This was our 2-week anniversary in Spain, but we hadn't done much exploring as we both suffered colds that proved extremely difficult to kick (Anna's cold first kicked in during a shopping trip to Estepona, a day or so after we arrived. Kent held out for four days and then he succumbed). Anyway, we decided to walk around the area near our apartment and take some photos to show everyone what the Costa del Sol was like. In a word: condos! In a 10-km belt from the coast inland, there are condos, condos, condos! (Anna has taken to calling it the Costa del Condo...) Where there aren't condos, there are shopping centers. While this makes it convenient to pick up necessities, we certainly miss the community feel (and quiet!) we experienced in Italy and Ireland last summer.
The motorway is right next to the parking lot for our apartment. There are a couple of pedestrian overpasses that give us access to the shops across the motorway. There are only restaurants, hotels and, you guessed it, more condos on our side of the motorway ... at least, within reasonable walking distance. Besides a couple of supermarkets, there's a bazar (similar to a dollar store in the US), a petrol station, an ATM (YAY, we don't have to drive to get cash), a pharmacy, and other stores.
Walking along the beach was relaxing, especially as the sun had warmed up the temps into the low 20s C (mid 70s for those dealing in degrees F). We found several small shells among the rocks (there is some sand, but plenty of pebbles and other debris). It's really nice to have the beach just 5 minutes away. If cabin fever sets in, we just mosey down to the sand and watch the waves roll in. AHHHHH!
