Santa Pola!

 

We arrived at the Alicante Airport just after 10am (local time, 8 hours ahead of Alberta).  The Schiphol International Airport in Amsterdam was a nightmare (at least the Vueling Air check in)!  Our cab driver, Mohamed (a very delightful young man!), picked us up at the Rembrandt square at 4:20 am (early, early early!).  The drive to the airport was just 30 minutes.  When we walked up to the Vueling Air check in counter, we encountered an enormous line (there were 6 Vueling flights scheduled to leave within an hour, and only 2 check in desks open)!  By the time we snaked through the queue and then security (which was fortunately quite quick), we arrived at our gate with boarding already in progress.  

Our host had offered to pick us up from the airport and take us to the condo.  Susana and her esposo, were very friendly.  Susana's english was much better than my almost non-existent spanish, so communication was no issue.  It was only about a 12 minute car ride from the airport to the apartment and the condo was pretty much exactly as the pictures online showed.  

9am Our beach Friday Sep. 2, overcast morning. 

From the apartment to the Mediterranean Sea is a 4 minute easy stroll (about 300 meters).   

Our beach 2 hours later!  The beach is so massive, it doesn't feel crowded.

We spent the first couple of days walking about, exploring, finding cafes, and markets etc.  Our hosts have 2 cruiser bikes that we are able to use.  I've been out on one a few times, and am working on getting

Kauai 2016.

Munchie to join me!  The last time she was on a bicycle was in Hawaii and it was a tandem, so I'm not sure how much effort was involved on her part!

I found a local bike shop and the owner and bike mechanic, Pacco, had just received a mountain bike and we made a deal on it.  He wouldn't let me take it until he had done a complete "onceover" on it!  He said he guarantees his bikes, new or used and so would let me take it when he had completed the service, tune up and repairs (if needed).  Pacco was a wealth of knowledge for biking in the area!

Its Sunday, September 4, I'm up early and so sat down to create this post.  We haven't quite settled into any routines, we have found a couple of small markets close by with fresh produce and a butcher Munchie likes!  I'll sign off today with a few photos of our area!

Sail boats!

A great morning walk!

Salt!

A spot for fishing!

Dedicated ped/bike path 300m from our place!