Maracas in 2018

In February I published the following on Tripadvisor. Here is the the full script with additional images.

Inside looking out.

Once again I am sojourning in Benalmádena, Andalusia, on the Costa del Sol. As is my habit, I am again frequenting my favourite café-bar on the beach. Maracas Bil-Bil has been established here some fifteen years or so and with each year, despite the odd natural disaster bringing business to a halt for a day or two, goes from strength to strength. During the nights of high summer it is quite a hip spot; but during the rest of the year the clientèle is very mixed: locals and tourists from across the globe; from babies right through to the agèd. Together they imbibe, nosh, chatter, play and take the sun. The brave even take a dip in the sea some five to ten metres away - depending on the tide!

Cocktail menu & two sample beverages

Also the cuisine offers something for almost everyone. Vegetarians and carnivores alike. Although the menu does not specifically cater for vegans, if one asks, the staff will do their best to offer something appropriate.

Over the years, I have sampled many of the options offered on the menu. After all, I am here most days that the sun shines. A new dish for me to try this year is the Ensalada Bil-Bil (Bil-Bil Salad - image above). It contains: mixed lettuce leaves including radicchio - these were unblemished, crisp and tasty; a caramelised slice of goat cheese - this was a total surprise and a tasty and wonderfully textured delight as the cheese was firm and the caramelisation was sweet as atop a crème caramel; slices of air-dried duck (jamón de pato) - they melted on the tongue and the flavour was sublime, just heavenly; toasted pine-nuts - which added additional crunch, texture and a nutty flavour; and, finally, what is described in English as an “apple vinaigrette” - for my tastes this was a tad too sweet, but that is normal for the Spanish palette. All the flavours, textures and colours created a culinary delectation for the tongue, the palette and the eye. My one minor criticism would be that the salad was served over chilled, which initially muted some of the flavours. However, one has to understand that in the typical heat of southern Iberia such cooling is totally necessary.

My salad was washed down with a couple of glasses of chilled house rosé at €3 apiece. I needed no other food as I was quite, quite sated. At €9 for the salad, this represents good value for money for the quality and quantity. I strongly recommend the Ensalada Bil-Bil. And, after something like a decade-and-a-half of being an habitué of the establishment, I thoroughly recommend Maracas Bil-Bil to the traveller.

Other dishes I savoured during my extended stay were Teriyaki chicken on a bed of steamed rice and tapa of Ensaladilla Rusa (without beetroot as in UK!).

La Despensa Familiar, Benalmádena: a Review

I am a regular visitor to Benalmádena. And I think La Despensa Familiar has been open about three years or so. The staff are knowledgeable about what they sell. On several occasions I have visited advising what I intended to cook and have been recommended a perfect wine to accompany the food, and without breaking the bank.

On the last occasion, having done a supermarket run next-door, on a hot & sticky day we were fully ready for some refreshment. There is seating inside, which I think is air-conditioned - at least it is cooler than on the terrace. We sat outside on stools at barrels which serve as tables. I had a deliciously fruity, chilled rosado/rosé at €2,30 and my companion a caña/draught beer, for €1,25. Perfectly reasonable prices.

At Spanish lunch-times and dinner-times, the place is packed. So popular is it with locals that the place is open seven days a week, including Sundays now.

[Image description: the platter of four types of charcuterie plus cheese]

 
From the deli counter we ordered a platter of Iberian charcuterie & cheese for two. This was very reasonably priced at €15 for take-away (take-out). The assistant's attention to detail meant that when he noticed a slice of cheese had slipped from its position, he unwrapped the platter and started afresh - dedication! We had it that very evening for our evening meal, over a couple of hours, with a lovely bottle of Rioja.

[Image description: the platter as centre-piece of our dinner on the balcony]

Staff are friendly and helpful. I speak Spanish; but English is spoken when needed.

Recommended.

Maracas 2017: a Review

Back in my second home of Benalmádena, I naturally gravitated to my favourite café-bar, Maracas, on Playa Bil-Bil. The popular venue celebrates fifteen years of business and international friendship this year. This is my fourteenth year of frequenting. Dani the waiter raised his eyebrows in greeting whilst serving elsewhere, but once free came over for our order. Sunday is always the busiest day of the week for the staff as the tourists are augmented by the locals on their day off who also want to enjoy the benefits of their blessèd municipality, now grown to seventy thousand registered residents. Maracas is not the cheapest place to eat and drink, but obviously one must expect to pay a small premium for being able to enjoy a cocktail or paella right on the beach and within a couple of metres of the gently lapping sea.

It was a warm Sunday, so we commenced with a caña apiece @ €2, that’s a small draught beer. In Spain, one will observe even respectable-looking women as well as the menfolk taking a small beer first thing of the morning. This does not signify a nation of drunkards or alcoholics: recent research has proven the benefits of this small pick-me-up.

As the afternoon progressed we moved on to tinto de verano @ €2.50, a cocktail of chilled red wine with a sparkling lemon drink, often Sprite or lemonade. It is surprisingly refreshing and not as sweet as perhaps one might anticipate. We chatted with: a group of four German, late middle-aged chaps on a friends’ break; an extended queer family and their beautiful bairn; a very middle-class family from Holland; and, a Spanish mother with her brood of peckish children. One has probably gathered that Maracas is a friendly place for all: child-friendly; gay-friendly; alien-friendly…

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The time to eat arrived. My chum ordered a hamburguesa de ternera - this strictly-speaking ought to be a veal hamburger, but is often made from beef cuts. My companion loved the burger: tasty, juicy and not over salted. He was also content with the filling. The bread roll was not the best and crumbled. Over all, at €4.50, he was very content.

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I opted for a dish Maracas introduced about three or so years ago, ensalada pasta tricolor. In a large bowl were three colours of perfectly cooked pasta twists, with sweetcorn, chicken, walnut halves, diced cheese, and hard-boiled egg slices. One has the choice of several speciality dressings or one can use the balsamic vinegar &/or olive oil brought to table whenever one places an order for food. At €8 this represents great value for such a substantial meal.

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We shared a large bowl of perfectly cooked French fries, patatas fritas (in Spanish this can mean chips [US fries] or crisps [US chips]). Accompanying our luncheon we enjoyed a medium, chilled rosé, vino rosado, @ €2.

After three hours of chilling on the beach in the sun, we were were ready to head back to our hotel for a siesta (nap). Of course, we shall return to Maracas.

Highly recommended. %D

Café Capricho, Benalmádena, Andalusia: a Review

We have been frequenting Café Capricho for several years. It is located in the Torrequebrada district of Benalmádena, which also happens to be the location of my favourite supermarket chain, Supercor.

[Image description: the eatery's outside terrace, partly covered]

The vast majority of the staff are professional and affable, speaking to one with genuine smiles. Occasionally, one encounters a member of staff having an off-day - do not let that put the reader off from returning. The most difficult aspect at Capricho is trying to pay, for the café is invariably busy and frequented by locals and tourists alike, surely good signs.

We often just pop by for a coffee prior to doing the shopping; but we also stop for longer periods to enjoy a light luncheon.

[Image description: luncheon at table]

 
Whilst there for our first visit of this holiday, we ordered two dishes to share. It being Friday, we requested a plate of queso manchego, traditional cheese from central Spain which goes well with a glass of Rioja. However, we chose to drink draught, light beer instead, a small glass of which is called a caña. We also selected bacalao frito, a small serving of French fries (NB not English style chunky chips!) surrounded by the most lightly battered cod chunks, the flesh of which was moist, and flaked only when one broke off a forkful. This latter dish cost €10, but is highly recommended, especially for Brits who like their fish & chips of a Friday.

[Image description: club sandwich]

 

 [Image description: huevos rotos]

On the second occasion, we started by ordering a caña apiece, @ €1.60, whilst we mulled over the menu. I plumbed for the club sandwich, which contained a substantial amount of chicken breast, lettuce, delicious & sweet beef-tomato, and a light dollop of mayonnaise. At €6 better than anything one might obtain at certain burger chains: a substantial and tasty, quality meal. My chum opted for huevos rotos, a plate of lightly cooked Spanish ham with fried eggs with a slash through the yolk, on a bed of shredded lettuce and French fries, @ €7, my chum wolfed down and said he would be more than happy to order again. We also shared a plate of home-made French fries at €3. They arrive golden and unsalted, so one can season to taste. Very little remained of this repast, as ever.

Recommended.

La Despensa Del Mar Restaurant, Benalmádena: a Review

 

Meeting up with Spanish chums in the commercial district of Benalmádena, called Arroyo de la Miel, we needed a restaurant that could cater for a large electric wheelchair. Despensa was perfect. A waiter willingly re-arranged furniture so that the wheelchair could fit at table.

 

La Despensa del Mar literally translates as the pantry of the sea, an appropriate nomenclature for an eatery specialising in fish and seafood, but as it is attached to a sister restaurant meat-eaters are permitted to select from its menu too.

Between six of us we shared: two house salads; mixed, deep-fried fish & seafood (top image below); lamb meatballs (bottom image); stewed lamb; cheese; and jamón. Almost everything was consumed, but what was not eaten was left only due to each & everyone of us feeling totally stuffed.

 

 

 

Various drinks were consumed, but I personally heartily recommend the draft beer, una caña, which was malt-flavoured and refreshing, served ice-cold.

We did not have dessert as one of the party was celebrating a birthday. We took along our own cake which the staff were happy to bring out after our repast.

Staff were friendly, polite and efficient; well, until it came to paying the bill - apparently, a common issue across Spain!

We all shall be returning.

Y: the last man / Y: el último hombre : a review

During my annual residence in Spain last year, I purchased from En Portada Comics the ten graphic novels in Spanish (image above) that comprise the complete set of Y: the last man / Y: el último hombre. Most I read during my quotidian visits to Maracas Beach Bar in Benalmádena Costa. However, the last I had to wait to read, as I again lost my ability to read for enjoyment. Due to a bout of insomnia I completed my reading of the series.

Several years ago, I came across volume one in English (image above) in the appropriate section of Manchester's branch of Waterstone's. At the time I loved the idea of a world without men, in which the last man alive tries to stay alive and battle his way across the planet to find his betrothed. Just a good job that he turns out to be heterosexual, otherwise it might have proved a disaster for humankind!

I do not wish to reveal any more of the plot: however, for those who do not find synopses detract from their enjoyment of books, a brief overview can be found in this Wikipedia article.

The only pointer I should make is the reason for the disappearance of all male creatures from Earth is never overtly stated, but several theories and explanations are offered throughout the series. The reason I am apprising the reader is so that they can look for clues if they so wish.

Out of the ten books, only one slightly disappointed from a narrative perspective (not the last); however, I enjoyed the artworks and the characters throughout. Additionally, as the novel was originally published in comic-book format, the extra covers are included for good measure at the rear of each relevant tome; so no-one will miss out on the superb cover-art.

I believe there is a de-luxe version of the series in English, which I might consider placing on my wish-list.

Totally recommend! %D

 

Dis/Ablism in Benalmádena: photo-doc for #BADD2015

I have taken dozens and dozens of photographs of good, poor and really bad practice in enabling equal access to the streets and facilities of Benalmádena in Andalusia. In the thirteen years I have been a visitor, I have seen major changes. Nonetheless, awareness of disability issues is still rather woeful. Some of the photographs are great examples of how-to or how-not-to. Instead of posting all my photographs, I have decided to demonstrate a circular route from the main taxi-rank on the Avenida de las Palmeras to the health-centre serving the area, where anyone who needed non-emergency medical help would have to attend. Then I crossed over the main road and walked back snapping as I went.

Not all the images are labelled: so my apologies to the visually impaired. I am currently travelling and only have intermittent internet connection. I expect to have described all the pictures by the end of the month.

A pharmacy with lots of space out front, lots of steps, but no ramp or lift.

Just about wide enough for a wheelchair to pass, but no margin for error as that is a rather high kerb (curb).

Look out for raised iron-works - a constant threat.

A sensory dropped kerb to the pedestrian-crossing.

A soon-to-be mini-supermarket has already installed a ramp with dual hand-rail.

The above and following photos demonstrate how important it is to restrict street-furniture and advertising-hoardings as well as situating the stops far enough forwards/backwards so that wheelchairs can comfortably pass.

Sensory surface leading to crossing-point.

Alas the path on the opposite side is too narrow for a wheelchair, and just wait for the ironworks and litter-bin on the corner (below)!

Much of this route has trees and lamp-posts and signage placed in the centre of the pavement, forcing the wheelchair-user at best to take a slalom course.

Low hanging trees and shrubs, whilst æsthetically attractive, are a nightmare for the blind and visually impaired - not everyone can see that they need to duck or move around.

A steep drop from pavement to road: very difficult for independent wheelchair-users or pushers to control the chairs.

Missing ironworks - again a common feature - are just as potentially dangerous as raised ones.

Raised ironworks, potholes, cracks and uneven surface on a pedestrian-crossing.

Just as bad at the next junction with C/ Camelia.

And this dropped kerb does not actually align with the chewed-up crossing.

More obstacles

But you do get the sensory dropped kerb just before the crossing.

Nigh impossible to navigate round this item of street-furniture.

Missing ironworks: the pavement equivalent of a pothole!

Another low-hanging tree. The man ahead had to duck to pass under.

A rather steep, curving pavement.

Sensory and dropped kerb to traverse the zebra-crossing.

Keep going round if you are mobility impaired…

At the next crossing (the one we need)…

…we encounter a dropped kerb that has a lip.

The international symbol for disabled plus arrows attached to the front entrance point us to the right.

Alas, they're a tad difficult to perceive from the crossing, so one is going to make an unnecessary detour!

Access is via a side-door. I checked it opens really easily, despite looking sturdy.

There are three disabled-parking bays - but they are at the front, not at the side of the building!

Oftentimes, the buttons for requesting the green-man are set too high.

We now approach the area around the hotel Sunset Beach, where some of the worst examples of disablism on this route were encountered.

Above & below: avoid the steep, dropped kerbs and go round the bollards!

This hotel's one disabled-parking spot next to a ramp to an entrance.

Over the ironworks or brushed by the bush?

Another 'bus-stop inconveniently stationed in the centre of the pavement,

Oh, and a litter-bin!

Thou shalt not pass to the right…

…nor to the left!

Still, if one manages to negotiate the road and get back on to the pavement, there is a dropped kerb ahead.

A little steep - but that adds to the fun!

Can we get round this inconveniently located mini-bollard?

Yikes: why bother, even with a pusher this very high kerb would be extremely difficult to navigate!

And no way to pass close by as the waste authority has deposited a communal bin in the way.

The only way is to go into the road.

Hold on: there's a gap between the parked cars to the pavement…

But vehicles and bollards block any ability for pedestrians to continue, let alone wheelchair-users.

Oh, steps down to the disabled-ramp!

Back onto the road.

This looks like a steep drop.

But the smooth surface which becomes treacherously slippy when wet has been coated with non-slip strips.

Looking back, one can see just how steep the curving slope is.

Crossing with sensory & dropped kerbs.

However, on the other side you will not be able to pass between the post and the untrimmed shrubby without become very intimate with the bushes!

A 'bus-stop, built out from the pavement, so that the pavement remains clear for pedestrian traffic.

After a couple of months the upgrades at Carasco Beach are "complete".

The dropped kerb that is not: even the added-because-we-realise-we-miscalculated asphalt still leaves a lip up to the pavement.

Above & below double hand-rails for ambulant and wheelchair beach visitors.

This washed-out sign in pale blue on a white background advises that this is the bathing zone adapted for "invalids".

Dropped kerb next to disabled-parking bay.

Access for disabled folk.

Signage advising what facilities are available at the beach for those with impairments/disabilities.

The original ramp down to the beach, with no hand-rails.

A sign advising that we are on an adapted beach.

The beach facilities for folk with impairments/disabilities…

…which is LOCKED and there is no information as to how to obtain the key or access.

At least there is a disabled-wc.

The message from this image of a communal dustbin placed on a disabled-parking bay, is that we are unimportant?

The tourist point is accessible to the mobility impaired as there is level access from the western side. Wheelchair-users will just have to shout and hope someone hears you!

This crossing in the several months I have been here has been broken more than not when I have needed to use it. Wheelchair-users really would be taking their life in their hands if they attempted to traverse without assistance.

And on top of that, you also have to navigate the cracks and potholes.

This shop, one passes to reach the taxi-rank, has installed at least two ramps (see following two snaps).

And the final crossing to attain our goal of the taxi-rank next to the pharmacy, sensory pavements with dropped kerbs.

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For more blog-posts for Blogging Against Disablism Day 2015 (#BADD2015) please check out the archive hosted by Diary of a Goldfish.