On Monday 30th April 2018 we were in Malaga and had a long walk up the side of the castle walls to take in the views.
Our cruise to the Azores, Madeira and the Iberian Peninsular would take us to Ponta Delgada, Praia da Vitoria, Funchal, Cadiz, Malaga and finally to Gibraltar
Arrival in Malaga
Malaga had promised to be warmer but as we entered the harbour I definitely felt cool. Arcadia followed Costa Pacifica into the port. Then there was a slight delay as the Costa ship had to wait for her pilot to arrive.
In the port there was a Japanese cruise ship, the Akusa II. This was the first Japanese cruise ship that I’d ever seen.
Our breakfast was a chatty affair in the Meridian which made for a pleasant breakfast.
After breakfast we caught the shuttle bus which again was a paid for service for some passengers. The bus had a long way to go from the quayside and then past all the shops, bars and restaurants in the port area.
Malaga
It was still cold and windy when we left the bus. Down some steps on the side of a building were these two murals.
Looking up I noticed the first installation from Invader.
Then this street art further along the street.
The streets were not very busy as we were early.
And more from Invader.
We walked around the town up the main Avenue, Marques de Laros, up to the Plaza de la Constitucion. The morning was gradually warming up and we decided to walk up to the castle on the hill.
Up the side of Castillo de Gibralfaro
This graffiti (or art?) was tucked away up an alley.
The streets were busier as we walked towards the walls. We passed the Alcazabra which was a Moorish Palace or fortress that sits at the bottom of the castle walls.
From there we walked up on the outside of the walls rather than to go up inside the walls.
The path was quite steep in places and zig-zagged on the outside of the walls all the way to the top. We kept stopping to take in the views over Malaga.
We came to a busy viewing platform that had the iconic views of the Malaga’s bull ring.
Then we looked to our right to see across the harbour below.
Above and behind us were the castle walls.
At the top coaches were unloading the passengers and they were all filing down to the nearby hotel for lunch. We bought some water as by now the temperature has risen quite a lot
Time for some lunch
After we had walked back down we went to the first bar for a beer and some Tapas.
After a good rest we walked around the shops some more. By then Malaga was bustling with holidaymakers as well as cruise passengers.
I kept looking up and on corners of buildings were these installations from Invader.
We walked towards the river and on the way stopped after an hour or so at a small bar to sample the local Victoria beer.
Across from the cafe, I noticed some more street art and there among the graffiti was the same dog with a patch that I’d seen before.
We then headed back towards the sea and past closed shops and more stencilled street art.
I particularly liked the sponsored art up the side of one of the shops.
And yet more from Invader.
Back to the ship
Once back near the sea we were now near the big wheel. Crossing the roads took us into the port area. Rather than catch the shuttle bus we walked along past the shops and bars on one side and the marina on the other.
I took this view of the castle and a viewing platform and realised just why we had a walk so many steps in for that day.
We passed a small Spanish naval vessel close to the small lighthouse.
On our left was a busy beach maybe next time we visit!
Near the ship we entered the cruise terminal and after a much more friendly search by the Spanish security officers we were back on board. A quick trip to the Belvedere for a cup of tea, a sandwich and some cakes was next. Looking outside we noticed that the Costa ship had already left.
Out on deck again we watched a a sailing school out in the bay and looked once again at the castle and the hills beyond Malaga.
Back in our cabin I wanted to read more of the book that I had borrowed from the library and after all that walking we deserved a rest.
Evening on board
We went up to the Crows Nest for our before dinner drinks. This time it was a Jaipur Ale.
Dinner for me was French soup then Tuna Nicoise followed by a chicken dish and then an apple and rhubarb crumble.
The chicken was not great and at first I had difficulty deciding if indeed the bird had had four legs! While we were having dinner Arcadia cast off and started the short journey to Gibraltar.
Our evening ended with a visit back to the Crows Nest for a quiet drink.