11.5.22 Sea Caves, Malaga, Winery

It wasn't the sunniest day, but it was warm and we had a car. So we ventured back to Nerja and spotted these cliffside rocks to explore.

And enjoyed our own slice of private beach nestled among the boulders.

C'mon mom, let's explore!

The water was beautiful and perfect for swimming. Such a fun and unique spot!

The boys loved climbing and jumping off the rocks.

The next day we took an afternoon jaunt over to more natural, dune beaches near Marbella for some more gorgeous swimming. We enjoy standing in 3-4 feet of water and watcing and feeling larger fish swim around our feet.

Todd and Amber explored Malaga and went to a local boutique winery for a tasting at Bodegas Bentomiz.

Narrow, winding, cliffside roads brought us into the valley where some grapes are grown in small batches in small towns.

Are these grape vines? Yes. Yes they are

On the tour, we learned about the indigenous Romé grape. They grow them more like bushes with many of the grapes spread out on the ground. They do not water them, and most of them are 70-100 years old producing fewer grapes but much richer in flavor especially with the sea mist up the valley mixing minerals into the soil for millenia.

This particular winery makes about 50,000 bottles a year with the help of local growers.

The tasting was fun and interesting.

Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga. So we had to check out his museum here. It was cool. Not a massive museum, but one that exhibited examples of all types of his work throughout his entire life. We got to know the man. Much like a biographical museum.

A quick stop at the central market, so many olives to choose from. And also a very very very tall man. (That's Amber in the background)

Very common site, even in most grocery stores. An attendant waiting to slice right off the pig's leg for you.

So there's this Roman circus (amphitheatre) from the 1st century that was just discovered in the heart of the city about 60 years ago. Just above sits the Alcabaza, which is a Moorish fortress palace started in the 11th century. Built 1000 years apart.