My Tenerife Friends (Mi Amigas)

In less than 48 hours, I should be sitting in Tenerife with my much loved friends (who I call my family and who are sisters of my heart). It is a challenging trip for me but a one where friendship, respect and love plays a huge part. I say challenging because most of the family do not speak English (Guaci speaks very good English and Ani is much better than what she thinks, she just needs more confidence but she is good). I speak only a little Spanish, although I am learning and I do know many words. It is a treat when Guaci is about (or her partner Jose) as they become my translator. It is not easy but to be honest, I prefer it this way as it stops me from being lazy and I am forced to learn the language. The dreaded Google Translate plays a part but I find it translates differently on the iPhone to the laptop (don’t know why) but it just does. It also does not translate to a good standard but we have to try and make do with what we can. Last year, I found I didn’t use Google Translate for most of the week and I only used it to look up words and then I tried to put them in my own sentence; must have been ok as I could get by.

I think my plan for the future is to take a month and book a villa or apartment and stay where the locals live. This way I will be forced to learn the language quicker and I will also get to learn much more about the culture of the people and their day to day lifestyle.

Let me introduce you to my hosts in Tenerife!

Nita and my dear friend who stays at the hotel with me

Nita is a such a lovely person who has recently started guitar lessons in Los Cristianos. I will tell you something, I am shocked at how well she plays and writes songs in such a short time. I love when she records a little song and she sends it to me via Whatsapp. So beautiful, just like the person she is. We intend to have a lot of fun this year and Nita will help me with a lot of culture of the Island.

Chelo, Yara and Me

Chelo is a sister to Nita and Loreta and I am very to close to all three sisters. What can I say about Chelo? Well she is a hard working single mother who has been through a lot of similar circumstances, pretty much like myself. It is strange how we have experienced these but it has made us both stronger. Chelo was the very first sister that I got to know and meet and we had a close bond, right from the beginning. She is such a wonderful person and I have a lot of respect for this woman.

Loreta and me

Loreta is a good friend and very dear to me and I will tell you something, what a cook! She will make you the best paella that you have ever tasted. Forget all the tourist paella places, bin it and visit her new restaurant to try her food. If you are visiting near Teide then call into her place for a drink and food.

Bodegon Hornos Del Teide – Gral. Chiguergue 19, Guia de Isora (Restaurant)

Loreta can pack a good tune as she often sings in her restaurant and she has a talented singing family with her son Fran and daughter Anna. To add to the joys, Frans partner Jessica, is also a great singer and sings with Fran, a duo FranJess. Loreta’s husband Pancho is also a good cook, I cannot say if he is a good singer as I am yet to hear him.

Ani, Yara and Me

Gentle and sophisticated Ani always reminds me of an ‘English Rose’. She is so polite and a lovely natured person who will do anything for you. She is such a lady and really special to me. Ani is the sister to Guaci (who are daughters to Nita). She adores her Niece Yara and they have such a close, loving relationship.

Guaci (my great English interpreter and her daughter, beautiful Yara)

Guaci is simply stunning and such a fantastic dancer. She has won many competitions over the years for Salsa dancing and is a true professional. It is great to hear her speaking English as she doesn’t get the opportunity to do this much but I will say, she is very good and I am super proud of her. Princess Yara is a little cutie and she is not shy at speaking English with me. She makes me laugh so much as she likes to teach me Spanish words in exchange for English. Beautiful little girl.

Fran and Jessica are recently celebrating the birth of their beautiful little son, Johan. We will need to wait and see if he is as talented as his parents.

So! you have met part of my Tenerife hosts and special people in my life but there are many more to come as I have a lot other friends on the Island. I hope you can join me and read about how our life continues to stay strong, even though there is a language barrier. It shows that if you are determined and want to do something in life, you will achieve it.

We are different people from different countries and who celebrate our own religion and traditions but we embrace each other's culture and accepted who we are. It proves one thing, life can be happy no matter if you have different languages, religious beliefs or traditions. We are all human beings with a big heart which speaks the same language.

I hope you enjoy reading my blog and if you would like to follow me on Twitter and Instagram, I would love to see you there!

Stay posted as I will have a lot of stories to show you, once I am back from the beautiful Island of Tenerife.

See you all soon x

Touch of Class

Do you ever flick through the internet and look at the luxury hotels and think WOW!!!

Apart from the luxury settings or high price tag, what else is on offer for the price you pay and what makes these hotels so special? Is it the food, Spa, luxury comforts, service or just the full package?

I have travelled to many hotels around the world for business and leisure, ranging from 3 to 5 Star rating accommodation and to be fair, it depends on what you want to get out of your stay. If it is just clean, comfort and a good bargain then you will not think the luxury suite would be value for money! Now if you set your mind aside from ticking these boxes and think… I want an experience that I can remember, something exotic and a holiday I can feel that I was noticed, pampered with fine food and service, this is what I call luxury.

You can tell a luxury hotel as soon as you walk up to a hotel from the first point of contact who usually assists with the bags and then by casting your eyes over the hotel foyer. The grand interior designs with the finishing touches and attention to detail should hit you as soon as you walk in. The tables, chairs and decoration which just shout out ‘elegant or exclusive’ but which equally stand proud within the room on show. All this has been tastefully selected, hand-picked to make up the finishing touches of the hotel comforts.

When entering the bedroom, you should get a sense of excitement of walking in and seeing a large, comfortable and beautiful laid bed with some fruit, chocolates or other gesture of goodwill. Large, soft cushions and a thick mattress to add that luxury feel. Patio doors that make a statement, with a balcony or terrace that you cant wait to check out, either for a sea, mountain or acres of landscape picturesque view. Tranquil, spacious and a personal space. Somewhere you can sit to take breakfast if you wish or chill out in a lounger to take away the stress and strains of life or work. If the hotel can offer this, well it is worth it, as you are paying for an emotional experience and a pleasure that will meet your needs.

Chill out in a Spa and massage treatment and test some exotic facial and body creams, something that you would never buy or even think of trying out. Feel energised from the aftermath of the treatment, cleansed and refreshed like you have found a new body and belief. This really does happen when you have the right treatment and luxury package of a top beauty and spa centre.

Leafy gardens with exotic plants, beautiful clean water which is inviting and wanting you to swim in it. Little garden features carefully selected to catch your eye and lanterns to light up the luxurious darkness, so the magic is not lost at night.

Take your time at night with the fine dining, tasteful wine choice and surrounding luxury settings where you can tell the thought, planning and preparation of the night's events have been carefully structured and executed. The finesse of the staff serving your food and the expertise of the restaurant head in charge, carefully watching the operations of his room to check that it is running to clockwork but to a standard only he approves of.

Picture a soft, classic piano playing in one of the lounges where you can take an after meal drink and relax and enjoy the rest of the evening. Most of all... sit back and watch the skilled, experience staff who are working so hard to ensure that your holiday experience lives up to your dream. Their training and expertise stands out from all others that have served you in the past. This is the difference between luxury and a standard package deal holiday. The staff are hand picked and add to the finishes touches of the luxury because it is no use having all the beautiful surroundings, finest food and wonderful facilities if you do not have the right staff to make your experience more enjoyable. It would be like comparing it to a beautiful crafted hand-made garment but the finishing touches are added with the wrong buttons. It simply, somehow does not work.

I hope you liked reading my expressions and thoughts on luxury hotels so check out and flick through the website and find out your top luxury hotels. My wish list for Tenerife is below... keep watching as you might just see me writing about the experience one day.

Links:

www.hotelbotanico.com  

www.bahia-duque.com 

www.royalgardenvillas.com

www.iberostar.com/en/hotels/tenerife/iberostar-grand-hotel-el-mirador

Folklore, Fiestas and Friendly Fun

Hello and it is good to have you back and hopefully you will enjoy learning more about Tenerife!

So you have experienced the sun, sand and alcohol of Tenerife but have you every taken a little time out on your holiday to experience some local culture? If you have, then Great! As you are experiencing the traditions of the local people who are celebrating their Patron Saint and religion. If you haven’t, then I suggest you try checking it out; find out what is happening while you are on the Island. The atmosphere is great, colourful and friendly with such an amazing community spirit.

What can you expect?

Well you can be sure to feel relaxed, as things move at a much slower pace than what it does in England. The locals will start to gather in the town from an early time, before the procession arrives.

Many local ladies will be dressed in their traditional costumes, which some are very colourful or maybe just black skirts, this depends on their home town (Pueblo). The men will be dressed in white shirts, black waistcoat and black hat. Some men will wear a sash around their waist but the style  is the same and with a variety of different coloured sashes.

The town is usually buzzing and you can feel the sense of excitement in everyone. Small children are very much involved with their tradition, with little outfits and smiling faces. This is very much a family time and a celebration of what they believe in. It is about their time and the town’s opportunity to celebrate their Saint’s day and why not? It you like culture and something different on holiday, then you should try to attend but be prepared for the event to be slower and more chilled out.

Folklore Fiesta San Isidro

Friendly Locals

I have travelled to a few Folklore festivals over the past 11 years and I have always been accepted immediately by the people of Tenerife, friends and family. I call some people my family, as I was engaged for 9 years to a local man and so this is how I can share my knowledge, photographs and happy times. I got to see the other part of Tenerife and local culture, that tourists miss out on. I still keep in touch with many family members and visit them every year, so I will always be part of their world and culture.

A particular Folklore I attended at San Isidro with (at the time my fiance, MIguel) and my sister Maureen. We met up with Miguel's brother Tony and his lovely wife Nora and son Marcus in their home town; so it was a little bit more special to us. Nora, Marcus and Tony were constantly offering us food and drink which had been prepared and stored in a cooler box, just like we have in the UK for our picnic. Smiling, happy and lovely. Maureen and me felt so much part of this traditional celebration and wonderful family.

Just picture the sun shining, music playing, people dancing and the sound of loud, happy people talking with excitement. Groups of musicians would appear to play and sing, while the ladies are dancing in their local costumes. They walk off a few yards, still singing and dancing then stop a little further down. This is repeated all the way to the beach.

Following the groups of musicians and dancers, are large floats, all brightly decorated with flowers, plants and ribbons. Traditionally dressed women, men and children on the floats are handing out small plastic cups with red wine, samples of food and fruit. How nice is this! What a friendly place to be.

Photograph: Nora, Marcus and me

Procession

The procession is taken very seriously and religion is very much respected during the festivals. The crowds will follow the procession down to the finished point where further celebrations will carry on. This will go on until early hours of the morning, drinking, eating, dancing and singing.

We were constantly offered food and drinks in the street while waiting for the parade, just a wonderful friendly and caring atmosphere.

What a fantastic day we had and what I really liked the most was that the town, freely allowed visitors, tourists or any other culture/race into their celebrations without any questions or uncomfortable stares. This show that the Canarian people are friendly and always welcome their visitors.

Thank you to all that made my day so enjoyable and an opportunity to learn more about the culture of this beautiful Island.

I hope you enjoyed learning about some traditions of Tenerife and hopefully you will stay posted to see more.

If you like my write up and want to learn more about Tenerife, please follow me on Twitter and Instagram. I would love to say hello…