Long Day

Someone slept well

Didn't have the best night's sleep last night, never do when you have to be up early!  Gave up and got up at 5.45am, had a shower which woke up the boys so we all got dressed, checked out, took the car to the long stay parking and then the bus to the terminals (very jolly bus driver, which we found unusual, normally the car park bus drivers are mega miserable!).

We checked in very easily, all the Jet2 desks were open and manned and there was no queue, in fact we were the only ones in the whole of check in which we found strange, but lovely.  Then to security, we had about a 2 minute wait, and we shot through, no being pulled over for stupid things like we did last time in Manchester (I got pulled over because I had a pack of cards in my bag, and Tom because he had a tractor in his bag!)

Ice cream time

We had breakfast in Wetherspoons (Matt got very excited because they had Stornoway Black Pudding buns) bought our lunch from Boots (Jet 2 don't provide any snacks even without a charge) and then headed to the gate ready for boarding, we left early and after an uneventful flight we arrived a good half an hour early, which would have been great, except obviously the baggage handlers weren't ready for us so we had to wait a good 40 mins for our bags to come out, and then one of ours arrived and the other didn't, meaning it took a good while before we got to the Jet2 desk and our transfer. 

So, we were expecting a coach transfer, but no, it was only us and an old lady who were going to Puerto de la Cruz so we were in a mini bus with a driver who was having a nap when we arrived - it was siesta time after all! Oh and it was hot, really hot when we came out of the terminal building.  We weren't expecting that as the weather forecast has not been great.  We shot up the motorway to Santa Cruz and then went a very lumpy bumpy way across the island to the North coast and to Puerto de la Cruz where we are staying.  We were a little nervous at doing a package holiday, so decided to choose a resort that is lesser known and chose the best hotel we could here.  The hotel is very quiet and full of old people.  Our room, however, is way bigger than we were expecting - and we have been able to rearrange our room so Tom actually has a little corner all to himself meaning we don't all have to go to bed at the same time.  We think the hotel is a little posh, as it stipulates that men should wear trousers at dinner time - luckily Matt brought some with him.  Our room is on the sea side (which we asked for) and looks out across the palms to the Atlantic Ocean.  After unpacking, we headed into the town to get a feel for it.  We found lots of restaurants, touristy shops, and walked along the sea wall.  It was windy and much cooler here than at the airport, so we stayed in our jeans and jumpers, but once out of the wind, it did actually warm up - we ended up stripping off and having an ice-cream before having a little play on the beach. 

The Atlantic Ocean

Tom made a friend on the beach - a boy from London who had never heard of Yorkshire or Leeds even?!  Anyway, apparently Tom was the first English boy he had come across so he was very excited and the two played together on the black sand beach for a good 30 mins or so.  Tom was dressed completely incorrectly with jeans, jumper etc.  He got soaked, but it was good fun for him.

View from our balcony

We then went in search of a supermarket where we could buy cold beer, and found one on the second attempt.  Phew, we returned to the room, had beer and some crisps and then went in search for the indoor pool in the hotel (one of the reasons we chose this hotel - it has an indoor pool in case the weather is bad).  Turns out it is part of the spa, costs €12 each for 2 hours and children aren't allowed!)  Oh hum, we will have to use the outdoor pool regardless, Tom is desperate for a swim.

Tom hits the wall

We had showers each and then headed for tea.  We managed to turn up at 7pm, which we thought was very late for us - the place was rammed.  It opened at 6.30 and I think most people were there at 6.30!    Most people were old, there were some children, but not many.  The buffet they put on was pretty full-on, there was food everywhere, of all different types and it was pretty hard to see what was on where.  Tom went down the pasta route (as he always tends to these days) and had pasta with a seafood sauce, lasagna and some salads.  I had cous cous salad whilst Matt went to fill his plate.  I then went back and got some paella, roast lamb and plenty of salad.  Matt went back and found some chorizo - ooooooooh.  Anyway, we all did well and probably ate way more than we should have done!  Tom hit a wall and requested we went back to the hotel room for bed so we did so.

It had been a very long day after all.