Disclaimer, just to manage your expectation: This might be kind of a travel guide post as I will post some recommendations but more than that, this is a travel diary with more of my random thoughts and feelings.

Making plans

The June rota (schedule) was out and apart from the five-day “birthday” off that I requested, there was another two days off after that making it into a week. I immediately texted my friend who I was supposed to come with to an every-6 months-college-reunion that was the reason for this request.

Me: Am I crazy if I’ll ditch the reunion to go home to the Philippines for a week? FYI: I already checked airfares as well as checked my bank account.

Friend: Definitely a bad idea. You need money when you go home. Pertaining not only to the airfare but to balikbayan expenses as well, you know.

Me: I’ll just hide at home, and eat nilaga from the karinderya. I was really craving for it at that moment, the karinderya type nilaga without the vegetables, full of sebo, with pieces of utok which is actually just bone marrow stuff.

Friend: Believe me, I’ve just been there, even if you don’t go out, your money will go places. Besides, we’ll have the reunion, it’ll be fun.

That was Plan A, not feasible, so crossed that one off. Because of the extension, I wasn’t still convinced Plan B is going to be the reunion.

You know how humans usually conclude there’s just one reason why a person decides on something when actually, it’s a result of everything that’s happening in his or her life right now? Here are the series of events that made me think about this trip:

1. The extended leave
2. I just finished watching Memories of the Alhambra, a Korean series, and thought it would be nice to visit the filming locations, and I am as shallow as that when I make my travel plans. I was already in Spain though when I realized apart from the Alhambra, most of the filming locations were in other cities like Girona, Barcelona, and South Korea itself. Damn.
3. I remembered watching a video about a female traveller I look up to, Trish Velarmino for Tilt Asia. She said that when you’re around people you don’t know, it’s easier to discover yourself, be more explorative. I think it kind of contradicts the common belief that you can be yourself around people you’re close to. But I agree with her in the sense that people who know you, they have this boxed version of you wherein if you go out of that box, they might react unexpectedly, “I don’t know this person,” and you’re afraid you might disappoint them. But in meeting strangers, you can just be who you want to be because most of the times, you won’t meet them again, or they just really don’t care if that’s who you are. I think I haven’t been myself much since coming to the UK. I just miss the “me” when I’m travelling so I thought, yeah, let’s do this.
4. I searched for flights from London to Granada but I found that the cheapest flight to Spain at that time was to Madrid ( about £ 15 with EasyJet). That plus a bus ride to Granada (about £ 19 with Alsa) would be a better option and a good deal than a slightly expensive direct flight to Granada.
5. The beach is a big frustration for me because I wanted to do a trip before going to the UK but that never happened. And then, comes the summer here that was actually just an extension of winter with a trickle of sunlight every now and then. I’ve heard Spain’s weather is so much better, so yes, let’s go beach-ing there! The flight from Ibiza to London was exorbitant, and Alicante was the beach destination that had a reasonable airfare back to London, so okay, let’s do the beach-ing there!
6. The day before our planned Paris trip a week before this trip, I went to the TLS Contact office to collect my passport. When I saw my Schengen visa granted, multiple entry, that sealed the deal.

For this trip, I first thought of challenging myself and not take any photos, to just enjoy the trip as it is, admiring something without the distraction of having to take a post-able photo. That was impossible, but at least I tried to minimize. I realized that I haven’t really missed much just because I wasn’t able to aura that much.

Making my way to Spain

If I have a travel superpower, it would be that I’m a fast packer. I pack light as much as possible, and I’m not bothered so much by OOTDs really so I guess that accounts to that special skill. I remembered days before my flight to the UK…

Mother: Start packing already, when do you plan to do that, the day before?

My sister: She got no problem doing that.

My sister knows me too well.

After work, I packed my bag and then watched a video of basic Spanish words in YouTube before I sleep. But I didn’t sleep much at all since I have to wake up at 3 AM to catch a bus to Gatwick Airport. That plus the increased anxiety I’ve been feeling since that day before my flight. Maybe I was holding back a little thinking I’ve just been to Paris a week before and I was wondering if it’s sane to travel again a week after.

Anyway, I got myself on the plane and it didn’t really sink into me that THIS.IS.IT until I received a message from Three, my UK network provider.

An immediate Internet connection was very helpful as I consulted Google Maps what I would take to reach my hostel. I had many options but eventually settled with a bus wherein the next stop would be next to the metro. Good thing I had some remaining euro coins to use, and it’s just about €1.50 compared to the express one to Atocha which most of the people there were waiting for (€5).

I bought the Madrid one-day travel pass for €8.40 and my Monzo went:

It was pretty convenient to have the Monzo debit card because I got all my expenses in check through the app rather than what I used to do before which was writing down in a note in my phone. Also, no fee per transaction unlike my HSBC credit card that charged from as low as €0.19 with €1.36 as the highest.

Booking.com

A very long day in Madrid

Upon exiting the Callao metro station, I saw a place that’s familiar but not quite. The Gran Via almost reminds me of Oxford Street, a long stretch of shopping malls and theatres, probably more tourists strutting than residents, and magnificent architecture albeit different styles.

As I always check in to my hostel before I go around, I looked for my hostel (Madrid Motion Hostels) hoping they would allow me to check in early ’cause it’s just an hour before the check in time.

So sad, I wasn’t allowed to. And I can’t even leave my bag because they had a locker system and it’s currently full. I left and walked around and decided to get myself eating. I settled at a restaurant with a quite reasonably priced paella because what way to immerse yourself in Spain than eating this famous dish.

It looked like this:

In the Philippines, we have a dish almost similar to this we call valenciana, and I was pretty sure the consistency of this dish should not be supposed like this.

I couldn’t sit myself in the restaurant for an hour so I decided to walk around and looked for the Primark I saw earlier.

I told myself I wouldn’t buy more souvenirs apart from a souvenir T-shirt for myself but I wasn’t able to resist the €2.50 T-shirts just ’cause I know in souvenir shops, these tees can be up to €10.

After checking in (finally), I went to places I’ve pinned in my Google Maps. I first decided to go to Circulo de Bellas Artes because it was the nearest from my hostel. Somewhere along the way, I saw a shoe shop, and having a shoe fetish, I ended up buying two pairs of footwear instead of just something that would be appropriate for clubbing ’cause I was really worried about the dress code. First day and I was already bulking my bag up.

Most of the times, I will see something that interests me and I would get lost in there somewhere and end up with gems. I didn’t know I already reached Plaza Puerta del Sol until I saw the bear statue that I know is significant to Madrid. But before seeing that, I actually first saw a girl in red shirt carrying a sign like this:

I inquired and Nikola, the tour guide, explained to me the walking tour details, and that it starts at 5 PM which will last for about two hours. Since I think I didn’t have any place I really wanted to go to, and I have only a night in Madrid, might as well join this one. The following are a few things about the tour and the activities MADride (the tour company) provides:

• There are two free walking tours everyday. One in the morning (Madrid Essential) at 11 AM takes about 3 hours and it’s more of historical places. In the afternoon (Madrid Highlights), the tour which starts at 5 PM is more into the usual tourist attractions. Meeting point is always near the bear statue. The tour may be cancelled if there’s less than 3 participants. They offer Spanish and English walking tours. At the end of the tour, Nikola gives €1 discount for the other activities they offer.
• They have a pubcrawl activity for €10. I already booked mine online with a different organizer (The Pubcrawl Company) and paid for it, about €23. Aww. And their pubcrawl has an hour open bar of beer and sangria for €6 extra in the first bar, just like what a pubcrawler recommended to me when I pubcrawled in Paris. As if I drink a lot…
• They also have a flamenco show for €23 and €32 if with tapas dinner and pubcrawl. I sighed, this was a really good deal. Oh well, carry on.
• They also have day tours to Toledo and Segovia.
• To know more, click this link to their website. I don’t have any commission for recommending them, lol. I just like recommending stuff that I love.

We ended at Templo de Debod and from there, I hanged out a bit with Polish-Colombian girl in there before we decided to go back to Gran Via where my hostel was and I think she had somewhere there she wanted to go to.

We went to see the Fuente de Cibeles which Nikola mentioned was the fountain where the Real Madrid team and fans gather to celebrate their win. It was about 9 PM so I said bye to PolCol girl because I still have a pubcrawl at about 10:30 PM. I wanted to rest and freshen up after all of the walking.

I kinda felt proud of myself going out late at night and leaving two hostelmates behind who were about to sleep just because whenever I stay and sleep at the hostel, I feel uncool. It’s just a silly competition in my head, lol.

I rested too much that I hurriedly walked to Mola Hostel which was the meeting point according to my event voucher. When I reached the hostel’s bar, I instantly found the organizer but found no other joiners. She said that was not the first bar yet, that we will wait for joiners from somewhere else, and that we will move out by about 11 PM.

Parteys start that late there, I realized. I was just kind of comparing that to the Boracay pubcrawl I once volunteered in which starts at 8PM, and ends about 2-3 AM. Some people I met during this trip confirmed that in Spain, they start late, and end late in the morning.

So, I grabbed a quick dinner, some €1 pizza slice, nuggets, and Coke and ate at a bench along the street. Somewhere in there I found another “ordinary people” statue and that is of a man sweeping.

I came back, still no people. I was worried I’m gonna party alone.

Organizer: We’re just waiting for the others *looks at her phone and I saw a list of names in Whatsapp, sneaky me* about 12 people.

Me: Okay.

Sighing in relief

Anyway, those people came, a few minutes of socializing, and we’re off to the first bar. The bar was okay-ish up until some guys cleared the table we were using which was next to the bar as a guy with a drum climbed on top of the table and started beating his drums and singing. It definitely hyped the people up.

Then there was this portion where they bring people up in the bar in a dance competition with the loudest claps as the measure of winning. I was dying inside to volunteer but I wasn’t drunk or fake drunk to do it. When that ended, Singkit guy told me, “You were supposed to be there, I would have clapped hard.” Aw, I was so touched.

With all that, people danced more and drunk more. One of the organizers then handed me a ticket just like the free shot ticket. “Get it now,” she said. So yey! I felt like a winner without joining the competition.

I showed the ticket at the bar then the girl said something I didn’t quite understand. Then I realized the ticket was not for a free shot but for a free drink! I genuinely felt like I won something. It was unexpected so I blacked out what to order. What followed was a silly me ordering a drink.

Me: Anything?

Girl: *confused*

Me: Just any drink will do, I really don’t know…

Girl: *mentions a few drinks I couldn’t quite grasp what* gin and tonic, *some other drink*

Me: That, gin and tonic.

Just because that’s what I could understand from all the drinks she’s mentioning

And in like 5 minutes, the organizers were pushing us out of the bar, well not literally. I’ve had only a few sips, it’s not like I could chug one whole glass. Well, I kinda chugged almost half of the glass and left the drink on a table. I was already at the door when I realized I could have requested a plastic cup to transfer it to so I can bring it out. Damn, what a wasted free drink.

Next bar was crowded ’cause it’s a small place, but we did a macarena there. Third bar, for some reason we had to wait in line outside. It was a bit of a wait and we were just wanting to skip this bar and go to the last one ’cause we’re itching for some dancing fun. And I also noticed the number of participants kind of doubled. Where did all these people come from?

Me: It’s my birthday today.

Madrid Working Guy: Nice , it’s your birthday so you get free drinks and all that yeah?

Me: No, really, that’s why, this is my birthday trip.

Pinagdudahan pa ako. Then they greeted me happy birthday and the age revelations began.

Third bar happened almost in a jiffy, but we had some agua fun in there then we walked to Kapital, apparently a huge club in Madrid.

There were 7 floors and each floor has a certain specialty in music genre but which according to Madrid Working Guy, “You don’t want to go in the top floors” *shady look* We just stayed in the main floor though but that didn’t stop us from having the best time in Madrid.

I was surprised to see Indian girl still there at around 3 AM because earlier, I think she mentioned about having a 4:30 flight somewhere.

Me: *shouting against the blaring disco music* You have an early morning flight and you are still here!

Indian girl nods triumphantly, dancing with a glass of drink on one hand.

Me: *In a high pitch voice* I like you!

Waley na, wasted na, so this may or may not be how it exactly happened. Later I realized her flight was actually 8:30 AM but that’s still pretty badass, I think.

The guys went home first and we girls stayed. Vietnamese girl was looking for her hostelmates but couldn’t find them and worried about going home alone. Malaysian girl suggested for us to take a taxi together. Since it was 5-ish in the morning, we decided to retire for the night (or morning).

We first dropped Indian girl because she has a flight to catch and Malaysian girl who was staying in the same hostel. Then Vietnamese girl. Then me. I keyed in my hostel in Google maps and showed it to the taxi driver because he speaks no English.

It was surprising though that the short conversation I had with the taxi driver capped my night with a big smile on my face. I can’t remember how our conversation started or it was just me tipsy but this happened:

Me: *opening Google Translate and looked for the Spanish of birthday* Cumpleanos, soy, (realized that means I am), oh no, me *pointing to self.*

I think he greeted me. Then I heard him say something with “anos.” I understand that.

Me: *no need for translation* Veintinueve.

Driver: *something-something* Guapa.

Me: *I was more hyped with the fact that this conversation is still going on rather than me being complimented with, but then the compliment sunk into me after a few seconds* Gracias.

Driver: *something-something* Nobyo?

Me: No nobyo *with shaking of head, and hand gesture.*

We had a few more exchanges and we stopped talking only because we arrived at my hostel.

I saw my fare was around 8 or maybe 9 something.

Me: Make it diez *pointing to the taxi meter*

As if it was a big tip, but I was just so happy talking to this friendly taxi driver, and we’re not even speaking the same language. At the same time, I was thinking I might be just carried away with the guapa compliment.

Honestly, I was kind of wary when he started talking about nobyo. I just opened my maps and see if we’re going the right way. It seemed so, so I just enjoyed the conversation, or actually, I was already enjoying it.

I woke up at around 9 AM the next day to check out. I was having a headache so I decided not to join the morning free walking tour and just go to two or three places taking all my time before my bus to Granada at 3 PM.

After check out, I was craving for the €1 pizza and I thought I want to compliment that with a milk tea just ’cause I saw a milk tea place on my way to Mola Hostel the night before. Unfortunately, both were still closed. I decided then to just go with the morning tour.

Nikola was still the tour guide with another girl and guy. I saw recognition in Nikola’s face as I was approaching her and I thought it’s amazing how it had just been a day. It felt like I was in Madrid for days already. She told me I still had time to do stuff before the tour starts so I grabbed a pizza slice and a drink nearby and took a spot at the fountain.

I saw PolCol girl walking around and I called her. I told her I’m doing the morning free walking tour. She had some other plans. We had a quick talk about what we did after we separated yesterday but had to cut it off ’cause the tour was about to start.

The morning tour was just as good and full of information as the afternoon tour. I think it’s really a good idea that I did this because I only had like one and a half day technically in Madrid.

A Chinese girl I was with was offering to take photos for me but I kept on refusing because of my minimal photo ultimatum. When she asked why, I realized it was so difficult to explain, so I told her, “I’ll let you know if I want my photo taken.” She was proud of her photography skills, and she was never contented with my framing which I think was pretty awesome.

When we reached the Catedral de la Almudena, I prayed there especially because it’s my birthday. Since I think it’s a significant place, I asked Chinese girl to take a photo of me. This is what I think the best she took:

I didn’t finish the morning tour and left at around 1 PM. I went to Chocolateria San Gines which I learned from the tour was the oldest chocolateria in Madrid.

I have a favorite churros place in London so I was disappointed the San Gines did not exceed my expectation. But then that’s just me because I love it sweet and the churros soft and easy to chew.

I then went back to the bubble tea place (Te Kurotaki). When I saw these, my heart suddenly felt excitement:

I was not a fan but I was so excited to show this to my friend who is a hardcore BTS fan. I guess I’m a very supportive friend like that when it comes to my friends’ fandom addictions.

I went back to my hostel and finished my churros and milk tea as well as to get my bag. I didn’t underestimate the travel time to the bus station but I didn’t give a time allowance for getting lost just as I usually do. I had the wrong platform in the metro plus I had to figure out how to buy a Cercanias ticket which was different from the metro, to get there.

I ended up missing my bus and had to buy a new ticket.

The Alhambra in Granada

The bus ride to Granada was about 5 hours. I was sitting next to a grandma, and I find it funny that every now and then she would seem to be talking to me but in Spanish. I would reply in English but she would reply again in Spanish. And then I would just smile.

Upon arriving in the Granada bus station, I tried to retrieve my Granada City Pass Card to use for the bus but unfortunately, I could only retrieve that from certain points in the city center. I just took a bus and paid by cash then.

After checking in (Casa Mercader de Sedas), I see to it that I get the card so that I can go straight to the Alhambra the next day, just because I thought I have to show it as my pass (the PDF file is actually enough). Then I just walked and walked looking for a place to eat. I passed by this magical cobbled street I labeled as having Moroccan feels, just first thing that came to my mind, with some craft street sellers, some busking, and restaurants with shisha lounges.

In a small bar, I saw a poster for a Flamenco show, one of my goals in Spain. A guy then approached me if I’m interested to watch since it’ll be starting in a few minutes. It’s €15 with one drink included. He showed me the room where the performance will take place and there was no one there. I was hesitating because if there’s no people and it’s about to start, it might not be a good show.

He told me to search for it in YouTube just so I can see a sample show as if to convince me. Thinking I have nothing to do anyway, I just went ahead with it. I took a seat and people started coming in as well. I realized, it’s a good thing because I got a seat in front and it just somehow felt intimate.

The show started with the band, then the dancer. I was disappointed when I saw an Asian flamenco dancer, I’m sorry, because I think it doesn’t feel very authentic. I was as well proud, though, that these dances are not only performed by a Spanish dancer but that an Asian can do it as well. Also, it was a unique experience to have an Asian flamenco dancer in a show.

As I’m writing this, I searched for info about the show and I found this description in a Granada tourism website:

“Raiz and Duende” is a flamenco show in Albaycin based on the book “Made in Paris” written by Maria de los Angeles Molina Argote, Andalusian poet of recognized prestige, born in Jaen. 

The purest Flamenco Arts (singing, guitar, percussion and dance) merges into “Raiz and Duende” in poetry, dance, original music, painting and film, that will shock the audience’s senses and allow them to enjoy 1 hour of intense and unforgettable spectacle.

I guess it’s a good choice of a flamenco show after all.

I actually didn’t eat anything, I just went back to the hostel and sleep. But before that, I bought a skirt which I think would be nice to wear going to the Alhambra (apparently, not a good idea ’cause lots of stairs in there).

The next day, I woke up early and walked towards the Alhambra. I ate breakfast at a cafe somewhere along the way. It was a good decision because I didn’t expect the uphill climb, me being a very unfit person.

The pass I bought unfortunately didn’t include a Nasrid Palaces pass because I booked so close to my trip that it got sold out. But someone told me if you go really early, they might issue some pass in the office itself. It was a good thing though that before the trip, someone I know who’s from Spain told me I should book it ahead of time.

I liked the guided tour that I had in Madrid because I learned so much so I paid for an audio guide for the Alhambra for €6, just to accompany me, I guess, since I was doing it on my own.

First off is the Hand of Fatima which was the reason I was in Spain in the first place. The Hand of Fatima had an important storyline in the Korean series Memories of the Alhambra that I had to find it. Luckily, it was the very first thing that I saw at an arch in the main entrance of the Alhambra.

Okay. I have to calm down since I sometimes get carried away if I’m talking about things that I like. Back to the Alhambra tour, it was just a beautiful place that I completely ignored the minimal photo ultimatum. And the katok in me was triggered and I began taking self-timer photos.

Breath-taking views right?

After the visit to the Alhambra, I had some lunch and it was only this time that I had some sangria.

While eating, I saw the tourist train passing by and I remembered my pass includes 1 trip on the train. I took advantage of that since I wasn’t able to use it for bus rides anyway because I was just walking around. When the train passed by a place which I knew was close to my hostel, I just got off and decided to take a rest.

That afternoon, I hanged out with two French guys I connected with through Couchsurfing. I crashed their churros afternoon session (actually they’re already done). It’s so cute that when I arrived, they were writing postcards to send to friends and family.

We decided to go attend a festival in a plaza close to my hostel. Earlier, I saw a stage being set up at the side of a festive arch so I got excited. We got ourselves some seats and waited for the show to start. We kinda noticed though that we’re the only young people sitting there so we went to a market nearby where I bought my Hand of Fatima bracelet.

The guys then suggested we go to Mirador de San Nicolas which offers a viewpoint of the Alhambra and Generalife, the city underneath, enveloped by the sunset. That sounds amazing so we went there.

We passed by a familiar area and I realized it was the street I got lost in the night before. I appreciated its beauty more with the guys filling me in with the details, that it’s called Albaicin, an old Arab quarter. They had been in one of the restaurants there and had narghile (their term for shisha). Also, there was a street seller there writing names in Arabic alphabet. M, one of the guys, was able to read them ’cause he got some Arabic roots (?). Yeah, I think so.

We waited for a good sunset to come but the skies were just really bright on that part of Granada that after a few minutes of waiting, we just decided to go have dinner.

We had dinner at Los Manueles restaurant, just somewhere in the center. I guess it is a famous restaurant. We were lucky we were seated right away because after us, people were standing at the corner waiting for their turn.

This was where I had a very good paella. It was also where I finally had a free tapa. That friend from Spain who hinted about Alhambra tickets also told me about the tapas culture in some regions in Spain wherein if you order a drink, you get a free tapa.

Back in Madrid, I was really naive and I asked Nikola, “What exactly are tapas?” She and PolCol girl explained the tapas culture and it can be anything, from just olives, a bread, a dessert, or sometimes, an adequately sized burger. In my head I was so ashamed that all along I thought it was the same tapa (cured meat/beef) in the Philippines, chaka.

Back to the dinner, the tapas we’re served were some bread and big chunks of meat that is close to our bakareta. It was also when S, the other French guy, introduced me to tinto de verano. I mentioned about the sangria I had which tastes kinda strong for me so he suggested this drink which was also the same, just lighter somehow.

After dinner, we went on a club-finding adventure. We asked two teenage girls who were passing by for some suggestions. S who knows a bit Spanish was talking to them so I didn’t really understand. When they left, S was laughing because when they were discussing what club to suggest, they looked at us head to toe, then one of the girls said to suggest this club instead. LOL. The guys were just in simple shirts, shorts and sneakers and I was wearing a tank top, my Alhambra skirt and travel sandals, not to mention we had backpacks. Speaking of dress codes…

We took our chances and went there anyway. So apparently, the club was under a different name already, Teatro something. Also, there was a private event so it was closed at the moment. We were told it’s unsure when it will open to the public so we took our chance at another club suggested by a staff in the pub next to the Teatro. It was quite a walk but party isn’t starting there yet so we returned to Teatro pushing our luck.

The event had ended as it seems but it wasn’t still open to the public. We just ordered a drink then at the nearby pub. We were served tapas, some chips and a bagel with ham for each of us.

Eventually, the club-seeking adventure ended there. At least we had some drinks. And a lot of walking exercise. I bade goodbye to the friendly and funny French guys and headed to my hostel. I had a very good sleep that night despite the noise of the people from the pub downstairs.

The next morning, I was suddenly craving to taste the croquetas but unfortunately, the restaurant I went to doesn’t serve them for breakfast so I settled with a bocadillo and churros. Then I attended a mass in Spanish at Catedral de Granada.

I still had time before my bus to Alicante but missing buses isn’t a nice habit so I just walked around the area. I passed by the plaza again where the senior dance was yesterday and probably as part of the festivities going on, that day, there was a ham-slicing competition going on.

I made it on time at the bus station but when I couldn’t find Alicante on the board I kinda panicked. I somehow learned from the Granada bus trip that these cities may just be a stop just like Granada was a stop on a bus to Almunecar. So I figured since Alicante is close to Valencia , that Valencia bus must be it.

I confirmed it with a woman who, again, talked to me in Spanish and me in English. She’s taking the same bus and I just grasped “diecinueve” from what she’s saying but that was enough. But when I reached platform 19, there was no bus so I worried a little again thinking the bus must have left. So, the bus was just actually late. Whew.

Ultimate tanning in Alicante

The bus station in Alicante was just walking distance to my hostel so I just walked to there. I was greeted with palm trees and this beautiful esplanade:

As I was nearing my hostel, the pier adjacent to the esplanade faded into the beach and damn, was I ever excited in my life.

I hurriedly looked for my hostel and when I found it (Old Centre Inn Alicante) there was this locked gate. Thankfully, a guy carrying a child went in so I came in as well. So I followed the signs and then this door again that can only be opened with a key and there was even no buzzer.

The guy appeared behind me and reached for the door. So as it would seem, he’s the owner or staff there maybe. He took out a record book, opened it and pointed to a female name in a list on that page. I shook my head and I easily found my name two lines up and I pointed to it and pointed to me, “That’s me.”

He pointed to the amount next to my name and I said I’ll pay by card. He held up his pointing finger as if telling me to wait. He took out his phone as if calling someone. I thought that he might be calling someone who has a card reader. Thinking that could be a hassle, I just told him I’d pay by cash as I had some reserved.

I handed my payment and he reached to his pocket to get some change. I was thinking, this is new. I’ve never had a check in as informal like that in a hostel. Anyway, he led me to a room… with two beds!!! [Hang on for a moment]

He gave me the keys, three keys and instructed me in Spanish which is which. It was a good thing I came in with him so I kinda understood what he meant but just in case, I confirmed.

Me: *picking one key* This is there, *pointing downstairs implying the gate* *picking another key* this is there, *pointing to my left* *taking another key* and this is here *pointing to the door room.

He nodded.

At this point, I was just really astonished at a person’s ability to understand instructions without understanding the language.

When he left, I settled myself in bed first and looked for my booking. It definitely says a 6-bed dorm but this is a 2-bed room with a balcony! I didn’t bother complaining because there wasn’t a constant receptionist really. I just kind of enjoyed my luck.

I went straight to the beach then, just to inhale the ocean breeze. I decided to swim the next day. I explored the esplanade again and the pier side and confirmed from somewhere there the ferry to Tabarca Island. I took a mental note of my plans, swim here (Playa del Postiguet) Monday, Tabarca Island Tuesday, Castillo de Santa Barbara Wednesday and swim some more.

Next day was BEACH DAY! I had my phone and some cash with me which I left on the beach so I was just so praning (paranoid) that I wasn’t able to swim for long. I usually don’t bring my phone and money to the beach especially if I’m alone but I just want to capture the happy me in a beach that I can swim in finally.

I got jealous of people sunbathing and just really chilling in the beach. So I also bought myself a beach mat and a salbabida just because there’s a Chinese store near my hostel which sells them for €3.50 (not inflated yet).

While resting at my hostel, this happened:

After lunch, I went back to the hostel to get ready to go beach-ing again. There was a knock on the door and it was my roommate. There were a few exchanges of words and I think he went out first and me after to go back to the beach with my mat and salbabida.

Man, did I enjoy my newly bought beach paraphernalia. I used to only enjoy my time in the water. That day, I appreciated lazing on the beach, the sun kissing my skin, as I close my eyes and drift away.

For dinner, I tried good croquetas at a restaurant in the port as it was the craving of the day. Realizing it’s too early to sleep, I sat by one of the benches at the port, drinking my bottled iced tea while catching up on Idol Philippines episodes. Suddenly, a guy almost tripped in front of me and I jerked in surprise. He looked at me and asked for my name and I had the feeling he didn’t almost trip accidentally.

Trip Guy: Can I sit beside you? Just have a chat?

Me: Um… okay?(?!)

I agreed because I think there’s no harm in chatting.

Well, that was a very awkward conversation, so when I felt uncomfortable, I excused myself and walked away thinking that this man disrupted my serene time by the port, and wasted a very good spot! I was thankful for that chat though ’cause he mentioned a “better beach” he said than the Playa del Postiguet. Mental note, go there Wednesday.

I wasn’t far from the Trip Guy when I came across tourists who were waving goodbye to a busking Chinese grandpa with an oriental violin-like instrument. They seemed to be laughing. So when he sat down and played his instrument, I walked slowly and threw in some coins to his instrument case.

Chinese Grandpa: Ni hao ma?

Me: Oh, I’m not Chinese.

Chinese Grandpa: *spoke some language*

Me: *smiling but shaking my head no*

Chinese Grandpa: Russian?

Me: *Huhluh, ako Russian? Tuod bala?* No, I’m Filipino.

Chinese Grandpa: *frowns*

Me: From the Philippines.

Chinese Grandpa: Ah *nods, then gestured for me to sit down*

Me: Me?

Chinese Grandpa: Si. *miming playing the instrument, points at me then points at the seat*

Me: *slightly confused* Me? Play it? No, I can’t do it. Are you gonna teach me?

Chinese Grandpa: I’ll take a photo. Give me your phone.

Me: *sits down, takes his instrument, and he positioning it correctly for me*

When I came back to the hostel, my roommate hasn’t arrived yet so I guess that’s good. My bladder woke me up at around 2 AM, he wasn’t around yet. Then sometime early morning, I heard keys rattling and the door opened. He was whispering and then another responded, but a female voice. There was a short discussion.

Me being naturally curious, I slightly opened my eyes to see what’s happening, maki-char lang. Since it was dark, I saw a silhouette of a woman with curly long hair, and really good curves. My roommate was saying something while pointing to the bed and the girl was like hesitating. Honestly, it felt awkward, but at the same time exciting, LOL.

Anyway, I kinda pretended I was turning-sleeping and faced the wall. I mean, if they’re doing it, it would really be awkward for me, right, especially that I was just pretending to sleep. Anyway, they went out and when I woke up later that morning, he was in his bed sleeping alone.

Moving on to my own affairs and not of my roommate’s, I had breakfast at McDonald’s and ordered croquetas again and patatas bravas. Then, I’m off to Tabarca!

From Alicante port, a return trip costs €20 via Cruceros Kon Tiki. I think that day they had 2 trips towards the island at 11 AM and 1 PM then 5 PM back to Alicante. Travel time is around 50 minutes to an hour. I seated myself at the top of the ferry but I enjoyed it only for a moment. It was a superbly hot day and my skin was burning.

Tabarca is just a small island that you can explore from one end to another in a short day trip. Although some reviews I’ve read about the island says there’s not much to do, I think it’s an interesting island with different things to see. I see Greece in these establishments:

There are also churches and a museum to visit. There are shops where you can buy souvenir items and snorkeling gears. And of course, restaurants and some accommodation within the island.

I brought my mat with me so I looked for a spot with lesser people and laid it there and did some swimming with the fishes. It’s a good place to snorkel because it’s a marine reserve.

After being back from the island, I just freshened up and fixed my bag so I’d be ready to go the next day. Roommate was there drinking a beer. He apologized for what happened that night. I replied, “I don’t mind.” Huhluh, I don’t mind daw. Anyway, I found out he was Venezuelan and we had a little chat before he got himself sprayed with a very strong perfume and off to his destination.

I thought I’d visit the Castillo de Santa Barbara since I still have time before it closes. I took the lift which you can find in front of Playa de Postiguet. It costs €2.70 for a return trip. It was about 6:40 PM so I was instructed by the elevator girl that the elevator closes at 7 PM and I have to either walk back down or take a car or something.

I walked down and at first I thought I should follow the winding road that vehicles take. But I think I took a shortcut at an uphill park I forgot the name of. It was awesome because it’s my first time to see a small park on a hill (not flat-surfaced).

I was craving for a soup for dinner so when I searched for Asian restaurants, I settled with Restaurante UNIK Asiatico. I had some dumpling soup and fried rice. I had my leftover in a bag and that’s what I ate for breakfast the next morning, me sitting at the hostel’s balcony where I could see the Plaza del Ayuntamiento de Alicante.

From the time I arrived, they were setting up this art installation and that last morning, I was able to see it in its full glory:

It’s probably festival season in Spain as this was also a part of the festival which will launch that Sunday. Damn, unfortunately, I won’t be there anymore, if only I knew.

I checked out which was actually just leaving the keys at a sort of mailbox. I left my bag at a luggage service (Left Luggage Alicante). I then took the metro to Playa de San Juan which Trip Guy suggested.

Indeed, it was so much better than the one near the center and as you can see, well, there were many tourists but it’s not crowded in here. It was this long stretch of beach, it’s amazing. I wish I had more time. I ate my lunch at a McDonald’s nearby because I love McDonald’s Spain’s menu and rode the bus back to my bag.

As I mentioned, there were some festivities there as well so the bus had some rerouting because the streets were closed as they were occupied by food stalls or even restaurants setting up chairs and tables on the road and some alcoholic drink sponsoring an event.

No more being late this time. I boarded the plane back to London and it was such a depressing moment that this trip has ended. That plus the fact that as the pilot was saying that we’re near London, I look out into the window and the bright white clouds abruptly changed into gloomy clouds with rain dripping on the window glass. We were indeed heading to London.

Walking in Gatwick Airport, I heard some guys talking in thick British English that I just couldn’t understand. I laughed at how funny languages and communication can be. You understand a language but you can’t comprehend, and sometimes, you don’t understand what they’re saying at all, but then you get what they mean.

And that’s the end of an amazing week in Spain, probably the best birthday ever in years. Oh, and since I stepped in kilometer zero in Madrid, as legend says, I’ll definitely be back again.

El Fin