Archive for Local News
Jet 2 Announces New Flights from Malaga to Edinburgh
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Good news for all our Scottish guests: Jet 2 airways have just announced that they will be introducing new direct flights between Malaga and Edinburgh as from the 2nd April 2011.
Initially there will be two weekly flights, one on Wednesday and one on Saturday. I’ve just had a look on their website and they are advertising one way flights from 29.99 pounds including taxes J
This will actually be the 5th route connecting Málaga and the UK as the low cost airline already has regular flights to Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Blackpool.
Great news for Málaga and the Costa del Sol as it means that we can welcome more tourists from Scotland as well as allowing locals to jump on a direct flight to visit the beautiful city of Edinburgh!
Last weekend, 60 scuba divers from two local clubs – the Delfines Scuba Diving Club and the Benalmadena Scuba Diving club – met at Puerto Marina to celebrate the XIII edition of the Underwater Ecological Day.
This is an initiative which takes place yearly, helping to shed awareness amongst the local community on the importance of keeping our underwater ecosystem clean and free of contaminants.
Some of the "Treasures" found in the waters of the Marina
This is how it works: All participants get allocated a specific area of the Marina and have to clean the interior underwater areas of the ports facilities. The objective is to recover and re-float all elements that damage the underwater ecosystem, above all, those that cause contamination, such as boat batteries, mobile phones, etc.
The results? Well, the divers managed to recover approximately two tons of rubbish and residues (see photo): Batteries, supermarket trolleys, a car windscreen, a microwave, various tires, mobile phones and even propellers from boats; these are just some of the “treasures” in the ports waters!
At the end of the event, there were prizes for divers who re-floated the biggest object, the most original, the one that caused most pollution and the most valuable.
No doubt that this is a great initiative which, we hope, will be repeated all along our Coasts!
British Airways Increases Number of Flights to Malaga
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As from the 27th March 2011, British Airways will be increasing the number of flights into Malaga airport from two to four a day. All of these extra flights to Malaga will depart from Gatwick airport and the total number of weekly flights to the Costa del Sol’s capital will be 28.
British Airways will be using Boeing 737 or Airbus A319 aircraft for this route; the service will include Club Europe and Euro Traveller cabins catering to both the business traveller and those looking for a cheaper alternative.
This is welcomed news for many travellers who prefer to fly with one of the larger carriers rather than the often – although not always – cheaper alternative of budget airlines. Let’s not forget that British Airways flights include onboard catering, online check in with the option to reserve your seat 24 hours before departure, all free of charge (makes a nice change from all the extra charges on most airlines).
Let’s hope that increase in flights will eventually translate to cheaper air fares for anyone wanting to fly from London to Malaga!
Photo Credit: Kok Vermeulen
The Fuengirola “Feria” – Your Chance to Experience True Spanish Culture
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Poster for the Fuengirola Fair
This Wednesday sees the start of the Fuengirola Fair. Lasting a total of 7 days (from the 6th until the 12th October) the fair will be the perfect excuse to take in some traditional Spanish culture – and have some great fun whilst you’re at it –
The fair takes place in the “Recinto Ferial”(Fair Ground) which is situated in the centre of the town and has easy access either by bus or by train.
The Fuengirola fair has a something for everyone: a wide selection of rides for children and adults as well as the traditional “casetas” where you can enjoy a nice glass of wine and a tapa of “jamón Serrano” whilst you listen to typical flamenco music. If you are feeling in the spirit, you may even want to have a go at the “Sevillanas”, the typical dance for these occasions.
These are some of the highlights of the fair that might be interesting:
Saturday de 9th October
- The Virgen del Rosario Equestrian Show in the main fair ground.
- Top grade Bullfight with some of the best names; El Cordobés, Francisco Rivera and El Fandi
- Evening Concert – Lolita (daughter of the famous Lola Flores)
Sunday 10th October
- Bullfight on Horseback. (If you’ve never seen this before, this is really worth watching)
Monday 11th October
- Children’s Party with Clowns, face painting and balloons.
- Special Children’s evening with all fair rides at 50% of normal price (If you have kids, this will save you a fortune!)
If you’d like some more information or would like to buy tickets for the bullfights, just ask at our Leisure Desk and they be able to fill you in on all the details.
Giant Pacific Octopus at Sea Life Aquarium Lays Thousands of Eggs
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No messing with this Fella!
If you have been to the Sea Life Aquarium in Benalmadena Marina, you will have had the chance to meet one of their star attractions: a giant pacific octopus weighing in at an amazing 15 kilograms! I actually took my family a couple of weeks ago and I have to say that this creature is impressive; every time it moved around the tank, water spilled out over the top –that’s how big this thing is!
Anyway, I digress…… Apparently, last weekend, the octopus in question laid thousands of eggs; she’s going to be a busy mum over the next few weeks as she protects the eggs and keeps them oxygenated until they hatch. Once they hatch, the babies which will measure between 3 and 5 millimetres will be kept in quarantine so that keepers at the aquarium can feed them, thereby, increasing survival rates.
Here’s an interesting fact: the giant pacific octopus is the largest of its species; the largest specimen found measured 9 metres and weighed a staggering 272 Kilos! No messing with him! Wow, it’s like something out of a Jules Verne novel.
The octopus is considered a highly intelligent creature with a great capacity for learning; they have been known to take tops off containers, make their way out of man-made labyrinths and, of course, predict football results!!!! J
New Amphibious Chairs for Benalmadena Beaches
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Amphibious Chair
Many people who suffer mobility difficulties are unable to enjoy what many of us take for granted: a day on the beach and a refreshing swim in the sea.
Thankfully, many towns along the Costa del Sol, Benalmádena included, have gradually been introducing new facilities for elderly people and anyone with mobility difficulties. The highlight of these new facilities are the new Amphibious Chairs (see image above) which are specially designed to allow easy movement through the sand and are able to float in the water.
The Malapesquera Beach near the Marina in Benalmádena is a perfect example of these new services and facilities at work: adapted showers and changing rooms as well as specially designed crutches – for those with a little more mobility – for use on the sand and in the water complete the range of facilities available.
Anyone interested in using the above services just has to head over to the Civil Protection Post (Protección Civil) where volunteers will provide more information.
A great initiative which deserves applause!
“It’s a Celebration” – Kool & the Gang Live in Concert in Marbella
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Kool & the Gang
Where? At the Puente Romano Tennis Club in Marbella
When? This Friday the 6th August; doors open at 8pm
The legendary 70’s Band known for their mix of R&B, Disco, Soul and Funky music will get the crowd moving with classic tracks like Celebration, Get Down on It, Ladies Night and Jungle Boogie.
You get the real deal at this concert as the band is made up of all the original members; they’ve been delighting their fans for over 40 years!
So what are you waiting for? Get down to one of the El Corte Inglés centres or online at www.ticketmaster.es and get your tickets before they sell out! Prices start at €30.
Get ready to Boogie the night away!
Great Expectation as the Obama Family Choose to Spend their Holiday on the Costa del Sol
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Michelle & Sacha Obama
After several days of speculation, it has now been confirmed that President Obama´s wife, Michelle, and their youngest daughter Sasha will be spending four days holiday on the Costa del Sol – to be more precise, they will be staying at the exclusive Villa Padierna Hotel, operated by Ritz Carlton Hotel Group. Although the press has been talking about how the town of Marbella is proud to have such a distinguished guest, the people of the small village of Benahavis are up in arms as the hotel is actually located in their municipality, not in Marbella!
Nevertheless, this unexpected visit will have a profound effect on Costa del Sol tourism in general. We are used to having famous people visit our beautiful stretch of Coast; however, this trip is special due to extensive media coverage it is receiving. I read in the paper this morning that it is already having a positive effect on bookings, specially from the US market! Great news all round!
Let’s just hope that President Obama can make last minutes changes to his agenda and join his wife and daughter at the Villa Padierna for his 49th Birthday celebrations. That will really be the icing on the cake!!
We are the Champions!
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Campeones, campeones, ohhh ehhhhh oohhhh eehhh
One hundred and sixteen minutes; that’s what it took the Spanish team break the solid Dutch defence last night! It wasn’t the most beautiful of football matches but it was definitely intense. The boys in red made us suffer – a little too long for my liking – but Iniesta’s goal 4 minutes away from the dreaded penalty shootout means that Spain win the world cup for the first time in history and complete a well deserved double after winning the European Championship 2 years ago.
The whole of Spain was rocking last night after the final whistle. All you could hear were the screams of jubilant fans, fireworks, car horns and even some attempts and blowing the, now world famous, vuvuzela’s! As we have been doing throughout the whole competition, we showed the game on the 3 metre screen at the Moonlight Bar; hundreds of guests gathered to watch the game and you can image what the atmosphere was like! Read More→
Could the Spanish President be Coming to Stay at Sunset Beach Club?
Posted by: | CommentsWell….. not exactly
. Apparently a local association in Benalmadena – ¿Yo? Producto Andaluz – has invited President Zapatero and his family to spend a few days of their summer holiday in Benalmadena.
The association’s president, Bartolomé Florido, pointed out that this invitation has been made so that Mr Zapatero can visit our beautiful coastal town which, in his words, “Has everything you need to enjoy an extraordinary holiday.”
There’s no doubt that a visit from the Spanish President would help to push Benalmadena as an ideal tourist and holiday destination. I’m sure there will be plenty of hotels willing to accommodate the Zapatero family and their entourage, Sunset Beach Club included!
Our reservations team are on full alert in case we get a call from La Moncloa (equivalent of nº10 Downing Street) but they’ll have to hurry up as we are practically fully booked for the whole summer!
We’ll be sure to keep you posted on events….
