In the beginning of the holiday, Dutchman and I were a bit disappointed in ourselves. We were used to the more intimate Greek Islands with organized pocket-size beach bays with parasols and beach beds and beach bars and a spruced up restaurant and shopping scene. La Palma's version of this is not as how we were used to.
For the first few days we were missing the Greek Islands, but I was resolved to make this summer holiday a success, so I went to work searching for places to explore and enjoy. I read about a restaurant with a lovely view, so we decided to check it out first before reserving a table, as well as drive further up north where we came across this amazing viewing platform, Izcagua.
We found ourselves exploring the coastal villages on the western side of the island. We have visited two small villages, La Bombilla and El Remo, and a big resort town, Puerto Naos.
This is Puerto Naos:
We picked La Palma in the Canary Islands because we haven't been to this island yet. We have been to Fuerteventura and Lanzarote many years back, and Dutchman has also been to Tenerife and Gran Canaria. All these islands we have been to are known for mass tourism. We prefer the more laid-back destination and La Palma just sounds quite right.
We did some reading and La Palma is known in Spain as Las Isla Bonita, which I cannot help but play the La Isla Bonita tune of Madonna in my head. It is a lush island with the Caldera Tabburiente National Park dominating the northern and central parts of the island.
We were curious! We didn't really know what to expect. Spain is not a strange summer holiday destination for us, so we saw this as an opportunity to experience something different. If not for Covid-19, we would not have booked the 12-day holiday to La Palma.
Hi blog, it's nice to see you again :)
Covid-19 has made life much slower for many of us but with the new reality of working from home and a new house that is a work in progress, my life has never been so much busy before. It's paradoxical but that is how I feel right now and where I am right now. At a slower pace of a quite busy life.
This is Delphi and moi in Mdina, the ancient capital of Malta. We spent an afternoon checking out this place. We had lunch with a view and during our discovery walk, we came upon a church where we witnessed a local wedding.
[To read the rest of the post and see more pictures, click the READ MORE link below]
I am not sure what to make out of this extended Covid-19 status quo. There are times when I am feeling very serene and thankful. Other times, totally stressed out. It is mostly about work stuff really, and all this uncertainty eating up the business and economy.
A mini-break was all that we needed to refresh our spirits but with the Covid-19 backlash, we didn't have choices of holiday destinations to pick on. We initially wanted to go to the Eifel (National Park) or the Ahr Valley (Red Wine Trail) in Germany, but unfortunately, Germany is requiring a negative Covid-19 test valid for 48 hours upon entry, that is if checked. Too much hassle, we can't be bothered.
I looked into the northern Wadden Islands but most of the accommodations were already booked for the fall holidays. I mean seriously, people are holidaying during Covid-times but within their own countries. It has resonated that we can't continue the hibernation or else we go cranky and kooky. So I looked further looked inland, and even farther down south of the country, and voila! This was when I discovered Zuid Limburg.
What took me so long to discover this piece of paradise?
I have been living in the Netherlands for 18+ years now and it's my first time to be here. Well, it is the first time for the Dutchman, too! What could have been worse? Haha. Wow, this beautiful place was just right under our noses the whole time...
Hola! Taken a few days ago in Puntagorda on La Palma Island.
More soon about this holiday.
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Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
Covid-19 aka Coronavirus has surely changed our life, our working habits, and our lifestyles at home!
I haven't been on holiday this year. I mean seriously, this is taking a big impact on my sanity. We were supposed to go skiing in the Alps last January but since I started with a new job, we let the holiday slip for the time being. Instead, we were planning of going somewhere far around March timeframe, like to another continent, but then the merciless Covid-19 struck, and we got helplessly stuck at home.
That's right, we have been longing to go on holiday now for months, and this Friday (tomorrow!) we will be flying down to the south of Europe! Yes, with disinfectants and masks and all, ready in our luggage.
Lunchbreak at home.
So during this working from home, the new normal of Covid-19 life, Dutchman and I, apart from the dinners we normally have together in the evenings, are cooking more during the day and are sharing plentiful of breakfasts, brunches, lunches, and snacks.
Some people say that being together 24x7 can drive each other nuts and perhaps may result in the relationship going south. Hmm, so far we are surviving. For 18 years already.
I have to say that I am getting used to staying and working from home. I also love fixing and cooking meals throughout the day. It relaxes me to get away from the computer and use my hands for something else, such as making a meal. It is a challenge though not to overeat, and this is something we are trying to work on.
Before I go on holiday, I would like to leave you with some of the dishes we've had in the last months and weeks. I am loving the home life and would like to better my food preparation, cooking, and baking skills. I am also busy with the house and would actually like to talk more about it. It's just that I have been so buried with work that it's draining my energy. You'd think that working from home will offer flexibility and nice lifestyle trade-offs. It does, but I realised that there is a thin line between work and private life. It can be very easy to work late in the evenings and even during weekends. Discipline is critical.
