of the main streets! When I arrived, I texted Ewan, and we agreed to meet to watch the Ireland/New Zealand quarter final of the Rugby World Cup. I was unsure if we would be able to find a bar showing the game, so I went out early to find a venue. I needn't have worried. I walked out of the hotel, and turned down what looked like a main street. Within seconds I passed a bar showing the earlier Wales/Argenina game, then slightly further down the road I passed 2 Irish bars, and then a couple of English bars.
 |
| Location, Location, Location! |
Confident there were plenty of options for the game, I stopped for food at a curry house. This felt a bit like Blackpool in the sun. Most of the customers were English, speaking in English, drinking English beer, and eating Tikka Masala. There was also a stag do at a nearby table dressed up in ridiculous costumes. However, Fuengirola seemed to encourage ridiculous costumes as I would find out later.
 |
| Ridiculous costumes - To be continued... |
Comments
Post a Comment