We hurried along to the arrivals lounge where my mum stood impatiently,
“I was getting worried for a minute there, why did you take so long?”
“Well… our bags were the last to come off, but lets get going, I’m dying for a swim.” I murmured hurriedly. My mother led us to a white Punto in the nearby car park. The airport was a busy place that afternoon, people and cars rushing about like ants on a hot day. The queue for the exit however was rather more sedate. Snails with heavy luggage could have moved faster. Yet I wasn’t going to let this get to me, the prospect of what lay ahead was far too exciting.
An agonising car journey led us to a place I new and loved, “Lubina Sol.” This popular complex has been home to some of my finest memories. It is situated a stones throw from the beach and has a fantastic pool. The tall cream buildings that I knew so well surrounded me. All that remained now, was for me to go to my apartment, unpack and settle in for a week, not really a hard task in such a great environment.
“Aright Adam!” I recognised my brother’s voice immediately. I turned around to see a drenched 10yr old in swimming trunks 5 sizes too big.
“hey Taylor.”
“ ya comin’ down to the pool?” I looked at my mum, she knew what I was going to say.
“ go on then you two, ill unpack your things.” She said with I sigh.
Taylor and I trundled off to the pool. As I expected, he had a lot to tell me, but all I was interested in was relaxing by the pool. He began to ramble on about something or other, I just smiled and nodded, not taking in a word that was uttered.
The pool was still the same when it finally drew close, water splashing in all directions. We went straight to the back of the pool area, a grassy sunbathing spot where most people seem to prefer. Once we had dumped our towels it was a case of, ‘last one in the pool is a rotten egg.’ Or words to that effect. The cool, refreshing water rejuvenated my tired body. It came as such a relief to finally be where I had wanted to be for the last twenty-four hours. After the two us had swam till our hearts were content, it was time to catch a few rays.
I had been in the sun for at least ten minutes. It was turning out to be the start of a dream holiday, could it get any better? I asked myself. No! I herd of wet toddlers marched by flicking ice-cold water over me. Suddenly it all seemed real again, this wasn’t paradise, and I wasn’t going to be here forever. As the evening drew near, I wondered what it would hold.
The nightlife in fuengarola is generally very good, there are many bars and clubs to satisfy the urges of any teenager, myself included. Unfortunately, fourteen doesn’t qualify as old enough to be unaccompanied in bars. Many walk their mums around like dogs on leads in an attempt to enjoy their night. However most nights, I ended up at ‘The Aztec Country Club,’ a popular spot for English families in the area. Kids of all shapes and sizes can be found wandering aimlessly around the complex laughing. It is a truly delightful atmosphere. Parents are kept under strict orders not to bee seen or heard and I’m pleased to say they did as they were told. Infact, my parents usually went off to do something of their own and left my brother and I there, this suited us.
Of course we must all eat at some point, which
brings me the topic of food.
Generally the food is pleasant; the restaurant menus are particularly tasty, though a cheap night out is hard to come by. The main problem we have is my brother’s appetite. Nothing on the menu ever seems to take his fancy except spaghetti bolognaise. At £10 a meal, its is a bit on the expensive side when only half gets eaten, nevertheless, it always seems to happen. Ten year old brothers would much rather be wasting pound after pound in the nearby arcade than eating food at a “proper table” with his “best manners”. I have to admit however that at times, I myself missed a bacon sarnie that could be whipped up in two minutes and scoffed in half that. It is rather boring waiting half an hour or longer for a meal with only the colour of the table cloth to talk about with parents that have as much ‘street cred’ as croquet. Well… I suppose they aren’t that bad, infact we did have quite a few laughs, mainly at the expense of unsuspecting barmen. (Long story).
Not much had changed significantly in the year between my visits yet, every time I stay is just as exiting as the last. It may sound strange but I feel more comfortable in a place I know than visiting new places. ‘Lubina Sol’ has become like a second home to my over the years. The colourful landscape remains vivid in my memory. I just cannot wait until next summer!