What do you do in the middle of a Spanish desert? You go for a swim.

We left Ronda and headed to the coast, looking for cooler temperatures and starting the 3000 km treck back to Prague. We have plenty of time but there are some things we want to see and do on the way. And the summer heat hasn’t let up in southern Spain yet.

The first 45 km was all down hill, winding slowly around endless mountains and valleys. It was super picturesque but not particularly picture worthy.

As we approached Marbella we noticed some unusual patched of bright green in an otherwise barren landscape.

On closed inspection we found a beautifully green and manicured golf course, only the second one I had seen in Spain.

Then there were the mansions, by the 100, many in gated communities, and many attached to golf courses. This went on non stop for about 50 km and included at least 30 golf courses. It turned out to be one of the major areas for international investors to purchase retirement and holiday houses and it is obvious there are plenty doing it.

The second surprise came soon after. There started to appear acres of poly tunnel style green houses. This wasn’t just the odd acre here and there. It was plastic sheeting left and right and straight ahead as far as the eye could see. It was an ocean of poly tunnels that has lasted 150 km so far and we are camped in the middle of it.

Some years ago it was decided that the Almeria region was capable of providing Europe with fruit and vegetables throughout winter if grown in polly tunnels. It is known as the “Sea of Plastic” and covers over 40,000 hectares (185 square miles) and is the largest concentration of green houses in the world.

It is impossible to photograph but this gives some idea. That peninsula is not snow. It is all poly tunnel.

Up close.

It is one of the most amazing sights we have ever seen. Not pretty but certainly effective.

We found a camp near the beach at Cabo de Gata in the Spanish desert where we had a cooling swim and looking forward to a quiet night without a festival. Tomorrow we continue up the coast to Cartagena.

David & Collette