It had been three years since my daughter Sarah and her children visited in 2022, on that occasion for the Wedding Celebration, and with Eva my eldest grandchild too.
However, on this occasion Eva and her partner Charlie were staying at home and looking after the cats and it was only Sarah, Adan and Aria who were coming to visit.
There were messages flying back and forth before the visit as three years make a significant difference in children, Aria was two now five, and Adan ten now thirteen. What did they like to eat, what did they like to drink? Do not bother with towels, shampoo etc. as we have it all here ready for you.
Finally, it was the day to go and collect them from the airport. Waiting at the barrier I was getting excited and could not wait to catch the first glimpse of our family. Yes, they are OUR family, especially as, Aria was born after John and I met, so he is her Granddad Jonnie!
At last, I spotted Sarah by the baggage reclaim, and a few minutes later Adan and Aria appeared in front of us and the hugs started! Once Sarah joined us, looking like a laden donkey with a case and numerous bags everywhere, we were finally able to have that first long-awaited hug. Three years is too long really, but hey, that's life.
They were only here for a week, so we had an action-packed schedule, trying to cater for everyone. The day they arrived we kept it low key, swimming in the pool and a barbecue in the evening, allowing the guests to chill and recover from their travels.
The highlight of the holiday was a visit to Oasys Mini Hollywood, a theme park situated in the desert of Tabernas, the only desert in Europe. Directors chose it to shoot many films since the 1950s, due to its similarity to Cowboy areas in the US, northern Mexico, northern Africa and Arabia. The so-called Spaghetti Westerns were shot at three main locations, al of which have now become theme parks, Western Leone (taking the name of the Italian director Sergio Leone which is the reason why they are called Spaghetti Westerns), Fort Bravo Texas Hollywood and finally, Mini Hollywood Oasys, where we went.
Some of the most famous films were, the westerns starring Clint Eastwood A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More and The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. Parts of Lawrence of Arabia, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and more recently instalments of Game of Thrones and Black Mirror.
However, Mini Hollywood has two areas, and it is a full day out. There is the Western area, with lots of scenery, some buildings you could go in, and some you just looked though a window. There were two shows, the cowboy shootout and the Saloon dancing girls. There were plenty of photo shoot opportunities such as, holding up the bank, wanted posters and much more.
The other area was a zoo, and it was a well-stocked and well-kept zoo, and there was a parrot show here too. The children were enjoying seeing all the animals and going into the different speciality houses for reptiles and amphibians. However, eventually we were all feeling very hungry and managed to find a restaurant in the zoo area called the African Chiringuito, and we were able to find something for everyone to eat at a very reasonable price.
Finally, we had seen everything, and John and I went to find a welcome drink whilst Sarah and the children went for a swim in the pool which was also available in the park. Realising our poor dog Luka had been left longer than usual, we made our way back home, after a very enjoyable day out.
Apart from swimming at home and going to local bars which were near to playparks for Aria and had tapas for us, our other highlight was the tourist train of Garrucha and Vera Playa, combined with the night market in Vera Playa. Once they were enjoyed, we went to our favourite Chinese restaurant, Chino Pekin and we all enjoyed a very good meal.
A last quiet day at home on Monday before, all too soon, it was time to drive my dear visitors back to the airport. Hopefully, it will not be three years before we see them again!
Do you have memorable family visits, I would love to hear about them!
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