While the city of Malaga has been firmly in the grip of intergalactic mayhem and madness thanks to the Spanish premier of the latest "Star Wars" movie "The Force Awakens", the citizens of Estonpona near Marbella were rather overwhelmed by horticulturists in search of the town's brand new Orchid House. More than 35,000 visitors arrived in the first week alone, taking full advantage of the fact that admission is free for everybody for the first six months. After that deadline expires, only Estepona residents will be able to visit Europe's largest collection of orchids grown under one roof for free.
Showing off Exotic Beauties en mass
Estepona's latest attraction only opened its doors to the general public last month, when around 5,000 people streamed through its entrance in search of the famous 8,000 species of orchids growing under the horticultural centre's enormous glass domes. Estepona's new attraction is forecast to receive 100,000 visitors in its first year, bringing a turnover of more than 2 million euros per annum to the town.
Unquestionably, the star attraction is the 200 square metre large vertical garden which boasts planting on five different levels. Some of these plants are climbers, expected to extend their trails upwards to form interesting patterns.
First-day visitor Tomás Alarcón enthused: "I’m a photography enthusiast and here there is a mine of material to practise with."
Another visitor, Lourdes Abril, said : "I liked the sensation of a change in climate between the top and bottom floors."
Gardening Inspiration
Everybody loves the waterfall cascading down all five levels, even though it is a bit difficult to photograph. For those with a Marbella holiday home or permanent residence, Estepona is such a short drive away, the first 6 months will offer plenty of opportunities to visit and draw inspiration from the garden. Why not try and copy some of the things that can be arranged as a scaled-down version in your own garden or on your sun terrace? Orchids come in a profusion of colour and shapes, some needing tropical temperatures to thrive, others growing quite happily in the damp and not quite so warm conditions of Britain.
While it is unlikely that many Spanish home owners will have conservatories as many green-fingered householders do in the United Kingdom, there are so many different ways of introducing orchids into a landscaped garden or even balcony and patio, Estepona's Orchid House should be able to provide sufficient information and examples of what can be achieved.
Interplanetary Planting
There was little evidence of vegetation on the planet the latest Star Wars heroes and heroines found themselves on. The desert world of the opening scenes is, however, beautifully contrasted by an idyllic planet criss-crossed by natural waterways later on in the movie. It looks just like the place where a retired Han Solo might like to grow illicit weeds - and Princess Leia might grow a variety of wild orchids. That is, until storm troopers arrive and blow up the entire planet. While Estepona was in the grip of horticultural fever, the rest of the province succumb to sci-fi hysteria. In Malaga province the film was so eagerly anticipated, small cinemas had to triple their midnight screenings on Thursday's premier night to cope with the enormous demand.
Dressed up and ready to embrace the "force" once more, about 13,000 fans in Malaga city flocked to the cinema to see if the latest instalment in the series, this time directed by J.J. Abrams not franchise creator George Lucas, stood up to expectations. The sci-fi fans couldn't believe their luck when the one minute past midnight screenings allowed them to watch the movie almost a whole day earlier than the rest of Europe's movie going public. In Marbella, Fuengirola, Rincón de la Victoria and Vélez-Málaga cinemas also put on extra midnight screenings to cope with demand.
"The Force Awakens" is a crowd-pleaser, with just enough of the first two movies in it to mollify hardened fans and plenty of new stuff to win new admirers. The return of much-needed humour and the evident fun veteran actor Harrison Ford has at reprising his role as galactic maverick Han Solo make this a great family movie to watch during the festive season - perhaps as a highlight to end the day, after spending several hours at Estepona's splendid new Orchid House?