Northern Tenerife - full of hidden surprises

This isn’t what I expected from Tenerife.

 

Puerto de la Cruz was the cheapest trip I could find. There was nothing unusual about that. I always try to find the best deals.

I planned to fly solo and overcome the frightened mindset I picked up last summer. A part of me wasn’t convinced it would work. But I decided to white-knuckle ride it, review as many hotels as I could, and hope to come out unscathed.

 

As I sit here now, writing, with my barista coffee, I contemplate sharing the details of my anxieties, where it comes from, and why. But I have decided to omit it, just for this post. Maybe another time. But, when faced with cliffs, the ocean, and large objects like wind turbines, I turn to jelly. So, Tenerife would unknowingly be a challenge. 

 

“You’ve done it! You’ve flown alone!” My friend text me upon landing.

“I usually fly alone, that doesn’t worry me,” I replied. And that’s true. I have often flown alone and I’m not a particularly nervous flyer. The coach meandered alongside the cliffs on one side, while the wind turbines stared into the window on the other side. But I settled into my seat and focused on the palm trees, which had the opposite effect. 

 

Puerto de la Cruz stole my heart in the three days I was there. 

I was stunned at the scenery. 

The hotel was comfortable and clean.

There were incredible walks to enjoy through the town. 

The promenade was outstanding for ‘people watching’, and there were buskers on every corner to entertain for free, or for a small tip. 

 

“OMG this place is incredible! I feel so happy!” I would text home. I was hoping to survive this trip (it’s not them, it’s me) but rather I was thriving. 

 

Arriving at the resort, I hadn’t done a whole lot of research, which was unusual for me. The coach driver called out, ‘Catalonia Las Vegas’ and I got off the coach with my small case and walked past the cutest dogs on the strip. The hotel was on the strip?! Fabulous. 

My room key didn’t work, and the lift was dated, but none of that mattered. A quick trip back down to reception and I had a new key. I quickly filmed a room tour and threw my case into the room before looking outside on the balcony. The view was breath taking. My reaction to it was one of surprise. I couldn’t imagine for less than £300, I had all of this. 

 

Walking quickly away from the hotel, I wanted to catch golden hour and get exploring. I walked down the strip and discovered Benjamin. He was a daily busker who could be found singing original songs with his guitar accompanying him. 

Behind Benjamin were crashing waves. Huge waves rolled in over and over. I looked closer and I saw surfers waiting to catch a wave. ‘Surfers!’ echoes in my head. I was like a five-year-old at Christmas. This was outstanding. 

In front of Benjamin, facing the bustling sea, were some concrete plinths to sit on and I settled there for a while, disguising my grin, listening to Benjamin sing a song which was right up my street. He was singing about being the best version of yourself. 

 

After dinner, I wandered some more, into Old Town, which was sparkling for Christmas, just like my mood. I decided to go into the cathedral the next day. And instead of visiting the cathedral there and then, I walked back to the hotel to watch the belly dancer under protest. I wasn’t sure how a belly dancer could show me something I hadn’t seen before. I took a seat and waited, and to my surprise, this lady was the best belly dancer I had ever seen. I watched in awe at her musicality and dance, and later I went across the road to sit in a bar called Lido San Telmo and enjoy a cappuccino. I didn’t want to sleep, even though I was tired. I was just feeling so alive on this trip. 

Old Town was sparkling

A DJ played crowd pleasers as I sat there, voice noting back home with tales of joy and surprise. 

 

Knowing there was more to Puerto de la Cruz than I had imagined, I pulled out my search bar on my phone and looked at Pinterest to find the ‘must do’ things in Puerto de la Cruz, for the next day.  

It was my intention to see as many hotels as possible. That was kind of my job, and the point of being there.  I knew there was more to explore. 

 

The Agatha Christie Steps flagged up as the number one Instagram spot. I could see why. A rainbow of colours and an illusion of the spine of Agatha’s books grabbed my attention and I was glad I had trekked up early. No one was around at that time. Just a few workers on their way to start their day passed by, and I was lucky enough to snap some beautiful photos. 

Agatha Christie Steps

At the top of the steps, I wandered to a cliff overlooking the horizon and noticed a hotel far in the distance called the Seriamis, which I walked to and wandered around, filming. On the way back, I passed amazing restaurants overlooking the water and as it was so much later in the day, people had begun to flock to the steps.  I tried to fathom how they could just stroll past the busker who had set up camp there. 

An older, Spanish gentleman sat there playing his guitar, singing in Spanish. I was mesmerised by him, and I put a coin in his hat and proudly said, “Muchos gracias senior,” before carrying on, back down the steps.

My map on my phone showed me the way to the Botanical Gardens, which I had learned about through my Pinterest search. 

It was 9.03am and the doors had just opened. I paid €3 to enter and walked in. 

I said out loud, “Wow, where am I?”

The trees and vines were a treat for my eyes, and I loved seeing the gardeners watering the plants so early in the morning. I spent a good hour there, wondering if this was one of the happiest times of my life. 

 

I took some time to sit on a row of steps and listen to the trees as they began talking to me. A whisper here, and a rustle there and I was beaming on the inside. I was here, alone, with no anxiety, looking at the vines draping from the tree, wondering if this was what Ubud looked like. I felt as though I had all day to sit and ‘drink in’ the beauty of the botanical garden. I wandered slowly around the outer edge of the trees and filmed the experience to put on my YouTube channel before I left to see what was next on my adventure. 

Across the road from the gardens was a beautiful hotel called the Oriental Botanical Spa Hotel. It had been my cunning plan to see as many hotels as I could find on this trip, and film them for YouTube. I began to wonder if I could walk in to this hotel and film, but there was a concierge to navigate first. He stood in his top hat, having a slight flap. There were people to organise, and it looked like a rich family was asking him to organise a cab. So I seized the opportunity and just said, “I’m here for the coffee,” quietly and quickly and I pointed towards the inside of the hotel as if I knew exactly what I was here for. He just nodded towards the inside and focused back on the rich family. Once I was inside the hotel I could see this was exactly what I was hoping for. A lounge bar with a grand piano and soft seating was in front of the bar. The lights were dimmed. A barman was bending down and filling the shelves and I confidently said hello in the local language and asked If I could just have a coffee. He said “yes, of course,” and pointed to the soft chairs inside. 

“Or you can sit outside,” he said. I glanced towards his pointed finger and my eyes followed a trail to a view of sunshine, cushioned sofas, palm trees and a swimming pool. Without hesitation, I said, “Can I sit outside please?” 

“Of course,” he nodded, he smiled and he gestured with his hand to encourage me to sit outside. 

 

Sitting close to the door, only just into the outside gardens, I felt shy. Was I an imposter? Did the barman know I was a visitor, or did he think I was a guest in this hotel? The hotel was five-star and I was impressed by the beauty surrounding me. I pulled out my phone and took a photograph of two people wearing robes, walking towards the swimming pool. I text the photo back to home with, ‘I’m in’ written underneath. It’s like I was undercover. 

After quite some time, the coffee arrived, with perfect petit fours. They were gluten-free and I was delighted to taste them. I drank the best cappuccino and ate the best petit fours I had ever had. Opening the red leather wallet, I peered inside. €4.90 surprised me. Less than my local Starbucks, and a total bargain considering the surroundings. 

 

I walked the grounds of this stunning hotel, filming. Two black swans lazily wandered around the grass banks, near the small lake.  I saw jellyfish inside a tank by the ladies’ room, which wasn’t something I had ever seen before. This was outstanding. I wondered what it would cost to stay there, and I was surprised at how affordable this was. I wanted to bring the kids. 

Feeling unstoppable, I enjoyed leaving the hotel, walking past the concierge man and hoping I didn’t just walk into a place I wasn’t welcome. I felt welcome. 

 

Spending time meandering around the little shops on the way back down the hill, I entered more hotels and had a wander. Soon I was back on sea level and weaving through the hotels on the strip. They all were nice, but my favourite was the H10 Hotel. It had a lively vibe, and I decided I would try and sneak in there and watch the entertainment later on. I did. I was getting so good at this. The bands there were fabulous, and I felt happy as I sat there tapping my foot. 

 

My three days flashed by in a heartbeat. I spent time in the local pool, writing and editing. It was a council-run place which was filled with seawater. You couldn’t swim in the sea as it was too crazy with the waves. This was a slightly better option. But it was cold, so I only got so far in before I decided to get out and sit by the bar with a Coke Zero. The can was €2; a bargain. I watched couples and wondered why I wasn’t feeling sad. But sometimes, being alone, doing what you want, while you are working on your mindset, is a good thing. I needed some solitude and I felt glad to be overcoming some of the difficult times I had been experiencing. 

 

As it was so close to Christmas, the lights were a joy to see. The cathedral gave a free concert of carols and hymns, some sung in Spanish, some in English, and ‘oh holy night’ gave me goosebumps. On the way back to my hotel, I took note of the buskers, the drunk man, the ocean, and the smells of the restaurants as I walked past each one. There was music everywhere I turned and I began to see some commotion ahead of me. My video was already rolling. I held my camera above my head for a better angle, and I told the future viewers we were going to explore what was happening ahead. I began to smile. I got closer and heard laughter, a rhythm and some singing. Most of it was inaudible to me at that time, but I began to know I was about to experience something special.  Turning the corner, I saw a group of older men playing various instruments. I walked closer and the tune became more familiar. They all wore white polo shirts with a blue logo on. A guitar, a shaker, and entire orchestra unveiled itself in front of me and a chorus of “La Bamba” was being conducted by a man with a white moustache. The younger handsome one, about my age, was playing with such vigour that his neck was alive with a roadmap of vascular pumping. 

I was excited to hear this music. I moved as close as I could, navigating my camera to capture the moment for both me and the viewers. I was close to tears. This is the scene you see being shared on Instagram, usually in a New York subway. I witnessed pure delight in front of me, and as I took a moment to look around at the other onlookers, I could tell we were all in awe of what was being played in front of us. The vibe was electric, and I felt so emotional. I expected to visit Tenerife and be nervous, and lonely, and ride out some anxiety. 

Instead, I was going back home with a full heart.

One of the most incredible concerts I have ever randomly seen

 

The wind woke me the next morning as I realised, I was awake before sunrise once again. There would be time to walk along the promenade one more time before I had to get on the coach to the airport and then fly home. After breakfast, I headed out with my diary in my backpack and went to find a rather special cappuccino. I sat in a restaurant which was full of fairy lights and fake palm trees and it was so beautiful that I wanted to take some photographs of my coffee, pen and book. I could have journaled all day. But I wanted to get back and organise my bags before checking out to go home. I began to walk back to the hotel. 

Rugged cliff faces created shadows among them which framed the sea. The fierce ocean was crashing with waves which hit the rocks over and over. On the top of the cliff overlooking Pomodoro, a single palm tree was catching the sun. I took a photograph and stood for a moment. I leaned my forearms against the railings beside the promenade and took a deep breath of gratitude. I appreciated the beauty in front of me, but I appreciated myself for being able to look out over nature which would usually cause me to panic. My eyes filled with tears.

 

Northern Tenerife had shown me the beauty of my extra level of fitness, my solo travel time, and my independence. I walked, viewed, enjoyed.

Love always

Lou xoxo

To find out more: https://tui-uk.7cnq.net/Gmd79B *

To watch all the videos: Puerto de la Cruz playlist https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwf5UN3J86KKiqeatFDY5uxJMqg585yUZ&si=Kogy3p5-Ih-Kckqm

The incredible belly dancer

Those Petit Four

*this post may contain some affilaite links which never cost you more to use, but I may be paid a small commision for introducing you, which helps support this website and my YouTube 

Why I travel - why you travel

You've heard of fight or flight.

Have you heard of freeze or fawn?

It's a new one, which can be a reason that we all love to travel so much. There is a reason we like to escape, to relax, to press pause on the stresses of life. Sometimes, when we go away, we end up feeling unwell. This is the relaxing process.

My online world has always explored the holistic approach to health and a large part of that is using creative writing. Putting my writing world on pause has caused me some low moments. You will see from this blog, I haven't posted very much. I have been posting these kind of thoughts elsewhere. 

This blog seems to do well when I share travel information and stories of journeys with you all. So, that is what you can expect to see in the coming weeks. 

As we all prepare for Christmas, there may be a lack of travel at the front of our minds, but it will come, and you can be assured I will be sharing deals I find in these pages. 

Which would you chose to read about first?

Iceland

Egypt

Mexico

Greece

Spain

Tunisia

Turkey

On those links are tours of hotels, information about the food (I travel as a celiac with Crohn's) among other snippets of information. I hope you will love it. If you still want deep and meaningful blogs, they will be here, scattered through the lovely information I'll be sharing with you. 

How I reacted upon discovering the law of attraction.

When I first heard about the law of attraction, it was one of those times when you can remember where you where, when it was...almost like many big world events such as 911 or when Band Aid was on.  

The feeling, the emotion, the pictures in my mind still of the carpet I was standing on.  
All of this was a game changer.

My life is now unrecognisable from the single mother striving to make ends meet....

Here is how the story goes: 

Shaking my head in disbelief I asked, 

“So what you just imagine you are that weight and you are that weight?”

“You’ve not heard of the secret? Where have you been hiding?” My client asked in a rather rude manner.  She and I were both at loggerheads at this point in time.  Yet basically she was pointing me to the book, The Secret. For the first time in my life (which feels incredible now) alerting me to the fact that I am in control of my own destination by the use of my beliefs.

Of course I immediately read the Secret within the next few days. 

Not understanding it, I left the frown on my face as I began to ponder what this might possibly be about.

As a child, it was always my responsibility to try and guess if I was loved or not.  No hugs or kisses, no encouragement or telling me how amazing I am.  When I cried I was the subject of the jokes,  “She will make a great actress!”

No, actually, I was upset. 

I needed love. 

Positivity escaped my parents.  Constant tales of, ‘we can’t afford this/who do you think we are Rothschild?/money doesn’t grow on trees’

Glass half empty. 

Growing up in total fear of how hard life was, I found myself turning to determination to actually be ok.  Leaving school and leaving behind my dream of becoming a dietitian as the advisor said,

“There are so few jobs as a dietitian.” So off I went to train as a catering manager.  Blinking good one I ended up too.  All the while being conscious of how hard I had to work in order to pay the bills.  Working was all I thought about.  For the entire duration of my 20s.  Never would I put my feet up, despite my body screaming at me to do just that.  Christmas week I could easily clock up 90 hours.  Yet a good manager, an operations manager, at the age of 27 in control of 700 staff.   Exhausted.

Suddenly hearing that life doesn’t need to be this way was so confusing for me.  It took a long time to reach this amazing place where I am now (that even writing this and reminding me of the person I used to be in the dark world) is so bizarre. 

Realising there might be something in this; I tried to understand the law of attraction.  I watched the DVD.  That gave me goosebumps and ‘aha’ moments. 

More and more and more I began to watch YouTube videos of those who I now know and love, Wayne Dyer, Sonia Choquette, Abraham hicks, Jack Canfield.  Over and over I was amazed at what I began to learn.  Could this actually be a thing?  As a keen researcher, I looked over and over the evidence.  Blood cells changing with words and thought – the microscope wasn’t lying – I could see this video unfolding into what I might only describe as a miracle.

Much effort went into not being angry with my parents.  How could I not know this?  How could anyone not?

Little by little yet quickly, I began to find a new belief which was more than life changing.  Setting intentions, visualizing, meditating – which was a game changer for me.  Becoming part of  the 100-day reality challenge (https://www.liloumace.com/notes/The-100-DAY-REALITY-CHALLENGE_b1771352.html), I wrote my intentions on the group boards.  Seeming like a big ask and wish I had to take a deep breath and use faith.  All the while going against everything I had been taught to believe as a child.

Wanting to travel,  I stated on the 100 day challenge that I wanted to fly somewhere amazing every 6 weeks.  Feeling those old thoughts of, ‘things like that are not for people like us’ creeping in, I tried to use the methods I had been learning and begin to trust the universe. 

Within two weeks I had secured a new contract as a business consultant with enough money written into the contract that I would definitely be able to afford my travels every six weeks.  This contract didn’t mean endless hours of toil and going into work for long hours. 

One day per week. 

One long and challenging day but one day. 

It was enough.

I was earning more within that one day than I used to earn in an entire two weeks in the past job.   Loving my new life, I must be honest and tell you it was exhilarating although a little confusing.  Beginning to struggle with my relationship with my parents for not giving me this chance sooner, I tried hard to be forgiving.  Eventually accepting they are different to me and that was simply how it was.

Friendship circles changed.  This is clear as day for me to now see that it’s a good thing.  Around me now are people with clear beliefs of the Law of attraction and all it has to offer.  I love this!

My language is so different now, my life is unrecognizable.

One Christmas after discovering the law of attraction and still not quite believing it, I was enjoying my neighbours company snugged up on the sofa, “What are you doing tomorrow?” She asked

Making some funny disbelief face I replied, “Off to look at a car.  It’s £20,000!” I rolled my eyes.  The rolling of the eyes demonstrated I wasn’t quite ‘there yet’ but nevertheless I went and looked.  For the first time stepping into a car showroom.  It was stunning.  Just as the Secret showed, I sat in the car, felt the steering wheel, took photographs and put them as my profile picture. 

For some reason I didn’t buy that car.  I bought something more flash.  Smaller.  Same price pretty much.  That was 7 years ago now.  Yet still, a smile appears across my face as I realise the magic in me going to collect the very same make and model car today.  All affordable now and very practical for my life of travel and all. 

The friend I told that Christmas has had to be lovingly waved goodbye.  As a person not understanding of my wishes and dreams, things became a little nasty and without wanting to respond or allow that behavior into my space, I needed to let go of her from my life.  Perhaps this was manifesting how I felt people might perceive the new ‘achieving’ me. It’s happened.  You see, I do believe the law of attraction comes with a few struggles which  again demonstrates the power of the mind. 

Instant manifestations come in the simple forms right now, I’m still working on the big stuff to show up instantly.  But it comes.  It just takes time.

Where I am at now is difficult to list without  sounding  like I’m bragging but for me it’s important to show how someone just like me can turn life around.  I’m happy now.  I believe now.  I’m enlightened. 

More than just money and things, I love living in the knowledge that our loved ones who have passed are having a great time in their home.  Peace of mind in knowing everything will be alright is simply priceless.  Although I do believe the law of attraction knowledge comes with some considerable responsibility.  My job now is creating blogs and YouTube videos helping others who were just like me to accept they can change things yet it’s not always as easy for some when they are changing mindset.  Rubbing the genies lamp will only work if you allow it.  My journey has had many blocks which needed unshifting.  Helping  others to see those blocks are there but we need to work around it to create the dream life and to be able to be who we want to be is a total dream.

More and more travel is planned.  My books are gaining popularity as I have dug deep within to realize the life of hard work and toil isn’t what I dreamed of as a child.  Writing since the early ages and being ‘that thing’ that I could do all day long is now my job!  A researcher in human nutrition has shown me how the science world has not quite caught up with my beliefs yet but it does see me on my way to a PhD in creative non-fiction writing as I continue to tell others their worth through my writing.   My story of health through nutrition is quite amazing as I showed the doctors I didn’t need medication or surgery for my Crohns disease as they suggested I did.  We are on the way to being financially free and this year sees a third retreat added to my portfolio in the beautiful Cornwall. 

Life is exciting.  I love being so happy.  Yet it’s been a journey.  It still is a journey. 

For those struggling with certain elements of the law of attraction, I understand.  These things take time and effort.  All in a good way.  And good things do happen, sometimes your belief sees you waiting a little while!

Magic and Bali

We believe in Magic on this blog don't we? Initially this blog was born from my love to share all things Law of Attraction.  Still I stand by that as I dream more and more of travel. My latest wanderlust dreams float in my mind to Bali.

Why? I don't even know. But I guess it's thanks to those over on instagram and watching beautifully bodied bikini ladies dipping a toe in a beautiful pool in a beautiful villa.  Buddha heads at the end of the pool. The call to yoga, meditation and healthy food.

Bali is ME.  I think.

Realising this dream I have been watching an amazing guy over on Youtube and seeing his fabulous videos, even supported him on Patreon.  Next thing you know, I'm contacted by Tui (an amazing travel company who I travel frequently with) and informed about them beginning to offer travel to Bali.  Wow....law of attraction in action.

Past travel to the Red Sea

Has this excited me beyond belief?  Yes! So my anxieties kick in and make me think that travelling to Asia for the first time ever would be quite amazing if I have the safety of booking with a reputable company. As opposed to booking a one way ticket. Perhaps I will have a long trip there and think about returning for 2 months with the villa, the buddha head and a coconut delivery guy!  I will do it! I definitely will!

Realising the dream as I spoke about in my last blog post (which went viral by the way, thank you) I'm more keen than ever to get myself that bloggers dream job of posting from abroad, creating IG beauties and informative Youtube videos about travel, food and keeping healthy abroad.

Want to help me? Of course I'm going to ask you to share this blog post for me but also how do you feel about clicking this link to look into booking your next holiday with Tui?  Should you click and book, you are going some way to supporting my efforts with this blog and all the online platforms I am determined to bring you over the coming months.

I'm off to dream of Bali one more time and why not let me know where you dream of visiting? Have to visited many exotic countries or gone travelling? What tips do you have for me?  Please let me have your comments!