A little pick me up - no not shopping - a spray tan

Ive not been feeling too great the past few weeks, had tummy probs and throat infection....seems to have gone on forever.

On top of that I got my greeny olive skin as Ive not had much sun lately. So I thought Id give myself a pickme up and got a Spray Tan Done.

I already feel 100 times better. Ive got some colour, a lovely glow. Its incredible what some colour does.

Got to wear loose clothes for the next 6 hours then have to take a shower...last time it lasted a good week.

If you are thinking of having a spray tan, dont just go somewhere that looks cheap. Its quite a job for someone to make sure the colour is evenly sprayed over your body and face, and I have heard of many disasters.

If you want more information just email me jomarbella@gmail.com and I can give you more details.

Helicopterous & Antibiotics

We always have a joke about Helicopterous as their answer to most things is an injection in the bum and antibiotics.

Even when I phone up for a doctor to come round yesterday, the receptionist said "ah maybe you need antibiotics" - after telling her my symptoms,

For about 3 weeks now my throat has been really sore with white and red sores, feels likes something is stuck in my throat the whole time. On top of that my tummy has not been great. Ive had a continual pain with bloating and extreme cramps. The doctor said I had a bad throat infection and heard alot of gas in my stomach. They took my blood presure, temperature, heart beat too, so its a good old check they do.

They prescribed me antibiotics, a tablet to take after food for the gas and strepsils. I took my first dose of antibiotics last night and 2 hours later my throat was already getting better. My tummy is almost back to normal too.

I know antibiotics are bad but when they work, they really work.

Marbella Rental Agents - Working on a Saturday?

We have been thinking of moving and we have been out lately looking at a few other properties in the area to rent.

Well I was rather shocked when a number of agents said they wont work on a Saturday to show us properties. Maybe Im the mad one, but I know if there was a recession and as many problems as there are now, if I was an agent who had a client, Id show them properties whenever they wanted. Id be out there making whatever I could because you just dont know when you will get another client.

I did find one English Lady though who was happy to show us a property on Saturday and even brought her daughter out on the viewing for 15 minutes. When things are tough, you take what you can, you work hard, and hopefully this lady and agency will be the ones to survive in a crisis.

Its 10.30am now and I cant get through to 2 estate agents that I want to see property with. When do this people work?

Slumdog Millionaire Puerto Banus & Puerto Banus the Red Light District

On Saturday Night we went to the Cinema. After hearing all the hype for Slumdog Millionaire, I thought we´d go see it as it was in original version with Spanish Subtitles.

It was really good, a fantastic film. Its just so annoying with peope arriving up to half an hour late into the film. When Films say they start at 20.20, they generally do.

Then we took a quick walk around the Port. I was cold, but you could spot the english on holiday in just their tshirts and little dresses.

It was quite busy as Valentines fell on a Saturday. There was a lot of people out including families with kids.

So I was a little shocked to see 2 prostitutes out at 10.30pm hasseling a man in the alley way by Hagen Daz.

Theres always been prostitutes in Puerto Banus but they would be in the clubs - and if you chose to go in then thats your choice. But this is another thing at 10.30pm in the Port.

Lets see if the Designer Shops do put their foot down and get someting sorted like the said they were going to do.

Amer Hady Saed - man killed in marbella

Amer Hady Saed is the name of the man that was found dead on Tuesday in Marbella. A property man. This is the second Property Man to have been found murdered here in about 2 weeks.

The other was a man was Spanish businessman Fernando Moreno Espadaf found a couple of weeks ago


Here is what the Telegraph Say

What the Mirror Have to Say

Terrasana Golden Mile

I had a bit of a Lady that Lunches day today....

I had lunch with a friend at Terrasana on the Golden Mile. Now I had actually stopped going to Terrasana due to the poor service that started to occur in the other branches, especially Marina Banus.

It was my first time there (Golden Mile) and it was quite nice. If you go expect to see people you know there as I was surprised how busy it was and saw a few people there.

I had the pizza which was really nice, very very thin. We sat outside, it wasnt till i went to the loo that I realised how huge it was inside, really big.

I then fancied something sweet and the waiter brought me the menu.....7€uros for a bit of pudding.....now I can afford it - no problem, but 7€uros - I AM NOT PAYING!!! where the hell do they get that price from, is it made of gold or something?

So I went without. For 7 €uros I can get a menu del dia 3 courses including a drink. 7€uros for a bit of cake - ridiculous.

Pizza and atmosphere was nice though.

Nice Restaurants in Puerto Banus

Hi jo
I was wondering if you could possibly suggest a nice restaurant . I have booked a surprize weekend away for my husbands birthday so was hoping to go for a nice meal in the port Any suggestions? its not until the end of may, I love reading your blog..........
Regards


Hi
Restaurants not completely my best subject as many people think Im a little harsh, as Im not always that impressed with the service, quality of food or price. But some friends of ours went to Tango the other night which is opposite mcdonalds backing onto the port - thought it was lovely. good meat etc. There is also Aretusa which is an Italian on the port next to Picassos (front line) I havent been there but people we know who we think have good taste love it there. Pravda is at the end of the port and is a regular favourite of many people. Run By scandinavians I think. Modern / International food. If you like thai food, then we do love Naga Thai in Puerto Banus opposte El COrte Ingles (not in the port). We think good value too. I do hope this helps.

If you need any information about travelling etc you can post your questions on our new forum www.airport-guide-forums.com If you are looking for car hire you can get a cheap quote here

HOpe you have a wonderful time and hope you continue to enjoy reading my blog.

Regards Joanne

Istan Restauarant & Park

Yesterday we had a fantastic Sunday. We met up with some Spanish Friends from School. We really are trying to make sure our kids mix rather than stay in their own little groups which often happens. But you dont want to become friends with people for the sake of it - it wont work but these people we really get on with.

So we met them up in Istan, we were there first so we took a coffee at Entre Sierras Restaurant. Whislt there our friend who runs it told us about a guy who charges 10euros and takes you on some the walks around Istan. This is great as often people just dont know where to start. So if you do fancy doing a walk up there, pop into the restaurant and speak to Sally or pick up a leaflet.

OUr friends came and we strolled through the town which was really busy. Yesterday must have been a special day. Everyone had diggers. Then back to the restaurant where the kids had the most deliciious Chicken and Chips - im having that next time. Us Adults shared a variety of tapas, Roscos, Salami, Calamari, and more, followed by fabulous Chocolate Brownie, it was all deliciious. It was really busy there yesterday.

After our late lunch took another stroll to the park to walk off all the food we just ate then a drive back down the mountain to our house where we introduced them to Wii & Guitar Hero......they were so addicted to it, I couldnt get a go.

Saturday in Nueva Andalucia

This weekend we had a wonderful time. On Saturday we got up and out early and went to see some friends from school who live up towards Istan. It was such a wonderful morning and you could see Gibraltar and all along the coast so clearly.

It really makes me want to move somewhere with a view and more sun. If you dont have the right apartment - you can be missing out on so much daylight. I know we are.

Then I finally made it to the hairdressers, for the first time this year. Im not that great at going to the hairdresser frequently. I spend about a month saying I need to go. I go to George Henry in Magna Marbella. he always has a nice selection of business cards / leaflets there from some of his clients.

Then back home for a little rest before popping in to Puerto Banus for a few bits. We were thinking about eating out, but rather leave that for Sunday, so we grabbed some fresh pizzas from Hypercor. About 5€uros each but large and they tasted really really good.

My daughter had 5€uros left over from her birthday so we popped into The Bookworld Espana have a really good selection of Jolly Phonic Books now which I totally recommend for learning English - I think the course is fantastic.

Picked up a couple of DVDs from Century 21 for the weekend.

Sandwich Bar Puerto Banus - El Corte Ingles Cafe

The Cafe downstairs in El Corte Ingles by the Post Office has completely changed.

Its now mainly sandwiches and lots ready made. It looks very cheap at 1.20€uros but they sell them by the halves. 2.40€ still isnt bad though.

Lots of different varieties and hot sandwiches and salads too.

They have a completely enclosed section too for smokers.

If looking for a quick snack, then this is quite a good option

Where to buy Paint in Nueva Andalucia, Marbella

If you are looking to get paint, the best Place I personally think is Pinturas d´Andalucia.

They are a big chain of shops green colour on the outside. They are on the main road just before McDonalds in San Pedro.

We find them the cheapest and the most helpful. They colour match too. They even offer to take the pain to your car.

Brilliant service.

Where is Tipsy Turtle in Marbella

Hi ya jo,for the last two years i have been visiting marbella and stayin in the torre andalucia,with my partner and we are due to go back out there again in may, the thing is we are into rock and roll jiving. and i have been trying to find the (tipsy turtle) for the last year or so but with no luck,apparently they play rock and roll music but ive never been able to find it and no one i talk to in marbella knows where it is either, if you can find out where the venue is or where there is anything similar to that, i would greatly appreciate it, thanks very much..... trevor


Hi trevor, I have found this dancing ceroc on the Costa. I would try getting in touch with them. They will be able to help and Im sure will know of other dance places.

Regards Joanne

Jean-Christophe Novelli - Puerto Banus, Marbella

Read my personal review of Novelli Restaurant Puerto Banus

Novellis Puerto Banus is now open. I heard the opening night went very well. We had a quick nose around the other day and have to say its a lovely looking restaurant. Clean, light, modern...really nice. As you walk in you instantly see this beautiful private room with glass door which can seat up to 12 people if you have a private party.

I got a menu as I was intrigued to find out what their prices were going to be like. I was very impressed!

Starters range from 8€ to 14€

Main Courses 15.50€ to 23€

Desserts 7.50 to 12€uros

Drinks are where most restaurants make their money!

Theres only a few things on the menu to choose from a choice of meat, fish or vegetarian.

I think the prices are fantastic for a Novelli Restaurant in Marbella. There are other restaurants in Nueva Andalucia that charge about the same and are crap.

When you can get a dessert for 7.50€ in a Novelli Restaurant, 7.50€ for a slice of cake at Terrasana on the Golden Mile - doesnt seem right.

Many restaurants are going to have to have a good think about their prices!

I hope this restaurant does well and if you have been and have any comments, please do write in.





We came across this article yesterday from the Daily Mail and were very excited at the news that Jean-Christophe Novelli planes to open up a hotel with 40 rooms and restaurant near Puerto Banus - How amazing would that be!


Gastropub that burnt chef Novelli's fingers
With businesses everywhere suffering, handsome celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli explains with characteristic elan his decision to close one of his gastropubs.
'It's so difficult to find,' he tells me of The French Horn at Steppingley in rural Bedfordshire. 'It's in the middle of nowhere and it even took me two months to learn how to get there. A gastropub which is so out of the way just wasn't the right concept. You have to drive there, but then you can't drink and drive.' Yet Novelli, 48, insists that despite the pub's closure he has no plans to sell the place. Instead, he wants to incorporate it into his Novelli cookery academy - he teaches his culinary methods at around £1,000-a-head per day at his 14th-century farmhouse near Luton.
And despite the credit crunch, he is optimistic about the future. 'I've got big plans in Spain where I'm opening a 40-room hotel and restaurant near Puerto Banus. I also have a big TV series in Los Angeles and they are going to make a second one.'

From THE DAILY MAIL

Cheap Eating Out in Marbella - Picassos Special Offer

At the moment with the way things are with the Credit Crunch / La Crisis, most people we know are taking it a little easier.

But one thing we have always done is to never over order and waste food therefore wasting money. Sometimes people think we are mad the way we are but neither of us hates wasting food.

So when we eat out if its just the 2 of us, we normally have 1 starter, 2 main courses and 1 dessert to share. Its normally enough.

On Saturday we popped into Picassos Pizzeria for a quick bit of lunch. For 3 of us, 2 adults, 1 child, we had 1 large pizza, 1 portion of chips, bottle of water and a beer. For a quick bit of lunch it was perfect and NO WASTE - meaning no waste of money. If you are still hungry, then order more when you have finished. Picassos really is fast food. Infact Id say I get served quicker in there than in McDonalds (on the few occassions Ive been in there).


Picassos have a special offer for February & March.
30% off Starters, main Courses, Desserts & Drinks Monday to Friday for orders taken between 4pm and 7.30pm.

FANTASTIC because this restaurant is leading the way.

Pegottys Fish & Chips.

We get take away and have found that 1 Portion of Large Fish and Chips is absolutely enough for 2 adults.

Pizzeria Casa Bella
La Campana, Pizzas from just 5€uros up to 6€uros.
Opening 19.30 to 24.00 Monday to Saturday. Begining of the Road where the School and Doctors surgery is.

Los Farolillos Restaurant
One of our first Spanish Restaurants we went to. In La Campana, range of food and good prices. The starter salads you only need 1 between the 2 of you, they are pretty big. Read more

New Mercadona in Marbella

On Friday I went to the park after school with another mum. We went to the Park behind Marbella Bus Station where the big hotel was that has now closed down. We have been there before and it is a great park.

But this time it didnt look so great as a Mercadona Supermarket is opening up there and it basically in the Park.

Great on one hand for people that live round there, but it doesnt look very nice so close to the park. It was mayhem there with the building trucks etc.