Benidorm Beaches Spain

Poniente, Levante and Playa de Mal Pas

47 km or 29 miles, the distance Benidorm is from Alicante Airport, with dozens of shuttle buses and now a Speedy bus offering direct transfers to individuals hotels.

Taxis are parked on the right of the main exit doors around the clock, and if you're lucky you could be in one that gets eggs thrown at it or witness some stout red-faced Spaniards going nose to nose, as there's still an ongoing dispute as to who should have the rights to the airport punters. The local cabs of Elche or those coming from the destination towns, this regardless of what the law says.

Yes, that might sound negative to some, but to others they sit back strap themselves in and watch the fuss, all part of the experience, 'welcome to Spain.' the excitement has begun.

The view from La Cruz in Serra Gelada of Benidorm is reminiscent of a Manhattan style skyline. Benidorm's three beaches are pristine-clean and maintained. Playa de Poniente, 'west beach', stretches around for 2974 meters and joins, Playa de Levante, 'east beach', with an additional 2080 meters long this is usually the most populated beach. Both beaches are separated by Playa de Mal Pas,120m long with a width of 75m. This is a small cove on the other side of the marina below the Castilla and gets very busy.

You can also find another beach at the end of Playa de Poniente, La Cala. This is small cove and popular with both tourists and locals, with several bars and restaurants to choose from. The water is easy to swim in here, because it remains waste high for a substantial distance and ideal for the kids to play in and the older generations to stand and chat.

Image ShearArt

 

 

Benidorm Revisited

Benidorm, arguable one of the most denounced and trashed talked about resorts in Spain, by those knockers who have never actually visited the place.

I defy them to walk along the promenade at high noon and recall their negative connotations as the heat warms their skin. Tension,soothed by a subtle breeze from the Mediterranean sea, the white sand stretches for what seems like miles.

The promenade full of designer flip flops ranging in as many colours and sizes as their wearers, burnt red the preference of the newly arrived. Dodge the Segway riders and street performers, and become ensconced in a comfy chair, alfresco at a café bar, and people watch. Spot the nationality, although some make it too easy, dressed like reality TV stars or those that wear football tops and bold heads, on an all inclusive.

Benidorm is a favourite destination for many Europeans, who visited the place religiously each year, for years, and that’s including the winter months, popular with the older generations. The Spanish also love to visit Benidorm, especially Madrileños from Madrid.

Benidorm has a thriving beach life with early morning aerobics and Metal detectors dot about the beach in search of euros. Cable skiing is popular as well as para-sending, sea kayak, paddle boarding, Jet-skies and banana rides to name a few.

Adventure seekers can explore Benidorm’s hinterland and high ground via Jeep safari, down hill biking, hiking and hot air ballooning.

There is a profusion of entertainment options in Benidorm, in the daytime and a superabundance well into the early hours, with hundreds of bars and restaurants to choose from in the new side and the old town. Benidorm Palace is at the top of the list for popularity with its titillating Moulin rouge-esque floor shows and set menus.

Regular boat trips to the isla de los periodistas or journalists’ is a great way to see Benidorm off shore. The island also known as Benidorm island and peacock island, due it having some caged peacocks and is the head quarters for the local Seagull mob, hundreds of them.

Benidorm Island is six and half hectares, it used to be the landing spot for Pirates to plot and conduct their raids from to the mainland. Fleeing citizens from Villajoyosa and Benidorm in 1834 stayed on the island after a cholera outbreak. Now days the island is a favourite spot for divers, both snorkel and scuba and can be explored by submersible voyage around the island. There is also a café serving a variety of food and drinks.

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Benidorm at Night

Benidorm,…
Billy Stock
24 in. x 18 in.
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Enjoy a Free Trip

Another thing you can do whilst in Benidorm is go on a free trip with PAL. They will pick you up at your hotel, or a designated collection area very close. And whisk you off on a free trip, they have a variety of destinations and reps in most of the hotels, who can take your bookings, or ask at the hotel reception desk. Some of the regular trips offered include, the fonts de algar where you can see beautiful waterfalls, Valor chocolate factory in Villajoyosa, Guadalest, in land from Benidorm and one of the most visited places in Spain. Altea, a picturesque town along the coast. Moraira, again another picturesque town on the sea front next to Calpe. Jalon Valley which is inland and has a huge Rastro (Flea Market) and wine bodegas.


Image from ShearArt

 

Benidorm Palace

Established in 1977, Benidorm Palace is famous for producing the most prestigious show in Spain, the experience gets bigger and better each year.

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Sea Journey To Peacock Island, Benidorm.

Playa del Mal Pas

 

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Playa De Levante

Playa De Levante,…
Richardson Rolf
24 in. x 18 in.
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Big Eyes Keane Paintings

The Story of Margret Keane

Sad Eyed Children, Big Eyed Art, Doe Eyed Orphans or Sorrowful, wide-eyed waifs, whatever name you used to describe them, there's one thing for sure, with no grey areas, you either loved them or you hated them.

Artist Margaret Keane was born in 1927, by the 60's she was a pop art sensation. Margaret was married to Walter Keane for ten years, from 1955 to 1965. A film about her life is being made called "BIG EYES". Tim Burton, a fan of Margaret's work, will co-produce the film. Early rumours had Ryan Reynolds and Reese Witherspoon in the staring rolls. The latest to be put up for the lead roles are Christoph Waltz and Amy Adams.

The script was penned by Larry Karaszewski and Scott Alexander and Tim Burton will direct the movie said to be released in August 2014.

The film will start just before Margaret and Walter meet up, and ends in a spectacular court scene where Margaret gets her day in court.

Margaret now lives in Napa County, California.

Personally I can't wait until the film comes out. Now I have to go and find all those paintings my sister had hanging up on her anaglypta-wallpapered bedroom walls in the seventies, as they should skyrocket in price after the film.

The script

BIG EYES by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski

At the beginning of the script the year is 1955 and Margaret with her eight-year old daughter Jane, leaves her first husband, and lands in the wild and cool beatnik epicenter of San Francisco. The place is foreign and strange, yet she gets a sense that this would be a great place to settle as an artist.

Margaret runs into Walter Keane whilst sketching tourists for a few dollars at Fisherman’s Wharf. Walter made an impression on her dressed like a Parisian Artist in a turtle neck and black beret flogging his Paris street scenes with the gusto of a fairground sideshow boss. As soon as Walter meets Margaret he foreshadows his future actions by criticizing her for selling herself and her artwork too short.

It’s not long before they pitch their easels next to each other in the park and start a courtship. Jane, Margaret’s daughter notices that Walter’s canvas is always blank. We learn that Walter is really a commercial realtor. They soon get married and honeymoon in Hawaii. in this script version, they decide not to delve in length into the reason why they get married so hastily, just a letter from Margaret’s ex-husband accusing her of being an unfit mother.

Walter’s artwork is shunned by a Gallery owner which motivates him to rent wall-space in the hungry I, a hugely popular and hip jazz club, and he exhibits his and wife Margaret’s work. At this time they both sign their works as Keane and Walter is soon credited with the sad-eyed-girls, hungry for sales he takes credit for the works. The Jazz club is further instrumental in their success when the club owner and Walter come to blows and are caught on camera; this catapults both the club and the paintings to overnight popularity and Walter deeper and deeper into his lie, a lie that eventually becomes real to him.

The paintings start shifting even though art critics snubbed them, one critic suggested they were “the very definition of tasteless hack work”. The layman loved them, and Walter found they had to start printing off posters and framed prints to keep up with demand.

There’s not doubt Walter had a flair for marketing, he opens up a gallery across from the first gallery that shunned him and started giving paintings away to famous and influential people including, Natalie wood, Jerry Lewis and Kim Novak also sending one of John Jr. and Caroline Kennedy to the White House.

Walter Keane churned out work, sausage factory style, well before Warhol and his helpers. Walter’s sweat shop consisted of Margaret only, whilst she grafted he wallowed in his self-promotion, and the secret was kept even from Margaret’s daughter.

Margaret becomes more and more depressed, which reflects in her artwork, almost self-portraits, which makes it more difficult for Walter to explain his inspiration.

The script heads towards the climax, where Margaret gets her day in court after remaining silent for years. A radio interview in 1970 prompted Margaret to admit she and she alone painted the wide-eyed waifs, and at this time challenged Walter to a public painting contest, Walter was a no show.

A couple of years go by and Walter surfaces suggesting to USA Today that Margaret thought that he was dead and that’s why she was making her claims. This led to a slander suit from Margaret.

When they both walked into the Honolulu federal court, 20 years had passed since either one had seen each other. Walter was 70 and Margaret 58, the whole trial lasted for 3½-week with plenty of sparks. According to Margaret the only reason she was obsequies and gave into Walter’s wishes was because she feared for her and her daughter’s lives.

Margaret brought into court paintings from her childhood, and clinched it when she painted a boy’s face in fifty three minutes, showing obviously that she is in fact the creator of Big Eyes. Walter was challenged to pick up a paint brush but declined clutching his should, saying he was taking medication and declined the challenge. The court awarded Margaret $4 million for damaged reputation and emotional distress at the hand of Walter’s false statements.

At the end of the Script a reporter asks Margaret if she feels vindicated by the high award, she replies that it was never about the money and anyway she doesn’t think that Walter would pay up. Margaret adds that she just wanted rightful credit for her work and to get her art back, my prayers are answered.

This was an early draft of the script and there will be many changes to the finished film.

ShearArt Image of “The First Grail”, 1962 by Keane

Christoph Waltz and Amy Adams to Star in Big Eyes

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The eyes were asking

'Why are we here, why is there suffering? What is the purpose of life?'

Getting older

Girl with Yellow Rose

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Girl with abstract lines

1997

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''I think what Keane has done is just terrific. It has to be good. If it were bad, so many people wouldn't like it.'' -- Andy Warhol on Keane in 1965

Hibiscus Miss

1968

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No Dogs Allowed

The Gypsies

"The eyes indicate the antiquity of the soul."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Keane 1977

Image Shearart

A Boy and His Dog 1962 Keane

Otter Delight

Image Shearart

Margaret Keane

Image Source

1967 untittled

Walter Keane

Walter Keane

KEANE EYES GALLERY

Andy Warhol Margaret Keane painting

Andy Warhol Margaret Keane painting

Lion and Child 1964 Keane

Lion and Child 1964 Keane

At the Fair 1962 Keane.

At the Fair 1962 Keane.

Three Harlequins 1962 by Margaret Keane

"The Waifs", 1963 by Keane

Beachhead-'63 1963 by Keane

Peace on Earth 1961 by Keane

The Caretaker 1964 Keane

OUT AFTER DARK 1964 Keane

The Wildcat 1964, Keane

The Reluctant Ballerina 1964 Keane

The Ballet Class 1964 Keane

Dangerous Creatures of Spain

Things to look out for in the Spanish countryside, rural towns and the beaches

Apart from bears, wild boars, packs of wolves, sharks and some crazy drivers. Spain has other dangerous and small nasty creatures on offer. Here are a few people should be aware of and their children and pets in particular should be protected from.

The Procession Caterpillar, Mediterranean Scorpion, 13 Snake Spices, Spiders, Weaver Fish, Fire Salamanders and Scorpion Fish to name a few.

The Procession Caterpillar

(Thaumetopoea Pityocampa)

Processionary live and feed on pine trees they move on to other pine trees and travel in a line, hence the name. They are noticeable from January to April.
Don’t go near them! They are covered with histamine tipped needles. And are extremely dangerous to animals. Dogs in particular fall foul of them usually from sniffing and licking their trail. If you can see them you are to close.

The Sea Nettle Jellyfish (Pelagia Noctiluca)

Common in Spain difficult to see but you will know when you come into contact with them they sting and can leave you with scars. Medical attention will be required.

 

Mediterranean Scorpion

(Buthus Occitanus - Escorpion Amarillo)

Like the black Scorpion this yellow scorpion will not kill you but the pain is intense and the area affected can go black and remain painful for some time, best to always check your foot-ware they have a habit of hiding in shoes.

The European Black Scorpion (Euscorpius Flavicaudis)

Mainly in the northern part of Spain. The sting is very painful but not deadly to humans.

 

There are thirteen snake spices in Spain

Only five are venomous: 

 Seoane's Viper (Vipere Seoanei) Thought to be the most dangerous snake in spain can be found all over. 

 

 False smooth snake Venomous snake found in open, sandy deciduous and evergreen woodland, scrub-land, sandy areas, meadows, plantations, cultivated land and in stone ruins. 

False smooth snake Venomous snake found in open, sandy deciduous and evergreen woodland, scrub-land, sandy areas, meadows, plantations, cultivated land and in stone ruins.

 

 

 Montpellier Snake (Culebra bastarda) Lifts and flattens it's head when threatened and emits a loud and persistent hiss. The venom can create symptoms including numbness, stiffness, swelling and possibly fever usually passing after a few hours. 

 

 

 Asp Viper (Vipere aspis) Rare, has a painful bite that is deadly. 

 

Spiders 1,700 species in Spain

Jumping Spiders
Zebra Jumping Spider is common in most homes and although it is not in its nature to bite, it can do so with a result no more excessive than a bee sting.

Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans)
They can be found in the Valencian Region and give a nasty Venamous bite but none fatal. Medical attention will be required.

Mediterranean recluse spider ( Loxosceles rufescens ), less toxic than its African recluse cousins, can give a painful nip.

Funnel Web (Hexathelidae)
Do exist in Spain but are said to be of the type less Venamous as those in Australia.

Tarantulas
They too are in Spain they look a lot scary than the potensey of their bite.

Colorful Jumping...

Weaver Fish (Echiichthys Vipere)

They bury themselves in the sand and wait for there pray. Humans stand on them, they have a poisonous dorsal fin and have been known to kill very painful sting.

Vomiting, tremors, abdominal cramps, light headedness, aching joints and numbness are a few of the symptoms caused by the weaver fish sting.

Scorpion Fish

 

Fire Salamanders

(Salamandra salamandra)

Very distinctive don’t get to close to this creature, it can discharge poison.

European Fire Salamander

The Mosquito (Culicidae)

The Mosquito (Culicidae)
Encephalitis, Yellow fever, Malaria can be passed on via painful bites and now in Spain the bites can be even more painful thanks to the arrival of the Tiger Mosquito. The Tiger Mosquito is said to be aggressive, attacks in the daytime and resides in gardens. It can transmit a list of major diseases, Including Nile fever and Dengue.

Sand Flies (Leishmaniasis)
Normally found in gardens or wooded areas not as the name suggest exclusive to beach areas.
They are most active from dusk till down 2am to 4am August is the worst month. Painful bite and are dangerous to pets. Dogs can get Kala-Azule past on from dog-to-dog via its bite. A collar called ‘Scalibor’ can be worn to protect your dog and give over 90% protection from sand fly bites. The world health authority is researching into the possibility that the disease can be passed on to humans.

Cockroaches
Carry several types of human pathogens, 33 types of bacteria and six kinds parasitic worms. They can also course asthma.

A Tiger Mosquito