Malaga and the lost wallet
 

My wife and I have been blessed to visit 7 continents. We used to say that South Africa was our favorite. We now rank Malaga Spain area as a serious contender. More on that later, but on with the story. Earlier this year we spent a month in Malaga. How we accidently got there is another story. As in many countries, you go food shopping most every day. On one particular day we purchased several items at the open air market. On the way back to our apartment we stopped for fresh bread at a very good, but crowded bakery. When we got back to the apartment, my wife noticed her wallet containing her Euros, dollars and credit cards ,was missing. We don't speak much Spanish, so we contacted our rental agent (Livin 4 Malaga). The agent personally took us to the tourist police, where we were assisted by a very helpful officer. I believe his name was David. Although we assumed my wife was the victim of a pick pocket, the officer made a full report, and consulted with others. He determined that some unidentified wonderful person had found it and turned it into another police office. Nothing was missing. When it was turned in, the police had tried to contact us in our home town. When that was unsuccessful, they called our local (USA) police department, to seek assistance in notifying us. Can't express our appreciation to the Malaga police. BTW, my wife and I have the same credit cards. If we cancelled hers, mine would also have cancelled. A good lesson

A nice travel tale with a good ending! Thanks for reporting.

How nice to hear a happy ending. I'm hoping you'll let us know more about why you rank the Malaga area so highly, it's somewhere on our list...

Good to hear. Have had no experience with the Malaga police after many visits here the past thirteen years. Only thing comparable to your story was when we forgot a passport in a budget hostal room in the centre of Malaga a few years ago. Only found out when we entered the train to Sevilla after a hearty lunch and several hours after check out, and rushed back. It was of course taken care of by the low paid maid and delivered in the front desk. A "fresh" Norwegian passport would be worth at least some 2-3000€ on the black market in 2010, but given our general experiences with Malaga and the malagueños we weren't too worried (but also glad we have the habit of leaving some 4-5€ pr night to the maids in short stays).

Look forward to the "More on that later"-part.

here's another Malaga fan, though our stay so far has been limited to one very pleasant night, and an interesting morning looking at the city, topped off by getting well and truly lost in our hire car somewhere in-between the airport and the road to Granada.

I'd like to be able to continue the theme of helpful Malaga folk by saying that we found the right road only due to the the aid of some locals, but the very nice people that we accosted in the industrial estate where we found ourselves turned out to be Irish.

I'd like to read the sequel too.

First, we got to Malaga by mistake. We were on one of the transatlantic cruises that made several stops in Spain. We so enjoyed several stops, but one made a huge impression on us. We decided we wanted to come back for an extended visit When we returned home, we misidentified the place we wanted to revisit. Our lapse was our great fortune in finding Malaga.

We found our rental agent (Livin 4 Malaga) on Booking.com. Could have booked directly with agent. This agent lists many rentals in the historic areas of Calle Larios. Nice places at a very reasonable rate. We were next to the Cathedral. We ate a large lunch most every day at a different sidewalk café. Everything in Malaga was reasonably priced, compared to Rome or Madrid. We also enjoyed the small beach front cafes that prepared all types of seafood over an open fire. Loved the squid and fish. Day trips to Ronda, Granada and Cordoba were easy. These are also places I would like to stay for several days. There are many small villages that are day trips from Malaga, but there is only so much time. Museums are plentiful, inexpensive and very thoughtfully done. However, I probably most enjoyed shopping at the open air market. All the beautiful fresh veggies, meats , cheeses and wine, were fun to shop. I was impressed by the fresh fish mongers. They would clean and fillet the fresh catch for a very reasonable price.

Can't wait to come back to Malaga in a few days ;-)

I always wonder how many of the pickpocket stories are simply someone dropping things, or leaving them at a market stall or restaurant.

You should also remember that you probably made the day of that Malaga policeman. He had an overseas visitor who was in trouble, and he was able to help them to their entire satisfaction. That's the best part of any job.

thanks, jeterray,

Malaga is a place that we would like to spend more time in too, for just th reasons you describe. IMO it is a proper place, plenty to do and see but not swamped by tourists who spoil the very places they visit in such droves.

and yes, I know that I'm a tourist too.

jeterray I´m so glad you enjoyed Malaga! Let me share some pictures my girlfriend took yesterday night on the Mirador Gibralfaro and the Port Muelle Uno.

https://www.facebook.com/MaritaPhoto...15031845243539

Thanks guys. I realize mine was not a great effort at a trip report. We visited in Feb, so it's more difficult for an old man to remember everything. A lesson learned. I must post as I'm on the trip or shortly thereafter. Many months later , I recall that I found Malaga so friendly, so inexpensive and so beautiful. There was an opportunity to see so much history. Thanks for affirming my positive memories.