Happy New Year from Benidorm

Happy Chinese New Year, that is! It's the year of the dog and over 2000 Chinese residents of the Comunidad Valencia will be celebrating at the Benidorm Palace next Monday, 30th January. If you've ever been to Benidorm you'll have noticed the large Chinese community there which is largely employed in restaurants and in the many souvenir shops.

No less a personage than the Chinese Ambassador to Spain will be there watching the celebrations - including dragons and firecrackers - which are designed to bring peace, prosperity and good fortune. If you feel like taking part, the show kicks off at midnight so that all the restaurant staff who work every evening can attend. Isn't that thoughtful?

27 January 2006 Stephen White.