The cool air, clear sky ride out of Mojacar was beautiful this morning.Miles of beaches and several interesting condos.We joined other bikers on moderate climbs through hills of slate and shale.There were very few homes along the coast, but the ones we saw had a paradise oasis carved out with a view of the Med.We passed old castlesand ruins of origins unknown to us.Not sure why the Romans, or whatever empire it was that found this desert area important, but there was definite evidence of their dominance.We were surprised the empires of today had not overtaken these majestic views.The winds remained light and the views spectacular.The water was so clear, it tempted you to jump in.This one if for the GoatHeads in Maine.This mountain seemed to follow us for several hours, but the watermelon crop in the foreground seemed to soften it’s starkness.  We dropped down to the beach at Aguilas, but we had barely done 30 miles, so stopped for lunch and decided whether to make it a short day and rest before tackling the mountain that was between here and the next town, 25 miles away or to move on.We looked for a hotel to no avail.  The tourist office suggested the next hamlet with three choices available.  Of course, this was another five miles away, UP a hill.  But with an end it sight, we managed the pedal on and dropped down to yet another beautiful beach.

Stopped at the first place we came to and they were closed, uh oh!  Two more choices and one offered Wi-Fi, so we pedaled up the highest hill in town and were able to check-in to Hotel Mayari. This proved to be an incredible find, a desert rose.  The view from the multiple terraces

was magnificent and the breeze that blew up from the sea, magical. We wandered down to the beach and enjoyed the afternoon as the locals do, with a drink by the seathink we’re getting the hang of this.  We strolled back up the hill to rest for dinner, but first a drink.

Our hosts, Joaquín and Alicia, had been gracious enough to fix us dinner, so we did not have to go back down (and up) the hill again.  They must have know we were hungry, as the plate they served us would definitely challenge our abilities even as delicious as it was, plus an unexpected treat of a local dish that was magnificent.  Though we could not quite finish dinner, we were able to find room for this most incredible dessert, another house specialty.  If you ever find yourself in this ‘neck of the woods’, we’d highly recommend a stop here.  We’d actually recommend going out of your way to stay, it is so relaxing and the owners are incredible….they will make your stay truly special.

We retired early to rest for the tough day we had in store tomorrow.