Summer Memories...

Summer 2018 is fast coming to an end.. School year has started… Public transport usage is at its peak and traffic congestion is heavy once again.  

We are in September and now 7am is still dark.  Nonetheless, I am very grateful for every autumn and winter as they pave the way for the coming of spring and eventually, summer.

My family and I are blessed to have our family summer getaway for the last 5 years in Sancti Petri, Chiclana, Cadiz in the Andalucian region of Spain.  We discovered the beauty and the serenity of the Playa Barrosa by accident and yet I am forever grateful for that!!

It was late July 2014 when we reached out to a travel agency as we were running out  of time for our summer plans.  The travel agency recommended the SanctiPetri area and Hotel Iberostar Royal Andalus.  It was our first time in the area yet it was an unforgettable first time that we ended up repeating the experience for the next 4 summers!!! For this year, we opted to change our hotel to Hotel RiuChiclana and it was also a first time experience for us. 

Both are 4 star hotels, which offer an all inclusive (food + accommodation) service, though Hotel Iberostar has more options (they offer only breakfast + lunch).  Both hotels are kid and family friendly as they have big kiddie pools, kiddie amenities and family-oriented programs!! Spa services – massage and Jacuzzi are also available in both hotels.  Both hotels serve great buffet service; food is fresh and quality products.  Though in the case of Riu Chiclana, some of their marmalades/jams and chocolate/hazelnut spread for breakfast were not top of the line.  Nonetheless, the quality of the food was not compromised.  The staff – reception, security, cleaning ladies, waiters, cooks were all friendly, approachable and very accommodating.  Riu Chiclana was recently renovated so we had the pleasure to enjoy its brand new facilities and bigger rooms. But this is not to say that Hotel Iberostar´s facilities were old, they just need some improvements. 

Riu Chiclana has a total of 800 rooms arranged in villas vs. the 400 rooms of Hotel Iberostar Royal Andalus.  This explains why the lay-out of Riu Chiclana is more cramped in the sense that they have 5 big pools (but with all the families, they aren´t big enough to allow you to swim a lap), 4 big restaurants and 2 major stages – 1 big auditorium for the family oriented programs and 1 open air stage for the music lovers.  This is to make sure that the clients are properly accommodated and that they will have options where to stay and the pool areas not are congested at all.  In the case of Hotel Iberostar, it  consists of 2 big pools, big enough to accommodate their clients and still allow their clients to have a good swim, 2 kiddie pools and a bouncing ball.  There are no auditoriums in Hotel Iberostar but they set-up a stage near the open space area of the banquet. 

 Panoramic View of the La Playa Barrosa from the Hotel Iberostar Royal Andalus

Iberostar Royal Andalus

 Iberostar Royal Andalus

                                                  Iberostar Royal Andalus

 Riu Chiclana Auditorium 

  Riu Chiclana Top View

Riu Chiclana Facade and Reception Area 

Both hotels are beautiful but Hotel Iberostar has this dinstinct charm of being a more open-space hotel that enables you to enjoy from any area of the hotel rooms a seaside view.  From the Hotel Iberostar pools and interior gardens, you can actually see and breath the sea!! And that is very captivating experience!

These hotel resorts have direct access to the Playa Barrosa, which is a 7 km long beach, boasting of its quiet, serene, clean and clear waters (though not white sand).  It is not rocky at all which is very favorable for our growing son.  As it is a long beach, we enjoyed the walks at the shore line, building sand castles and just lying around in our sundbeds/hammocks, talking and laughing.

The beautiful Playa La Barrosa

My son has definitely cherished these summers in Sancti Petri.  We would recall with fondness and chuckles the year that he threw a tantrum and we had to walk from the swimming pool area to our room with my son literally crying and screaming! Jajajajaja.  I recall with tenderness the incident that I suffered anxiety attack but not knowing that it was already my anxiety disorder attacking me.  It always paints a smile on my face recalling the lovely vignettes, images of my son and husband playing in the sand.  I look at our lovely family pictures and I am amazed with all the love and happiness in my heart on how our son grew, how my sweetie remains to be so good and young looking albeit his bulging stomach jajajajaja, how my hairstyle changes and how I look older yet happy in the pictures, year after year. 

Definitely, the family summer get-away is such a blessing and hopefully a tradition that we can maintain.  I continue to thank Papa Jesus, my Lord, my Savior for all the blessings and graces that He bestows on me and my family.  For without His blessings, mercy and compassion, there is no way that we will be able to enjoy these privileges.  Thank you Papa Jesus!  Thank you Lord God!!

How I love you summer…The heat of the sun.. the long days.. the terrazas (open space dining area) in the bar and restaurants, long hours and picnics in the park and of course, short shorts outfit Hahahahahaa and of course, summer vacation spent in 100%, 24*7, pure family love!!!

Until the next time summer!!! Love you.