Canary Islands

Okay sooo this Christmas was a tropical one. It all started Dec. 23 when I got 4 hours of sleep and woke up to catch our 7 am flight. We made it to the airport exhausted but in one piece, waited in line for awhile but luckily I had made sure we´d arrive in enough time. Our flight was turbulent but we arrived in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in one piece. J´s friend picked us up and drove us to their home, where we stayed, in their guesthouse. The house is beautiful. Set on top of a mountain, the property is huge, with tennis courts, bball courts, a pool, and a tropical little area with palm trees and an outdoor patio and chimnea grill, etc. The guesthouse is small and cute, with a living room, bedroom, and bathroom.

Upon arrival we took a quick tour of the island and then a quick nap. Then we went for lunch on the beach and took a stroll on the Playa Inglés beach on the southern tip of the island. Afterwards we went to the grocery store for the essentials: wine, cheese, more wine, salsa, wine, chips, wine, champagne, and some wine haha.

We were totally exhausted from the hectic week so we drank some wine and sat out by the pool, and then watched some of a movie and then to bed we went. We slept for 12 hours which was incredible, and then went to the city center today and the city beach, Las Canteras, which had a beautiful view of the mountains. We walked around for a bit and had a coffee, and then ate a long Italian lunch overlooking the ocean, and then spent an hour or so on the beach relaxing. The weather was a bit cloudy but there was def some sun.

Tomorrow is Christmas Day and we plan to spend all day beaching!

Update: Christmas day. We slept in late and leisurely made our way down to the southern tip of the Island to a beach area called Maspalomas. We settled into some chairs, relaxed for awhile and then shortly after, the clouds rolled in, so we read for a bit and then Jorge decided to give me my Christmas present, which I later would realize was the best present I may have ever recieved.

We strolled over to a hotel called Lopesan Costa Meloneras. Jorge took me down to the spa and he booked us 4 hours of spa circuit. So we change into sandals and bathrobes and to start we go into this peaceful, red room, called the Zodiac Relaxation Room with soft music and lights and about 12 water beds. Time recommened, 15 minutes. SO we lay on waterbeds for 15 minutes. I think we both sorta fell asleep. Next we go to the Himalaya Salt Grotto, which I stole a picture from the website, isn´t gorgeous? Its this peaceful room where the floor is covered with exfoliants so you rub your feet around to exfoliate them. PS that not me in the picture lol.
So next you go into the Saline Caldarium, which is a salt water steam room. It has this amazing smell too. Anyway I love steam rooms in general so this was great. The next section involves the lagoon pools, these cool looking pools in caves with waterfalls, one freezing cold and the other hot, and you need to spend a few minutes in each, a few different times, to improve circulation. Then you go in this cool showers with different pressure and stuff, one gives you a back massage, they are called the aqua dome and then the cosy wall back massage shower. Next you go in the Hamman Turkish bath which is basically another steam room, the lava relaxation room, which is this other peaceful room with super cool chairs you relax in, and then you to to the lava relaxation pool which is a saltwater flotation pool. Its so salty that you literally float without trying. J and I floated around together until we got salt in our eyes haha. It was pretty much empty which made it even more fun bc its like we had this whole private spa to ourselves! Then we went to the african sauna, the igloo ice room, and then finally upstairs to get full use of the outdoor pools and jacuzzi. By this time it was dark and quite windy so we only used the jacuzzi. The main pool is pictured below.


This whole spa thing was INCREDIBLE it was so relaxing, so romantic, an amazing gift, and a creative and unique way to spend Christmas Day! Props to J for a great gift.

The 26th was spent at the beach again. We found a random deserted beach, kind of a cove, that we ended up going to on the 26th and the 27th. I also watched inglorious bastards, the movie on the 26th, which was good but disturbing as well. More to come soon! PS am so excited that in 4 short days bk and mtr will be visiting!!! can´t wait!!!