Maspolomas August 2011

So it’s becoming a bit of a habit but I seem to have fallen in love with Maspolomas. Thus the number of visits in recent years. Having been several months since I had taken any time off work I was beginning to get to that stage where the weekends were not quite enough to fully recover from all the energies I demand of my body all week. I always like to try and be at my desk no later than 0800 and tend to visit the gym for my various classes, Climbing, Personal Training, Boxing Circuits, most evenings after work. Well it all takes it toll and the best route to rest is a nice week in the sun.

When Richard told me that he had taken six weeks unpaid leave from work and mentioned perhaps going away for a week I jumped at the opportunity and with hubbies permission we started to look at options of where to go and stay and what flights were available with it still being in the middle of the schools summer holidays. Richard did some research and soon found that there still flights available to Las Palmas, albeit rather on the pricey side, considering you can get to Gran Canaria for about £120 off season. So having given our credit cards a small battering we booked and had less than 14 days to wait till our departure.

It’s amazing how just knowing that you have a week in sun coming up can boost your energy and put a whole new outlook on life. The countdown had begun to the return to Gran Canaria (GC).

We would have flown on the Saturday had I not already had reservations to go on a tour of Buckingham Palace so as soon as I left the palace I came home to finish my packing and Richard came around in the car to collect me. The flight was so early on Sunday morning that we had booked a Taxi to collect us at 0315 to take us the 45 minute journey to Stansted Airport. We arrived and despite the fact that you are forced to check in online (and changed £12 each way for the privilege), we still had to queue up to drop my bag off. Richard had managed to cope with the 10 Kilo’s carry on baggage, something I have always been worried about in case my weight goes over. Plus how can you bring back a bottle of local booze, if you can’t carry on more than 100ML in your carry on luggage.

Checked in, we cleared security and made our way to the Number 1, VIP lounge at gate 49. It was handy as was close to our boarding gate in the furthest end of the Terminal that seems to have been taken over by Ryanair. This to be my first experience on the notorious low-cost airline and very possibly the last. Talk about Chav-a-rotious. There was practically a stampede to get a seat and I was mortified that there wasn’t even a compartment to put your water bottle, magazine or bottle.

Thankfully we managed to snooze through much of the journey and by 11:00 we were arriving in Las Palmas and waiting for our shuttle to Maspolomas. Even though we were one of the last to get off the shuttle we were pool side by just after noon at the fabulous Villas Blancas. The staff kindly took our bags and allowed us in the room early and we only had to wait for 20 minutes, which was just enough time to grab a Sangria each in the poolside bar.

Villas Blancas is by far the best resort I have found yet in GC. There were 30 bungalows around two pools and a fabulous new 30 man Jacuzzi that had only been opened a few weeks. All the better for us. The Jacuzzi soon became part of our daily ritual. Open from noon until 2200, it was a fab respite from the fierce daily sun. Not that either Richard or I would complain about the weather. We were truly blessed with near perfect weather. Daily temperatures of between 22 (overnight low) and up to 35 during the day. Perfect blue sky and not a cloud in sight. No wonder I have fallen in love with the place.

We spent seven days relaxing by the pool, chilling in the Jacuzzi, enjoying great food and having fun at the Yumbo centre.

I don’t think I have ever gotten so dark in just a seven day break and on the Friday, our Penultimate day, we spent the day at the Water Park which meant we got home darker than ever!

Every night we would enjoy dinner at the poolside restaurant and at 15.50 for a three course meal was great value and quality.

Sadly the week was over before we knew it and after the shuttle journey back to the airport, knew we had four hours of hell aboard what can only be described as a flying banana. (Why BA don’t fly there I don’t know as the airlines that do are always full when I go and at over £300, was not a cheap flight).

We both agreed we’d had a lovely break and totally enjoyed ourselves but was glad to be heading home to our beloved husbands. Maspolomas, we will be back soon! Richard, thanks for a great week away. 