Although the weather is still wonderful, with 24 degrees on the thermometer, Andalusia is also heading towards winter. Winter means Christmas and therefore the famous Calle Marquéz Larios, the luxurious shopping street in Málaga, is buzzing with vans and electricians who started to work on the installation of the Christmas lights.

Last year many people visited the Calle Larios to gaze at the magical illumination. The fairy-like star spangled sky that covered Málaga’s mainstreet consisted of no fewer than 1.646.049 points of lights! The immense light arches cover the street from the entrance up to the Plaza de la Constitución where you can marvel at the huge Christmas tree.

The 'alumbrado’, the spectacular ignition of this impressive Christmas decoration is a festive event attended by thousands of visitors waiting with their mobile phones to capture the magic moment when the 'luces of the Larios’ will be switched on.

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Five years ago we started to build our dream. The big turning point was my burnout and my insights after this period. Actually I was through with working in the hectic and loutishness in the Netherlands. I also lost most of my passion for the world of nutrition which was my field of expertise. This had to change.

I always loved to linger in warm places. But where could we go? The summer season in France is too short and the bureaucracy is one of the worst in Europe. Neither were we charmed by Italy. So we went looking in Spain. Southern Spain attracted us immediately, Andalusia is a beautiful vast area of ​​the Mediterranean. The sun, the diversity of landscapes and the long coastline make it an ideal destination to live in and a great holiday spot. Andalusia is also known as the natural wonder of Europe. The region has Europe's only desert, and also possesses the majestic snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada; extremes in temperature and climate. In addition, of course, the golden beaches of the Costas in the west, interrupted by the unique wetlands of Doñana National Park. All equally special and to us a feeling of 'coming home'.

Now we had to find a place to settle down. The region south of Malaga did not appeal to us because we were aware of the mass tourism. However we were overwhelmed by a tour through the Axarquía: space, green, still so unspoilt and such friendly people!

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Our journey to Andalusia had a great start with the itinerary written by our friends who live there; after a three hours flight to Malaga and a 50 minutes drive to Canillas de Aceituno you turn left at the 4 km sign on the A356 and follow the dirt track till you reach the house. This route lead us to a wide landscape, quietness, a sunny sky and a warm Spanish welcome by our former neighbors from Huizen together with their two dogs and cat. The tone for a relaxed holiday was set right away. No laser speed limit controls or other rules and regulations, just time to enjoy their wonderful casa with spacious view to the hills, the beautiful Lake of Viñuela and the villages Comares and Benamocarra while sitting under a clear blue sky and nipping at a glass of sparkling cava.

Spending a wonderful time with our friends in their stylish decorated Spanish home combined with numerous new impressions made our five days stay in Andalusia feel like a fortnight’s holiday.

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© Hans Schrijer 2016

It was an exciting day, the day I saw Messi. In fact, my haircut was just like his, thanks to an English barber in Cómpeta called Andy, who in my opinion was better off being a comedian than a hairdresser in a barber shop. I´m ready for the big match ,Málaga CF at home against FC Barcelona. Almost 3 hours before the start it was fantastic to see and feel how the area around stadium La Rosaleda sizzled with positive energy. It was "the icing on the cake" of such a memorable holiday in Andalusia, where we had rented 'Casa Mula',an authentic old mule house in the mountain village of Sedella in the Axarquia.

Everywhere, people in blue and white Málaga shirts, on terraces and in obscure little bars eating tapas, even the upscale restaurants were full of supporters, bottle of beer in hand, talking about the game. No fancy waiter complaining, this is a fiesta for everyone. I saw many more families here than I'm used to at matches in the Netherlands. Also young couples: he in the shirt of the home team and she in the blue and red of Barça, or vice versa. At the entrances to the stadium swarms of shadowy figures that wanted to sell you a ticket for € 200 or even more. Better to buy your ticket in advance! This can be done on the site of the football club website: go to Malaga CF.

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