Hot on the trail of the Altea parade two weeks ago, it was Benidorm´s turn last night. The crowds were certainly out in numbers - the entire length of Calle Gambo was packed, with people standing shoulder to shoulder. There was a combination of local Spanish and holiday makers, but you could tell which was which. The Spanish were all very smartly turned out, with men in jackets and tie and ladies wearing their Sunday best.

Me with Benidorm Mayor

I arrived at 8pm and was looking where to get the best vantage point - I initially stood at the bottom end of Calle Gambo, right in front of the castle, but was told off by a policeman who said that I could not stay there. In a slight huff I decided to walk up to the other end and who should I spot but Agustin Navarro - the Mayor of Benidorm. I went over to greet him and mentioned that during the Altea parade the Mayor took part in the procession and was he not doing the same, to which he replied that he had the important job of waving and clapping as they passed by! He then invited me to sit in the VIP seats with the specially invited guests... result! Now where was that PC Plod that shoved me along earlier - I would have "waved" to him from my very comfortable cushioned seat (no green plastic for us).

Moors King & Queen

The parade starting passing at about 8.45pm and when the King of the Moors passed by on his float and I followed suit when the Mayor and everyone stood and clapped... and the thing going through my mind at this point was gosh my hands are going to be sore by the end of the evening! Still, small price to pay for front line luxury seating.

Once again there were horses, with the compulsory "scooper upper" following with shovel and broom - poor man, what a job!

Baby dressed up like rest of group

There were many young children also taking part alongside their parents - I even noticed very young babies all dressed up in a matching outfit to the adults.

The weather was excellent, I would even go as far as to say it was warm - unlike last year when it began to drizzle.

They certainly had a very long way to walk as it started at the Plaza Neptuno, which is way before the Calle Ruzafa (where hotel Crystal Park is on). Still, after the parade had finished I think that they all went off for a meal - remember, the Spanish don´t go out to eat till about 10pm. (Id be reliant on the Rennies if I ate that late at night)






If you look at the picture above, you can see the bright sign of the Duke of Wellington lit above them - it looks like the weary troops just coming back from battle... very apt I thought!

The parade finished around 10pm and the bars and restaurants quickly filled up - a fruitful night for them I should think. Today (Sunday) there is a float parade, starting at 7.30pm... it should get to the Calle Gambo by around 8 ish where it finishes, in front of the castle at the Plaza Hispanidad (Triangle).

The next big event in Benidorm is the fiesta, which starts on Saturday 10th November and finishes with a spectacular fireworks display on the Poniente beach on Wednesday 14th. Then the following day, Thursday 15th is the traditional British Fancy Dress Day when the square and surrounding streets are gridlocked!