LEG 5 MANCA 2014 SAILING ADVENTURES PLUS A NUMBER OFSHORT LAND CRUISES 1. Short sail to beautiful Marina del Este. 2. A bus ride to Old Nerja and the famous caves. 3. Return sail to Fuengirola. 4. A scenic bus ride for 1.55 Euros up the mountain to Old Benalmadena. 5. A short one-week sail from Fuengirola west along the coast and return to Benalmadena. 6. A visit to Old Marbella centre during the Fishermen’s Festival of Saint of Virgin del Carmen. 7. Sail Back to Benalmadena. 8. A very scenic bus ride for 1.65 Euros up the side of the mountain to Mijas. 9. A brief return to my childhood chasing Butterflies in the Park. This time with a Nikon. 10. End of Leg 5. 1. SHORT SAIL EAST TOWARDS MARINA DEL ESTE July 5 we rendezvous with crew in Fuengirola. July 6 set out for a very short sail to Benalmadena heading east. It looked like a quick sail before the weather fell apart on the 7th! The timing was right as we managed to dock, in some very gusty westerlycrosswinds with only a small, nasty, expensive, gel coat chip to the aft quarter; just before the reallystrong winds arrived.

Spain takes pride in the many marinas. The non sailors support them, enjoy them and visit them. This one is designed like a little Venice. It is beautifully done and attracts many sightseers. We were docked on one of the “islands” rightin the centre of the photo. There are dozens of cafes in a crescent behind the appartments.

The 7th is a lay day as the weather forecast was force 6-7. It is “blowing old boots” as Alan used to say! OK for racing crew but silly if you are on a casual cruise. Our Spanish neighbor decides to go out on his big Beneteau Oceanis with his wife. Later in the day he limped back into dock with his genoa ripped to pieces and his bimini blown apart; an expensive outing with no sailing for some weeks. (Spell checker throws up some funny choices: “bikini” instead of “bimini”. Perhaps her bikini was also blown apart.)

The 8th the swells are still running and the weather still continues to look dodgy. A great beach day! The 9th things look more reasonable so we set out for Caleta Velez the sleepy fishing village about 26 NM east. Here we enjoy wonderful seafood at a very modest price with small beers ( “cana”) for 1.50 Euros. The fresh sardines are barbequed on the beach. THERE WERE 10 OF THESE SMALL BOATS WITH THE NETS AND TWO CREW OUT EACH DAY TO CLEAN THE SEA NEARTHE SWIMINNG BEACHES OF CALETA VELEZ

2. LAND VOYAGE TO OLD NERJA AND THE CAVES. The 10th July brings an easy bus ride to Nerja. The bus stop is two minutes walk from the yacht. The lovely ride follows the coast and drops you right beside the centre of the Old Nerja village. The famous “Europe Balcony” is a great location for a Spanish breakfast. The views are stunning.

THE GUIDE BOOK SAYS THERE IS A BIT OF A MYTH HERE. NEVER MIND THE VIEWS ARE STUNNING.

GREAT VIEW FOR BREAKFAST. THE NERJA CAVES ARE UP IN THE HILLS ON THE LEFT.

NERJA - A BEAUTFUL TROPICAL BEACH VIEW.

ABOUT ALL THAT REMAINS OF THE OLD CASTLE ON THE "BALCONY OF EUROPE" SITE The famous Cuevas de Nerja is the site where, in 1959, prehistoric paintings dating possibly to 20,000 years ago were discovered. While the paintings are not open for the public it is still fun to visit the siteand the rest of the spooky stalactite and stalagmite limestone formations. “No flash allowed” makes a bit of a challenge for the Nikon as the operator, as usual, forgot to pack the tripod.

NERJA CAVES WITH STAINING FROM COPPER AND OTHER MINERALS.

THE CAVES ARE A GREAT PLACE TO COOL OFF IN THE AFTERNOON.THE LIMESTONE HAS CREATED SOME WONDERFUL TEXTURES AND PATTERNS. CONCERTS ARE HELD IN ONE OF THE LARGER CAVES.

AM TOLD THIS IS THE ROMAN AQUEDUCT NEAR NERJA BUT I AM NOT SO SURE WHAT IT IS! PRETTY ANYWAY!

THE SAIL TO MARINA DEL ESTE (CONTINUED) EARLY MORNING LIGHT OVER NERJA AND MOUNTAINS ON THE WAY TO MARINA DEL ESTE

NERJA AND THE BALCONY FROM THE SEA

July 12 we leave early for Marina del Este so that on arrival we have the rest of the day to play! After docking and backing up to the lovely wall of cafes and bars we are entertained by a wonderful guitarist and his cute Cuban partner who are the music for Steve’s charter yacht with a load of tourists heading out into the fog for a day’s sailing. The talented Dutchman, Albert Nuijten, played as the yacht sailed out and again later as they returned. What a treat! He should be on the world stages but prefers to hang out in Spain. MARINA DEL ESTE WITH ALBERT PLAYING SUPERB GUITAR AS THE CHARTER BOAT RETURNS FROM HER SAIL.

ALBERT’S CUBAN SINGING PARTNER WAITS HER TURN TO SING.

WONDERFUL MUSIC BESIDE MANCA AT MARINA DEL ESTE July 12 we planned to visit the nearby village of Almunecar but somehow the day drifted away just hanging out. It is always nice not to be in a rush, especially with forecasts and sightings of a lot of fog along the coast. In the evening we make a short walk along to the beach café where Albert is playing to an almost private performance. What a wonderful evening of music. I bought Albert’s CD: Still on the Road 2010. 3. RETURN SAIL TO FUENGIROLA July 13 just a quick return to Caleta Velez managing to dodge the fog. July 14 set out with clear visibility but as the wind filled in so did the fog. For 4 torturous hours we listened, scanned the radar and at times turned off the engine so we could hear and place some voices coming from a small fish boat that the radar could not pick up. At times only the bow was visible so we had to reduce speed to 1 K; safer but more time in the fog. With the GPS and radar we find the approach to Fuengirola Marina and with luck, just as we approached the rocky breakwater, the fog lifted so we could enter safely. Perhaps the most trying sailing I have ever done; excluding the night race in the Strait of Juan de Fuca Swiftsure 2006 when the USA fishing fleet was ordered home By The Coast Guard because of the approaching storm. The total concentration in the fog for 4 hours was exhausting!

BENALMADENA FOG ON THE BEACH

4. A SCENIC BUS RIDE FOR 1.55 EUROS TO OLD BENALMADENA Well I now know I should have taken Spanish at school. If you can get the right directions, the bus service is fantastic and cheap. While some will pay 30 Euros for the scenic tour to Old Benalmadena you can get the same route for 1.55. The old town is small so you can easily find the points of interest without a guide! “YOUNG GIRL IN THE FOUNTAIN” PLAZA ESPANA OLD BENALMADENA

ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL LIGHT AND SHADE IN THE OLD SPAINISH TOWNS

17TH CENTURY CHURCH ON THE CITADEL IGLESI SANTO DOMINGO GUZMAN

GREAT VISTAS TO THE SEA FROM THE CITADEL

LONG DISTANCE PHOTO FROM THE CITADEL

FANTASY “CASTLE” IS A MODERN TRIBUTE TO EXPLORER CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. BULIT BY ESTEBAN MARTIN AND TWO ARTISANS 1987-1994. IT IS SAID TO INCORPORATE ARCHITECTURE FROM: BIZANTINE, ROMANESQUE, ARABIC AND GOTHIC STYLES. ONLY 2 EUROS TO ENTER.

THE FANTASY AND DOORS WITH A VARIETY OF MATERIALS

FANTASY BOW OF COLUMBUS' SHIP PINTA

5. A SHORT ONE WEEK SAIL EAST TO BAJADILLA, ESTEPONA AND RETURN TO BENALMADENA July 15 Off we sail east again making our fist stop at Bajadilla. This is a great find. It was first a fishing harbor but now has a lovely marina with room for Manca. It is right beside the expensive, posh, Marbella Marina which suits the rich and famous but for us; Bajadilla is half the price, at a totally convenient location with very friendly staff. Plus right at the end of the dock a great seafood café: at El Canute. July 16 is a rest day.

6. A VISIT TO OLD MARBELLA AND ENJOYING THE FISHERMEN’S FESTIVAL OF THE VIRGIN DEL CARMEN On July 16 we enjoyed watching some of the festivities of the Virgin del Carmen in Bajadilla and Marbella. Here we saw the fishing boats being decorated, a flotilla and part of the early morning seaside mass. Being woken to the sweet, cheerful voices of the female choir wafting over the breakwater from the beach, was quite a delightful sensation. WOMEN DANCING WITH A FISH NET. PART OF THE SEA FESTIVAL OF THE VIRGEN DEL CARMEN

A PART OF THE CONGREGATION LEAVING THE FESTIVAL DEL CARMEN MASS ON THE BEACH AT DAWN

THE VIRGIN DEL CARMEN WILL BE CARRIED THROUGH THE STREETS OF MARBELLA

Later in the afternoon a casual stroll around Old Marbella town offered many lovely sites. Although thebeautiful restorations are motivated by commerce to attract the tourists, it is still a pleasure to see suchcare and pride in the town.

OLD MARBELLA HOUSES WERE DECORATED WITH VIRGIN DEL CARMEN BANNERS AND MOTIFS

BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS ADORN THE OLD STREETS OF MARBELLA My goodness Salvador Dali gets top billing in Marbella. A whole promenade from the old centre down tothe sea with maybe 10 or so of his dramatic, twisted, creations is set aside for his works.

DALI SCULPTURE. SHE SEEMS TO BE LOOKING AT THE TOURISTS!

DALI SCULPTURE AND YOUR SKIPPER, THE ONE IN THE GREEN SHIRT!

SHALL WE TELL THE KIDS AN ELEPHANT IS COMING?

As we arrive at the Marbella beach we get a chance to see the boat flotilla for the festival headed along the shore with all kinds of craft joining the fishing fleet, honking and tooting as they head down to Juan Banus. The boats are packed with friends, crew and family. THE FISH BOATS IN THE FESTIVAL DEL CARMEN

FLOTILLA OF FESTIVAL DEL CARMEN. ALL KINDS OF VESSELS CELEBRATE THE "QUEEN OF THE SEA”.

THE TOWN IS VERY INVOLVED IN THE FESTIVAL. BEACH GOERS WISH THE FLOTILLA SAFETY AT SEA. 7. RETURN SAIL TO BENALMADENA July 17 we sail for Estepona, spot a few dolphins and manage to find my favorite tapas bar/fish café open. La Escollera serves up some fantastic fresh sea food. A bottle of good local vino blanco de casa is small change at 9.0 Euros. Many of the cafes barbeque fresh sardines on the beach.

SOME DAYS BRING JUST VERY LIGHT WINDS

FRESH SARDINES ON THE ESTEPONA BEACH BARBIE YUM!

FRESH ESTEPONA SARDINES CAUGHT LOCALLY AND VERY TASTY

OLD ESTEPONA, LIKE MARBELLA, HAS MANY BEAUTIFUL PUBLIC ART WORKS. I FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF A SCULPTURE IN A PHOTO. BUT THIS ONE SEEMED TO WORK. I WANTED THE ROSE AT HER FEET! July 18 we decide to head back to Benalmadena as the weather was looking as if it might change and make it a tough sail the next day. Benalmadena has a great location, a beautifully styled Marina after Gaudi and it is surprisingly cheap. Once tucked inside we had good protection which is much needed along this coast. A little swell finds its way right inside so you get gently rocked to sleep at night. 8. A VERY SCENIC BUS RIDE FOR 1.65 EUROS WAY UP THE MOUNTAINSIDE TO MIJAS On July 19 we have a chance to catch the #121 bus from Benalmadena up the mountain to Old Mijas. At first the bus winds out of town and then follows some pretty wide roads .Later as the hairpins begin much of the road is very narrow with no passing room. It’s a neck twister as you turn to catch the beautiful scenery across the hills and down to the sea.

MIJAS A BEAUTIFUL OLD TOWN BUILT ON A BLUFF OVERLOOKING THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA. WONDERFUL BREAKFAST IS SERVED UNDER THE PINES

What a splendid aspect for a late breakfast looking out to sea while enjoying a fresh glass of O/J, Spanishomelet and cafe con leche! Perched on a bluff the café catches a welcome cooling breeze whichsnatches at the paper table cloths and tries to toss your bread on the ground. The town proudly offers “Donkey Taxis” which a really quite practical for the narrow walking streets.

DONKEY TAXI WAITS FOR YOU On Saturday the local market offers many fine homemade goodies. The smiling baker with the portable oven is making delicious bread that stayed fresh for a number of days.

SMILING BREADMAKER OF MIJAS ON MARKET DAY

MIJAS STREETS ARE CASUAL, RELAXING, WITH LOTS OF LEATHER SHOPS AT MODEST PRICES

DELICIOUS HOMEDAE SWEETS FROM NATURALLY DRIED FRUIT

“NANO”! WHAT A NICE DONKEY POWERING THE WELL WATER LIFTING BUCKETS. BESIDE THIS WERE MACHINES POWERED BY AN ANCIENT AQUEDUCT RUNNING DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAINS. 9. CHASING BUTTER FLIES A BRIEF RETURN TO MY CHILDHOOD - BUT THIS TIME WITH A NIKON D7000 Mariposa de Benalmadena offers a chance to photograph these little beauties. You have to be very fastas they usually set down, take a few breaths and then flit off before you can say: “Shutter Bug”. Noteasy! However after about three hours I managed to get a few good ones. Identifying them without an expert guide is another story. The Samia Ricini and Attacus Atlas were great subjects. They just sat there perfectly still!

ATTACUS ATLAS

IDEA LEUCONOE NEWLY BORN TODAY

SAMIA RICINI IS EASY TO CATCH AS IT JUST SITS NICE AND STILL!

DANAUS PLEXIPPUS. I LOVE IT WHEN THEY SIT STILL ON A FLOWER FOR JUST A FEW SECONDS

BEAUTIFUL BUT UIFB- UNIDENTIFIED FLYING BUTTERFLY

NOT SURE OF THIS ONE EITHER: UIFB. FREE BEER FOR THE FIRST ONE TO EMAIL WITH THE CORRECT ID

IT WAS GREAT TO GET CLOSE TO THIS ONE… POSSIBLY IDEA LEUCONOE

IDEA LEUCONOE FEEDS FROM A TINY FLOWER

POSSIBLY CALIGO MEMNON WITH THE FALSE EYE. HAPPY IT STOPPED ON THE RED TENDRILS.

SEED EATING AUSTRALIAN YELLOW FINCH. THE BUTTERFLIES WERE SAFE!

BRILLIANT MORPHO PELEIDES. NORMALLY YOU ONLY SEE THE BLUE WHEN SHE FLIES. AS SOON AS SHE LANDS WINGS ARE FOLDED AND SHE DISAPPEARS

IF THE WINGS WERE OPEN IT MIGHT BE HELICONUS HECALE. REGARDLESS A NICE SHOT ON THE ORCHID

ATTACUS ATLAS EMERGINING FROM COCOON

ORCHIDS AND A BROWN ONE

GREAT DETAIL UIFB

WHITE ON PINK FLOWER UIFB

PRETTY SURE THIS IS PAPILO POLYTES

RED AND BLACK ON GREEN LEAF UIFB

BEAUTIFUL BLUE AND BLACK UIFB

NICE BROWN ONE UIFB ORCHIDS

HELICONIUS CHARITONIUS. I JUST HAD ONE CHANCE TO SHOOT THIS ONE! WHAT A LOVELY NAME.

WONDERFUL GRETA, GRETA OTO, WITH THE TRANSPARENT WINGS!

I WAS LUCKY TO GET A SHARP SHOT OF CALIGO MEMNON AND FLOWER.

IDEA LEUCONOE ON WHITE ORCHID

LOVE IS IN THE AIR...

Thanks to Mariposario de Benalmadena Butterfly Park for a wonderful afternoon chasing the beauties!

10 END OF LEG 5 END OF LEG 5 MANCA IS SAFELY TUCKED ON THE "ISLAND" BENALMADENA A little sailing and some great land trips makes for a great vacation.

SUNSET OVER BENALMADENA

I finally caught up with this blog at Marina Smir. Terry and s/y Manaca August 1, 2014

Revised August 4, 2014