First Fuerteventura thoughts

I hopped on a plane this morning over to rather misty Fuerteventura. I only have a few days here due to work and other commitments, but a few days in the sun is definitely better than none!

In good holiday and triathlon tradition the flight was at 0715 (not too bad) but that did mean leaving home at 0330 (quite bad). However once at the airport Easy Jet were brilliant! You herd it here first kids. The bike was no hassle, staff were very kind and polite, and I witnessed my bike being handled carefully by easy jet and the Gatwick ground crew. Good start.

I also used the valet parking at Gatwick which I booked online with them, cheaper than the long stay car-park miles away and it was super easy! Drive in, give them a car, 2 mins and you are at check in! Deffo one for the future, so much less stress, and the less humping about of a bike box the better! 

 

Not so good start was that in my bleary eyed state, after feeling quite smug at buying some intellectual books for the jaunt, I left my debit card in the WHSmith card reader at the self check out!

The flight was pain free and I slept most of the way, my aircraft essentials are;

                The trusty neck pillow that looks a bit like a cushion for people with piles, but oh so worth it to not wake up and feel like you have been in a 10 car pile up!

                Sleeping eye mask – no daylight, and no one tries to talk to you

                Newly found fab item – the cape/coat come blanket, snuggly sleepy warm heaven!

                Of course some comfy trews and shoes you can slip off easily (preferably with socks underneath!)

                Wet wipes, mini mouth kit (toothbrush and mouthwash) and a mini perfume, all = freshness!

Meow - there is a cat feeding area in the hotel complex!

I arrived and at the moment I have mixed feelings about the hotel. The rooms are quite basic but comfortable, but EVERYTHING is an added extra. You have to hire a kettle! But there is a fridge in the room and you don’t have to feed it euros to keep it cool! The room I have is a good size for one, but with two it might be a bit cosy.

Wifi is an added extra and horrendously slow.

50m 8 lane pool - lush

Use of the pool is extra, and despite me trawling the Playitas website before coming I could find no mention of a fee.

There is even a charge for maps which I have found are normally given out freely.

However the bathroom is really well fitted out, with a fab shower, and a bath which I’m sure I will be soaking my legs in towards the end of the week, and decent complimentary toiletries (at least I think they are complementary!)

Christmas decorations in the local town

There are a couple of sports shops on site (quite expensive too) but useful if you have forgotten something essential. A gym which looks great. A spa, and even a fish pedi place. A couple of on-site restaurant and a few bars dotted about the place. There is also a really decent bike workshop, and I think most people who come here just hire a bike as they have the place packed out with Di2 Cervelos and alike.

I didn’t manage to do any training today due to being soooooooooooooooo tired! I decided to head into the nearby town instead since I probably won’t get a chance/will be too knackered to go later in the week. It is quite sweet, and the Christmas decs are all out which I find quite novel, being next to palm trees and the sea! There are a few shops and a couple of supermarkets, plenty enough to stock your fridge if you were staying in the self catering apartments.
 

So, I’m not overwhelmed as yet, the staff were not terribly helpful or accommodating…but its all about the phys, so we shall see what tomorrow brings. Oh and the buffet brekkie….that could change things!