From Secret Hilltop Views to a Drug Smuggling Tour Guide —Our Wildest Day in Southern Spain

Unlike the past days on the trip, this morning was relatively calm as we allowed ourselves some extra time in the morning. As this morning, we would be getting picked up for a tour with the meeting point just steps away from our hotel’s front door. Austin and Matt visited a small nearby bakery and grabbed some breakfast and we settled in to wait for our upcoming coach.

A short while later, our tour bus had arrived and out hopped a small middle aged man with a terrible mohawk (evidence later). This would be our tour guide, Antonio Javier, and just at first glance, we knew we were in for a crazy trip. We rode in silence for a hour and passed through some of the most beautiful countryside I have ever seen. Rolling green hills with jutting mountains dotted the landscape in every direction.

The first stop was a small white walled village of Zamaro. It featured the most gorgeous views of the hillsides, mountains, and even a shimmering lake. It is in places like this in which the world just seems so perfect and tranquil. This could be a view I would never grow tired of.

Unfortunately with tours, you are at the mercy of the operator and this was all so evident at the amount (or lack of) time we were in this small town. We only had a mere fifteen minutes to explore and we made sure to make the most of our time.

We sped through the white city and ventured up a large hill to get a viewpoint for more pictures. Overlooking us was an ancient relic of the past beckoning us on-wards, which unfortunately would have to saved for a future endeavor.

Even though we wouldn’t get the chance to explore this forgotten tower, the views from the hill were magnificent. Its in moments like this were a sense of jealously rears its ugly head. How can you not yearn to live in a place like this and overlook this view everyday?

Unfortunately our time was up and we sped back towards the bus. Several short minutes later, we soon found ourselves in front of an old mill dating back to 1755 that was still in use creating olive oil.

Even though this was merely an excuse to try and peddle some oil to tourists, we were able to see how the olive oil was produced and were even able to taste a small amount.

With the tourist trap behind us, we continued through the picturesque countryside and narrow winding roads to the small village of Grazelema. This was another surreal white village hanging on the side of a mountain.

We made the mistake of listening to our energetic tour guide and took his recommendation (along with the rest of the tour group) for his favorite lunch spot. Unfortunately the food was rather expensive and lacking in flavor. We are now under the impression he may have received a commission for leading us all there. We put the disappointing meal behind us and ventured back out into the street to see what more we could explore with the little time we had remaining.

Austin and Matt did some light shopping for chocolate and we soon found ourselves back on the bus headed for the last destination, Ronda. The views were again breathtaking and we sped through the largest cork forest in the world.

Once in Ronda, we briefly followed the guide through the streets until we got to the famous bridge that separated the city directly down into two parts. The rest of the group continued on however our adventurous spirit took over and we split from the group; heading to a viewpoint further on down the hillside.

We could not believe the sight before us and were immediately fueled with energy to continue to explore. We eventually found a small forgotten path that lead down and we knew this was our calling.

Minding our step, the path continued down and seemed to have no end in sight. Eventually we came to a small clearing and our hard work had paid off as we were greeted with an incredible view of the bridge.

It was such a surreal feeling overlooking this ancient construction. I had seen this very bridge as a screensaver on a TV months prior and now here I was, standing in the flesh before this marvel of human ingenuity.

Unfortunately time was not on our side and we had to embark back up the hill. Huffing and puffing the entire way, we were finally back amongst the rest of civilization.

We again underestimated ourselves and realized we actually had some additional time to kill before we would need to rejoin our group. We admired more of the bridge and the steep surrounds before heading back off into the city center.

Famished from our climb, Austin and Matt treated themselves to ice cream and some souvenir shopping. We perused down the shop lined streets and managed to stumble back on to our tour guide. He cornered us and began to frantically tell us all these various wild tales of his younger days through a cloud of cigarette smoke. The stories ranged from working as a cowboy in Disney World, being a commercial airline pilot and smuggling drugs, to be a limo driver for celebrities, and even giving Keith Richard of the Rolling Stones aid by injecting an IV into this arm during a medical episode. Eventually some more of our group arrived and we were so relieved to get back on the bus and head back to Seville. While on the bus, the tour guide apparently didn’t finish his story with us back in Ronda and he tracked us down and sat behind us and told even more grand and wild tales.

Eventually we found ourselves back in Seville and were dropped off at our hotel. We quickly dropped off our bags and set back off into the rainy night in a search for dinner. It seemed as every establishment was bursting as the seams and we had much difficulty in finding a table. We eventually popped into an insanely crowded sports bar that we had happened to see the day before. We managed to snag the last available table that was open in a back corner and sat down to watch Barcelona in the Champions League.

Shortly into the game, the table in front of us turned around and sparked up a conversation. They were from the United States and had heard us speaking English. They ended up being extremely friendly and we spent the dinner engaging them about their travels.

We were extremely tired due to the events of the day and slipped out during half time, slowly making our way back to our hotel.

To see the previous day’s adventure, click here.

To move onwards with us along our journey, click here.