Club Vista Serena

Self Catering versus All Inclusive

2008-06-06T11:25:00.011+01:00

It’s decision time again. You’ve chosen the destination and the dates, all that’s left it the accommodation. What do you go for? Self Catering are All-Inclusive?
Since I work on a self catering resort of apartments, and I’ve only ever been to an All-Inclusive hotel once in my life (it was a 2 night stay, and I didn’t particularly enjoy it very much), I think my view is a little biased so instead of using this as a marketing technique to try and convince you that the Club Vista Serena self catering apartments are the best, I’m going to try and be as neutral as I can and let you decide. However, if after reading this, you get the sudden urge to make a booking with us, just click on one of the links to the booking or enquiry page on our website http://www.clubvistaserena.com/, and get in touch LOL :-)

Self Catering PROS

Most flexible type of holiday, you can eat and sleep when you want and are not forced into leaving your accommodation at set times of the day.
A greater degree of freedom and control over your location, holiday type, accommodation and budget.
Self-catering generally gives you more space and privacy
Preparing your own food means that you can fit in with your family's likes and dislikes.
During a week’s holiday, dining in, rather than going to restaurants for every meal translates into a huge savings on food alone.
In addition to a fully equipped kitchen with microwave, refrigerator-freezer, dishwasher etc, the holiday property may have a washing machine and dryer.
A personal touch – in small, self catering resorts, you’re a person, rather than a room number

Self Catering CONS

Preparing your own food also means that you are unlikely to get a break from the cooking and washing-up
If you decide to eat out each evening, this may make things a little more expensive
If you are in a very rural location, you may find lack of facilities nearby hard to deal with

All Inclusive PROS

You don’t have to worry about the price of food and drink
If you have kids, an all-inclusive holiday may be the most economical solution
You don’t have the hassle of trying to find somewhere to eat each night
Once the holiday is paid for, that’s it, you need very little spending money

All Inclusive CONS

It can get a bit claustrophobic as you tend to stay on-site during all of your stay to “get your moneys worth”.
Restricted meal times. Even if you feel like a lay in, you can’t because you’ve got to get up for breakfast – you’ve paid for it after all!
You tend to stay in the holiday complex and not explore the area. Most of these complexes are owned by large companies, so little money goes out to the local economy.
If you go all-inclusive, you’ll miss out on Club Vista Serena :-)

The decision is yours!……….Click on the title of the blog to leave us a comment at the bottom of the page!

Canarian Festivity

2008-06-03T08:30:00.010+01:00

Buenos días a todos,
Last Friday 30th May, was bank holiday here in Gran Canarian. Why? Becuase it was the "Canarian Day" It is bank holiday in all of the seven Canarian islands. Each of them used to dress different, each of them has its own identity, but still they're just "one".

In this day there are a lot of things going on. We have "romerías" everywhere.

These are like parades where people dressed up in an old style, like Canarians used to do many many years ago.

The people who work in the agriculture bring their best things to offer to the Virgin.

Then there events going on.

Folk things are being represented everywhere. Different dance styles, live folk music, and old games from children.

It is a nice day, but.... to tell you the truth, this day it is just an excuse for people to get drunk and party all day and night long.

Here is Vista Serena, the staff also decided to live their own "Canarian Day" and they dressed up to work. Have a look to this picture.... don't they look cute? :-) hihihi

Why don't you book for next year and join us for the Canarian 30th of May 2009? We always have special offers for this time. Experience all the magic of going back in time and find more of our culture!

Have a good week. Hasta la vista.

Ruth

30 de Mayo, Día de Canarias

2008-05-28T15:58:00.002+01:00

Hola a tod@s,

Estoy de vuelta. Ya lo sé , hace muchisimo tiempo que no me he puesto en el blog. Pues yo estaba 3 semanas de baja (por dolores faciales y que sigo teniendo hasta que me arreglan toda mi boca).

El viernes libraré (un fin de semana larga). El 30 de mayo es el Día de Canarias, y también el día de San Fernando (el pueblo donde nació mi marido). Así que el viernes estaré en la fiesta vestida de canaria. Allí se celebrará el gran asadero popular de pescado, con gofio y papas arrugadas, amenizado por parrandas y la Banda de Agaete. Iré con mis amig@s, a nosotros no nos gusta hacer cola durante 2 horas para obtener un platito de pescado o una cerveza, así que nosotros llevamos nuestra propia comida (ensaladilla rusa, tortilla de papas, papas arrugadas y toda la bebida) y haremos nuestra barbacoa. El sábado pasado fue la Romería, eso si que era bonita, todas las carrozas con comida para entregar a la iglesia y la gente vestido típico de canarias. Entre cada carroza había un grupo de músicos. En la nuestra iba 200 personas, cantando, riéndose, bebiendo y comiendo. Después de la ofrenda seguimos la fiesta hasta las 3 de la mañana .....

Anja

Club Vista Serena MEMBER OFFER!!

2008-05-28T13:06:00.001+01:00

Are you a Member of Club Vista Serena?

Are you still undecided about where you'll be spending your Summer Holidays? If you are...why not COME AND STAY WITH US!

From July to September rent with us for MAINTENANCE FEE PRICE
JUST 399€ for one weeks accommodation

Places at this price are limited…so make your booking NOW!
Contact Ruth by email: VSERENA@telefonica.net

Or, give her a ring on 0034 928 762336

HOPE TO SEE YOU HERE WITH US AGAIN SOON!

Children Things

2008-05-27T09:11:00.003+01:00

Buenos días a todos,
Today I thought I would post some comments of children. This is how these little felows see the world... hope you enjoy.

"While driving my five-year-old daughter to school one morning there was a commercial on the radio for an area church. At the end they gave out their phone number and my daughter got all excited and shouted, "I didn't know Jesus had a number." She is now nine and I still get a big kick out of it."
"One morning, my three-year-old son, Christopher, got up very early while I was getting ready for work. My husband was still in bed as well as our three-month-old son. I kept telling Christopher to be quiet or he would wake them up. I reached into a cabinet to get his plate and glass, and accidentally dropped a plastic bowl on the counter. It made a very loud noise and Christopher said to me, "Is that being quiet?" I couldn't say anything for a minute because I was trying not to laugh, and he said it again!"
"When my cousin Joe was about three years old, he was with his mom at his Grandpa's house. His grandpa is an opera singer and was getting into his tux for a big event. Joe's mom said "When Grandpa comes out, tell him he looks smashing!" When his grandpa came out he looked at him and said, "Grandpa, you look all squashed up!" His mom burst out laughing while her dad sat there confused.
"My middle son, who was three and a half, was wrestling with Dada, my father. Dada was sitting on the floor against the couch while my son attacked him from the top of the couch. After a few minutes my son stopped and started looking at the back of Dada's head and asked, "Dada, did you get your hair cut?" My father was a little confused and answered, "Why do you ask?"My son looked up and declared, "Because Dada, they cut too much off. There is a lot of skin showing back here!"
"One day, my daughter and I were at a restaurant. She wanted her favorite food which was grilled cheese. As the waitress was leaving, my daughter turned to me and asked, "Mom, why do they only make 'girl' cheese? Why don't they make 'boy' cheese?" The waitress and I could not stop laughing.
"It was time to take medicine and as usual my daughter was against it. As I put the medicine to her lips, she covered her mouth with her arm and yelled, "No Mommy it's my mouth!" I was laughing too hard to give her the medicine after that."
"We are Canadian and my 20-month-old son loves to sing "Oh Canada" (the national anthem). One day he heard someone say, "Oh crap" and for some reason he must have thought the two were related, because for the rest of the day he sang, "Oh Can-A-Crap!"

Hasta la vista!

Ruth

I'm still in the mood for poems...

2008-05-17T16:25:00.003+01:00

Here's another poem...LIFE'S TOO SHORT

by Simon Hayes

Life's too short for arguments,
And playing silly games.
Complaining, swearing, cursing people,
Calling people names.

The world has no patience,
For insolent, arrogant fools.
Anyone who is disobedient,
Or doesn't play by the rules.

What goes around, comes around,
I'm sure that's how it goes.
Remember that when someone,
Is really getting up your nose.

'Cause life's too short for arguments,
And playing silly games.
There is no need to bicker,
And shoot everyone down in flames.

HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

A little poem...

2008-05-16T13:15:00.003+01:00

Just a little something to reflect my mood this week... :-)

Some folks are never happy,
They always have complaints,
I'm glad that I'm not one of them,
Although I'm not a saint.

I listen to them daily,
They ask for my advice,
I tell them once, the way it is,
And then they argue twice.

They have such negativity,
Or is it just a game,
To see if they can get to me,
And drive me quite insane?

It's like an epidemic,
That doesn't have a cure,
This sickness spreads like wildfire,
Of that you can be sure.

When one complains to someone else,
It sets them all on edge,
That person meets somebody else,
And this complaining spreads.

Now here I am, the guilty one,
Complaining in this rhyme,
I'm guilty of a greater charge,
Committing this same crime.

By David Ronald Bruce Pekrul

Raving Reviews!!!

2008-05-14T15:17:00.003+01:00

Take a look at just a few of our reviews that I've just found on the Internet:

"We've stayed at Club Vista Serena twice and loved it both times. Apartments are well equipped and spacious and have either a balcony or terrace where you can sit out and enjoy the Canarian sunshine. Whole resort is very clean, pool area never feels overcrowded, all in all a relaxing place to stay. Resort is located near other self catering resorts about 5 minutes drive to Meloneras where there's a great selection of restaurants to choose from. Pool bar also serves wide selection of cheap food which they'll even deliver to your apartment for you to enjoy on your balcony.Staff are very friendly and welcoming and always happy to help."

"The Club Vista Serena is a small but very friendly resort. The staff are extremely helpful and go out of their way to make your stay a pleasant one.The resort is small and quite intimate however it is set out in a way to still give you privacy if you want it.The pool is large enough to cope however there are plenty of loungers with shade umbrellas for everyone although some people still think it is the done thing to reserve loungers (wish these folk would just stay at home!).The rooms are of a good size and have everything you need. Not that you should cook much as there are some very good restaurants including the pool bar restaurant which served excellent food and at great prices.The Club Vista Serena is in a quiet location however well within walking distance of bars/restaurants and please make sure you use the local taxis as they are the cheapest I have ever known.All in all an excellent quiet friendly resort."
"This was our 2nd visit and we came back to exactly the same apartment overlooking the pool. We have 2 young children under 4 and the resort offered us the perfect place to relax. Our apartment balcony overlooked the baby pool and made for really easy entertainment - sun loungers for us, splashing about for the kids. Staff are all lovely, the place is beautifully cared for and landscaped, renovations are constantly underway and it feels small, safe and easy. Certainly a cut above the surrounding apartment complexes. The small reception shop is open 24hrs a day and makes life very convenient."
"We have just returned from this resort it was excellent clean and friendly. If you want kids entertainment then this is probably not the place for you. The pool bar offers good basic food but we had a car and went out and about. The apartment was well equipped and the only ones I would not go for are the ones behind the pool bar numbers 1-4. These have no view and get cooking smells I guess. The staff were on 24 hours and so the place felt secure. The cleaning was frequent and the apartments have plenty of storage and good sized balconies. We had an excellent holiday and I am surprised that the island has so much to offer as well as excellent weather."
"Having read the various reports and widely ranging views I did wonder what to expect when we arrived. We found a small, quiet, clean resort. The apartments are small but well equipped. Note that satellite TV consists only of Eurosport and Sky News, no Sky Sports channels. The pool bar seemed popular although we didn't eat there and drinks were reasonably priced. Faro II shopping centre, a short walk away, isn't fantastic for shops or Restaurants although we had a lovely meal at Michel Angelo Restaurant. Give the Mexican Restaurant a miss - that was poor. Very good facilities on last day if you have a late flight - check out 11am, luggage room and courtesy showers/towels. They work very hard at keeping you entertained - probably 3 star+."
"My partner and I spent an excellent week in this recently re-furbished resort. Though the resort is small, the apartments are superbly equipped and maintained to a high standard. The main pool is a good size for swimming and the children's pool perfect for them. Both of these and the surrounding area were thoroughly cleaned every day and this included removing all sun beds and washing down the area. (Plenty of sun beds - no need to 'towel nab'!) Small, friendly restaurant offering a good choice.The 'Faro 2' complex of shops and restaurants is only a short walk away, as is the new entertainment complex; lots of attractions nearby. Taxis are cheap for those who want to venture further a field, e.g. Playa del Ingles or Maspalomas. The little shop is "open all hours" - literally, being manned by the Reception staff - excellent if you arrive off a late flight. All staff are keen to please and any requests are dealt with quickly and cheerfully.Perfect resort if you'd like to be out of the buzz, but within striking distance of the busier areas. Peace, perfect peace at nights too!"
"Myself and my husband stayed at the Vista Serena this Christmas and it was excellent. The accommodation was well equipped and very clean. The service we received from the staff was friendly and efficient. We have already booked to go again next Christmas."
"Very nice friendly apartments, in excellent condition, very clean & well equipped. Heated pool that really was heated & plenty of sun loungers. These apartments are in a nice quiet area but with regular buses stopping nearby to take you to the resort centre; I rented a car & would recommend doing so for convenience if you are staying in Club Vista Serena. The reception & well stocked shop is open 24/7, prices in the shop are good & the reception is very friendly. A well stocked library of DVDs that can be selected in reception to be played in the rooms, along with a good few English channels on the TV. I would recommend these apartments & will be returning as soon as possible."

So...what are you waiting for...BOOK NOW :-)

We'll be here waiting to greet you!

Things aren't always what they seem

2008-05-12T14:41:00.002+01:00

Buenas tardes a todos,
I hope you had a good weekend; here the weather is getting warmer and warmer and people are enjoying their stay here.
Today I'm giving you a nice story to think about it. Hopoe you enjoy it as much as I did.

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family.The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room. Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement.As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied,'Things aren't always what they seem.'The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field.The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel how could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him, he accused.The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die. 'Things aren't always what they seem,' the older angel replied.'When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall.Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it.''Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead.Things aren't always what they seem.' Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every out come is always to your advantage. You just might not know it until some time later...

I think it is a nice story to begin the week with.

Ruth

Gay Pride Maspalomas 2008 05/05/08-11/05/08!

2008-05-07T13:29:00.002+01:00

For anyone who is interested here's a preliminary programme of events that will take place for the rest of the week:

Wednesday 7th May

1pm - 6.30pm: Pride Opening Pool Party at Club Mancha. International DJ's, Mr Gay Gran Canaria and surprise acts. Entrance Fee €15
9.30pm - 11.30pm: Interactive Film Show at Hard Rock Cafe. Rocky Horror Picture Show. Entrance €10
1am - 7am: Pride Opening Ball at Heaven. Entrance €10

Thursday 8th May

9pm - 11pm: HIV/AIDS Benefit Concert in aid of Amigos Contra el SIDA. Main stage in Yumbo. Entrance Free

Friday 9th May

9pm - 11pm: GLAY Gala Show. Spectacular show sponsored by GLAY members. Main stage, Yumbo. Entrance Free

Saturday 10th May

3.30pm - 4pm: Guiness Book of Records World Record attempt. Drag Chorus Line. Avendia de Tirajana
4pm - 6pm: Pride Street Parade finishing on the Avenida EE:UU above the Yumbo
6pm - 8.30pm: Dance Session on the Avenida EE:UU above the Yumbo. Entrance Free
9pm - 11.30pm: Pride GALA show. International stars and more on the main stage in Yumbo. Entrance Free. Artists: The Weather Girls, Pete Burns (Dead or Alive), The cast of the Spanish Fame Academy, Rafa Mendez, Bearforce 1 & Kym Mazelle

Sunday 11th May

5pm - 9pm: Pride closing party. Main Square Yumbo Centre. Entrance Free
7.30 - Late: Vegas Legends Dinner Show at the Black and Red Casino, Meloneras. Entrance €49.50 (you will need to be at the Casino no later than 7.15pm)

A Ticket Office will be located in the Yumbo, open mid afternoon to late evening.

FIRES IN THE CANARIES

2008-04-29T09:22:00.006+01:00

Good morning folks,
Today, unfortunately, I have to star this blog my giving a sad news; last Saturday a fire started in La Gomera, one of the seven canary islands. More than 500 people have been evacuated and around 700 hectares have been burnt since then. Firemen from different islands have gone to help in this huge fire also because it is very near to the "Garajonay National Park" one of the beauties of this island.
Here you have some official information I got from the net:

An Interior Ministry spokesman said the fires were burning at three points in the north of the Spanish island that lies off the northwest coast of Africa. The towns of Vallehermoso, Hermigua and Agulo have been affected and several people were treated for smoke inhalation. So far more than 500 hectares (1,236 acres) have burned and residents were evacuated from their homes Saturday night as a precaution, the spokesman told The Associated Press.
Firefighting aircraft have arrived from the Spanish mainland to try to protect Garajonay national park, just south of the fires, the spokesman said on condition of anonymity in keeping with government rules.
More than 120 army specialists have joined firefighters who are using planes, helicopters and fire trucks to combat the flames in hot, windy weather conditions, the spokesman said. The 3,986 hectare (9,850 acre) Garajonay park is protected because it is the last remaining Tertiary Period habitat to survive in Europe, the Environment Ministry says on its Web site.
Climate change during the Quaternary Period caused the disappearance of other similar ecosystems, the ministry said.
The Tertiary Period began 65 million years ago and lasted until 1.8 million years ago when the Quaternary, or present period began.
Spain announced aid and tax breaks for the islands last August following the worst fires there in 50 years.

53 year old man from Hermigua has been arrested accused of causing a forest fire that has destroyed around 800 hectares close to the Garajonay national park. The blaze, which is almost now under control, is alleged to have been started accidentally as the detained man was burning stubble on his farm in Ibo Alfaro.

Let's hope this will end soon and that will not go further to the park.

Ruth

For all women out there :-)

2008-04-25T13:33:00.002+01:00

Buenas tardes a todos,
This is something a very special person sent me and I thought I would share it with you.
Maybe it could help some men to understand us women :-)
Here it goes;

WHY WOMEN CRY

A little boy asked his mother, 'Why are you crying?'
'Because I'm a woman,' she told him.'I don't understand,' he said.
His Mom just hugged him and said, 'And you never will.'
Later the little boy asked his father, 'Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?'
'All women cry for no reason,' was all his dad could say.
The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry.
Finally he put in a call to God.
When God got on the phone, he asked, 'God, why do women cry so easily?'
God said:'When I made the woman she had to be special.I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world,
Yet gentle enough to give comfortI gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children.
I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue with out complaining.
I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly.
I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart.
I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly.
And finally, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed.'
'You see my son,' said God, 'the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides.'

Have a good weekend!

Ruth

2008-04-21T11:26:00.003+01:00

Hola a todos,
¿Qué tal va?
I'm sorry I haven't written for a while. Actually,when it is my turn to write I think; 'I'll do it now, I'll do it later? but then I have so many different things to do that I forget or do not have time enough, as Anja said in one of her posts, we do here a bit of everything and now that María is on holiday I have been busier.
When I began to work here, almost 5 years ago, I began in the reception and also doing reservations, I liked that department becuase you got to know the people and have a chat with them. The worth part was the schedule, had to work all weekends and never had a day off together with my husband. After a while I began to work in the office, where I still am. I do reserrvations, members service, I deal with the cashes in reception, also deal with the banks about the exchange of money, I do minimarket, like the shopping, new product etc, though here I have a wonderful help in María. But, María is gone on holiday now, so besides all my work, I'm covering reception a couple of days in the week, so as you see, I have too many things in my head and, MEA CULPA, forgot to write this blog :-)
I like my job, after being here so long I have gotten to meet a lot of clients, who, repeat every year, some of them has become friends and some of them have become more than that, like the Schofield family, I call them my second English family :-)(I also have my aunt in England and my cousin, his wife and children, though he is now in Afganistan).
As you see, this place is nice to work at, the collegues are very nice and we all help each other in what we can.
To sum up, let me tell you this is a wonderful place to be. You do not believe me?
Whay don't you come and experience it by yourself?

Ruth

Por fin

2008-04-18T16:18:00.004+01:00

Hola soy Anja del departamento de marketing. Vi que todos los blogs estan escritos en Ingles y pensé ¿Que pasa con nuestra clientela Española? Antes de todo quiero deciros que soy Belga y que mas de un fallo gramatical encontrarás en el texto. Yo aprendi a hablar y escribir el Español aqui en Gran Canaria con 23 años, sin tomar ningún cursillo. Ya se lo imaginarán, pues si, vine de vacaciones y me enamoré y desde entonces estoy aqui en la isla. Y para decir la verdad me gusta mucho el estilo de vida de aqui. Creo que no puedo adaptarme otra vez a la vida en Bélgica y sobre todo al clima. La última vez que fui a visitar mi familia, era en el mes de agosto y pasé frio. Lo que si echo de menos son los jardines y bosques. Aqui tener una casa con jardin cuesta bastante dinero. Pero tengo mi terraza en casa y durante casi el año disfruto de ella. Mi marido se llama Ramón y ya estamos 17 años juntos. Tenemos 3 hijos, los mellisos Emilia y Tomás de 14 años y el pequeño Iker de 4 años. De tanto decirle la gente "Iker Casillas" el esta muy confundido. En el colegio tenían que decir los niños sus appellidos y va Iker y dice: "Me llamo Iker Casillas Santana Vanderhoeven". Llevo trabajando 4 años en Vista Serena en el departamento de marketing y me gusta mucho. No hay tiempo para aburrirse, no solo es estar detras del ordenador y sacar estadísticas, pero también el contacto con los clientes. Pongo anuncios en internet, hago estudios sobre el mercado turístico, contesto a las peticiones de los interesados, hago las reservas de internet, mando las confirmaciones, intento de vistar a mis huéspedes, también ayudo en las reformas que hacemos, pedir presupuestos, hacer el pedido, control de los trabajos realizados, inventario, etc. Aqui hay que saber hacer de todo. A veces tengo que cubrir la recepción por un ratito, cobrar a la gente que compra en el minimercado, enseñar un apartamento a un interesado. Ya veis un trabajo con mucha variedad y lo más importante es que tengo unos colegas estupendos, nos llevamos muy bien.

La próxima semana os contaré mas cositas.

Buen fin de semana,

Anja

P.S. en la foto mi marido y yo (en chandal gris) en nuestra fiesta de cumpleaños

2008-04-14T15:36:00.004+01:00

I am happy because Rachel is back. No I have somebody to talk to. Our office is down the stairs and has no windows, no views at all. Without air conditioning in Summer it is impossible to work. I call the office my cave, although there is a difference with a real cave. Have you ever stayed in a cave? Friends have a cave in the north of the island, and we have been there with them several times. If you do not know the exact location of the cave, you will not find it. When I entered the first time I was really surprised. The cave has a sitting area, a kitchen, a bathroom and several bedrooms. Electricity, telephone and television. On entering in one room you had to pay attention to the ceiling, believe me it really hurts when you get a rocky ceiling on your head. When it is cold outside in the cave it is warm, and when it is warm outside in the cave it is cool. In Summer I like to sleep in the cave, I have to cover me with a blanket. You really get cold if you do not use a blanket and do not forget to wear shoes or socks, because the floor is really cold. My children like to go to the cave, because they can play hide and seek, also if they are noisy it doesn ´t matter because of the rocky walls. I think I am going to call my firends, to see when we can go again...

Did you miss me???

2008-04-09T10:17:00.013+01:00

I'm back from Ecuador!!! I arrived back on Monday around 2pm, after nearly 20 hours of travelling!

It was definitely an experience, and I'm glad that I went. Ecuador is a very small country compared to the other South American countries, but it has a bit of everything.

We spent the first week in the city of Guayaquil. Guayaquil is a built up city with lots of buildings, cars, people, and businesses.

There are some very nice parts to the city, such as the Malecón 2000. Malecón 2000 is the jewel in the crown of Guayaquil which is solely for pedestrians, and has been constructed over the Guayas River. Safe, protected and guarded by the police force, this waterfront is home to lots of cafés, bars, monuments and a string of shops including a shopping mall (Centro Comercial Malecon).

However, there are other things that this city holds that aren't so nice. Being from a developed country, I don't think I was quite as prepared as I thought I was to see such poverty. I'm not used to seeing kids selling whatever they can, whether it be chewing gum, bottles of water, or cigarettes, just to make a bit of money. I wasn't prepared for the feeling of insecurity whilst walking around in the town either, and the distribution of wealth over there seemed more unfair then ever. But the people I spent my time with were lovely. They really went out of their way to make sure that I had everything that I needed.

The second week we spent in the town of Riobamba. We caught a plane to the capital city of Quito, and then it was a 3 hour drive from Quito to Riobamba. Riobamba is the capital of Chimborazo Province in central Ecuador, which is located at the Chambo River Valley of the Andes. It is 200 km (125 miles) south of Ecuador's capital Quito and located at 9,000 feet (2,700 m) on the Avenue of the Volcanoes. The city is surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, and while sitting at the foot of the volcano Chimborazo, you can get the world’s highest view from the center of the Earth. This town was definitely something different to Guayaquil. It had a more laid back air to it all, not as hectic as the city, and I seemed to be more at ease security wise. The surrounding mountains and volcanoes with their snowy tops were beautiful, and we were well taken care of during our stay there.

One thing that I couldn't get used to though during my stay in Ecuador was the food :-( I just couldn't stomach it. I can't quite explain why, but the taste just wasn't for me. The fruit that was available was amazing, and the fruit juices they prepare are lovely, but I'm afraid that was as about as far as I went. I tried a bit of everything, but I have to admit to you all, on the last 2 days I snook out and had a McDonalds (something I haven't eaten for years!), and I also found a TGI Fridays restaurant and pigged out on a huuuuge hamburger and chips. Sorry!

All in all, I had a good experience in Ecuador, but it made me realise how lucky we are to live where we do, afterall, could you survive earning just £100 a month???

The Celebration Bar

2008-04-01T13:57:00.004+01:00

I guess not a many of you know that the bar/restaurant here at the resort is called Celebration Bar. Today Miguel left after more than 4 years working here. Now the bar/restaurant is ran under the supervision of Ramón and waiter Diego. This morning it was a real chaos. The girls started at 7 o´clock in the morning to clean the bar and kitchen. Ramón came at 9 to see how to prepare everything, because they had to open at 12.00 hours. You can imagine it is a lot of work without having anything. All the providers had to come before 12, and at 11.45 the beverage provider had not come yet ... And as we want to deliver a good service we had announced that beverages from 12 till 20.00 hours are at half price. You can imaging the bar staff was nervous when at 12 there still was no beverage at all..... But lucky 15 minutes later the provider arrived. For the next couple of days the bar will be opened from 12 till 20.00 hours, until it is completely running as it should be. I am getting thirsty, I think I go to have a drink at the bar at HALF PRICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anja

Weekend plans

2008-03-28T17:41:00.004+01:00

Oeps ... I forgot it was my turn today. I still have 10 minutes left before I go home. If everything is in order I will take the children to play bowling tonight. Normally if I make plans something comes between it... Tomorrow noon I will have to go to La Garita, to my friends house. It is just before Las Palmas, next to the hypermarket Al Campo and DIY-shop Leroy Merlin a 30 minutes drive away. My friends father will celebrate his birthday, and will prepare Sancocho and goat meat (cabra). My friend called me this morning and I have to go (you see they never let me make plans). I did not make plans for Sunday, but I am sure that my friends will organize my day.....

Have a nice weekend.

Anja

My mini holidays and Sancocho

2008-03-25T13:01:00.005+01:00

Hello, I am back. It is me Anja. I was off during 4 days for the Easter Holidays. This time I was lucky, Ruth came on Saturday to work, so I could really relax. THANK YOU RUTH !!! I rented a bungalow in Playa del Ingles, and was there with my family. Watching my youngest son (Iker)running in the garden, and splashing in the swimming pool, made me happy. I not even took a dip in the pool because the water was cold, bbbrrr, not the same as the pool here at Vista Serena, which is heated. The twins (Emi & Thomas) who are 14 years now, were watching television, playing on the Nintendo and play station. They are in this age .... I had to oblige them to go to the swimming pool. On Thursday evening I had visit of my friends, and we had a bottle of wine on the terrace. Next day we went to eat the typically meal for Easter Friday at my freinds house. It is called Sancocho. To be honest my friend is a very good coocker and I had never eaten such a good Sancocho in my life. Now you will ask me: "What is Sancocho Canario?" This is salted fish with potatoes and sweet potatoes, to which you add mojo (green or red). The taste of the sweet and salted together is very special. We also eat with it "pella de gofio", thick paste made from corn flour mixed with water, sugar rum and bananas.

For people who like to try new tastes, here are the recipes:

SANCOCHO

Ingredients: 1 Kg. of salted fishes (preferably brown meagre or cherne), 1 Kg. of big potatoes, 1 Kg. of yam, olive oil, parsley and salt to taste.
Method:
1. Desalt the fish, leaving it to soak for 24 hours. It is convenient to change the water several times.
2. Introduce in a big pot the yams and potatoes without having peeled them but chopped in big dices, cover them with water and put the pot on to heat.
3. When the potatoes and yams are almost ready, introduce the fish already desalted, cut into big pieces and cook it for ten minutes maximum so it does not break up into pieces.
4. Once the ingredients are cooked, strain it all and serve it.
This dish is accompanied with red mojo and with pella de gofio.

PELLA DE GOFIO

Ingredients: 1/2 Kg. of gofio , 1/2 glass of water, 1/2 glass of oil, sugar and salt.
Method:
1. Knead the gofio with water, table salt, a little bit of sugar and oil until you get a thick paste. You can also add banana and rum to it (NOT TO MUCH RUM....).
2. Form a cylinder with it and cut into slices.

Friday evening I was at the bungalow, and I enjoyed watching a movie of Jackie Chan on television together with my children. Saturday morning I died my hair. Yes I am blond again. My friends came to enjoy the swimming pool and we had dinner on the terrace. I took a large siesta whilst my friend took the children to a birthday party at Holiday World. Sunday it was cloudy and rather cold, no day at all to enjoy the swimming pool. My little son was really upset he had to go home and he only stayed so little time in the bungalow... and he really did not want to go to school on Monday. We passed the afternoon in San Fernando with friends, at evening we went to get some stuff already from the bungalow at drove home to sleep. Yesterday morning I left my husband in the bungalow before I came to work. On my way back, at only 50 meters from where I left my husband was a terrible car accident. It just had happened. A car was upside down and a young man was trapped in it, and the fuel was running on the street. I was really shocked. Lucky all cars stopped and phoned the 112 and helped the man to get out of the car, except of one stupid man who was driving behind me, and insulted me because I had stopped, and he just passed the accidented car, although other people were telling him to stop to help. Well, I can tell you that I came at work really upset, but any way, I did have a nice mini holiday. After work I went back to Playa del Ingles to clean the bungalow, afterwards pick up the twins from sports, making dinner at home....I already need some new holidays!!!!!!!!!!

Easter is over

2008-03-24T09:42:00.005+01:00

Buenos días,

Well, Easter is gone, can you believe it? I do not know how you celebarte it in England or other countries. Let me tell you a bit what we do here.

Holy Thursday and Friday are bank holiday here, so, normally people have 4 days off(I had to work on Saturday)

Spain is a vey religious Catholic country, well, it used to be more, nowadays young people care less about church, so most of them take these four days to relax and maybe to travel. Most of the people go to the south of the island, that is, where Vista Serena is located. The people of Las Palmas city come to stay in an apartment and enjoy the pool and the good weather. Also a lot of people of different islands come to stay here. So, it is a very busy period.

However, there is still a lot of people interested in the religious part of the festivity. In Vegueta, the old part of Las Palmas city, there are a lot of streets closed to traffic and the churches take their saints out( the figures) and go through all the treets in a throne carried by different"costaleros" which are people dressed up who devote themselves to the saints. These statues are very heavy so the are a lot of men carrying it underneath.

The saints are venerated by the people in the streets, some of them even end up crying.

But, the really devoted people in Spain, who rteally take it seriously and have a lot of tradition are in the south of the mainlad; in cities like Sevilla, Granada, Málaga, Cádiz, etc.

These people who dressed up in purple are called "Hermandades" and prepare themselves the whole year around to these "Procesiones". Even if you are not religious, these parades are very impresive with the drums and the people and the devotion in Andalucía.

Hope you had your own nice , resting "Semana Santa" (Holy Week) and that next time we can meet here in Vista Serena :-)
¡Hasta la vista!

Ruth

I'm going on holiday!!!

2008-03-19T10:11:00.007+01:00

Yes! You've heard correctly...I'm going on holiday! Today is my last day at work, and I'll be back in the office on Tuesday 8th April! I'm leaving for the airport tonight at 12.30, and at 3am, I'll be on the plane on my way to Ecuador! It's going to be a long journey because we have to go via Madrid and we've got about 4 hours to hang around in Madrid airport waiting for the next plane, but I can't wait!
I'll be leaving you in the very capable hands of Anja and Ruth, and before I leave, I'm going to leave you a few jokes that got sent to me by email. They made me chuckle, so I hope you enjoy them too. See you in April!!!!

If Tommy Cooper Were Alive Today

I met this bloke with a didgeridoo and he was playing Dancing Queen on it. I thought, "That's Aboriginal."

This lorry full of tortoises collided with a van full of terrapins. It was a turtle disaster.

I told my girlfriend I had a job in a bowling alley. She said "Tenpin?" I said, "No, permanent."

I went in to a pet shop. I said, "Can I buy a goldfish?" The guy said,"Do you want an aquarium?" I said, "I don't care what star sign it is."

I went to the local video shop and I said "Can I borrow Batman Forever?" He said, "No, you'll have to bring it back tomorrow"

Batman came up to me and he hit me over the head with a vase and he went T'PAU! I said "Don't you mean KAPOW?? He said "No, I've got china in my hand."

I bought some Armageddon cheese today, and it said on the packet. 'Best Before End'

I went into a shop and I said, "Can someone sell me a kettle." The bloke said "Kenwood" I said, "Where is he then?"

I met the bloke who invented crosswords today. I can't remember his name, it's P something T something R.

I was reading this book today, The History Of Glue. I couldn't put it down.

I phoned the local ramblers club today, but the bloke who answered just went on and on.

I was in the jungle and there was this monkey with a tin opener. I said,"You don't need a tin opener to peel a banana." He said, "No, this is for the custard."

I fancied a game of darts with my mate. He said, "Nearest the bull goes first" He went "Baah" and I went "Moo" He said "You're closest"

I bought a train ticket to France and the ticket seller said "Eurostar"I said "Well I've been on telly but I'm no Robbie Williams.

I phoned the local gym and I asked if they could teach me how to do the splits. He said, "How flexible are you?" I said, "I can't make Tuesdaysor Thursdays."

Keep on laughin! Rachelxxx

Foggy Friday

2008-03-14T09:40:00.005+01:00

Buenos días,
Every morning I wake up at 6:30 take my baby to daycare and come to work. I live in Vecindario, thought I'm originally from Las Palmas, which is about 20 mints from Maspalomas by the motorway.Everyday the same routine, everyday the same traffic in the motorway. However today was something different. Near San Agustín, suddenly I saw from far away a lot of smoke, everybody was closing their car windows, everybody was driving really slow and consequently originating a traffic jam. We all were thinking that something was burning, I do not know if you know that we had a very bad fire last year. Anyway, after a while, I realised it was FOG, can you believe it? fog in Gran Canaria. For those of you who live in cold countries, this means nothing, but for us, I'm 35 and had never seen fog here. Maybe in the mountains sometime, but in the south near the coast.NEVER. You could not even see the beach or the hotels, I thought it was very weird.
Right now it is already 9 o'clock and the sun is shinning. It looks that it is going to be a beautiful day... again :-)
Wel, today I have a very busy day we have some meetings,good thing that it is Friday, so I will leave you for today, but for those of you who are waiting for some new Spanish phrases, here are some related with the weather...

¿Qué tiempo hace? = What's the weather like?
Hace(mucho) frio = it's (very) cold
Hace (mucho) calor = it's (very) hot

See you on Monday,

Ruth

Four lessons about the way we treat people

2008-03-13T10:33:00.006+01:00

Somebody sent me this by email today....thought I'd share it with you...

1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady

During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one: 'What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?' Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. 'Absolutely,' said the professor. 'In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello.' I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

2 - Second Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve.

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. 'How much is an ice cream sundae?' he asked. 'Fifty pence,' replied the waitress. The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. 'Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?' he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. 'Thirty-five pence,' she brusquely replied. The little boy again counted his coins. 'I'll have the plain ice cream,' he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were a ten pence coin and a five pence coin. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

3 - Third Important Lesson.

The obstacle in Our Path. In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the King's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

4 - Fourth Important Lesson . Giving When it Counts.

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, 'Yes I'll do it if it will save her.' As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the colour returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, 'Will I start to die right away'. Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.

El Cortijo

2008-03-10T11:50:00.002+01:00

Buenos días,
Today I thought I would write about a very nice restaurant for those of you who like to try new things for a chance.
It is located in the golf court of "El Cortijo". If you stay in Club Vista Serena you will need to hire a car for this excursion.
Get the motorway direction to Las Palmas, and drive about 25mints until you see the exit sign to El Cortijo. If you like golf you should play there. If not, just go to its restaurant and have a nice plate of Spanish cured ham as a starter. I think it is the best ham I have ever tried.
Then you should try its meat. They prepare a nice sirloin with red wine which is incredible. The terrace of this restaurant overlooks the golf court and its service is absolutetly fabulous!
When you are there try your Spanish asking for the bill saying:
"La cuenta, por favor" :-)
Hasta la vista,

Ruth

These crazy languages ;-)

2008-03-07T15:10:00.004+01:00

Hola,
¿Qué tal?
Hi, What's up? Would you have liked to undrestand this phrase without my translation? Yes? ok, here it goes your today's lesson.

Lesson three: Greetings

Buenos días -> Good morning
Buenas tardes-> Good afternoon
Buenas noches-> Good evening/good night
As you probably have deducted, "bueno/a" is good.
A new tip here for you: all words in Spanish have gendre, that is, masculine or femenine words, there are no rules for that, but most of the words that end in "o" are masc. and in "a" femenine. Adjectives need to go in concordance with the words in gendre and number. So we have bueno/ buena, buenos/buenas.
Hola-> Hello
Adiós -> Good bye
Hasta luego-> See you later
Hasta la vista-> See you later or "see you when I see you"
Hasta pronto-> See you soon
Chao-> bye

Yes I know, all this seems a bit crazy, but, which language isn't?
Here it goes something I came through for you to giggle a bit.

Let's face it - English is a crazy language too;
There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France. Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. We take English for granted But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth, beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese? One index, 2 indices? Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? Sometimes I think all the English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell?How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in which, an alarm goes off by going on.English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.
Why doesn't "Buick" rhyme with "quick" ? :-)

Chao,

Ruth