Living the High Life
Ahhh home sweet home in Benalmedina. The Rataezy condo is so
cozy, with a balcony view of the Mediterranean. On a clear day you can see all
the way to Africa. We explored the Puebla our second night and ate some
scrumptious pizza. Our sleep schedule is still a big out of whack so after our
12 hours of sleep we’ve been slowly rising.
The view from the Rataezy Condo
Exploring the Pueblo
Yesterday we made the trek to the National Park in the Mountains of Malaga. As we climbed through the park (with Jack braving the 4-speed
rental), winding up the mountain, rock faces greeting us from all angles. We
had entered the Parque Natural Desfiladero de los Gaitanes. We ate lunch at the
Restarante del Kiosko, where I was served a plate of mushrooms with a few scrambled
eggs rather than the mushroom scrambled I’d thought I’d ordered. As soon as the
food arrived, the flies swarmed and it was war. We befriended a table of Brits
behind us who had an electric zapper. Jack and Brandt eventually mastered a
team technique of Trap and Zap. After lunch, we meandered down by the river
before making our way to the start of our tour of the Caminito del Rey.
Carved out by the Guadalhorce River, the Gaitanes Gorge was initially
accessed in efforts to construct a water channel. Years ago, the workers (under
King Alfonso XIII’s order) accessed the water channel on a narrow, unguarded
path called the Caminito del Rey (the King’s Little Pathway). It stretches for
3 kilometers, winding its way along vertical walls and rock faces.
After years of dangerous encounters and fatal falls, it was reconstructed
with railings, steel beams and foot bridges making for much safer access. The
new Caminito del Rey was finished in 2015 and now is a popular tourist attraction.
Once you got over the initial OH MAN WE ARE SOOOO HIGH UP….the route was
incredible! We hiked among the gorge, with the jade colored river rolling
below, (not to mention the local bird spottings). It was a humbling, beautiful
afternoon, bragging views we will never forget.
Here is the Park's Website: http://www.caminitodelrey.info/en/#1
Trap and Zap fly swatting team technique
Entering the Caminito del Rey
The lovely mom and dad Rataezyk
Casually trekking along a canyon wall
Just your average hike that requires ... helmets!!
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