On Friday 21st January 2022, some of us undertook our first NHG trip for nearly 2 years !
We went to Motril, known as the capital of the Costa Tropical – famous for tropical fruit and now, cherry tomatoes, which are exported all over the world. Our visit started with a guided tour of the Sugar Museum, where we learnt from Davide, about the history of sugar cane growing and what a wonderful industry was created. From there, our Guide Juan collected us for a walking tour of the town, (after coffee and churros), where we saw the Theatre Calderon, the Town Hall in the Plaza de Espana and more monuments including the Church of the Encarnacion, which stands majestically overlooking the town. Our town visit culminated in a walk in the wonderful Parque de las Americas, which is home to more than 50 species of trees and palms, many from different areas of the U.S. Also here, is a wonderful sculpture of 2 men called “The Encounter”, which depicts a meeting between the New World and the Old – quite special. We said goodbye to our Guide and had free time for lunch.
We then met to board our coach for an exclusive appointment at the Rum Bodega. Here we heard about the the Rum making process from molasses, founded in 1963 by Francisco (Paco) Montero. Today, the business is thriving and is still in the Montero family, with only 5 members of staff undertaking the operation.
Of course, tastings were had and purchases made.
All in all, a wonderful way to celebrate our first History Group trip after the lockdown.
Christina Sinclair
Co-ordinatoremail:nerjahistorygroup@yahoo.com
www.nerjahistorygroup.com