Guacin's Gecko Invasion

Gaucin is a beautiful, whitewashed, mountain village about 30 minutes drive inland from the town of San Roque. They currently have a great art project on display, developed by the Association Initiativas Turisticas de Gaucin and called Salamanquesarte Guacin 2008, The Gecko Project. Its a brilliant idea to encourage you to wander around the whole town.

Inspired by the Swiss artist Walter Knapp, who in 1998 was the creator of “Cow Parade”, a businesses initiative of Zurich to encourage tourism into the centre of the town. Resin copies of life size cows were made and subsequently decorated by local artists. This idea was taken up by other cities of the world using different animals – bears in Berlin; lions in Munich; camels in Dubai - approximately 65 cities worldwide have used a similar idea. In Gaucin, they decided to use an animal that is often found in the streets but hardly ever seen up close – the Salamanque or Gecko. Four hundred resin unadorned moulds were ordered, measuring approximately 42 cm long. These were to be decorated by the inhabitants of the village. The first moulds were given to 175 children in the school. Then each local artist received one and subsequently anybody living in Gaucin who was interested in decorating a gecko found they had a model to work with.

The geckos have been painted, dressed up or transformed in some way or another producing a tremendous variety of colourful geckos highlighting the extraordinary imagination of all who live in Gaucin. Even the local post office (Correos) and bank Caja Mar have got into the spirit with their own geckos! Click here to view the gallery of photos.

Its worth making a day trip to Gaucin with a bit of forward planning. Its a pretty town in the mountains with superb views, a spectacular Roman castle - Castillo de Aguila (Eagle's Castle) - read all about it at http://www.andalucia.com/gaucin/home.htm. Another Gaucin tourist initiative is a regular farmers market on the first Saturday of each month, between 10am and 2pm - the next scheduled for 6 September 2008. You might also check out this nearby walk detailed on website andalucia.com and called 'Grazelema, The Walk of Mr Henderson's Railway'. By the way, remember everthing shuts down during siesta.

Gran Catamaran | Fly Blue Sailing and Dolphin Search

Last Sunday a bunch of my friends did this - ranging in age from 12 to well past 40 (plus, plus!) - and had a brilliant day. Fly Blue Gran Catamaran provides a mini cruise for 3 hours, or a longer day cruise for 5 hours departing from Marbella and Puerto Banus. My friends did the mini cruise which included searching for Dolphins - they saw 9 of them - and then a dip in the sea miles out from the coast. They all loved it. Prices range from 39 euros for adults and 22 euros for children plus Fly Blue can arrange special cruises too. Read full details on their website www.fly-blue.com, or email them at info@fly-blue.com or telephone 696 501 159.

Banks, Shopping and ATM machines

Whilst on holiday in Spain please be aware of a new money making activity by the banks. When you go to the cash machine or whilst shopping in some of the larger shops and using your credit/debit card, you may be asked if you would like to pay in Euros or Sterling. It sounds an attractive option, but in fact it creates a poor exchange rate (a DCC - Dynamic Currency Conversion) which is costing you money and making the banks lots. If you don't want to do this just say no! Read the full article published in the Guardian newspaper July 2008.