Mijas and Ronda

Mijas and Ronda

Almost two weeks ago Greg and I headed to the Spanish Riviera, or the Costa del Sol, in the south of Spain.  We visited this area in January when it was cold and rainy, but the weather on this trip was outstanding!  We stayed in a cute little inn in the town of Mijas.  

The only thing spoiling our perfect view of the ocean was this private home across the street.  We were tempted to knock on their door and ask if we could hang out on their patio.  

Below that patio.  This town is crazy about potted flowers.

This town is also crazy about blue pots.  There are a
few rebels here or there, but for  the most part, blue is their color.   

You can see that in these old villages, there is
 no room for flowerbeds.  Hence, potted plants. 

In early days there were houses built in caves.
These are some homes left as a reminder.

A view from Mijas.

That is the Mediterranean. 

A light house off the highway.

Ronda from a distance.  Ronda is one of the most popular and largest of the "White Villages."  We drove through in January, but it was very cold and rainy, and we didn't stop.  We were so glad that we came back in the Spring.

The Cathedral.

A lovely park in Ronda.

This statue is holding branches for Palm Sunday.

 A beloved bull fighter.

I'm crazy about this guy!  The best missionary companion ever!

The bullring.

Outdoor cafes are the best.

This was Holy Week (Semana Santa).  Every day on Holy Week there are processions.  I know what you are thinking.  This is not the KKK.  This is an ancient tradition.  These costumes represent the penitent.  Their hats point to heaven.    

The procession marches past the bullring.

There were so many cute little kids in the parade.

The different colors represent different parishes.

These little girls are passing out branches.

Christ coming into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

The "float" is being carried through the streets on the shoulders of of a group of  men.
This little guy is walking along beside his dad, most likely.

This little guy is the shortest drummer.  I guess he's "The Little Drummer Boy." 

Each procession has a pattern.  First come the penitents, then Christ in different
situations, then the bands, then ladies in lovely dresses with their mantillas on
 their heads, followed by the Virgin Mary.

 We were sitting at the edge of an open cafe in Madrid when another
procession went by.  I didn't have my camera with me.

Ronda is separated into two parts that is divided by a huge 400 ft. deep gorge.

It is united by an amazing bridge.

There was originally a Roman bridge here.  This is called Puente Nuevo,
or new bridge.  It was started in 1751 and took 42 years to build. 

The bullring.

Fighter heroes.

Our Chariot.  Obviously Dave Hawkins was not with us.

The beautiful landscape between Marbella and Ronda.

Back in Mijas, and the donkey taxi hogging the road.

The Mijas Castle.

We had dinner at this outdoor cafe.  Very Spanish ...

Home for the night.  Our cute little dona, Josefa Maria, was waiting for us.