Hotel San Francisco Ronda

"Yes" it is possible to to experience a different Marbella.....
Normally one does not associate "authentic Spain" when coming to
Marbella or the Costa del Sol in general! The picture we all have of this part of the world, is big
concrete buildings from Malaga right to Gibraltar! Big hotels, big resorts, Golf Courses and obviously lots of sun! Not to forget the bling bling factor!
When looking for the "Real ...

... I saw a bullfight my first week here and it really wasn't my cup of tea, but it was interesting to be where all the action takes place. I then proceeded to go exploring on my own, which I actually do quite frequently. I love people but I find I really enjoy some things better when I make my own experience not surrounded by what everyone else wants to do. I started by going down into the Ronda Gorge, which literally looks like a city built on a cliff. It is just ...

We decided today we would stay in the area and just go driving. We wanted to check out some wineries and take a cave tour. But we didn't get a chance to do either one. The cave tours were 5 hours long. The caves are amazing but not sure Shae would be able to hang that long. my guess is not. And we drove and drove and didn't find one winery. I think we got close one time. But anyway the ride was beautiful and there was a great restaurant in a white village ...

... ll have to take it another day. We drove back to Montejaque and had dinner in the Inn (english couple). It was a nice meal with great wine. We're really enjoying the wine from the region. It's funny - when you ask for a glass of vino you don't get a choice, they give you the house wine. it's always good though. We watched a movie when we got back and then to sleep. tomorrow morning is Sevilla (another big city)!

... fights are all about. Perhaps the most interesting thing about Ronda was that Ernest Hemingway used to live in Ronda and that several of his books were inspired by Ronda. He is even buried at the Corridor de Toros. If I were to be buried, I would definitely want it to be some place that I really liked.

Ronda the town was beautiful; however, I found the surrounding landscapes to be even more beautiful. The mountains and hills ...

... largest and also where one spent most time doing business or socializing since this was a daily ritual for the [male] townsmen, too. That room had benches for message, oil and perfume if one wanted. Bloody civilized they were.

The day was spent exploring the less-travelled half of town for us which also housed most of the museums including the Instruments of Torture (remind me to tell you about the pyramid with a ...

... real place where
fascists were thrown off the cliff early in the civil war. It's also
got all the usual Moorish accoutrements. A stunningly beautiful place
with a great atmo. My favourite so far.
Jon found a cheapo razor so was clean shaven for Chantal's visit. We also found cheapo blender, kettle and toaster so we are really set up. Cocktails on the terrace is not only possible but mandatory.

... quite up to expectations although pleasant because it is a very "local" town, no obvious touristic spirit. After encountering a creepy 14th century alter to the Virgin, complete with columns depicting rapacious devils and sinners clawing their flesh off in the burning fires of hell at the end of a dark and lonesome street I felt a bit spooked and had to be rushed to an excellent restaurant immediately. We dined in a tavern dedicated to the "corrida ...

... and adios. That moarning when we were visiting there bridges and Brittnay saw the guy (Johnathan) that was at the the club that she talked to all night long. He was with his parents and just smiled at her. We also went to these Arab baths that had a really good animation video. Anyway, after leaving Carlos and Antonio we ran into Catherin, Lauren and Leann. We told Leann to go visit Antonio and she did. She said it was awkward. Did I mention how when ...

She said: How exciting to walk into a bus station and have no real destination. The original plan was to head down to Tarifa, then daytrip to Gibraltar. However, buses and trains didn't work out, and we decided to divert. Ahh, the beauty of travel with no real obligation. We recognized a city from Bethany and Andre's trip to Spain, so we bought tickets to Ronda, another hill town in Andalucia. We arrived late at night after a full day in Jerez, and found cheap accommodations. Chad ...