Istan Lake, or La Concepcion Reservoir, is the huge lake created by the dam built above Marbella. 

This stunning lake, over 8km long, and easily visible from the road up to Istan, only a few km north of Marbella and Puerto Banus, is a great place for leisure activities. 

Tranquil and hardly used, the lake provides fresh water to those living in the Marbella area.

I had the pleasure of going kayaking on Istan lake yesterday evening.  For such a stunning location it's amazing quiet - we saw only one other couple out on the water fishing - so plenty room for our three kayaks! 

In additon to kayaking, Lars Walker and his team at Ticket-To-Ride based in Puerto Banus, offer a range of exciting activities on Istan Lake, including the very strange looking Aqua Skipping and eco friendly electric Istan Lake Gondola Tours. 

Highly recommended, especially in the summer heat!

Well not strictly speaking in Marbella, but whale watching out from Tarifa, an hour’s drive west of Marbella.  Not many people realise that you can go out and see Killer Whales, in their natural habitat, from here on the Costa del Sol.  In Tarifa, just up the coast past Gibraltar, you can take a 3 hour trip out into the straits of Gibraltar to watch a unique group of Orcas (Killer Whales), which arrive here off the coast of northern Africa each summer to feed on the Red Tuna. 

 The unique thing about this group of killer whales, is how they have learnt that at this time of year the line fishermen in the area are catching huge red tuna and slowly reeling them up to the surface.  This makes an easy meal for the Killer Whales, who dive down and steal the fishermen's catch as it is the tuna are being bought up to the surface.  A skill they pass on to each new generation of orcas. It’s a stunning sight to behold. 

In the area between Spain and Morocco there are around 40 killer whales, living in about 5 pods consisting of about 8 animals in each group.

There are several companies offering killer whale watching trips in Tarifa.  I have been out three times with Tumares and have been impressed on each occasion - on the trips I have been out on, there has been a 100% success rate in viewing killer whales.  On one occasion when I enquired early on in the season, too early as it transpired, about going out with them I was told they were not running the trips as the killer whales had not yet arrived, so Tumares are not the type of company to take your money, and simply take you out for a boat ride!  Last week I travelled out with them again, and as well as seeing the killer whales, the captain stopped twice on the way in, taking extra time, to allow passengers to observe a pod of pilot whales, and a pod of common dolphins we came accross on our way back to port.

It’s a truly magnificent privilege to see Killer Whales in the wild - Whale Watching from Tarifa I'd highly recommend it.

Tarifa is a great place for a day trip, with stunning beaches. Here's a few other links which may be of interest to those looking to visit Tarifa:

Things to do in tarifa

Kitesurfing in Tarifa - due to is position at the entrance to the Straits of Gibraltar, Tarifa has a unique comination of sun, sand and wind! It's a mecca for kitesurfing and windsurfing.

Is that headline correct?  Well actually it's very correct. 

When I first moved out here in 2005 all my close friends and colleagues seemed convinced I was moving into an area, where to the left of the road there were crammed beaches and bars full of drunk 'post office red' Brits, and to the right of the road there was a barren wasteland of dessert with the odd tumbleweed!

Phrases like "will you not miss the scenery?" were quite common.

Six years on I am pleased to say that I have now converted every single one of these, even the staunchest of the "I don't like Spain" brigade.  The more they have come out to visit, the more and more of the stunning scenery and spectacular culture they have experienced. 

It's odd that the word 'Andalucia' seems to conjure up images of scenery and culture, yet the phrase 'the Costa del Sol', which is after all part of Andalucía conjures up all the wrong images - It's the same place believe me - you do not need to look too hard to find all of the splendor of Spain right here on the Costa del Sol.

I've attached a few images to support my case! 

The stunning waterfall and plunge pools just inland from Istan

Mountain bikers on a Mountain Biking Holiday with Sierra Cycling on a rocky outcrop near El Chorro

The view of Istan Lake from the top of La Concha mountain which towers over Marbella

The stunning Karst rock formation scenery at El Torcal just inland from Malaga.

The stunning gorge at El Chorro

My standard answer to the "do you not miss the scenery?" question is now "Not really - I have a mountain higher than anything in England and Wales in my front garden, more often than not bathed in sun!"

So for those who 'do not do the Costa del Sol' because you like cultural, hiking, biking, riding, scenic, etc type holidays - come on over - you really are missing out!

The night of San Juan (La Noche de San Juan) is soon upon us, the 23rd June is the night for partying on the beach.  An like most Spanish events and holidays the 23rd is THE date, no matter what the day of the week this lands!

San Juan is the night the Spanish take to the beaches to celebrate the longest day, or the shortest night! All around the country the camp fires will be lit on the beaches (its the one night of the year the police will usually turn a blind eye to fires on the beaches) and the locals and visitors alike can party hard into the morning on the beach.

Here in Marbella many of the beachside bars and clubs will be holding special events - check with your favourite places what they have planned.  Along the coast in Fuengirola the local council put on a large event on San Fransisco beach in front of the Sohail Castle.  With a stage, music and bars this is usually attended by thousands of party goers of all ages. This party usually really starts to get going between 11pm and midnight and runs well into the early hours.

The fireworks will ususally be going off all along the beaches between 11pm and 2am.

And remember the local traditions of jumping the bonfire and going for a post midnight swim in the sea - probably best to do in this order!

Well its about May 40th so it must be `real summer` here in Marbella according to the local Spanish saying, which roughly translated  reads "Do not cast off your vest until May 40th". 

The locals in the area know that Marbella Feria (always held the first half of June) usually has one dousing of rain, after this 'May 40th' date you are usually pretty safe to have little or no rain in the area until September / October time!  Although the current forecast may prove this wrong this week!

Well, as the unheated swimming pools are now at about 28 degrees my vest is well and truly packed away until the Autumn.

From now until October time the water is the best place to play - try this list of things to do in and on the water around Marbella.

A few recommendations include - Marbella Cableski, Splash Watersports dolphin trips, killer whale watching from Tarifa and of course the costa del sol water parks.

The more adventurous may want to try and find the waterfalls and plunge pools near Istan, pictured to the right - a stunning place on a hot afternoon!

Have fun.

Reduced price villa in Marbella - Not too activity based this blog - but a link to help a good friend (who is an extreme activity fan - stunt plane pilot and keen kitesurfer - so slightly activity related) to sell a great value contemporary new build villa on the Istan Road, overlooking Istan Lake, near Marbella.  

This stunning modern Carlos Lama designed 5 bedroom villa, is 542m2 built with an additional 349m2 of terraces, on a stunning plot of over 17,000m2 with great views over the La Concepcion reservoir (Istan Lake). 

As Istan Town Hall have announced that no more building licences will be granted in this wonderful nature park area this is a great investment opportunity.

The villa, which had an average 2008 valuation value of €6,800,000, has just been reduced in price by James the owner, to a very realistic €3,475,000 to ensure it is very competitively priced in the current tough property market.  

It's a stunning place so anyone looking for such a place - get in contact via the website www.marbellalakeside.com!

Its almost time for the Feria y Fiestas San Bernabé 2.010 - or Marbella Feria as it is also know.  The 2010 Marbella feria takes place from 7th until 13th June.  And for those who have never had the opportunity to visit a Spanish feria they are highly recommended.

A week long party, with a programme of events taking place each day - including lots of partying, drinking, music, dancing and a fun fair for the kids (NB The 9th is Children's day with half price rides). 

Fish out your Flamenco dress and get on down there.

On Saturday 27th June 2010 the Classics on Wheels®,  Marbella Classic Car Show, organised and hosted by the American Classic Car Owners Club Costa del Sol, will be taking place at Centro Plaza in Puerto Banus.

In addition to the incredible collection of classic cars from all over the world, the show also features live entertainment, BBQ and cold drinks.

The event celebrates all makes and models, veteran, the vintage and the classics, with a huge and diverse display of 150 cars and more ranging from the most accessible popular classics through to the thoroughly outrageous and rare exotica.

The event will take place from 10:00 until 20:00 on the car park of the Centro Plaza in Puerto Banus (Nueva Andalucía), next to the Bullring.

And for those who lust after a classic but for whatever reason can not afford or justify the purchase - why not consider renting a classic car.  You will be amazed at how many companies offer you the ability to drive some stunning classic cars in stunning scenery.  Heres a few links!

Classic car hire in Spain

Classic car hire in the UK

Global Classic car hire

Or for those who simply 'prefer to watch' take a look at the worlds best motor museums!

If you will be in Marbella on Friday 23rd July 2010 then you have the opportinity of going along to the Bull Ring (Plaza de Toros) in Puerto Banus (just the other side of the main road from the port) to see the world famous singer Seal live in concert. 

Enjoy the evening breezes while listening to classic hits such as A Kiss from a Rose, Prayer for the Dying, Don't Cry, Killer, Human Beings and Waiting for You.

 Have fun!

A few dates for your diary - the 2010 Fuengirola Beer Festival (Feria de la cerveza 2.010) will be taking place in the stunning Sohail Castle at Fuengirola from 22nd July 2010 until 1st August 2010.

This is a great event and well put together, with an authentic Beer festival feel - sauerkraut and bratwurst, long tables, oompah band, encouragement to get up on the tables and dance, the enormous stein glasses and of course plenty of ale!

The setting in the Sohail castle just adds to the pleasure - with warm breezes blowing in from the med. 

Highly recommended.