I love Santa Pola and have walked most of your drive route...! Had you turned right at the junction at 5min 04 seconds, you would have come down onto the coast road at the very end of Santa Pola Este and come upon a nice little beach and cafe. Carry on and eventually it would take you along a quiet coast road up to the southern outskirts of Alicante.
Olhei, procurei, procurei e não achei sujeira, zueira, bagunça, porcaria, nada!! No máximo um matinho na beira da estrada. Asfalto inatacável... Nossa!! Será assim em toda a Espanha?Minha cidade é a vergonha, o caos!!😑😑
Can use either if your becoming resident though they want you to change over to Spanish plates within 6 months which can be expensive (easily 800 euros).