West of the Town

Friday 20 January 2017

Snow

Not that snow is so exceptional in January, but this is Spain.

And it is true that there is very little on the ground. This picture is about as "thick" as it gets! I did see some small boys collecting as much as they could find. They appeared to be constructing a miniature snowman. 

Unusually the snowfall is midday. It was dry this morning, and later in the day it rained; although I noticed that the rain did have a slight "floaty" appearance as it drifted down. But that could have been the wind. 

This morning there is still a little evidence of this exceptional weather event; mostly on distant hills. And it's cold. Something the Spanish keep remarking on continually. That and "why do you wear only shirtsleeves?"  

Because I feel warm enough despite the snow. 

Ps. As I drive to Malaga the car registered temperatures in double figures. Spain is not used to the cold. "Is it as bad as this in England?" They asked, clearly expecting the answer "no". After all, it couldn't possibly be this cold anywhere else. 

Slight Spanish Snow
They tell me this is "cold!"

The photo was sideways. Sorry. I found out how to change it! 

Saturday 7 January 2017

On-line

Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The queue for checking in is 2 rows of loads of people stretching into the public side of the airport. Not that non-flyers can enter so I have said good bye already. 

Then I noticed the on-line checkin queue. 1 person. That's much better I thought, and having delayed my bedtime to check in I joined the short queue. 

Do you have the printed boarding pass? I was asked. No, the printer isn't working but I have a copy on my phone. 

That was acceptable. 

And now as you can see I am at departure ahead of a plane-full of other people. 

And there is WiFi that works (unlike the bus one that sort of worked). So from here are the blogs as I relax and wait. 

2 hours to boarding, 3 hours to take-off. 



14:10
A new arrival, our transport.


Once in Paris, the queues were short for a change. Even so the luggage took over half an hour to arrive. Even the train lacked passengers. Here I am, the only one on this coach. 


A quiet trip home is not to be sniffed at!


Heading Back

A way stop on the 4 hour bus ride to Manila. A chance to move the legs and a little relief.

We have a bus front seat, a "senior" concession and we both qualify!

The bus has WiFi so this is a pass time activity made slower by the bumpy road and the Internet speed. It may yet fail. 




2 bus depot photos. 


Friday 6 January 2017

The beach Restaurant

Friday. Our last full day together so we visited a favourite restaurant. It is set in a bamboo room overlooking the resort and beach beyond.

Since the food takes 20 mins to cook, we ordered and then went for a stroll along the beach. The was hardly anyone around so this boat owner asked is 3 times if we wanted a boat trip. Another time perhaps. 


The sand is soft and very hot, it's near midday, and if it gets under your feet in your sandals you soon kick it out! Evangeline explains that our local beach used to be the same but ever since the volcano 25 years ago it has had a rough texture.

I recall that is just as hot though!