San Juan 2008 Almerimar Style

Having decided early on (well to be honest it was never an option ) not to go to any organised event but to just wander along the beach and sample the variety that makes San Juan such a special evening, the phone started ringing in earnest from around 6pm (just as I was trying to persuade Mori that a sleep would be a good idea!).

First up was Juan Carlos from Al-rruz to persuade us to join them at the new Coco Beach (see below) at 11pm. That was actually a pretty easy one as we have spent previous San Juan’s with them and some Spanish friends and have had a great time. We had also wanted to go and see what it was like ready for Sand’s niece’s visit next week, and to support Shannon who we have know for a while now and who was a great help as a Marshal during the Treasure Hunt.

Next up was a call from Maria saying that Kris and Emma were coming down and that we should all get together and cruise the beaches. That was OK as they know Inés and Juan Carlos really well as since we introduced them to the restaurant they have taken a lot of their clients there and have become good friends.

Next up I spoke with John from the D Bar who spent more time telling me how packed the bar had been last night for the Spain match, and that Olga (his wife) is already telling everybody that Russia are going to win. Thursday could be very lively in the D Bar to say the least!!! Anyway he remembered to tell me where they would be, so that we could drop by and have a beer.

A quick flurry of text messages with Alberto confirmed he was working and not going to be out, but he could at least keep an eye on proceedings from the live video stream I promised to do!

Next a call from a friend from the Rugby club making me promise to call in and have a beer with them …….. so much for not planning!!!!

By now it was 7pm and my chances of getting a siesta had pretty much expired as Moreno was certainly wanting some attention – he always seems to know when we are planning to go out.

As usual things got a bit delayed, but by 9.45 we were heading out the door; beers, bread, cheese, tortilla, cold meats in the cool box.

Big Chris had been in Malaga all day and wanted a quiet night in (he got to dog site the three Soroko dogs), so it was Sands and myself, with Maria, Kris and Emma, along with Guinea and his family, where we made our first stop.

They had set up camp beyond the Hotel on the West beach where we had been before. It is generally a very popular spot for the Spaniards, and this year was no exception. It was packed!! No matter what the size of your bonfire, BBQ or Gazebo all are welcome and all are out just to have fun. So with the fires starting to burn, numerous smells wafting around from the various BBQ’s, various styles of music drifting across and the general hub of conversation that typifies any social gathering in Spain we were up and running.

We had the best kebabs I can remember having for a long time, some tortilla, and beer. And of course a great laugh with our friends.

Sands: Fantastic atmosphere … all very relaxed with everyone out to have fun, and with the bonfires it all had that lovely almost candlelit feel, added to with the waves lapping as we were close to the sea. Made me wonder why we don’t all head down to the beach for a late supper more times. The only other times we seem to have done it apart from San Juan, was before the music festival a couple of years ago. Anyway, the kebabs WERE great, particularly as I was only expecting to eat bread and cheese etc.

Next up we went off to have a drink and a chat with Inés and Juan Carlos. It is fair to say that they were drunk. They had carried on the celebrations from the Spain v Italy match over a long lunch, with no siesta before they started celebrating San Juan. Juan Carlos had brought some sardines and chorizo from Al-rruz with him and was busy cooking. It seems that he was cooking for the whole of the Coco Beach clients as Inés kept wandering into the bar with plates of food to give away. Last saw Juan Carlos heading off for his midnight swim with a very determined look on his face – which was really funny as it was only 11.45 at the time!!

Yep more great food for me … it turned into quite a supper! I actually love sardines, although I usually avoid certain bits of them, which was tougher in the dark! I was smiling at Juan Carlos and how much he seems to love cooking stuff, even when off-duty, but that’s why he decided to open a restaurant. Coco Beach bar looked fun and great location so will certainly take the girls there next week. I think I could even handle some time on the beach reading under one of their umbrellas.

After that we returned to base via the sea i.e. we paddled our way through the waves and numerous people splashing around and swimming for a last couple of beers and a chat around the bonfire before heading off to survey the beaches.

All very mellow, and I wasn’t even drinking apart from a couple of bottles of beer, as I didn’t like the toilet arrangements! However everything else was perfect; the sea was warm, the heat from the bonfires kept off the chill and dried out the swimmers, and the bonhomie was everywhere.

My impression is that is was overall quieter than last year. There were pockets along the west beach with no parties at all which I don’t recall before. It certainly got busier the closer to the port we got, and I was intrigued by the Baked Potato stall by the music bars. Wonder if that is there all summer now? Will check out next week as am bound to be there with Laura and her friend.

I was also interested to see that one of our favourite cafe’s Cafe H@cker had set up a BBQ outside and where still going strong.

By the time we got to the East beach neither of us where really up for much socialising so we just meandered our way home, drinking a last beer (or two), enjoying the background noise of a great evening slowly winding down. It was really nice just to walking with Sands late at night – I guess we are like most people, too busy too often to enjoy the simpler things in life. And San Juan in Almerimar is one of those simple things in life, and as such perfect!!

I have no idea what time it was when we got home. It was certainly starting to get lighter, and the cats seemed very happy to see us and headed straight up onto the roof to have a run around and a play, which gave Sands and I the chance to watch the bonfires fading on the beach while we reflected once again on what a great place Almerimar is to live.

Coco Beach

This new chiringuito opened on Saturday 22 June 2008 on the beach behind the AR hotel.

It is run by Shannon and her boyfriend Horacio (nicknamed Coco) and offers:

• DJ on Saturday and Sunday evenings
• Jazz and Soul music
• Regular fire shows
• Sunbeds during the day
• Bar snacks a la Pizza, Toasted Sandwiches

It is open now through to mid-September, every day from noon until late. Shannon wasn’t too sure about prices for the sunbeds when we asked her and thought that basically if you bought a drink you could use a sunbed for the day!

About Almerimar

Almerimar is located in the region of Andalucia, Spain. The nearest airport is 30km away in Almeria. Other airports that are within 3 hours include Malaga, Murcia, Granada, and Alicanti. Other holiday resorts in the region include Mojacar , Aguadulce and Roquetas de Mar

Almerimar is also one of the largest marinas in Spain with over 2,000 births and excellent boatyard facilities.

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