New Year in Marbella, & 2 Michelin star restaurant experience

Marbella with Him & Her

Firstly, HAPPY NEW YEAR from Marbella with Him & Her, your weekly Marbella podcast from PJ Lopez and Hannah Murray (@pjlopez1marbella and @radiohannah).

In our podcast we bring you news of the places we have been and the things going on around Marbella and the Costa del Sol, although this week we did go a little further into Andalucia to Ronda. Our podcast is a Marbella lifestyle guide covering expat life in Marbella, Spain. Most episodes cover everything from social events to travel and restaurant tips explained with our unique sense of humour.

We start this episode with Hannah's nail appointment in Marbella that ended up costing much more than it needed to because of a parking fine (we give some advice in how to pay parking fines in Marbella).

The following day Hannah went back to the celebrity hair salon in Marbella, Salon Maher (@salonmaher) and paid her fine!

We started our New Year celebrations with drinks at home with friends and family. It was then off to The Hogan Stand (@thehoganstand) who always have the best new year's celebrations. No silly prices, just their usual menu and live entertainment throughout the night with Paul Hull (@paulhullmusic). Needless to say, there was lots of singing and dancing throughout the night!

Thursday was Hannah's quiz 'The Big Fat Quiz of the Year', a popular quiz all realted to things from the past year. There were 16 teams participating with a fantastic atmosphere.

On Friday 3rd we went to Ronda, only 45km from San Pedro, but via a very windy road so it takes about 45 minutes to drive there. We had been given a fabulous present by Bernie (Hannah's dad) and Sheila which was a night in the beautiful Boutique Hotel Palacio del la Duquesa (@palaciodeladuquesa). The hotel has only recently re-opened after a major refurbishment, and it is now stunning and highly recommended!

Another part of the present was a tasting menu at the 2 Michelin star restaurant Bardal (@restaurantebardal) in the centre of Ronda. We were treated to an amazing 20 dish tasting menu full of incredible food and amazing flavours. The restaurant was visted during last summer by Robert Di Niro and it certainly lived up to all the hype.

Whilst we were there we did the different walks to see the bridge that the city is famous for. Firstly, we went on the path that costs €5 per person but allows you to walk a long way down to under the bridge as well as to a viewing platform. After that we did the new bridge that costs €2.50 per person located just by the Parador Hotel and takes you to a lower level where you can go inside the bridge. Finally, we drove down to another area which is essentially right under the bridge giving another amazing perspective and views.

When we arrived back home to Marbella, we decided to start the year with a de-clutter so we set to work in different parts of the house. We learnt how to fold fitted sheets thanks to a video from @thefoldinglady

The Sur in English articles this week include a strange story about Aldi recalling cutlery that has sharp edges, something that made us laugh as surely all cutlery has sharp edges??

We also talk about the Marbella v Athletico Madrid football match and also the Three Kings parades that were moved to the Saturday instead of Sunday due to the weather forecast.