The sun is shining and the popular Levante beach is bustling with British holidaymakers over the extended UK May bank holiday weekend. Sadly this means that the ‘mojiteros’ – or illegal cocktail sellers are also out in force and doing an exceptionally brisk trade today. Over a one-hour period this afternoon I managed to spot numerous men touting their toxic wares up and down the beach, with unfortunately many takers! One young lady, laying on her sunbed with luggage nearby was obviously enjoying her last few hours, clutching a plastic tumbler - half empty.
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The spectacular Benidorm or Bust 'The Great Escape' car rally arrived in Benidorm yesterday (Saturday) afternoon for the ninth successive year, with 138 customised vehicles leaving various parts of the UK last week for the epic journey. Tuesday night was spent in Dover, Wednesday night in Orléans, Thursday in Toulouse and Friday in Salou. Unfortunately, five had to bow out on the way but the remainder made a noisy entrance into Benidorm to the delight of onlookers, eagerly awaiting their arrival. Many were themed and easily recognisable, with the teams also dressing up.
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In a surprise move, Benidorm will be offering free parking directly on the Levante beach front on the site of the old Las Terrazas building at the junction of Avenida Mediterraneo and Avenida Europa, opposite the Hotel Cimbel. The mayor signed an agreement with the owner of the site on Monday, giving the council temporary use of the plot to offer free parking to residents and more importantly, visitors. The 3,700 square metre site is meant to be operational by the end of the week and today diggers and plenty of workmen were already on site, clearing and levelling. Old asphalt from ongoing roadworks on the Avenida Europa opposite will be reused in the new parking area and mounds were already waiting to be spread out.
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Step back in time and visit the Medieval Market in Benidorm this weekend – located in Dove Park at the beginning of the Poniente beach in the old town. On until tomorrow evening (Sunday May 12) there are plenty of stalls, processions and demonstrations of bygone crafts plus to add to the authenticity and atmosphere, many of the stallholders are dressed in period costume.
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Yes it’s that time of the year, when Benidorm is inundated with Stag & Hen groups, which are often easily identified from the array of outfits on display around the resort! With flights from the UK plentiful and generally inexpensive, coupled with the cost of alcohol a fraction of that in the UK, it’s hardly surprising that they arrive en masse on a Thursday or Friday for their pre-wedding celebrations. They are undoubtedly an important and crucial contributor to the economy here and the vast majority are well behaved – there will always be the few that spoil it but that can be said of all walks of life.
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Another year but the traditional UK to Benidorm charity car rally 'Benidorm Bangers' – now in its ninth year pulled into Benidorm this afternoon, having set off from various parts of the UK on Monday for the 1,500km drive. This year 38 vehicles started… with only 2 failing along the way. Unfortunately, the traditional drive along the Avd Mediterraneo and onto the Levante beachfront couldn’t take place because of the roadworks, meaning many missed out on the opportunity of seeing them.
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British expats certainly showed how to celebrate St George’s Day in style today, with around 800 turning out at Camping Almafra on the Alfaz/Benidorm border to party as only the British know how. The majority turned out in red and white and there were many English flags proudly being waved throughout the afternoon…. a sight sadly not seen very often back home. Some even came in fancy dress or had their faces painted to add to the carnival like atmosphere - but thing was for certain, everyone had a ball!
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For once the tables are turned. Whilst the UK bathes in glorious sunshine over the Easter weekend, here in Spain we have experienced the worse winds and rainfall for many many years. Torrents of rainwater have cascaded down streets, sweeping everything in its path. Holidaymakers hoping for a sunshine break have been left understandably disappointed and most of the Easter parades last week were cancelled.
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For the ninth successive year, the 3 Day Elvis Fest has descended upon Benidorm attracting hundreds of fans to the resort, many who have taken great effort to dress up for the occasion. The Melia Hotel is the epicentre, where a great poolside show featuring many of the Elvis Tribute Artistes (ETA’s) took place this afternoon. Hotel guests had a fantastic afternoon, listening to some incredible live entertainment – a real bonus for them. The weather has been a little bit of a mixed bag, with a breeze mixed together with outbreaks of sun but thankfully the rain kept away. There are also shows featuring world class ETA’s taking place at two other venues - The Rock & Roll House and Showboat however, these are for ticket holders only.
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The uncertainty of Brexit has created confusion and fear, with some even putting off booking their holidays. However, despite this the resort still appears pretty busy, especially at the weekends, with the Stag & Hen season now upon us… and where would many of the bars be without their business – probably closed! But the age old question of where to change your pounds to euros remains – before you leave or in the resort. A big no-no is to never change it at the airport, whether in the UK or especially here at Alicante. What many do is go to one of the many exchange bureaus’ here in the resort – but a warning, there are unscrupulous ones here too.
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With clear blue skies and temperatures in the mid 20’s here in Benidorm today there was no stopping many taking to the streets, especially in the Rincon this afternoon to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. Many of the bars embraced the occasion, with bunting, balloons , shamrocks and flags decorating their terraces. Most people also enthusiastically embraced the theme, at the least wearing something green or a garland around their necks whilst others went for full-on fancy-dress, with an interesting selection.
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The controversial ‘Tiki Beach’ on the Levante promenade in Benidorm has re-opened – thankfully just in time for the St Patrick’s day celebrations. Re-branded as ‘Cocktail Beach’ and under new management, a few cosmetic changes have been made, including the removal of the terrace bar but the atmosphere loved by so many visiting British holidaymakers remains.
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The Old Town was alive for Carnival last night – with a parade of more than 1,500 people. Unusually for Spain, it started bang on time at 9:30pm, with 78 groups and a dozen individuals dressed in a variety of eye-catching outfits, marching down the length of the Avenida Ruzafa and finishing at the town hall square. The roadside was lined with cheering spectators and the requisite loudspeakers pumped out music that even made the pavements vibrate!
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Loved and hated in equal measures but after years of legal wrangling and appeals going back and forth between residents and owners of Tiki Beach, the inevitable has finally happened. A Supreme Court ruling at the end of last year sealed its fate, with the order being decreed that it must close and no further appeals possible. A day many thought would never come, but Tiki Beach on the Levante promenade has now closed down and this morning fencing had been erected and the builders were in.
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