Room with a view

When we pulled open the curtains at Apartamentos el Cano, Marina d’Or, Oropesa del Mar, Spain, we were greeted by the Mediterranean sea view that would delight us from dawn to dusk every day of our week’s stay. Like an ever-changing oil painting, the palette altering with the moods of the light and weather, I had to hold myself back from taking endless photos of the same scene.

With this enormous holiday resort complex almost empty (due to the global pandemic and consequent travel restrictions… the same reason we weren’t tempted to do our usual galivanting 200kms in every direction) we spent our days simply: long walks along the beach and promenade, daily excursions for food and supplies, or the occasional trip into Oropesa town centre.

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It was almost a private paradise, just joggers or dog-walkers passing us from time to time. In fact we were surprised when we saw any group of more than 2 people, other than in the town centre or at the supermarket. It did feel a little post-apocalyptic, but we got used to the quiet, deserted streets and silent amusement parks – whose fading paintwork added to the long-forgotten feeling.

But we were both content to take a pause and just “hang” to enjoy the beachfront location and sunshine. (Although those Spanish sausage-shaped pillows took some getting used to.)

The fenced park and gardens, which we overlooked from our balcony, was closed for maintenance and became a veritable sanctuary for local birdlife.

Mosaics adorning the many benches were fabulous.

Indeterminate citrus fruit trees lined the streets, reminding us that we were on the Orange Blossom Coast.

The short winter days of January allowed us enjoy many a sunrise and sunset.

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And even as the weather changed, it was still a beautiful spot.

I do wonder how a place like this, in a town of just 9,000 residents, which must rely so heavily on housing its usual 100,000 tourists, can possibly survive this COVID-19 tourism disaster?

The complex is now closed till April. We are just thankful that we had to opportunity to visit when we did.