The One with Málaga, Spain

Let the Southern Spain recaps begin! Here's post one of NINE if you can believe it. Thank you to my dear, sweet, awesome, amazing, supportive husband Chris for filling in the words so I can focus on all the big, top-secret scrappy things I have goin' on right now :)

On Thursday February 5th we packed up the car and drove to the Memmingen airport which is three hours away. Why not a closer airport? We flew with Ryanair because we found round trip tickets for $444.00 total for all four of us, that's why! Sweeeeeet deal! By the time we got there snow was starting to fall, but luckily it didn't cause any delays. We boarded the plane and took off and landed on time. Sure we were pestered by the flight attendants the entire 2.5 hour flight trying to sell us food, lottery tickets, maps, what have you, but all-in-all I think it was a splendid experience and I would totally fly Ryanair again. 

When we landed in Málaga we shed our heavy coats and knew our vacation was going to be great. Jay and Haylie (Jaylie - Chris' brother and sister-in-law) flew in from Salt Lake City and met us in the terminal then we made our way to the baggage claim. Once we had all our belongings we walked to the car rental booths and picked up our large turd-mobile (because of it's poop-brown color :). We rented a Mercedes Viano and I LOVE LOVE LOVED it! I totally want one in real life. So spacious!

Then we drove a few minutes to our airbnb apartment: we rented José's Málaga apartment for €80 for one night. We were only in the apartment for about 10 hours because we had an itinerary to keep up with and lots of things to see! (Note to self: remember trying to get into the underground parking garage? HA!/NOT ha.)

The next morning we showered, packed, and left. Short and sweet stay in Málaga before heading off to our first destination: Marbella. Stay tuned. Fast forward an entire week to Thursday February 12th and we arrived full circle back in Málaga. There is virtually nothing in Rick Steves about Málaga except how to get other places from here. So we were on our own!
We drove into the city center because we wanted to check out the Alcazaba, a Moorish fortress/palace. Navigating the super long van through the tiny, curvy, crowded streets of Málaga was an adventure in and of itself. Thanks for driving Jay!

After parking we hopped out into the rain (note to self: remember to bring rain gear next and every time, even if no rain is in the forecast... This is Europe afterall! I should know better by now...) and started walking toward the hilltop palace through a lovely park.

Rain rain, go away...

The Alcazaba! As you'll see in coming posts, southern Spain is chock full of incredible Moorish architecture, palaces, and art.

A government building I believe... don't quote me on that though...

I spy Jane! | Fountain in the park.
Park pretties. To get up and into the palace/fortress we bought our tickets at street level and then walked down this passageway to an elevator that let us off right inside.

This fortress/palace, whose name in Arabic means citadel, is one of the city's historical monuments and is visited because of its history and beauty. 

According to Arab historians it was built between 1057 and 1063 at the instructions of Badis, King of the Berber Taifa of Granada. Imported material was used in its construction and columns and capitals and other materials were taken from the nearby Roman Theater just down the hill. The building's military components make it one of the most important Muslim works in Spain today. Despite its turrets, arrow slits and battlements, perhaps its most effective defense was its location up a steep, sheer hill overlooking the city and bay.

We got some great views from up here, including shots of Malaga's Plaza de Toros, or "La Malagueta." This bullring was inaugurated on June 11, 1876. The ring measures 52 meters in diameter and has 4 corralls and10 stables, among other facilities. It now houses the Bullfighting Museum. In August it hosts its major annual event, the Feria Taurina (Bullfighting Fair), which offers a broad program of fights with great bullfighters.  Fox. He's a cool guy :)

Peaceful fountain.

As you'll see in coming posts, the intricacy of Moorish architecture is amazing. These are just a preview of the incredible buildings to come. A fortified tower overlooking the city.

We had a short stay in Málaga. We just enjoyed our walk through the park and exploring the Alcazaba, but all too soon it was time to get to the airport so that Jaylie could catch their flight back to Madrid and we could head home to Germany. As we were driving back out through Malaga, we saw..... A TACO BELL? Get outta town! I haven't seen a Taco Bell outside of our Army post food court anywhere! And then randomly we spy one in Málaga, Spain of all places. Quick, pull over! We didn't, but oh how I wanted to. Evans family in Málaga, Spain on Thursday February 12th 2015.

We took the car back to the airport and said goodbye to Jaylie. Getting checked in and onto the plane was... stressful... but it all worked out and we took off and landed on time - couldn't ask for more than that! We drove three hours back home and then this:

Suuuuuuuriously!

Even though this was out last stop, it serves as a nice teaser post for the rest of the vacation: beautiful overlooks, intricate Moorish palaces, and bullrings. So much more to come!

Next stop: Marbella in the Costa del Sol.