A Midwinter Night’s Dream in Malaga
MALAGA is that part of Spain with abundant beauty because it lies on the Mediterranean coastline. The fishing villages here are so beautiful and there is always fresh catch. In fact, when you stroll along the eateries of Malaga, you can even order lobsters and groupers in their large aquariums. These fish are hauled off into the kitchen where they will be cooked to whatever menu you like. Then you have to eat them the Malaga way. In other words, you have to blend with the locals.
As winter approaches, the number of tourists in Malaga diminishes. Everybody is going to spend the holidays back home. Yet again, there are a few who have already lived here. This group is composed of British and Danish expatriates who have made some extra money by buying a dozen vacation homes in the place and then transforming them and leasing them to other vacationers as well. These vacation homes have been sold to these entrepreneurial foreigners because there is a very sound tax policy in Spain when it comes to owning real estate individually.
If you have gone here during summer, then come back here in Malaga during winter and observe. There’s a slight difference in terms of activities here. During winter, people tend to be choosier when it comes to their attire. The coldness seeps in and the Mediterranean wind makes sure that it’s a little shivery out here. However, it must be emphasized that Malaga is warmer than the rest of Spain. There are no snowfalls here. One can even go swimming in the Mediterranean by the beaches and one can even go skinny dipping at night. It’s really ideal to swim naked at night especially if it is a moonless night. The only glow that lights up your golden body will be the planktons around you.
But never ever fish the planktons out of the water and bring it as a souvenir back home in Britain or wherever country you come from. The Spaniards and especially the people here in Malaga are very keen when it comes to environmental awareness. That’s definitely foremost in their priorities here so their tourism industry will continue to flourish. And the tourists too are remarkably cooperating. For example, aside from the usual income tax associated to any property, expatriates who have been living here are being collected garbage collection tax every month which goes directly to the coffers of the Malaga city government.
Another point to ponder here in Malaga – if you are renting an off-road vehicle here, you can definitely not park that vehicle at Malaga’s beach resorts’ parking spots. Why? Simply because they do not want their pavements to be tainted with mud from your off-road vehicle. Although that rarely happens because there are no rain showers here in Malaga and your vehicle can only get muddy if you choose to cross a stream intentionally instead of going the conventional way. Also here in Malaga, beach resorts are constantly inspected by the government on whether they conform to quality standards. Those that have passed the inspections are given blue flag accreditation.