Spain - Day 7

Day 7 (Thursday) – Corey and I began the day with our first and only run on the beach, followed by our first and only swim in the sea. The run was great and sea was CHILLY! We spent most of the day at the beach and by the pool. Lindsay and Emily were headed off to Morocco that evening, so we decided to leave early and get dinner along the way at a little seaside town.

The town ended up being average. Once we returned from the airport, we enjoyed ice creams and played around the Marriott. There are a series of about 6 terraces that have both steps and ramps from the reception area to the ocean. Caden and Lily loved running up and down the ramps. They also stopped to pick up the pink flowers from the ground beneath the pink flower tree every time we walked by. Lily would give one to each of us. Caden would try and eat them : ) There was a fountain right there with lions, and Caden loved to walk up to the fountain and say “rawr”.

[July 9, 2009]

Spain - Day 6

Day 6 (Wednesday) – We headed into Ronda, one of the white villages today. It was a very windy trip that took a bit longer than expected since a certain someone had the Garmin sent for walking instead of driving! : ) Ronda was a cool city! They are known, albeit inaccurately, for the oldest bullring. They do have what is claimed to be the largest and most elaborate bullring! We ate lunch on a gorgeous terrace and walked around the city…and of course enjoyed a gelato! Caden is so fierce about his gelato that he throws a full blown fit if you even hold it for a second to help him down a step!!!
Ole!

Self portrait of Lily while she rode on my shoulders : )

Caden, Lindsay and Lily

Looking out over the beautiful countryside.

This is Caden's face if he feels like his gelato is being threatened!

A happy boy!

Our lunch spot on a clif-side.

Caden wanting to be "sprung" from the table to come with me.

Later that night Corey and I ventured up the beach for dinner on our own at Nikki Beach. It was fantastic! I had chorizo crusted sea bass and Corey had the lamb. Excellent! And fun to enjoy a nice dinner on our own.

Emily flew in from Barcelona late in the evening. Corey and Lindsay picked her up and then ventured out for a drink. I enjoyed a movie and slept soundly!!!

[July 8, 2009]

Spain - Day 5

Day 5 (Tuesday) - We relaxed much of the day by the pool and enjoyed the markets that were set up at the Marriott (I told you they take care of everything!) They had great things at the market! I ended up with a plethora of knitted finger puppets – identical to the ones I paid much more for from UnCommon Goods. I also ended up with two adorable, handmade wrap-around dresses.

For dinner we headed to the nearby square and ate tapas. Afterwards we picked up a few more groceries and a robust sampling of pastries. Once back at the Marriott we took the pastries down to the grassy topless area (yes, Marriott really does have everything!!!) along the ocean. Important to note is that there were no topless sun bathers at this late hour. Anyway we enjoyed our picnic of pastries.

[July 7, 2009]

Spain - Day 4

Day 4 (Monday) Tamara and Domi are heading home ‘_’ We drove them to the bus stop in Marbella and had a breakfast of croissants with ham, with chocolate, with sugar…and coffees. We walked around and enjoyed the sites, including a great little park where the kids played. So fun!

(Lily - daddy promised to get you this car when you turn 16...)

We then had lunch, and dropped Corey and a sleeping Caden off at another park filled with a bunch of old Spanish men engaged in their morning debates. Despite Corey’s kindle, brimming with current news, he was excluded ‘_’ Lindsay, Lily and I ventured off for some shopping, and we did well! My purchase of the day were some red platform sandals with silk tie strings. Yes, I said red : )

After shopping we enjoyed the pool for a bit...

The path to the pool with Lily running ahead. Every day she would pick up flowers from the ground at this flowering tree and give them to me : )

For dinner we headed down the beach to what we thought was the recommended seafood restaurant. The food was just okay. We didn’t realize until a couple of days later that the actual restaurant we were supposed to visit was a bit further down. The highlight of the dinner was Caden chowing on mussels! He loved them! Too crazy!

The runner up was playing on the beach on our way back. The kids were running back and forth, just having a great time. And the third-runner up were the two men walking by, very much in love, one of which was wearing a g-string way better than I ever could!!!

Chess anyone? Another fun activity at the timeshare...

[July 6, 2009]

Spain - Day 3

Day three (Sunday) we had breakfast on our balcony, enjoying the Ziploc baggies of homemade granola I brought from home : ) We did the pool and beach and just relaxed. That night we all attended the Flamenco dance and BBQ at the Marriott. Afterwards Tamara, Domi, Lindsay and I walked to Nikki Beach to go out dancing, as the day before we ventured up and witnessed some crazy dance sites (mojito leaves on male nipples kind-of stuff). Sadly there was no dancing on the Sunday night ‘_’

Side note: The Marriott timeshare is very “camp-ish” with family activities. We didn’t make the dance lessons, Sangria lessons, or paella lessons, however we did do the spinning class, which was great! There are 5 different age group catagories with at least 8 activities per day, per age group. We ended up missing the kid activities too, which were plentiful including kite making, silk painting, movies, sand castle competitions, etc. you may chuckle, but this is perfect for family travel! And anyone interested, let me know so I can “refer” you and get bonus points : )

[July 5, 2009]