April 11, 2010 -- Mediterrean Coast east of Nerja

Today we explored the small coastal towns Herradura and Almunecar and on return, Maro and Nerja. Here the mountains rise right up from the sea and the terrain is very rugged. The new Autovia going east employs mile-long tunnels and 200 foot-high bridges in an effort to smooth out the highway.

Herrdura is uninspiring, sporting a kilometre-long grey, gravelly beach, lined for the most part by one row of three story condos or hotels.

Almunecar is more interesting, with a life other than just tourism. This little town is built around a circular medieval village with short, narrow streets. Palm-lined streets and a decent beach make it quite attractive.

On our homeward leg we took the lower, older, winding road and ventured up a narrow river valley into the hills. Here the farmers cultivate steep slopes right to the top of the mountains with mangoes, olives, sugar cane and almonds evident. Near Maro we stopped to observe the lookouts which were built along the coast every five kilometres after the expulsion of the Moors from Spain. These were apparently built to warn of approaching pirates.

Maro, an attrac- tive little village, is a suburb of Nerja and features caves with prehistoric paintings, Roman ruins such as the Aqueduct of the Eagle, pictured here, and industrial ruins. We will return to explore these.

On to Nerja where we strolled beneath El Balcon de Europa and watched a wedding on the beach.

Then, it was home to Frigiliana where we dined out, enjoying wonderful fish soup, fresh salad and, of course, vino.