Banos De Montemayor
Yesterday we stayed at Banos de Montemayor. We actually put our schedule behind a day so we could get here for a full day at this spa town. I suppose the best way to sum it up was too much red tape and not enough water.
We approached the town from the rail trail above and had to lose valuable altitude into the valley below to access the town. Our albergue was at the top of the town as we descended from the mountains above. With more broken English and misinterpreted Spanish we booked into our digs. Nice and clean it did lack a kitchen.
Into town we went taking our bikes down the steep cobbled streets until we arrived at the Termano Romano ( Roman baths) after a quick beer and boccadillo we then tried to make sense of the Roman baths and how we get to take one.
It was here we hit the process. We just wanted to pay a few euros and go for a hot bath! No that’s not how’s it’s done. You must first go to the building across the road, fill out a health survey including your last bout of leprosy, provide your passport number and go for an interview. It was as this stage that enough was enough on trying to sell us an colon shower we just wanted a swim. Finally we were able to get them to stop for a moment and read our google translate of ….. “We just want to go for a swim!” A swim? …. Well why didn’t you say so 43 Euros later I walked out with tickets.
Now let’s not get excited here. We weren’t going across with our flip flops and togs just yet. No, there was a time slot to be adhered to. Come back just before 5pm, no not here, the building across the road.
At 1645 we duly matched in with our budgies and towel to be greeted by more rules. We went into one room to change into our cosies, pool gown and a cap.we then matched off back through reception and down the steps passing history as we went to reach the pool.
Alarm bell number one was the lack of steam wafting from the surface of the water and alarm number two was the lack of sulphur in the air. At this stage I’m dubious about whether this water is bubbling up from the bowels of the earths hot cauldron or coming off a solar collection system from the roof.
After a shower to wash the bad attitude from our bodies we tentatively dip our toes in. Hmmm I’ve felt warmer. In we plunge to brrrrrrr the town pool at home is warmer. Maybe there is another pool somewhere and this is just preparing us. As our hour ticks away it’s evident that this is it a thermal pool as enjoyed by the Roman’s.
We endured this for about 50 minutes before deciding that enough is enough, where cold and it’s best we ditch our last entitled 10 minute and get warm.
Walking back to our albergue we reflected on what should have been when compared to other Roman baths we have visited.
