We had an unexpected large group of walkers turn up for lunch yesterday; they had been on a guided walk to the old Tin Factory here in Juzcar. Incredible that a group of seniors would be walking in the heat that was yesterday but here they are after a fantastic lunch. All went home quite happy yesterday! as you can see from this photo below!
Walking Group from Marbella
The fiesta came to a close this morning after many hours of dancing in the plaza to the festive tunes of the Salamanca orchestra Vulkano!! All appeared to have a fantastic time as per usual. Once again all will be waiting for the next 12 months before the lively events come to pass again. Next up, the Ronda Pedro Romero Fiesta which starts officially on 02 September. Hotel Bandolero is already full for this event!! Yipee!! Here we go again!!
The feria was launched last night with tapas in the plaza for all. This afternoon we all had lunch in the plaza and tonight there is the Volcano Band from Salamanca playing from midnight to 7AM. Fiesta, Fiesta, Fiesta!! Come see an authentic fiesta right now in Juzcar.
Ivan is preparing a paella this evening for a birthday party. What fun!!
Nuestra pagina web en Castellano no esta lista todavía pero viene! De momento, nuestra pagina, www.hotelbandolero.es, se reorienta temporalmente al sitio de “HB.com” en donde uno puede traducir el contenido a Castellano con el traductor de Google. Tengo entender como encargar las paginas nuevas al otro servidor donde siente esta pagina. Le doy noticias nuevas cuando esta preparado bien. Un saludo ~~ dn
Ivan and I spent Wednesday afternoon passing through the river of Ronda and then rappelling down a couple of very high cascades. The first had a height of 30 meters and the second a height of 24 meters. We walked through Ronda’s famous Tajo Gorge looking up and seeing the tourists looking down, a funny reverse situation. We passed the cave that leads up into the old Sultan’s mansion and passed under three bridges (not in the order of construction) that cross the gorge; the first was built by the Moors, the second was built by the Romans and the last in the famous “Puente Nuevo” built in the 18th century. Very interesting terrain, mainly clean refreshing water running through the river bed with these very impressive cascades.
There were a couple of good sized pools along the way where one could jump from the top of a rock high above the water’s surface for a good splash which my 14 year nephew enjoyed very much. It was a bit scary at first, turning your back to the edge of what was basically a cliff with running water. Clipping into the rope with the harnesses we were wearing and then feeding rope though as we walked backwards down the cliff face with the rope holding us in place. We had on very good equipment provided by our guide and monitor, David Aguilar, who undertakes this adventure for 65€ per person. The equipment included helmets, wet suits, wet suit socks, boots, and harness with floatation device.
With that heigh, the descent would not be for the light hearted; my 15 year niece had a problem with the second cascade having had the courage to descend from the first one. The problem was one could not see where you were supposed to descend making it that much scarier than the first where one could see where one was going, that even with a lot of water showering down on your head. In the end, my niece had to come down with David’s assistance as she was too frightened to do it herself. The rst of us managed by I too was a bit frightened at the start. Once one got going, it was fun. From the bottom, looking back up, it did not look as scary as from above looking down.
So an adventure I would recommend to anyone wanting something different to do in the Serrania de Ronda. Photos to follow when available from David!
Sara Oker, an English soap maker, is now available to teach those interested in how to make soap using natural local ingredients, which means soap made from olive oil. Please see our package offer for soap making, available either as a day class or during your stay at Hotel Bandolero.
This is Ivan’s latest painting of the Hotel Bandolero, in pastel.
by Iván Sastre
van Gogh copy
This is Iván’s latest painting, a copy of the van Gogh Sunflowers, really quite pretty! This will be hung in the Yellow Room along with something I am creating… to be announced!!
Ivan and I were in Las Navas del Marques last weekend for the annual fiesta kick-off. Las Navas is Ivan’s home town.
The fiesta lasts a whole week and started on 10 July. It kicks off with a big procession of the Christ on a Crucifix from one church in one of town, down the main street of the village into a another church and then a big fireworks displays. Then there are the bands; one started playing at midnight and played until 4AM and then the second band came on and played until 7AM. Well, that’s a party!!
The week of fiesta activities includes some bull fights, appointment of the Queen & Miss Queen of the Fiesta as well as the “Mister” of the Fiesta, not a king per say but something for the chicos as well. There are lots of rides for the children, the main street is closed for the week and filled with vendors stalls of various goods from clothing to jewelry to sunglasses, purses, accessories, and of course food. This year was the first time I have seen them offering Doner Kebabs, a fixture on north London streets.
Ivan and I were invited to participate as judges in the 3rd Annual Tapas competition. There were 12 bars and restaurants competing. We agreed of course and had quite a nice selection of tapas and were even on the local provisional television program covering the fiestas. We tried mini-quiches filled with leeks, tostadas with black pudding, caramelized onions and a wee bit of melted goat cheese, tostada with confit cod fish toped with caramelized onions & piquillo peppers, beef cheek stew, puff pastry filled with Spanish black ham, and other tasty bits. We really enjoyed the experience and look forward to doing that again.
Now we are back here in Juzcar where it is very hot. Fortunately it cool right down when the sun disappears over the top of the mountain at about 21.30 hrs now. . Excellent weather for enjoying the pool and getting some summer color. Or a run down to the Genal river for a quick dip in the very fresh river water swimming hole.
Our bookings are fairly low at the minute which was fairly standard for this time of year. Even so, we are quite bored with it. I am about to relaunch my website as well with a whole new look and feel to it. Please keep your eyes out for that as I think it will be launched anytime now in the next few days, depends on when my website designer has the time to do what needs to be done.
Stay cool!!