Spain, 14-21.10.2022

-On Monday 17th October we take a tour on the bus along Bajondillo and Playamar promenade where we see the famous Casa de Los Navajas and the Gaudí style House. The first building belonged to a wealthy family which had ties to the sugar cane business.

 

Then, a welcome ceremony of the delegation of Torremolinos opens the arrival of Erasmus teachers and students at 10:00. We put into practice the advices of María Blasco with a Zumba workshop run by Carlos. It offers both trendy music and traditional dances from the three host countries, Zorba, the Greek, the Tarantella and the polka. After that, a flamenco workshop is developed for the Erasmus students to put into practice the movement of joints and muscles. Besides, coffee and refreshments are offered to all the host European members, Erasmus teachers and students. Breaktime is followed sharing  patio games such as volleyball, basketball or the so called ´it ´ by Erasmus and Spanish students. Once break finishes, Carlos Durán´s workshop titled ´Is it magic or science?´ exhibits the 5th grade students, Erasmus teachers and students the laws of the physics and chemistry.

 

The Mediterranean food is exemplified with one of the most typical Spanish dishes, the paella cooked using fresh Andalusian products at the gardens of Atenea primary.

 

Later, patio games follow. Then, the bus takes us to Puerto Marina where we would walk along the beautiful surroundings. Finally, from this emblematic touristic port we walk out to La Carihuela promenade.

 

-On Tuesday 18th October The Erasmus teachers and students visit Principia, the science museum in Málaga. where the scientist Rubén explains us the laws of physics, chemistry and electricity by making a great variety of experiments. Some students are volunteers in the development of them. Besides, the host European members visit Principia exhibition where three scientists explain us the proper functioning of the scientific devices and inventions.

 

After that, we watch the Rosaleda football stadium. Then, we transfer to the centre downtown where we visit the Muslim fortress known as La Alcazaba. Later, we do a walking tour in the centre downtown stopping at the Roman theatre, the Old Customs, Plaza de la Merced, Picasso´s family house, Teatro Cervantes, El Sagrario Church, the Cathedral, La Constitución Square, Larios street, the Alameda. All these landmarks are bordered by The Castle of Gibralfaro and the Port of Málaga.

 

Then, we have lunch at McDonalds´s. Finally, a gymkhana is held at MUPAM showing the main centres of interest in the 19th century along the Alameda such as the Town Hall, a branch of The Bank of Spain, The Old Post Office and the Old Customs with the most important real characters of this century, The Loring Family and Cánovas del Castillo. At 18:15 we get on the bus to go back to La Carihuela.

 

-On Wednesday 19th October we transfer to Ardales where we will visit  El Caminito del Rey. The history of this emblematic pathway is as follows. The Hydroelectric Society of El Chorro needed an access to facilitate the passage of workers and materials at the beginning of the 20th century. The original pathway was constructed in 1901. King Alfonso XIII inaugurated it. That is the reason by which this route has been known as the Caminito del Rey path.

 

A new pathway was built in 2015 and it has been the one we have walked by on our trip. We have been able to see one of the most spectacular landscapes of the Málaga mountain range, with steep walls and considerable height. The river Guadalhorce flows through this area after passing through the reservoirs of El Chorro, Guadalteba and Gaitanejo. The place where the Caminito del Rey is located is a canyon excavated by the Guadalhorce River at the height of Alora. At some points it is only 10 meters wide and reaches 700 meters deep. We have had a picnic on our route.

 

-On Thursday 20th October we put into practice Blasco´s advices on the relevance of keeping fit by practising a variety of sports at the beach such us the parachute, the petanque, the handkerchief, juggles, and acrosport. After the host Erasmus students and the Spanish students have rotated through the different stations, it is the turn for two popular games, football and volleyball. After the morning class at the beach, we have had lunch local food in one of the restaurant nearby Los Álamos promenade.

 

-On the 21st October we visit the Town Hall of Torremolinos and the Councillor of Education receives us in one of the halls of the Town Hall. Then, we transfer to Molino de Inca Botanical gardens. We have the opportunity to be in contact with nature, arise the feeling of both preserving the environment –flora and fauna- and learn about the history of the important role of ancient mills in Torremolinos. In fact, the origin of the term comes from  these ancient mills in the town dated back from the 18th century. Some of them were used for flour, others for making brown paper or grinding bread. Finally, we walk out to La Batería Park where we enjoy the privileged position overlooking the sea, the lake, the carousel, and the children´s play area.