Benidorm, Benicassim, Benitatxell, Benidoleig, Benigembla, I could go on. Some say I ( too ) often do but I digress ( we’ll deal with my personal shortcomings another day folks. K? )

I saw a pattern. Could Beni mean at the foot of Mount xxx ?  The crossing point of River xxx ?

Paging GOOGLE!

Actually, I really need a full time ‘looker upper’ of stuff. From morn till night it’s just question after question don’t you just find?  What’s this mean?  Where is ?  Who is?

We are so lucky to have T’internet as a resource   #ineedpeople   #amoderndayjeeves

Anyway, I was wrong on both counts!

“BENIDORM” doesn’t mean “dormir bien”. It comes from the Arabic word “Beni” (meaning “sons of”), like a lot of other villages in Valencia (Benitachell, Beniarbeig, Benigembla, Benimuslin, Beniarres….). They all are old Spanish-Musulman sites. All the names starting with “Beni” means “sons of” or “descendants of”, often referring to a Berber tribe or clan.

So now we know. Rock on.

Well, it was Sunday morning and I went for a drive in the direction of Benidorm. I got to Albir, amazing beach but it was just getting a bit too busy. A heaving Flea Market was on the go, the Hairy Bikers were in town, full English anyone?  It wasn’t working for me.

Look, I’m no snob ( stop laughing back there  in the 1 and 9’s ) and I’m up for a piss up in Benidorm anytime ( I’ve done Blackpool, Rhyl & Skeggy. I’ve earned my stripes. Word of advice. Never EVER go to Rhyl. ) but on a Sunday morning ?   On my own ? Have kiss me quick hat will travel, but…

So I went back to the peace of Altea & L’Olla.

I AM going to blog an album of Benidorm but I will do it from the upper deck of the open top tourist bus. I will ‘park ‘n ride’ from Altea. 

Here are my images.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PHOTO ALBUM