My adventure continues from Part 1 of this tale…
I arrived at the destination late in the evening. I didn’t feel like having a large meal after all the travelling, so found a mini supermarket near the hotel, picked up some juice, isotonic drinks and snacks for dinner – a mini Spanish Omelette with Chorizo, a bread roll and some nut and fruit mix.
The room was so spacious, so I unpacked with some tunes on, whilst snacking on the supplies and sipping juice. The evening temperature was wonderful – around 16 degrees, breezy, but still humid and nice, a temperature where you can walk in the evening in shorts, and still feel warm!
I took a walk around the hotel’s facilities, noting the pools and opening times, looking at the gym and restaurant, and booked myself in for a spa session the next day, for an amazingly low charge of 6 Euro!
After the little walk around, it was time for sleep. The first night was not full of sleep, mainly due to feeling very out-of-place. There are places you feel like you may belong – and places you are totally unsure of and need to work out. I was very unsure of this place and didn’t know if it would be “for me” or not so much!
I woke early the next morning, and took a 6am cup of coffee whilst sitting on the balcony, feeling a warm breeze, and hearing the tweet and twoot of a small flock of sparrows. The sun was still yet to rise, so I took a short wander around the nearby promentary, and watched the sun rise from under the sea.
It was then time to check out the buffet breakfast at the hotel – which was absolutely crazy and full of all of the options anyone could ever want. Bacon sandwich? yes. Fresh tropical fruit and yoghurt? yes. Salad and continental meats? Of course. Tostadas, pan con tomate, chocolate con churros, y tortilla Española? Of course! And also – Canarian potatoes, roasted vegetables, pancakes, sausages, eggs… Name your breakfast – it is there! Drinks wise, there is all the tea, all the kinds of coffee, and lots of smoothies and juices.
The hotel has another balcony in the dining area, so I sit there – amazed at the fresh air, the warmth, and the ability to eat breakfast outside in December, whilst it is snowy at home…
The next days passed very breezily. I loved taking a walk along the waterside promenade, which stretches for 7km in and around the town, with the ocean splashing nearby, and enjoyed looking at how some plants were surviving amongst the lava rock. The islands are borne from volcanoes, and so much of the ground is black, bubbled lava.
The world is also taking a walk or slow cycle along the promenade, breathing in the fresh sea air, and enjoying the +22 degree temperature, fresh breeze, and cloudy sun.
I found an amazing fruit and veg cafe (sadly now closed) which sold smoothies, salads and healthy bowls, had some mocktails with my friend at a wonderful cocktail bar in the square in the centre of town, we also went for a very slow Italian seafood lunch on a terrace, and then on the final lunchtime, I took myself to the fish restaurant along the beach, and ate freshly caught red snapper, roasted potatoes, and the freshest tasting courgette I have ever tried. My friend asked me how much I was enjoying the town, and my little holiday. The answer was, so much.
It is so important to take time out from the hustle and bustle of daily life, attend to things you want, listen to podcasts, read books, and absorb yourself in the things that make life worth it.
I also never thought this would be me…. but on the last morning, I laid down on a sun lounger around the hotel pool, feeling the hot sun beating down, then the clouds to contrast, then the hot sun again… wearing my swimming costume, face, arms, and legs gently toasting, feeling warm and bright, to make the most of the sun.
I had no idea if or when I would be back.
All too soon, it was time to go home, the short four-day trip was over. But what a trip it had been. On the return flight, I remember thinking “wow” and what a wonderful experience I just had. A small tear was even shed upon takeoff – both for the amazingness of the contours of the island from the air, but also because I wasn’t sure if I would ever see this, be here, or feel this again.
Leaving normal life for a few days, finding sunshine and heat whilst home was snowy and cold It sparked an interest. It sparked wanting to know and go more. I wonder what else is achievable? Maybe now I have done this trip, I can build up and try even more trips, even further away from home?
For now, my first trip in ages is over. But I can’t wait to see what the future has in store, and where I might be going…
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