Punta Prima de Orijuela

Our first day on the coast was overcast with a threat of rain but warmish-about 60 F. Rested up after the long drive to Granada to return one car and pick up another which could be returned locally.

This place is kind of a blend of Venice Beach and Waikiki spread thin between ESBs (Ex-pat Storage Boxes), large, multi-storied concrete buildings designed by a range of architects from the unimaginative to those on drugs. The main drag is a gastronomic gulch graced by numerous Fish N Chips places, BK and Mickey D's along with the usual smattering of real(?) restaurants billing themselves as Italian, Indian, Mexican and the occasional Spanish one. Every block contains at least one Chinese emporioum of the caliber of the Dollar Store. There are innumerable tapas bars and pubs, none of which have we tried as yet. I'm told that places bearing Pub or Club in the name are more likely than not brothels-prostitution being legal here. Don't expect confirmation from me.

First impressions aside, it's not a bad place to be. Just have to get on the bike or in the car and move about two miles inland and you find the more Spanish areas. The ESB zone is quite large, with acres upon acre given over to cookie-cutter "urbanizaciones" or housing developments geared toward the retiree or vacationer. Some are tasteful, but very boring when you see twenty or thirty in a row, after row after row... A lot are unfinished. When the bottom fell out of the economy, the builders or developers just walked away. It's not uncommon to see hundred-unit high-rises with no windows, doors or occupants. Ghost towns on high...