My trip to Spain - Back to where it all began!

[Jambo]

I had been watching a U-Tube video which resulted in me nostalgically thinking about the time when a young Mr & Mrs Jambo saved up enough money to embark on their first ever flights and  holiday outside of the UK.  Wafted away from Luton Airport to Paradise aka………..Benidorm!

So, well over four decades later and having subsequently traveled all over the world I decided to make a return visit.

Not only that, I quite deliberately booked myself into the Hotel they used in the making of the TV series ‘Benidorm” which is no more than 3 minutes from the start of “Calle Gerona” more commonly known as “The British Strip”  being some 2 klm’s of Bars, Nightclubs and entertainment venues.

As it happened, about 10,000 Glasgow Rangers supporters had decided if they could not get to Valencia they would watch the Europa Cup final in Benidorm. Combined with the numerous stag and hen parties dressed in fancy dress and tens of thousands of mainly other Brits the resort was packed.

Benidorm has one thing very much in common with Pattaya. You will either like it or hate it with a passion. There is no grey area.

Personally, I had a great time.

At least until day 8 when I first tested positive for Covid.🤣🤣🤣

I stayed in the Sol Pelicanos. This is a stock photo as I forgot to take a picture of the outside of the Hotel.

This however, was the view from my balcony taken about 2.30pm on my arrival day. Nice view of two of the 4 main pools at the Hotel. My room was excellent looking as though it must have been completely refurbished in the very near recent past.

One of the reasons I booked this particular hotel was its proximity to all the entertainment venues as I had torn a ligament in my right knee which was still painful. So a three minute walk from the hotel took me to the start of Calle Gerona and the first of the Nightclubs being "Morgan's Tavern".

This is a very large venue being twice the width you see in this photo. There is a separate entrance to the left under what looks like a Pirate's Galleon. Entertainment starts at 08.00pm and changes every hour until about 04.00am. It was absolutely rammed with customers. Mostly live music and particularly "Tribute Bands/Acts". The atmosphere reminded me of a Scottish Wedding Reception. If you have ever been to one you would know what I mean. 😄

I said it was rammed! 😄

Anyway, I surprised myself the next morning by waking early and going for a walk down the the Levante Beach before breakfast.

 

The two main beaches are excellent and empty of Tourists at 08.00am although very busy by mid morning. I settled myself down by the pool and waited for my first night hangover to go away.

I like Spanish food and particularly the Tapas Restaurants of which there are many in the Old Town. Many offer the traditional "buy a drink" and get a free tapas but you end up pissed to get a full meal that way.

 

 

Wandered into another Nightclub called "Rocker Fellas"  which was lively, as they all were.

Then on to  "The Outback" an  Aussie bar where I had arranged to meet up with the guy who sits next to me at the Hearts and is an ex Veteran of the Scots Guards. They all visit Benidorm every year.

 

I mentioned that there were Stag & Hen parties all over Benidorm. They often dressed up with the prospective Bride or Groom particularly featuring. The Outback Bar had a visit from some Butchers suitably attired.

The Groom!

Finally finished up back in Morgan's Tavern to catch one of the later acts.

Everyone having a good time!

This guy was really good but was on a loser because he was performing day time in a Sports Bar which was going to show the Rangers game so there were hundreds of Weegies less than impressed which was a shame.

The Nightclubs are not totally musically orientated as far as the nightly shows are concerned. I saw three stand up comedians whilst I was there all of which were of the totally PC INCORRECT variety. Not one of them told a racist joke which was good but apart from that absolutely everything goes. I have been many times to stag do's featuring comedians and there are two basic rules:

1. Don't heckle them as they will destroy you and

2. Don't sit in the front unless you want to be part of the act.

There were two tables of teenage girls right in front of the stage with this guy and the more disgusting he got the more they pissed themselves laughing.

The other "Speciality" act was billed as a "Sexy Magic Show". Think "BabyDolls" and ice cubes and you get the general idea. 🤣

Sticky Vicky is a Benidorm institution and was around when we came over 40 years ago. I believe this is her granddaughter but I may have that wrong. 🤣

By day 8 I woke up to all the classic symptoms of Covid. In a way not surprising given how busy and packed were all the Bars and Nightclubs I had been visiting but annoying given I had been vaccinated four times.

I am glad I went and I did enjoy the trip.............well most of it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 29, 2022 by Jambo

[boydeste]

Thanks for the mini TR.

So did you stay or return home on time?

[roobob]

Great repot...thanks for posting it up.

cheers

[Butch]

Never been to Benidorm, a lot of mates went on the 18-30 holidays that were popular back then but I was busy doing other stuff.

Looks pretty hedonistic though. What's not to like, great weather, cheap booze, nice resorts and a good atmosphere.

Thanks for the TR, enjoyed reading and watching that 🙂

[Jambo]

17 hours ago, boydeste said:

Thanks for the mini TR.

So did you stay or return home on time?

Did I stay or did I go?

Caught my booked flight home in which I saw one other passenger wearing a mask.

Since I have been back I have felt really rough and still testing positive after 10 days. There would have been no enjoyment in staying out there feeling like shite.

There were quite a few passengers on the flight with a noticeable cough.

 

[KWA]

Tough titty for the asthmatic OAP with poor immune system sitting in front of you then?

[lazarus]

5 hours ago, Jambo said:

There were quite a few passengers on the flight with a noticeable cough.

And people wonder how it spreads...

🥵