Day one of holiday and it would have to fall on Fri 13th, but we took a chance,
everyone said you will be grand.
Yea
right...however we got through 15 hours travelling, flight delayed by 4 hours
left us sitting in Cork Airport which had the knock on effect when we arrived
in Las Palmas airport our transfer to hotel had closed up and gone home so
waited for the oldest bus on the island to take us all on a tour.
As is our
luck we were the last stop so we got our appt at 11.30pm everything shut so
were heading out to see if we can find a cow to milk for the cup of tea
scavenge few eggs and mushrooms for breakfast if we can find a hen house.
Will report
in later right now we have started our trek in the hotel bar so we will see how
it goes.
Day 2.
After a long
night searching for a cow to milk, we couldn’t find one and we looked in a lot
of bars and pubs in Puerto Rico. but I did find a fella who thought he knew
where I could get some eggs for the ould breakfast, hard to understand him the
language barrier was a problem his local rum and my southern comfort just
didn't gel.
However, we
worked it out using sign language. As I explained after, he danced like a
chicken in the bar, someone else tried to tell me he was trying to walk home
but I know the chicken dance when I see it.
Anyway, we
managed to find the henhouse I couldn’t tell because it was dark. But once we
got in, he was on all fours, so I followed suite didn't want to startle the
hens. As we crawled through the hen house, I was amazed even the henhouse here
in Gran Canaria had tiled floors.
We stumbled
around quite a bit just as well I was sober cause we seemed to be going around
in circles. Eventually he stopped crawling he made me wait outside the inner
door to the henhouse when I heard all sorts of screaming from behind me. This
woman roaring and shouting God help us she made some racket.
Anyway it
transpired it was her kitchen, the fool I was with obviously made a wrong turn
so I've been explaining all this to the local Garda but again he must be from
west Clare/ Galway as I can’t understand him at all, his Irish is very strange.
Anyway,
after Dee had a word with him I was let go with an official letter of
recommendation Dee says it's a warning but I know better, it's for helping my
guide to the henhouse out. God I'm starving but all I have is this pint to tide
me over
Day 3
I know I'm
24 hours late, but I had a small problem tele communication wise. Anyway, since
the other night Dee has been keeping an eye on me in case I get into trouble.
As if, like
I'm the most responsible person I know. Anyway, she spent Sunday morning
marching me round the island looking for a church for mass. We found several
interesting places which I intend visiting over next week. It transpires the
mass is exact same here as home with few small differences its warmer here,
it's also in Spanish but we managed to muddle through.
Afterwards
we spent day walking around and it was pretty hot so by time we got back to
complex I just wanted to throw myself in swimming pool. It was the perfect end
to the afternoon. When I saw the pool glistening in the sunlight looking so
clear blue and inviting, I lost it.
I dropped
the shopping, kicked off the sneakers and took off running across the tiled
pool area, around chairs, over sun loungers, like the wind, finished with a
perfect swan dive into the pool. "Look before you leap".... springs
to mind.... as I descended from my perfect arc towards the water only then I
noticed a red inflatable lie low with two young kids steering it across the
pool.
I landed
between them both in the middle, my unassuming 19 stone forcing the air out
either end and flipping two terrified kids about 8 feet skywards before gravity
took over and they returned to the pool. I didn't see any more as i was tangled
up in a burst inflatable at the bottom of the shallow end. I got myself
untangled and stood up to hear wailing, crying and screaming from two terrified
kids either end of the pool.
Seems they couldn’t
swim and were terrified of the water. Looking around at two sets of parents and
other patrons of the hotel pool all glaring at me was not pretty, once again
Dee managed to calm them down, thanks be to God, she has this amazing gift, in
all the excitement I had forgotten to take my phone out of my pocket before my
perfect 10 Olympic swan dive, and there it was, resting at the bottom of the
deep end, so I had to wait till everyone was gone before I could go back to
retrieve it and spent the evening with a hairdryer trying to dry it off hence
no post till now. Oh, the Joys of it.
Day 4 –
As you can
see from the photos attached it rained today. Typical, rain on my holiday, it's
not as if we don't get enough of it at home. Still was feeling a little
homesick so I didn't really mind. However, if this evening is anything to go
by, I might see it sooner than I had planned.
After
getting banned from the pool area at our apartment complex which also hosts the
complex bar. We now have travel out from complex to get few drinks in. Still don’t
know why, something to do with children using the pool for therapy sessions. To
be honest I didn't ask and tuned out while the hotel rep was talking about a
last chance or something.
Anyway that’s
the least of my problems, we headed out to very nice restaurant tonight,
herself all dressed up and looking great new dress, shoes, got the hair done
and all in hotel salon, and because of the rain all restaurants had their big
canopy's all open to provide shelter to patrons eating and dining out.
Great
concept but at home we have slates and tiles but here it's a little different
canvas striped roof on rollers they can wind in and out as needed. They now
come with electric motor which wind them in or out automatically. Great idea in
principle. But I think I found a little fault with the whole concept.
We got to
this restaurant herself had heard about, very nice and supposed to be the bees
knees when it comes to food etc and the hairdresser from hotel called and got
us a table even though it was booked out for a private party tonight.
Anyway,
while we were eating it rained all the time and I was wondering about the ould
canvas roof, would it hold up and keep us all dry. And it did, it was doing a
great job, even though I could see a huge inward bulge in the middle where the rainwater
had gathered. I was trying to be polite and mentioned to the owner of the
restaurant that it was a bang-up job. Now I did pour it on a bit thick as
herself had warned me to be on my best behaviour tonight.
He started
explaining about motors, how fast it closed, how strong it was, how much water
it could hold blah blah blah I lost interest but smiled and nodded politely all
the time than he mentioned how it was controlled by an app on his phone which
he started to show me before some waiter called him over to the main group of
tables.
They were
bringing out a cake to the party, a big cake too, 3 tiers high with candles on
it. The staff were gathered around the tables all singing happy birthday which
has the same tune in Spain as we do in Ireland. It was all wonderful.
His phone
rang it was still on our table I thought I would just turn off the call and hit
the button to hang up. He was right. The motors move fast on the roof, for no
sooner had I hit the red button on his phone all the canopies started to roll
up on themselves within seconds they were all closed up and the rain came
straight down on top of us all but what was a little worse was the several
hundred litres of water causing the bulge in the canvas all came down at once
right on top of the party guests.
I have to
say I noticed the candles were put out fairly fast on the cake, just before it
was washed off the table along with every plate, cup, glass, knife and fork and
every person at that table got a right soaking from the wall of water that came
crashing down.
Again, must
be a holiday thing but the screeching, screaming, shouting and roaring that
went on was pretty loud. I grabbed herself by the hand threw €50 on the table
to cover the starters we had and headed straight for the exit. Herself was not
best pleased, and to be honest neither was the owner of the restaurant, who was
running down the street after us, followed by a few of the party guests all
roaring and shouting
We made it
to the taxi rank and got a taxi back to the appt. Herself went straight to bed
locking the bedroom door so I'm just checking Facebook and my email and
checking my lotto numbers and I’m trying to figure out why everyone was
shouting at us this evening. Strange people these holiday makers........
Day 5
Well it's
been an uneventful day. Went on a shopping trip today. Must be a half day thing
here because as we walked through the shopping center places were closing as we
would get near and I noticed after we passed the opened up again, could have
been a fire drill thing.
Anyway, we
had some food and I got the eggs and milk for the ould breakfast. Funny thing I
saw a printed black and white A4 sized poster with a CCTV picture of a fella
who looked very like me, hanging on the wall beside the till in the supermarket
where I got the milk. Couldn’t read it as it was in Spanish. Even Dee remarked
on it.
We got back
to our apartment complex and the electronic key wouldn’t work to our door so we
went down to reception and there was a group of people all gathered around the
reception desk speaking in Spanish. There was a holiday rep there as well and
she took Dee to one side to have "a word"
It seems
that everyone was asking how long we were staying and checking to see if we
wanted to go to another part of the island while we were here. They even
offered to give us a hire car and upgrade our accommodation if we wanted to
move. I couldn’t believe how nice they were, all the group were from local
business and were checking to make sure we were ok. No wonder people love
staying here. They really do care and look after visitors. Board Failte could
learn a lesson.
But after
seeing this group of concerned local business people checking we were ok. I
assured them we were fine and because of their display of concern and
generosity in offering us upgrades etc we couldn’t possibly take them up on the
offer. Now in fairness they did protest and through the holiday rep, God bless
her, fluent in English and Spanish. She was relaying what I was saying to them
in Spanish several times I told them. No, that they should give it to a more
deserving couple, we were fine. This went on for about 20 minutes, but I
managed to convince them we were staying.
Sure, they
were so nice we couldn’t leave. They really do care; I could see how
disappointed they were when they were leaving. We got our key sorted and went
to our room and they had even packed our bags for us. They must have wanted to
surprise us. Sure, it only took a minute to unpack everything again but tell
you this they have just become my number 1 holiday choice from here on out.
Such wonderful people. I couldn’t recommend this place highly enough.
Day 6
Today was a
grand day indeed. We spent the day relaxing in the apartment sitting on the
balcony and taking in the sun, watching the world go by and just doing nothing.
Around six o’clock I had a shower and we got dressed up and went out for a meal
at the local centre
.
As soon as
we arrived at the centre, we were greeted by a security guard who told us he
would accompany us to our restaurant. I thought that was very nice of him, must
have had something to do with the visit from the local business community
yesterday who were making sure we were ok.
The meal was
lovely and even the staff at the restaurant were fantastic making sure we got
everything quickly and never left our side throughout the whole meal and when
we finished and asked for the bill the staff made sure we waited for the
security guard to walk with us to a few local bars and again we got the same
treatment there with staff members never leaving our side
When we did
leave the last bar and headed to the taxi rank, we found a taxi waiting door
open and another security guard holding a cue of people back. Not only that but
we had a police escort as well. Herself was feeling quite pleased with it all.
I now know how rock stars feel when going out in public. But here they have
taken into a whole new level. I'm loving this place.
Day 7
Strange day don’t
have much time to write must hand over my phone to local Guards shortly.
Anyway, long
story short we went diving today all looked good, something I wanted to try
with ages. Got on the boat I told em I knew how to dive, sure I've seen all the
movies, anyway herself went to hairdressers to straighten up her hair after the
restaurant the other night. So, I took off on a diving trip.
One thing to
remember when they tell you spit into your face mask; they have good reason. I
got into a diving suit took 2 people 10 minutes to squeeze me into it. And we
listened to all the instructions etc for diving.
Again, I was
not really listening, after instructions we all got in the water and started
the "dive" after few minutes my face mask got pretty fogged up so I
headed up to surface to take it off and clear it.
When I got
to the surface the lads in the boat pulled me in and they were talking Spanish
so didn't know what they were on about. But seems I was lucky as they were just
about to head off when they spotted me. Off we headed to another dive spot, as
the one we were at was pretty busy with several diving boats all scattered
around. The trip took about 10 minutes and we spent about an hour diving there,
it was great and after we finished and were back on board we headed back to
shore.
As we were
going into the harbour there was lots of activity on the dock and boats heading
out past us from what we could hear a diver from one of the other boats was
missing and they couldn’t find him. Tough break indeed and kind of spoiled the
day.
We got off
the boat and carried our gear up to the dive shop and handed it over to one of
the guys working there. When I handed in my suit and oxygen etc he looked kind
of puzzled.
He asked me
my name and I told him, and he said "no, not possible, your name not on my
list" I had a look and he was right I couldn’t find it either. He called
over his boss and they were both looking through the list, then he called out
to someone else in the shop.
Before I
knew it there were 5 or 6 people all around me talking in Spanish and asking me
where you from.
Ireland, I
replied
no no no
what boat did you go out on.
Sure, I had
no idea, so I told him,
"look
take the gear and let me go" I was in a hurry to collect herself from the
hairdressers.
Then one
fella said, "you English are all the same”.
Now I don’t
know what he meant but I was not having it. I replied
"hey,
you I am Irish not English" and he just said "same thing"
Now I won’t
go into it here but let's just say..... 800 years.... Irish people will understand.
So, things got a little heated, there was some pushing and shoving and before I
knew it the guards were involved and they asked me who was I and when I told
them.
They were
not happy at all. "You are here" said one guard. Now his logic was
spot on I couldn’t argue so I agreed
"Good
man, your spot on, I am here no wonder you’re a guard" whatever that had
to do with anything.
But just
like previously with the store assistant he called over his boss who in turn
called over another few and then and he called over some fella in a coastguard
uniform and then they all started shouting at me, the 5 guards the fella from
the coast guard the 5 from the shop and the bystanders who had all gathered
round. I tell you there wouldn’t be as many people at a first-round
championship game a home.
The only
thing I understood was the word idiot, which was thrown at me several times. before
I knew it I was bundled into a police car and hauled into a station interview
room. Which is where I am now.
It seems I
was the missing diver they were all out searching for.
It's not my
fault I was hauled into the wrong boat.
Not my fault
they didn't do a head count before going out to the other dive location.
Not my fault
at all and yet here I sit, in a garda station with a lot of unhappy people
staring at me through the door waiting for an interpreter.
All I can
think is herself won’t be too happy about this and for once, not my fault at
all.
Day 8
A very quiet
day considering I spent a large portion of last night answering questions about
my "Diving" experience. Anyway, as a result I was late to bed and had
a good lie in this morning. So, at the crack of 11.30am I got out of bed.
Herself was
not pleased, or at least I don’t think she was happy, the silence as she
plonked a cup of tea in front of me was fairly loud and she just gave me that
look which I have gotten in the past that simply says "I'm too angry to
talk to you now, but when we do talk, well, hold onto your hat cause it's going
to get windy" that look said it all.
She
announced we were going shopping to Mogan as she couldn’t show her face here in
Puerto Rico just yet. With that we got the ferry to Mogan both of us on the
same boat. We walked around the stalls and stopped for a bite to eat in
Dennehys Bar and Restaurant on the quayside in Mogan. We been doing that since
our first trip here 23 years ago, so it was traditional for us. We got the
ferry home again on the same boat.
Went to the
pool bar at our apartment, different staff on so they didn’t notice I was
barred, had some drinks well she had some drinks I had tea and we played some 8-ball
pool. I won first game but as the Pinacoladas went down her game got better. She
won next 3 games in a row.
We headed
back to our apartment only to find the electronic key wouldn’t work. I said I'd
go to reception and sort it out. She grabbed the key said " you stay here,
don’t move. I will sort this out.
As she
headed off, I thought to myself, whoever she meets better be able sort this out
quickly otherwise someone is going to get a good talking to.
Needless to say,
she was back to the door in no time at all and tried a new card key and it
worked. As I've said a relative quiet but enjoyable day overall. No drama to
report, anyway, why would there be, she’s with me and were on holidays.
Day 9 –
Ok here's
the thing, since I got here to start my holiday a few things have gotten a
little complicated over small or trivial misunderstandings. Sadly, this evening
is no different. However, in my defence herself didn't know anything about it
when she posted this evening about eating out and hoping I would behave.
What I
didn't tell her was we had no option but to eat out (as far away from the appt
complex as possible). Today the senior hurling team from Imokilly were playing
in the Cork Senior Hurling championship against another East Cork side,
Sarsfields. It was televised on RTE this evening at 6.45pm. We had been out all
day so my phone battery was running low, so I needed to charge it to watch the
game.
Not only
that but were on holidays so according to herself No GAA games for the 2 weeks.
It's ok to watch the rugby world cup but no hurling as I'm supposed to be on
holiday and getting away from GAA. I digress.
My main
problem was low battery and I couldn’t let her know I was watching the match
rather than taking her out etc. So, I came up with a plan which almost worked.
Step 1 I
sent her to beauty salon at apartment complex from 6.30 to 7.30.
Step 2 get
phone charged so I borrowed extension lead from pool bar
Step 3
headed up to our room and figured the balcony was my best option to watch match
and I could keep an eye out if she came back early at least I would have time
to turn off phone etc.
So far so
good, I set up an umbrella/ parasol on the balcony to shade the phone from
bright sunlight. I put phone on charge and logged in online to watch the game.
Imokilly were on top but I forgot about the time and at 7.15 I heard her at the
door to the apartment open. I grabbed the phone but got tangled up in extension
cord which was wrapped around umbrella/parasol leg. I tugged at phone while
trying to close balcony door at the same time. My arm got caught on the
extension lead and before I knew it the umbrella/ parasol was sailing off the
balcony. This was a setback but not a major problem.
What was a
problem however was where it landed? It sailed straight into the electric power
transformer for the whole apartment complex. 300 apartments, 2 bars and
reception area etc. I watched as the parasol sailed out and down from my
balcony and landed smack dab bang in middle of transformer which led to a brief
but very bright and colourful light show followed be a big bang in which the
parasol was burnt to a crisp but it had also shorted out all the electricity in
our area.
All of a sudden,
lights went off, the disco music from the pool bar went silent and I could hear
a lot of groans etc from the apartments around my own. Complete power failure.
I knew that
once they found the parasol and looked up to see which apartment was missing
one, I was going to be in trouble. so, I immediately swung down to the balcony
under ours, grabbed their parasol threw it up onto my balcony and climbed back
up as quick as I could preying I wouldn’t fall and that no one would see me.
I could hear
herself inside the apartment and I was no sooner sitting down in the sun chair
when she offered to make tea. Obviously, the kettle wouldn’t work. So, I just
said to her don’t worry we will go out. Grabbed her by the hand and headed out
the complex as fast as possible. All went well we had a lovely meal etc and
arrived back at apartment to find it in complete darkness. I'm saying nothing.
Just like everyone else I'm complaining about lack of power etc got to keep up appearances.
Oh, yea.
Imokilly won the match, well done to all the lads.
Day 10.
Our holiday
is almost done here, only few days left. It's been strange indeed but enjoyable
for the most part. Last night was another example of how a simple
misunderstanding can lead to problems throw in the language barrier and it can
get complicated.
Herself and
myself spent most of yesterday lounging around doing nothing and in the evening,
we headed out to the centre to get a nice meal and relax a little have a few
drinks and just chill. We picked a nice restaurant and had a wonderful meal.
When it was over, we had a few drinks nothing extreme and at different stages
one of us would use the toilet or select a dessert or go up and order tea
another drink etc and this is where our problem started.
We finished
our last drink and left the restaurant and walked around the centre a bit and
got a taxi back to our apartment and in the taxi I asked herself out of
curiosity what the bill came to for the restaurant, she shrugged her shoulders
and said " I've no idea, tell me what it was". I said to her “how
would I know; you paid the bill”.
She replied “No
you did”. That was when we realised neither of us had paid the bill.
We told the
taxi driver turn around and asked him to take us back to the restaurant and
explained to him why he just smiled and turned the car round and drove us back.
When we got to entrance nearest the restaurant, he pulled over I told herself
wait in taxi and I would go pay the bill.
I headed
into centre and went straight to the restaurant; I could see the owner and a
few people in uniform standing around chatting. As I got closer, he saw me and
grabbed the nearest uniformed guy turning him around and pointed at me. They
all turned around as one, saw me and started running at me.
4 big guys
in uniform running at me with them shouting stop I did what any normal person
would do. I stopped and before I knew it, I was hi tackled from behind I fell
to the ground before everyone landed on top of me. To say the wind was knocked
out of me is an understatement. I'm a pretty big guy and a little angry so I
was resisting the urge to start throwing guys off me, but one by one they got
off me and eventually arms grabbed me and hauled me to my feet.
All the time
I was saying "lads let me explain". They were standing round me
speaking in Spanish. To any onlooker it must have looked strange this tourist
surrounded and captured by local security guards.
The
restaurant owner had now arrived along with one or two waiters all shouting and
pointing in my direction. This went on for a few minutes when a civil guard arrived,
he quietened everyone down and spoke to me in English.
It seems you
left without paying your bill sir have you anything to say. I replied I was
coming back to pay it when I was jumped on. He looked sceptical until I explained
further, herself and our taxi driver would back me up.
It was a
strange sight I am sure this tourist being frog marched through the centre to
the entrance, held by the arms with security guards either side and two behind
with civil guard in front followed be owner and waiters all walking along in my
own little parade.
It was a
little embarrassing as well. Like I was under arrest and all the other tourists
watching this "bad man being taken away"
We got to
the entrance and found the taxi herself got out and God bless her she may not
be the tallest woman, but boy does she look 10 feet tall when she gets angry.
"What the hell have you done now", where her first words to me.
The civil
guard put out his hand saying, "excuse me are you with this man".
I think he
wished he never opened his mouth she said to him
"excuse
me I'm talking to my husband I'll deal with you in a minute".
She brushed
him to one side stood in front of me
"Well"
she said "what have you done now, speak up".
I was glad I
had security guards holding me up.
It took a
few minutes for her to restore order she got taxi driver to back up I was
returning to pay the bill and all of a sudden everyone was all smiles. I was
released and escorted to the taxi.
Herself was
in deep conversation with the civil guard explaining that this was a regular
thing when we went on holiday, for some reason it always happened that we ended
up explaining this to police officers the world over. I think he started to put
2 and 2 together.
He mentioned
diving, she nodded, he mentioned soaking patrons on restaurant, she nodded, he
mentioned collecting eggs in local apartment she nodded.
He expressed
his deepest commiseration and sympathise to herself and shook her hand before
opening the taxi door and helping her in.
As we drove away,
I could see him telling everyone what he had just learned. Needless to say, it
was a quite ride home and a quite night with no words spoken. I am in the doghouse
again and not sure why...
Day 11 –
well what
can I say another peaceful day here on holiday. Dee didn’t speak to me all day.
She was still blaming me for last night’s error.
Again, in my
defence I'm married to a wonderful lady but luck is not always on her side and
being the gentleman, I gladly accept the blame to avoid her feeling down. So, I
held my hands up and apologised once again.
So this
evening we went for a game of crazy golf and Dee won, she scored 87 and I only
scored 43. Still can’t figure how I lost I honestly thought scored better than her,
but Dees logic won out. In football and hurling whoever scores the most wins
based on that Dee won the crazy golf today.
Went for a
meal after did some shopping and headed back to apartment complex as I said a
nice quite relaxing day.
Day 12
Ok I've been
slow to put this up today considering all that's gone on last few days and it's
a little embarrassing to say the least. Where to start, at the beginning, I
guess.
Yesterday
was another nice day no drama at all. We found another crazy golf course and
decided on a rematch. It went well I scored 54 and Dee 85 and as yesterday she
claimed victory again. Afterwards we went for a meal and a few drinks and
headed home.
But it was a
nice evening, so we walked back to the apartment. Now anyone who knows Puerto
Rico knows its hilly and our appt was about halfway up the hill. However, there
is a shortcut up steps to a road that zig zag up the hill. We know of a gate on
a lower section of the road that goes into the apartment so that's where we
headed.
We got to
the gate which would save us another half hour walk if we had to go by road as
it meandered in a zig zag fashion, taking us away from the complex before
turning back on itself to bring you to the main entrance, only a couple hundred
metres from where we stood as the crow flies.
However, the
gate was locked, and we didn’t know the pass code so being the gentleman I am I
decided to climb the gate and use the latch on the inside to open the gate and
let herself in.
All was
going well I managed to get to the top of the 8ft fence and clambered over the
spikes on the top careful not to get cut or get injured. As I tried to get both
legs over the top I slipped and fell forward. My fall from the top of the fence
was halted somewhat as my shorts got snagged at the back, on one of the spikes.
So there I
was facing out from the gate stuck with my body weight forcing the shorts down
over the spike, my arms and legs free but I couldn’t turn around to push myself
up off the spike. I just hung there not able to move.
When Dee
finally stopped laughing, she asked was I all right. In a kind of high-pitched voice,
I replied I was stuck. This set her off again. Eventually she said she would
walk around the long way and get someone at reception to come and help me down.
I had no choice but to agree. She was gone for around 30 minutes in which time
I tried all sorts of things to wriggle free and all to no avail.
Eventually I
heard voices coming down the steps from the complex and Dee came into view with
a girl from the reception area holding a torch she shone it up as Dee said
"see,
there he is, the idiot just like I told you, can you get a ladder and we will
let him down."
The
receptionist said she would be right back just before she too burst out
laughing.
About 5
minutes later she returned with two of the staff who had a ladder between them.
They placed the ladder against the fence, and I was almost able to stand up but
my shorts were well and truly entangled. So after a few minutes trying in vain
one of them climbed the ladder and tried to help. It was not working, he
exchanged a few words with his workmates who answered "Si", and he
handed a pen knife up the ladder to his friend who without asking started
cutting through the waistband of the shorts.
All of a sudden,
I was free, but I was not prepared, and with nothing holding me I fell forward
off the ladder. I fell forward, right down on top of the poor receptionist who
screamed as we both went backwards into a shrubbery, I continued rolling till I
came to a stop against a low wall in an upside-down position
.
The lad on
the ladder jumped down to see if the receptionist was alright and they picked
her up. She was holding her eye where my knee had collided with her as I fell.
I got to my feet and was apologising to her when she just stormed off back up
the steps muttering in Spanish as she went. I don’t think it was complementary
as the two lads were uttering the same thing, then one of the turned and said
"why
you not use your door key"
I said it's
a card key he said "exactly' and came back down the steps.
"Key
please" he asked Dee, she handed it to him he opened the gate with the
latch and put the card under the keypad underneath the digital panel, a green
light came on and we could hear the latch click.
"Idiot"
was all he said as he walked past us up the steps.
Dee gave me
that all too familiar look and just turned and walked away. I was holding my cut-up
shorts around my waist as I followed her up to the room.
The
following morning, I went down to reception to see if I could find the poor
girl whom I had fallen on last night. She was not hard to spot, there were two
girls on reception however only one had a mother and father of a black eye. I
once again apologized to her she just nodded and said ok and went back to work.
Now every time I go through reception it gets kind of frosty, strange thing is
anywhere I go the staff all give me that look and it's not too friendly, just
as well were heading home shortly.
Day 13 –
strangely
enough nothing to report, another quite day. However, the night, not so, to be
honest we have not had a good night’s sleep since we got here for several
reasons. It's too hot, the snoring, the pillows or lack of them, people
arriving back from nightclubs outside in the corridor, etc. Actually, looking
back on that list it's almost the same as home except for it being too hot.
Anyway, last
night I was just nodding off when this group of crickets decided to set up camp
in our room. (Well it sounded like they were in the room).
I tried to
ignore it to no avail. It was 3am and everyone else was sleeping, including
herself beside me while I was getting acquainted quite well with sounds cricket
can make.
The longer I
lay there the louder they got, till I could hear nothing else every time I
closed my eyes. I was even beginning to differentiate between them coming to
the conclusion there was only three of them. However, I did start to settle
once a rhythm had been established and found myself drifting off.
All of a sudden,
I awoke something was wrong I listened and noticed a gap where cricket 2 was
supposed to be. It was all out of sync. Cricket 2 obviously got fed up and
headed home. Cricket 1 was working as normal and cricket 3 was answering him
but at uneven times throwing everything off. Distracting the living daylights
out of me.
Earlier on
when the full complement was going full tilt I was subconsciously adding
musical instruments and creating a kind of song in my head to which I was able
to drift off. As a musician this was almost like counting sheep.
But 2 was
gone and it all seemed a bit chaotic without him. So, I was left with 2
choices. Find cricket 2 and bring him back or find crockets 1 and 3 and get rid
of them. I figured finding cricket 2 was the easier option, only one of the
blighters to find. Folks that's what sleep depravity does to your thinking. I
actually thought it was a good idea at the time.
What no one
tells you is it's impossible to find a cricket in the dark, never mind finding
one who is not making noise at all. I had not thought that through, however
after forty minutes scrambling around on my hands and knees out on the balcony,
along the corridor, out in the green area in front of our apartments, climbing
the trees either side of the balcony I was no closer to finding any of the
little feckers.
By now I was
assuredly wide awake, so I decided to head back to the apartment. The door was
locked. There I was, 3.45am in the morning, in my shorts, nothing else, locked
outside the apartment. In my haste to track down the sound I forgot to take a
key with me I was just following where my ears were taking me. I gentle tapped
on the door to wake herself. Tapping louder and louder but with no luck.
Herself, for the first time since we got here, was sound asleep, out for the
count. I went down the stairs and out the front and looked up at our balcony to
see was there any way to climb in. I could I reckon make it if I climbed the
tree, I would have about a 5-foot gap to jump across but figured I could do that.
So, with
that plan in place I started climbing. Since I got here some things have gone
awry, but not this, I climbed the tree and leapt across landing perfectly on
the balcony. Delighted with myself I opened the balcony door and walked into
the apartment. I was still wide awake so decide to make a cup of tea, so I put
on the kettle and turned on the TV. I heard a noise in the bedroom, herself
would pick this time to wake, typical. She opened the door and stepped out.
It was not
herself. I had no idea who it was but then I realised I was not in my apartment.
There was only one thing to do, I turned, ran to the balcony and jumped as far
out as I could, landing on a few branches of the tree and fell to the ground. I
could hear roaring above me " stop thief" " help help"
before I gathered myself together and took off sprinting down the corridor till,
I got to the stairs.
I took them
two at a time, back along the corridor and got to my door and started banging
on it. This woke herself who opened the door and let me in.
"WTF is
going on?......
Where were
you?.......
What time is
it?....... She waited for my reply.
I was out of
breath, the silence that followed was broken from the room next door, your man
was still on the balcony roaring and shouting. Herself and myself walked out to
the balcony and she peered over the wall and asked your man what was wrong.
"We
been robbed, some fella was in our room just now he came out here and jumped
off the balcony"
By now
lights were coming on all over the complex people appeared at their balconies,
all asking what's going on? to which our man next door explained it all again
to anyone who asked.
Herself
turned to me" not a word from you"
she
whispered "get back in there" as she pushed me back into the apartment.
She asked
our neighbour "did you get a look at him?"
to which he
replied "not really, I didn’t have my glasses on, all I saw was a shape of
a man as he ran out of the apartment"
Well at
least that was in my favour. She came back into the apartment and I spent the
next hour explaining several times what went on. She went into the bedroom and
came out with a pillow and blanket threw them on the couch.
"You
sleep there, do not leave the apartment, we will talk in the morning" I
knew she meant she would talk in the morning and I would listen.
Things began
to settle down and eventually everyone retreated to their rooms and silence
descended once more on the complex. I lay down on the sofa made myself
comfortable and was just drifting off when the crickets started their sing song
again, all three of them...........
Day 14,15
& 16
Well what
can I say my holiday is officially over and on the way home there was a slight
hiccup. So, this post is a few days later than anticipated, so sorry about
that.
Our final
day was a very nice day we had breakfast as normal and then I met up with my
uncle and aunt for a few drinks and an evening meal. For once this went well
nothing untoward happened, we listened to some music and chatted catching up on
family news and all that goes with it. We headed back to our apartment with no
drama at all and the following morning we packed up everything and checked out.
We had some
time to kill before our flights, so we met Anne & Martin for a cup of tea,
again no drama. We had left our luggage in the reception at the apartment complex,
so we headed back to collect it and await our pickup for the airport.
When we got
back to the complex there was a crowd in the reception area all smiling and happy,
I even saw a few with glasses of wine or something and everyone seemed to be
celebrating. One person came over to us as soon as he saw us and extended his
hand saying
"Sir we
believe you’re going home, is this true"
I replied, “Yes
we are heading home today”.
He turned to
the group of people and said
"It’s
true he is leaving the island today" to which the large crowed started
clapping and cheering.
"How
are you getting to the airport" he asked and I told him we were waiting
for a bus to transfer us to the airport.
"No,
No, No,", he replied, we will deliver you in person ourselves, right now,
to make sure you get to the airport, come with me please" and he grabbed
our suitcase and headed out to a large car.
We had no
choice but to follow him and as we sat into the car the crowd had moved out
onto the roadside all waving and cheering, I swore I even saw some of them
crying. I turned to Dee and remarked that the people on this Island are simply
amazing see how they treat visitors, so warm and kind and with true feelings,
none of that plastic smiles or insincere words here, straight from the heart. I
am getting emotional even thinking about it now.
We got to
the airport and it seems that our driver was one of the local politicians who
had arranged everything, we were whisked straight through security, no que, into
a V.I.P waiting area, we even had a security guard standing at the door to make
sure no one disturbed us or got in, simply amazing and when Dee mentioned that
she wanted to get some duty free items they insisted we stay in the room and
they would have it brought to us, so nice these people.
Eventually
our flight was called and once again we were whisked out onto the tarmac with
great speed, we had a bus to take us to the plane all to ourselves, even the
security guard came with us and he was joined by four more, who all stood
around the bus making sure we were ok. We were first onto the plane and the
security guards all took positions at each door on the plane until everyone was
aboard and they only got off when the stewardess went to close the doors. The
captain came on the intercom, welcoming us all on board and said there was a
delay and we would be sitting on the tarmac for another 40 minutes.
About 2
seconds later he came back on the intercom to announce that strangely enough we
were actually pushed up in the departure schedule and would be leaving straight
away.
With that we
took off and I slept for most of the flight home finally we arrived in Cork and
we got off the plane. We did have a problem at immigration desk where the guard
went over my passport several times saying
"your
home, I heard you had a good holiday, we had a few calls from Spanish police
asking about you and Interpol were on checking out that you were who you said
you were, so were just making a final check before we allow you through".
After a few
minutes another senior officer came down to the desk and escorted us through
customs and out onto the arrivals area.
All in all,
I can only say Puerto Rico we will be back, you have impressed me and herself
no end, you took care of us and made sure we got home safely. I loved every
minute of our holiday and despite a few small setbacks here and there it was a
great trip. I would highly recommend Puerto Rico in Gran Canaria to anyone
No comments:
Post a Comment