While we walk with sure steps towards the month of November, which always reminds us somehow of autumn, rain and grey skies, in this part of southern Europe we are still fully living summer days. Although I know that until the end of December we can often still see 21 degrees Celsius during the day (even though the nights are already much colder), these temperatures at the end of October (such as between 28 and 30 degrees) are not so common. Warmer clothes haven't come out yet from the depth of the closet, there's no need for them yet. And I guess you will see it yourself from my pictures in this post. Blue sea, sunny landscape, people on the beach - aren't those summer scenes? Scenes similar to those shown on postcards when you go on vacation and send greetings to your friends. Ok, that's a bit old-fashioned now, who still sends postcards in the mail these days when social media has taken over? Post a picture of the seashore where you are and everything is said.
Palmtrees should not miss out on those photos, of course. You can see them everywhere, as well as shrubs, cacti and succulents. But these tall trees, with that fuzzy "haircut", are pretty. I think we have to agree on that. Although I do miss seeing deciduous trees, which with their colourful leaves during autumn bring a special, different joy to our eyes and our minds. Yes, there are deciduous trees too, but way more palm trees and evergreen vegetation is what this part of Spain offers.
When we think about the Spanish Mediterranean coast, the first association is tourism and the destroyed natural habitats of local flora and fauna. I do love the organized urban areas, however, I can't avoid loving much much more the hidden gems, like cliffs, coves, and beach sand dunes (that are so rare now due to the exploitation of the beaches, unfortunately). Everything seems to have easy access for all the visitors... Still, here and there, you can find some of them. (The closest to me are around the city of Oliva and Gandia) Also, we can find them going a bit to the south, in the coastal area of the city called Orihuela. To be honest, not much of dunes, but shrubs that somehow remained and proved that it is nicer if the coast remains in a natural way.
Cliffs are the other thing I like to see and experience. To find a path down to the water and then, back to the top. Well, I am not always that adventurous, as it would not be the first time I crash my hands on a stone so I have to be careful. Here, I just stayed on top and loved to observe the sea from a distance.
For those who like to take the risk, and avoid easily accessible beaches, these rocks are perfect. They can serve as a runway for entering the water. As to a private pool... with some additional creatures like sharks ;)
Still exploring the wild beaches that welcome the more natural approach, the absolutely stunning blue sea and no people around, I came to this cliff too. And the realisation that maybe this place is not as abandoned as my first impression would be. There is something small, of red colour... a small tent on the beach! Oh, so there are people there... or not just people?
What I found was a beach that allows dogs. A canine beach (in Spanish - playa canina) where the owners and their four-legged friends can find refreshment on these warm days. (
The information board which is explaining what you can and can't do here. Something like taking care of nature, not allowing your dog to bother the other people who are there... well, I would say that you are free to interpret the images as you want hahaha.
Near that canine beach, there were several smaller beaches, like Cala Mosca, Playa Flamenca Beach, and Playa Las Estacas. They are not big beaches, actually, they are coves.
The sand looked so smooth and the water shallow. There were some waves, long ones but not high and wild waves.
Looking at these photos, would you say we are not in the summer anymore?
Yes, it can be seen because of the shadows... The sun is not that high in the autumn afternoons, so we can see nice, long shadows of the buildings, trees and other objects.
Although I said that I prefer nature over the beaches where we can see umbrellas and sunbeds, I like this one. At least the umbrellas were made of esparto grass (I think) and we can see dry seaweed on the shore. Let's say, this is a half-natural beach :D
Here my short excursion to some beaches in costa de Orihuela finishes... a not-that-long walk on the top of the cliffs and among the palm trees, while autumn should be already bringing some colder temperatures. But Spain it is, never enough of that shiny thing on the sky!
The proud owner of this object has to show it once again: the Hive bottle is now always on the road with me... To the beaches also? Yes, there too! :)
