I'm wild parked amid the olive trees and their accompanying dumps of litter at the well known and used, by the Punk and new age group, 'Sante fe' hot springs. I was warned about the litter before I came here but it isn't as bad as I thought and is certainly no worse than I have experienced elsewhere in Spain.
What is 'underwhelming' are the hot springs themselves. The water is about 38°C and very nice too. But over use and recent rain have rendered access and entry to the three small ponds more akin to a mud bath experience. No matter; the young with tattoos, piercings and crazy hairstyles are here in their tents and converted vans/lorries with smiles, songs and weird smelling puffs of smoke drifting up from the Reed beds as you walk by. All seem perfectly OK with the place c/w mud just as it is so who am I to judge. I may just take another paddle thru the mud myself later for a dip in that deliciously warm water bubbling up from Mother earth's depths.
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'Benalmadena Pueblo' Buddhist Stupa and accompanying 'Grotto de Virgin' (or Mother Earth) have become the turning point for my journey this year. For me, as I've mentioned before, the place has become a regular stopover and a powerful spiritual destination. I required a few days of quiet contemplation in order to decide whether to continue my journey westwards or to stop/turn around and meander slowly Eastwards and Northwards backtracking my journey so far. The answer duly came and, via a lovely beachside free camp and evening shopping spree at popular tourist destination 'Torremolinas', Tanya and I found ourselves settling in to a stunning little wild spot just East of the village of 'Maro' in the 'Nerja' area. The area is again one that is firmly on my favourites list.
It was by accident though that I came across this little hidden gem of a wild spot. I have in the past parked up in the 'Maro' village main car park. This time as I pulled in Mr Guardia Civil (police) were there thoroughly going over both the occupants of, and, their assorted converted lorries and vans. I saw them all driving away later. Needless to say I did a quick turnaround before they spotted me and headed off about one kilometre down the gorgeous N340 and hey presto, an even better, and well hidden, wildspot. Especially when you have an e bike which makes the ride to either Maro or Nerja effortless despite the steep hills.
Meeting me there was Meichele, a fellow sole moho'er on her first trip out with her large and very luxorious classic 'Silver Mint' moho. She, like me, belongs to the Facebook group MWWWM. (Mad Widows & Widowers With Moho's) A good group of like minded idiots. Meichele was looking for a spot near 'Alumenicar' where she was collecting a rescue dog as travelling companion. It did not all go quite according to plan but sure enough Dillon, a black medium sized, and very intelligent, doggy of mixed heritage arrived a few days later. Meichele, a highly capable lady, then moved on Eastward to meet up with other group members and eventually a house renovation paying job she has organised with a previous employer. Safe travels M & D.
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Last year my seventieth birthday was firmly cancelled due to my cancer condition. But how to celebrate my seventy first and my new found, free of cancer, health and wellbeing? Well Gaia via the good old Maro, spring fed Valley, complete with its stunning scenery, and mix of local agriculture and 'alternative' dwellers supplied the answer.
Alia lived in her van just below me and hails from Cornwall but is of Swiss origin. She was at one time the only 'fisherwoman' at a small Cornish fishing village. She now, like me, lives in her van and splits time here, in Maro with walking in the Pyrenees. She is good friends with Lena, a Danish lady who finances herself by being the Spanish speaking Copenhagen tourist guide during the hot Spanish summer. Winter though finds her and doggy's living in her cliff hugging, end of the dirt road from my wild camping spot, tiny cottage with palm trees producing real live organic bananas.
As an aside both these ladies give generously of their time supporting Lenka who lives a little further along the cliff edge, only accessible by foot, in a tiny shack in the middle of a precarious cliff clinging Bamboo Grove. Lenka has terminal cancer.
But to continue. Alia and Lena were delighted to accept my offer of a free Thai cuisine evening meal out at the local 'Burriana Beach' to celebrate my good fortune in reaching this ripe old age with compromised body and highly suspect sanity. The evening was a great success with excellent food, wonderful service, and stimulating conversation/company with two lady's who really appreciated my evening of Birthday luxury and celebration.
I got pressies too. Organic fruit and veg from Lena. Home made Almond Dates from Alia and 'Ferrero Rocher' from Meichele. Truly a Birthday to remember.
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