Polaris World Property

As you get older there is a very real sensation of time flying. Some days pass us by leaving us to wonder what day of the week it is. Days become weeks, weeks become months. Months become years. One minute you’re singing Auld Langs Aign to bring in the New Year and a few Happy Birthdays later someone’s standing on your doorstep singing Silent night. But some days are simply unforgettable, grabbing you by the throat and shaking you to your core. An encounter with two large pods of Dolphins and one large group of Pilot Whales here just off the coast in La Azohia, Murcia, Spain was one of those days.

We set off early morning on the 2^nd of July from the small coastal port of Puerto de Mazarron on Spains south east hoping to encounter Dolphins but also with the hope that we might, just might, get lucky enough to get up close and personal to Whales. Bleary eyed through lack of sleep and lack of coffee we set off in search of marine life. To be honest I wasn’t that optimistic of seeing whales as I knew that Pilot whales in particular spend most of their time in deep water.

Forty five minutes later having taking a southern course towards Africa we spotted a large pod of Dolphins in the distance. Making sure to give them a with berth our Captain “Paco” reduced the throttle and to our delight up to 20 bottle nose dolphins joined us at our bow and began hitching a lift as we cut through the early morning waves. Our drowsiness was obliterated as we watched in amazement as these beautiful creatures took turns to criss cross and zig zag in front us us. Their propensity for playfulness is a joy to behold and you are always left a gasp at their speed and agility.

Heading south west we curved in an arc towards the large port of Cartagena. Here we once more encountered another large pod of Dolphins who took great delight at leaping out of the water and spinning on our bows stream clicking and squeaking as their bodies broke the glistening surface. Isn’t it any wonder that these beautiful creatures are used to stimulate communication among those to whom communication is an eternal struggle? As my Mother says “They’d do your heart good”.

So as we reached the highest point of our arc we changed direction and began to head back towards the barely visible land. Within 10 minutes off in the distance small fins could be seen breaking the waters surface. To our delight one fin became two became three as fine volcanoes of mist rose above them. The marine biologist who accompanied us couldn’t contain her delight as the size of the group ahead of us became apparent. There before us was a large family of Pilot Whales. There is something about an encounter with whales or dolphins that leaves you breathless. There is something in the way that they look at you, looking deep into your eyes as if they were the windows to your soul.

Cutting the engine, the only sound the gentle swash of the water lapping against our boat, our Captain informed us that we would keep a safe distance from the group and leave it to them to make the first move. And so one by one the larger members began to approach. Our smiles became huge grins as up to five Pilot Whales surfaced just below us. Clicking among one another the younger members of the clan approached in a less cautious manner and began to play amongst the adults. And there they stayed for upwards of 20 minutes spy hoping and rolling beneath us. It truly was a magical experience.

Having swam with Dolphins just off the coast of Kaikoura in New Zealand and been lucky enough to see Killer Whales off San Juan Island near Seattle on Americas North West Coast this wasn’t a first for me. Yet to know that these beautiful creatures are just kilometres off the coast here in La Azohia, Murcia is somewhat comforting. To those of you looking to relive adventures experienced on your year out in Australia or New Zealand look no further than Murcia Spain. The province boasts over 300 days of annual sunshine, a stunningly beautiful coastline and has its very own National Park in the Sierra Espuña just ten minutes from Polaris Worlds Condado de Alhama Resort. If you’re tired of the grey unyielding nine to six Monday to Friday lifestyle and you would like to go Whale Watching in Murcia why not take a break and come see the place for yourself. After all the Spanish philosophy is that “Life is for Living”. Isn’t it time you started?

Interesting Facts about Pilot Whales.

1. They are sometimes referred to as the cheetahs of the ocean.
2. Eat up to 30 pounds of squid a day.
3. Have 40 to 48 teeth.
4. Are jet black or a very dark grey colour.
5. Males measure up to 6.1 metres and weigh in at up to 3 tons.
6. Females measure up to 4.9 metres and can weigh up to 1.5 tons.
7. Newborn whale’s dorsal fin is flexible at birth so as to facilitate the birthing process.
8. Their life span is approximately 45 years for males and 60 years for females.
9. Have a distinct rounded head with a very slight beak and an up-curved mouth line.
10. There are likely to be almost a million long-finned pilot whales and at least 200,000 short-finned pilot whales worldwide.

Sometimes I wonder if Polaris World knows just how lucky they are. Whilst they spend vast amounts on advertising about the Polaris Resorts, Polaris Golf, Polaris Qualities, The Polaris Garden Centre, The Polaris Furniture Store, Polaris Travel, Polaris Car Hire, Fill your tank at the Polaris Petrol Station, Polaris, Polaris, Polaris. Alright already, we get the picture. Polaris World provides every possible service for its resident’s convenience. But what about the area?

Well over the coming months we will be sharing with you our knowledge of the huge variety of activities you can do here in Murcia, the very best local restaurants in which to eat, the best areas in which to shop and lots, lots more. Information that only a locally based Polaris World agent can provide, an agent such as Murcia Developments.

As it’s the first official day of summer today we’ll start with just a few of the very best local beaches which are no more than thirty minutes from the doorstep of your Condado de Alhama home. With sea temperatures in the crystal clear Mediterranean averaging between 22ºC to 25ºC from July to September it’s the perfect place for snorkeling, scuba diving or simply tipping your head back, floating with arms and legs outstretched, without a care in the world.

So with that in mind here are just a few of our favourite beaches near Condado de Alhama that we regularly visit:

1) The beach closest to Condado de Alhama is Bolnuevo beach, which can be reached within 10 minutes by car. It is a lovely, long, wide and sandy beach with crystal clear calm water, which is perfect for families. It has several bars and restaurants and a big area for all kinds of sports (football, beach volleyball, etc.). In summer it is also a great place for festivals and gatherings (i.e. the motor weekend).

Opposite the beach at the end of town is a huge parking area, overlooked by some wonderful eroded rock formations. If a nudist beach is more your thing than keep driving on the main road till the road goes uphill, follow the road all the way to the top and down till it becomes a dirt road. Off this road are stunning small coves with lovely beaches (nudist and mixed). There are however no facilities so bring your own refreshments. This area is also great for hiking.

2) Within 10-15 minutes drive you will find the beaches of Puerto de Mazarron. Some beaches are vast (Playa Grande) while others (Bahia beach) are smaller, lined with palm trees and authentic fisherman’s cottages. The beach in the centre of town opposite the paseo (boulevard) has a play area and there are plenty of shops, bars and restaurants to keep you entertained. The first 50 meters into the water is very shallow, therefore a bit warmer and great for the younger kids. From the harbours and beaches of Puerto de Mazarron you can enjoy many water sports such as sailing, fishing, diving, jet skiing, etc.

3) The prettiest beach near Condado de Alhama is Percheles beach within 20 minutes drive. A stunning beach lined with palm trees and enclosed by sand dunes and green hills. It is a little off the beaten track so still relatively quiet in summer. There are plenty of parking spaces right at the beach (they have recently separated the beach from the parking area), but again no facilities so bring your own food & refreshments. There are a few little coves with lovely beaches off the bigger beach, which can be accessed on foot. These smaller private beaches are also popular amongst nudists.

4) Our favourite beach though is Playa de las Mujeres near Calnegre within a 25 minutes drive from Condado. Again off the beaten track but well worth a visit. A dirt track leads along the coast and there are several stunning beaches just off it. The first beach you encounter is very popular with the Spanish and is enclosed by sand dunes and rocks and has a small Spanish family run restaurant (beach hut).

Here you can order your paella when you arrive in the morning (make sure to be there between 10 and 11 am) and the staff will give you a time to return for your lunch. You than set up camp on the beach (bring a shade as this beach gets quite hot in summer) and when it is lunch time you leave your towels etc. walk 20 meters to the restaurant and enjoy your lunch overlooking the glimmering Mediterranean. The beach has a lifeguard, toilets and water. The sea can be quite rough at times and is great for wave riding or body boarding.

We can of course provide you with a detailed description on how to get to all the above-mentioned beaches but first you’ve got to get here. So what are you waiting for?

Part I

Sometimes in life it’s the little decisions that have the biggest effect on which paths we choose or the directions we take. There are times when our lives have taken us up a certain path and no matter how we much try to hide it with “buying things” something just doesn’t seem right, something deep inside us keeps asking the question “Is that it, is that all there is?”

Sometimes making those decisions is a little like jumping into a fast flowing river. The decision-making is one thing, where it takes you quite another. It’s these times in your life when something as simple as making that decision which sets you off on a roller coaster ride through five countries and brings you to a place where maybe, just maybe, you feel as if you might belong.

We found ourselves doing just that exactly two years ago. We’d lived in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, for three years and Galway, in the West of Ireland for two, but for various reasons still hadn’t found what we’d been looking for. So after much soul searching we made the decision to up sticks and move to Spain in search of a new life and adventure.

Having told our Family’s of the decision we had made and answered the inevitable question of “Why Spain”? to which in all honesty we had no real answer apart from “Why not?” we handed in our respective notices to our employers and set about packing up our belongings. We then sold our car and with the help of a close friend shipped our furniture etc back to Holland and set about closing bank, electricity, phone and mobile accounts and booked our flights to Holland where we had planned to buy a left hand drive car.

After spending almost two weeks in the East of Holland saying our goodbyes, buying a car and tying up some loose ends the day finally came to turn the key in the ignition and begin our European road trip that eventually lead us to Murcia, Spain. I can still clearly remember the feeling of “Oh oh, what have we done” as we left my Partners Parents home, her Family waving us goodbye as we set off on our new adventure. There was a very real sense, and please excuse my language of “Oh Shit, this is it”. All we had was one another (which, as we all learn eventually, is all you need), the car in which we travelled (which I eventually christened Christine for her extremely annoying habit of closing her doors whilst you weren’t quite in yet) and the contents of the aforementioned car which included a two man tent, camping gear, pots, pans, gas stove etc and enough clothes to get us through seven days of any weather.

With our hearts in our mouths we left Holland and travelled on through Belgium briefly brushing off Luxembourg and on into France. There we spent three weeks travelling which I think was enough time for me to fall in love with several wee villages and further question our reasons for heading further south…vive le France, Vive le difference or as Dell boy would say cordon blue mon cherry. The French countryside is simply breathtaking; don’t die before road tripping it.

Camping was all that I’d imagined and more. Ok maybe six weeks living in such close proximity was pushing it but my adaptation to the outdoor live was instantaneous. I could light a fire in seconds (miss-spent youth counted for something Mother). I can put up a tent in near hurricane conditions and have also learned that camping on a slope is neither conducive for a good nights sleep nor recommended when heavy rain is expected. That aside I think I might give that Ray Mears fella a run for his money in the art of survival.

Cards and this cool thing called conversation replaced television. It’s amazing you just kinda open your mouth and say what’s on your mind and the person opposite you, without having the distraction of X-Factor (I’m beginning to wonder what the X stands for), I’m A Celebrity (Like hell you are) get me out of here or the latest series of Lost (Who does their hair?) replies and says what’s on their mind. Cool eh? The thing is we now read more, listen to more music, watch less TV, have more conversations and spend most of our time outdoors. I hadn’t seen so much daylight in donkey’s years.

Crossing the border or rather what’s left of it in the Pyrenees was a bit head wrecking to say the least. We left the plush greenery of Southern France to the rather more baron and isolated bleakness that is the Spanish border. I’m sure its beautiful in its own way but my recollections of the place are lonely and desolate having left the tranquillity of France to the sounds of “The Rare Auld Times” by the Dubliners (I kid you not) playing on French radio. When you’re open to it there are always little signs to guide you and as Luke, Ronnie and the Boys crackled off into radio wave nothingness you could have cut the atmosphere in our car with a very blunt spoon. This was it. Spain.

To be continued…….

Here are some pictures of the development on the Condado de Alhama resort:

Click on an image to enlarge it.