The Guideless Traveller: Espana: Days 38 & 39 (El Campello & Alicante)

Day 38:
She woke up like this...

A little TLC for my plant...

Afternoon sunbathing

Scott and I made a plan to go into Alicante for some shopping and to check out a restaurant recommended to me by a local. The tram ride into Alicante is only about 20 minutes and once we got off, we spotted a candy shop! Scott goes into Alicante everyday for school but he normally gets off at a different stop. It's been about 8 or 9 years since I've had candy so I'm not about to start again now, no, Scott was stocking up a little and I enjoyed walking around the shop identifying what things are what by reading the Spanish names of the "fruits" candy. Being a former candy addict, I pretty much know what things are by looking at them, so I was using that knowledge to learn some Spanish. There was a little healthy section with dried fruit that I bagged up for myself! Straight up fruit, not candy. First thing on my list was to find a bathing suit and I did a bit of research before heading here so I knew exactly where to go. On the walk, I saw bright swimsuits from the corner of my eye and a sign in the window that said "rebajas!" Rebajas is a word I learned early on, it means rebates (or sale, clearance, discount, etc). The suit at this store, Calzedonia, that I was in love with is fun, cheeky and only about $30. For the whole thing! Off to the next store, a lingerie & swimwear shop called Freshcezza and from the outside it looked like it is by appointment only but I went ahead and rang the doorbell and was welcomed in. This place is fancy! As I start looking at bikinis, everything seems so expensive and there is one or two sizes for anything they have. Then the sales associate told us that all the swimwear is on sale and depending which rack, the discount is different. I stumbled upon a Just Cavalli bikini and had to try it on. I have no clue what size it is but it has to fit! Out of the 4 bikinis I tried on here, I liked this one the most...it's the one that is most me. Oh, and the best part of this is the price. Only $70 for a bikini that was originally $200. It was meant to be! I'm sure there will be photos later of me in the bikinis but I was so excited when I got home, I snapped photos and sent to my mom on WhatsApp!

Bikini from Calzendonia

Just Cavalli bikini from Freshcezza

Sephora and Nespresso were the next stops and well, Sephora is Sephora...too many people all under hot lights and too many products to browse. When I start sweating, I know it's time to get out. I got most of what I need but I'm probably going to find some other products close to home in the future. Or order online like I used to! Scott enjoyed a Nespresso with me at the boutique after I made my Nespresso purchases. I think he's starting to like espresso with me 😉
We head over to Alma del Sur, a Spanish restaurant recommended to me. This place was great. The minute we walked it, it was empty so we got some special attention, which is nice to have on a first visit. The woman asked us what we like and she kind of created a little plan for us because we were all over the place trying to figure out what tapas to try. This place is known for the pescaito frito so of course, we had to try that. We also got the house wine, a red from Alicante, and patatas bravas. We didn't know what to expect with the pescaito fritos and then we saw a sign that kind of summed it all up for us!

A little "how to" at Alma del Sur

Don't let this fool you...Alma del Sur fills up fast

Bebitas at Alma del Sur

Datenight at Alma del Sur in Alicante

Patatas at Alma del Sur

Pescaito Frito at Alma del Sur (calamari, cod and some little fish I didn't like)

We were a little confused...we thought Cod Tacos would actually be tacos but we basically ordered the same thing again, just with all cod. It's ok though, we took it home for Coco (dug out the meat of course. No fried food for that dog)

A cana cerveza at Alma del Sur

We weren't ready to go back just yet. The Olympics are happening and we wanted to see if any bars had anything on. The Olympics have not really been a big thing here but since Rafa Nadal was playing, every place had it on. We stopped in at a bar that Scott and his good friend Lee went to a little over a year ago and had a few drinks & watched the tennis match. Bar Munich is a cute little bar that looks out into a small square.

"Mujer en un bar" by Scott Hatter

After Nadal lost, we got on the tram back home. Coco was so thrilled to see us and even more thrilled to eat her fresh cod from Alma del Sur!!!

Day 39:
Sunday the 14th of August, we headed to Brel for lunch and I ordered a bottle of one of the wines on the specials board. Scott was a sport while dealing with my taking photos of his food.