Tuesday - Thursday: Benidorm

The destination of part two of my trip to Spain caused quite some weird looks on most people's faces when telling them about it, including my own. Over here Benidorm is known as the place where retired people or fat English tourists go to and I have to say that this prejudice was true for most part. Of course other kind of people come there as well, but it's not really my most beloved holiday destination ever.

But, I wasn't there of course for the place itself, I was there to visit Charlotte and see her life. ;) The nine hour bus ride from Malaga had been rather uneventful and mainly deadly tiring due to no sleep at all. Therefore I was extra happy to hear that Charlotte had to work for a couple more hours after I arrived and I had the possibility to borrow her bed for a while. It had only been about two weeks since I last saw her, but still it was great to be with her again for a while and gossip all day long. :P

The first day was still a working day for her, but as there were almost no hotel customers for her that week, we could still spend it all together and sit in the hotel lobby with a drink waiting for possible guests with questions. Furthermore we made a walk though Benidorm, of which the old city centre is actually quite nice. The huge hotel buildings ruin the view of the rest of the city, but it's perfect for the tourists that go there.

The second day we met up with Karolien, a colleague of Charlotte, and went to the pool of one of the hotels in the neighbourhood. I don't think this was entirely allowed, but nobody said anything anyway... My first real tan of the year was gotten there and it felt nice to just relax for an entire day, read magazines, talk and go for a swim (in the really cold water) once in a while.

Karolien on top, below Charlotte and the swimming pool

Slightly red but very rested we went to a Chinese restaurant for my last night, where as always too much food for too few people was served. Very yummy though and with full stomachs we walked around a bit more and eventually went to bed at a decent time. Contrary to Charlotte and Karolien, no early rise for me. There was enough time to quietly wake up and pack my things, before heading to Charlotte's hotel and the bus ticket office. For lunch I refound my Belgian feeling by buying a sandwich in a real Belgian butchery and at twelve I hugged Charlotte goodbye again and left to the airport. Now it will take until November at least to see her back but luckily there is internet and a phone. :)

After a way too long wait and three gate changes, I finally boarded the airplane where a literally big surprise was awaiting me. I suppose the same won't be available on tomorrow's flight...

Hasta luego! ;)