Manhattan of Spain? | 板鸭国的曼哈顿?

Seeing all these skyscrapers in my photos here, do you have any clue where they are?

When I first reached this place, it reminded me of a metropolis in Asia or North America, where high-rise buildings are more widespread than in Europe. This city on the eastern coast of Spain is Benidorm. Its striking skyline dominated by skyscrapers has earned it the nickname "Manhattan of Spain."

Benidorm is a popular tourist destination boasting two main sandy beaches – Levante Beach and Poniente Beach, as well as several theme parks, such as Terra Mítica, Aqualandia, and Mundomar. I noticed cranes and construction sites in various parts of the city, and the vibe struck me as strange. Though it does not seem to be very attractive, its characteristics such as temperate climate, vibrant atmosphere and good connection to major airports, have drawn a considerable number of holiday-makers and retirees, particularly from the colder North.

Benidorm is quite famous in Belgium also due to the comedy TV show Benidorm Bastards. Since many Belgian and Dutch seniors moved to Benidorm after retirement, the city's name is used in the show title. It was first aired over 10 years ago and has since been adapted in other countries owing to its success.

The show is known for its hidden camera pranks, and it revolves around a group of elderly folks, referred to as "the bastards," who engage in unexpected mischievous pranks on unwitting members of the public. It is often hilarious to see the reactions and interactions of the people involved. I also appreciated how it challenged stereotypes associated with the older generation. What about you? Have you ever seen this show or its localised version?

来到这个摩天楼遍布的所在，恍惚间以为自己身处亚洲或北美的大城市。欧洲除了伦敦米兰法兰克福等地的一些商务区外，很少有高楼大厦密集的地方。而这座叫作贝尼多姆的城市，却被称为“西班牙的曼哈顿”。

贝尼多姆是个很受欢迎的旅游目的地，拥有两片大沙滩 —— Levante Beach和Poniente Beach，还有几个主题公园，比如Terra Mítica、 Aqualandia和Mundomar。我在城市的许多角落都看到建筑工地和起重机，整体氛围有种说不出来的怪异。不过，尽管这地方对我没啥吸引力，它温和的气候、便利的设施和距离机场近等优点还是吸引了很多度假者和退休老人，尤其是来自阴冷北方的居民。

贝尼多姆在比利时相当有名，也是因为一系列喜剧电视节目Benidorm Bastards。众多比利时和荷兰的老人在退休后逃离阴冷，搬到贝尼多姆居住，所以这个城市的名字被用在了节目的标题中。10多年前播出时大获成功，一些其他国家也相继推出改编的版本。

节目拍摄时隐藏摄像机，让一群被称为“混蛋”的老人在公共场所对不知情的路人进行恶作剧。我看了几集，那些路人的反应和互动通常十分搞笑，节目也挑战了大家对老一辈人的刻板印象，很有新意。