June 14 - Benidorm with Grandkids

 We had heard that Benidorm had a great beach and a different vibe than El Campello even though it also had a lot of expats.  Benidorm is know as "Little Manhattan" as it has so many high rise buildings.  You can see them better from the house we rented in Benidorm.  

We took a selfie as soon as we arrived at the beach.  Y and I wanted to stick our feet into the Mediterranean again, while the guys wanted to explore the stores along the beach.  So I didn't see much of A after this photo.

The swans are easy to spot!

After their hot walk in the sun the guys were pretty tired an hungry.  We joined them at a nice beach side restaurant for lunch before heading back to our rental.  Y and I only had time for the water and lunch!

Our Rental House

 Trying to find a great rental house is always always a challenge.  There is always something quirky or challenging about every rental we have had.  Most all of the time they are very echoey - either tile or wood floors with no rugs.  Few things on the walls and high ceilings.  This time we choose the view and pool over comfortable seating inside.  There were very nice seating areas outside - but the most comfortable ones were in the blazing sun all day.  

Inside - the sofa was sort of wavy - there were no foot stools.  There are two leather arm chairs again no foot stools.  Only Arti used the living room.  The dining chairs were OK, but not great.  So no one tended to stick around in one place to talk.  But the weirdest thing was that there was no door on the entrance to the upstairs bathroom.  

Since it is the beginning of the summer season, the pool water is a little cold.  But still lovely to stick your feet in.  Arti used the pool the most.  He even played pool boy and used the net to fish debris out of the water.  

The pool.  Love the gradual wide steps down.

Views on a clear day.

They have fish farming here as well as they did back in El Campello.

Arti playing pool boy.  He really enjoyed the pool.

The blue of the house in the vrbo advertising photos has faded in the strong sun.

Most mornings were really hazy.  Then the view looks more like this.

Playing Marco Polo!

June 13 - City of Science and Arts

 On June 13th we drove to Valencia to see the City of Science and Arts.  This is a huge complex with many buildings.  We only had time for the aquarium.  Everyone seemed to agree that this was at the top of the list of things to see.

Not the aquarium - but a lot of fun water things to do between some of the major exhibit buildings.

The aquarium.

Reading about nature in the lagoon.

Exhibits in the aquarium.  We found a cafe in this section of the aquarium - food was acceptable and no one was starving anymore as it was already past 2pm.

The penguin exhibit was also popular.

Tortoises

Whales, sharks, tortoises and more!

Just as we were finishing up the aquarium, it started to rain.  The drive home was extremely stressful!  At times it rained so hard you had almost 0 visibility on the highway.  Everyone slowed way down.  Luckily no one stopped which would have been really dangerous.  As we got closer to Benidorm the rain let up.  We got into the house and shortly after - the deluge of rain happened over our house!  We were very glad to be out of it.  Then as the rain subsided a rainbow appeared.  I only caught the end of it.