Costa Calida • Issue No. 2042 • 22 - 28 August 2024
superyacht Community spirit Bezos’ docks Cartagena
HIGH-SPEED rail services in Murcia are set to expand with the introduction of trains between Almeria and Madrid. The Spanish Ministry of Transport plans to integrate Almeria into the Mediterranean and Levante corridors within the next three years. This new connection will offer faster travel options between Almeria and Granada also with trips taking over two hours for just 110 kilometres at the moment. Once completed, the high-speed line between Murcia and Almeria, covering 220 kilometres, will reduce travel time to just over an hour. This will increase the number
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Seaside festival brings people together.
of the Assumption. This gesture symbolises the region’s spirit of generosity and community. A float from another local group paraded along the seafront promenade, starting at
Manzanares Beach and ending in Los Narejos. The float gave out melons and vegetables to beachgoers, a nod to the importance of agriculture in Murcian life. As the day progressed, thousands of people enjoyed the grand parade, which featured 25 colourful floats, folklore performances from around the world, and more distribu-
tion of toys and local produce. The celebration ended with a lively concert by Monodosis in Manuel Floreal Menárguez Plaza, where the crowd danced to the covers of Spanish rock bands. This spectacular day perfectly showcased the pride and joy that Los Alcazares feel for their rich agricultural and cultural heritage.
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JEFF BEZOS’ superyacht, the ‘Koru’, valued at around €460 million, docked in Cartagena on Monday August 19 for maintenance work. The 127-metre-long luxury yacht arrived at the Navantia shipyard after spending several days in Menorca and Ibiza. With its sleek blue hull and Super-Yacht Koru Docks for three large masts, the Maintenance vessel has drawn the attention of tourists near the Alfonso XII pier. The ‘Koru’, currently undergoing a scheduled inspection, is subject to a confidentiality agreement regarding the nature of the repairs and the duration of its stay at the shipyard. It is unclear whether Bezos is aboard, as owners of yachts of this type often leave during such works. During its Mediterranean voyage, the yacht had to seek shelter near Menorca due to a severe storm. The ‘Koru’, designed to be energy-efficient with sails that reduce fuel usage, is accompanied by a smaller support yacht called ‘Abeona’. Notably, the yacht is the second-largest sailing yacht in the world, following the ‘Sailing Yacht A’, which also visited Cartagena for repairs. Image: X/ @CruiseJipe
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Images: Los Alcazares Town Hall
THE Los Alcazares Town Hall recently kicked off their International Week of the Garden and the Sea with a celebration also referred to locally as the ‘Bando Internacional de la Huerta y El Mar. This event celebrates the agricultural traditions of Murcia, where farming (the ‘huerta’) and the sea have played crucial roles in shaping the region’s culture and economy. It is a time for residents and visitors to come together and honour the traditions, foods, and folklore that define their heritage. Festivities began with local farmers and associations handing out toys to hundreds of residents, visitors, and tourists outside the Church
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Murcia on track
Image: Shutterstock/ Markus Mainka
Murcia connects to Europe’s future.
of trains passing through Murcia’s Carmen station, benefiting both Renfe and private operators.
The government sees this project as a key part of the Mediterranean Corridor, enhancing connec-
tivity and cohesion across regions. The investment totals €3.5 billion, with 65 per cent of the work already completed. Being connected to the Mediterranean Corridor means Murcia will enjoy better trade and logistics opportunities, enhanced regional integration, faster and more convenient travel to key cities, and improved access to global markets. This connection will boost economic growth, attract investment, and position Murcia as a crucial link within a major European transport network.
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