First holiday abroad, how to deal with money

WestieFan

Thanks jaytar, I was under the impression that the big shopping centre was up the hill. This just gets better and better! I wanted apartment near enough for kids to go out themselves but far enough away if I decided to go home early (can't stand the pace any more!). Mind you, 3 or 4 am isn't too bad. It was actually recommended by a friend who thought it would be ideal for us.


Kitikat, I was a bit concerned as I saw a programme some time ago (maybe Watchdog?) about a couple who had money taken from the safe in their room. A cleaner was taking small amounts every night after they went out. They rigged up their camcorder and filmed him doing it. Then came back into the room and confronted him. He had the cheek to deny it until they showed him the footage! Class!

jaytar

You're welcome WestieFan. There are also restaurants and bars along the beach and near the harbour if you don't fancy the walk to the Commercial Centre. I regularly left my daughter and her friend there when I'd had enough. She actually threw me out of Harleys one night telling me I was too old, flaming cheek !

The first time we went to Gran Canaria it was a last minute thing and I didn't really fancy it. We've been back to PR every year since and have even bought a timeshare in Puerto Calma overlooking the harbour (absolute bargain on Ebay). So you could say we like it.

ManAtHome

Portonovo appts just across the road from the marina - will try remember to dig out a piccie (on the other pooter..). Looked ok from the outside, although the pool's a bit 'goldfish bowl' as it's at the front of the appts - sun most of the day though. Quite a good supermarket in the block (cheaper than the Netto up the hill and the Spar round the corner but not quite as much variety - plenty of Spanish speakers in there anyway).

ps - I stayed at Puerto Calma, a bit dated but I'd have been quite happy with a tent on the balcony (the other block facing the valley where Netto and the mini-centre are looked a bit dire though - unless you can't stand the sun...)

WestieFan

Jaytar, I think I am soon to get the same treatment, ie being told it's past my bedtime! I will just need to find some quiet corner I can sit and have a drink myself and watch the world go by. I would think that it would be relatively safe for me to have a drink on my own.

Appreciate all comments/advice. Like you, ManatHome I would quite happily take a tent on a balcony, just getting away to somewhere hot is enough for me! Planning to eat out as much as poss too, I need a break from the cooker and sink :j :j

jaytar

Westiefan, I'm sure you'll be fine having a drink on your own. As for eating out, I wouldn't dream of doing anything else. The food is so cheap and there is so much choice. The only problem is the touts outside the restaurants trying to get you to eat there. A tip I was told by a local is to walk around with a lollipop stick in your mouth and they will think you've already eaten and won't bother you, (lots of the restaurants give you a lolly at the end of your meal)!! Never tried it myself I just tend to look the other way and not catch their eye.

The only problem I noticed with the Portonovo Apartments was that there wasn't much shade around the pool and it gets the sun all day. The few sunshades that were there got snapped up quite early. We used to walk past virtually every day and I commented on this a couple of times.

Also, be very careful in the heat. It gets extremely hot and as you are a lot closer to the equator than say Spain, Italy etc., you will burn a lot quicker. So take some high factor suncream to start off with as sunburn or sunstroke can ruin your holiday.

I'll stop waffling now, its late and I'm getting miserable thinking of how long I've got to wait till September when I go !

pavlovs_dog

havent read the whole thread, so sorry if this is repeated...


dont know what the Ts&Cs are, but thomsons were advertising 200 free euros in the window today

NellieA

M&Ms bar back of the commercial centre is one of the cheapest (90c pint) seeing as we're money saving! El Gatiero, left out of Portonovo up the hill, best food in PR. Check canaryforum.com.

WestieFan

Great stuff!

I am taking a note of all the places mentioned, and will certainly try them out.
I feel as if I know the place before I set foot on it!

Don't know about the Thomson Euro thing, I will have a look around to see what I can find. Can't get into town until Saturday though.

:beer: