Saturday 4 September 1999

Javea, Costa Blanca September 2-18 1999 Part 3

Over the next few days we explored Javea, which sadly we did not grow fond of, and Moraira which we liked very much. We had originally been based in Moraira before our villa was changed and it was a very pretty little fishing village with several restaurants overlooking the yacht marina. There was a small beach at one end and lots of shops selling clothes, gifts and souvenirs. One wonderful shop sold local wines straight from the barrel and this was a favourite with us! We had stocked up at a supermarket in Javea on Sunday morning but we always needed something every day, normally fresh bread and ham for lunch, along with the delicious tomatoes that were grown locally. It was wonderful to stop at a small cafe and sip a cold beer while watching the world go by.

The days took on a regular pattern of exploring in the morning followed by lunch at the villa with the afternoon spent around the pool. We tried with Javea again but felt there was something about the town that we just didn't like. We really couldn't say what. Perhaps it was the empty pebbly beach we visited one morning but we didn't have any urge to return.

We much preferred Moraira and went there regularly, always parking on a very muddy expanse of land at the back of the town. One morning we took the pretty, winding road to Calpe, passing villas and lots of little shops on the way. The road hugged the coastline and we could see the huge outcrop of rock which stands at one end of Calpe's bay as you approach the town.

Calpe was a miniature Benidorm with a long sweeping promenade lined with hotels, restaurants and bars. We walked the length of the beach and then stopped for a welcome drink. The weather was beautiful and sunny with plenty of people enjoying the beach and the sea.

Mum and Dad were due to arrive on Thursday and after a lazy day around the pool we drove to Alicante airport in the early evening. The sun was just setting as we drove south along the motorway and we were able to admire the magnificent scenery with the mountains on our right and the sea on our left. As we passed the huge resort of Benidorm we could still make out the Bali 3 hotel that was still not finished and we wondered whether it ever would be! (We'd visited Benidorm earlier in the year on a short break and marvelled at the amount of building going on. The Bali 3 was an imposing hotel that was surrounded by cranes when we were there!).

We arrived at almost the same time as Mum and Dad and we were soon loaded up and on our way back to the villa. They were extremely happy to be on holiday even if it was just for a short time. As we headed back darkness fell so Mum and Dad couldn't see the stunning views.

Back at the villa we toasted their arrival with beer and champagne and showed them to their lovely private quarters! They thought the villa was wonderful and loved the pool and terraces!





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