Salou / Tarragona (Spain pt 1)

Marguerite, Jude and Ben have taken themselves off to Spain for a week of fun in the sun.

After arriving at the hotel Ben found this great seat to watch as Marguerite and Jude got checked in.

Hotel Playa Park in Salou was a very nice hotel and was well located.  

When arriving at any hotel you always want to get out and get your bearings ...... go for a wee dander ....... find the supermarket ....... suss the area out, etc.  That's what Marguerite, Jude and Ben decided to do. 

After lunch they headed back to the hotel and immediately hit the pool.  This was Ben's first ever time in a pool and to say he loved it was quite and understatement. 

Ben was under strict orders, 'you can only get in the pool if you have your arm bands and rubber ring on'.  If he heard that once this week he heard it 100 times! 

The other rule was, 'you're only allowed in the water if one of us are in with you'.  So Jude spend a silly amount of time sitting in the kiddies pool, yeah sitting, like he is here.  Jude didn't mind though as his thoughts are - 'if Ben's happy, then I'm happy!

 

Ben and Jude pull a real cool pose in this pic! 

While Ben and Jude are messing about in the pool Marguerite settled into her holiday with a relaxing cup of coffee in the sun. 

Ben loved the pool .......

.......and before long he getting more and more confident.  Here he is jumping into his rubber ring, which he was only allowed to do if holding Marguerite or Jude's hand. 

Two hours they were in the pool for on day one. 

The first day of the holiday ended with a relaxing hour or two on the balcony.  Enjoying the views with a few beers ......... while getting ready for dinner ....... quite possibly one of the more relaxing and enjoyable times of the day when on holiday. 

View from the balcony - Take 1. 

View from the balcony - Take 2. 

View from the balcony - Take 3.   Crazy folk getting fried while risking life and limb!

All dressed up and heading for dinner.

But not before a quick pint of San Miguel at the bar.

Dinner time.   

Jude and Marguerite have been on many of these types of holidays before and they do enjoy the post dinner entertainment at the hotel (most nights) but this was the first time they really appreciated the hour or so where the kiddies disco happens.   

Ben loved it and had loads of fun every night. 

He got to meet plenty of friends which was great.

 

Refreshments galore on the table.  That wee liqueur there on the left is a cheeky wee number called Dassorano.  It's all almond flavour and just very, very nice indeed! 

The next day Jude and Ben went down to the beach.  It was a short walk down a hill from the hotel. 

Ben had plenty of fun splashing about ....... 

........ and messing about in the water. 

They lasted all of 30 minutes at the beach and decided to bail out.  Why?  Well it was just too warm that's why.  Jude was freaking out in case Ben got scalded in the sun and so they decided to head back to the pool. 

Much safer, much cooler and just as much fun ....... 

........ especially if you can play table tennis there.

Dinner was buffet style.  Jude loves these dinners.  Like he gets to eat fish every evening and he can eat as many olives as he wants ......... sure what more would you want? 

After dinner Ben is ready for some action. 

Meanwhile Jude looks like he's already had a couple of those Dassoranos in him! 

Oh yeah ...... Ben and the kiddies disco ....... I said he loved it, well here's the evidence. 

Get Down brother!

Talk about 'chucking down moves' ....... Ben was all over this stage like a Donald Trump hair-doo.  

Bingo - Take 1.  That's Jude up buying the bingo tickets. 

Seriously you can't make this stuff up folks ...... they called a short bingo game each night and Jude said, 'why not', and joined right in.  And why not indeed?

  

Bingo - Take 2.  That's Jude off to collect his prize for a full house.  Rather than suffer a little 'stage-fright' Jude was off up there like a greyhound out of a trap ....... 'Bingo' he called and bolted.  'I'm a winner, I'm a winner ....... I won the Bingo', he mumbled to himself on his way up. 

Bingo - Take 3.  Jude collected his prizes. 

You are either a winner ...... or you are a loser ....... and tonight Jude was a winner!  Look at him holding up his winning ticket and all.  Wha? 

Talking of winners ........... here's Marguerite enjoying the craic.  

On the next day Marguerite, Ben and Jude took themselves off to the beautiful city of Tarragona. 

One of those wee tram tours was quickly found ........

........ and off they went exploring. 

Some of the Architecture was pretty spectacular. 

And again.

Ben enjoying the ride on the tram. 

Messing about! 

Tarragona is the capital of the region and a real nice place it is to. 

Jude, Ben and Marguerite went around the whole ride for one trip before .......

......... stopping off at the Old Town.   There's Ben and Jude scooting off to see what's going on up these steps. 

 

Ben is never in a buggie these days when at home but when on holiday it's handy so he does not have to walk all day, it's safe on busy streets and it's handy thing to have if he gets tired. 

The streets in the old town were really cool.  

Ben running around the old town. 

Jude and Ben pulling a cool pose. 

Tapas for lunch.  Perfect!!!

While waiting for lunch to be served Ben and Jude have a game of hide & seek. 

Here's Ben sprinting around looking for good hiding spots! 

Today he was rocking his County Cork top. 

Marguerite relaxes at lunch time. 

After lunch, they moved on.  

Today's visit to Tarragona really was good fun.  These pics are the best.  By that I mean Jude's camera has a 10 second timer where you set the camera, then press the button and run and set the picture.  Like this one ........   

.......... and this one. 

A quick squirt of sun cream and they were off again.

The Amphitheatre was a real cool place ......

......... it was in such a beautiful location down near the beach.  

Back onto the tram ........ 

 ...... and time to relax. 

Ben looking cool and having a wee sip of juice as they headed back to Salou.  

Back in Salou and Marguerite is helping Ben pick an ice cream. 

Now Marguerite and Jude will say that Ben is not spoilt.  They like to say that if he wants something they like to keep him happy and they'll get it (within reason of course).  So take this ice cream adventure right here.   

Ben came out with this ice cream.  Oreo style ...... ice cream inside two chocolate wafer biscuit things.  So Ben says, 'Mummy I don't like this one, can I have another? 

So what happened next? 

Ben gets another.  This time it's a Chocolate finger thingy.  After a couple of bites Ben goes, 'Mummy, I don't like this one, can I have another?

And what happened next?

Folks, you can't make this stuff up so here is the pic to prove that Ben exited the shop moments later with this super cool Water Melon ice cream.

Wha?

 Here's Ben being carted up the hill while Marguerite and Jude were about 7 Euros lighter!!!!!

A couple of minutes later and Ben had flaked out.  So Marguerite and Jude jumped into the next pub they passed for a wee quick pint.  They were on their holidays after all. 

Later that night - Marguerite all dolled up and ready for dinner.

Marguerite, Ben and Jude had now reached the halfway point of their holiday.  They have had a great time up to now but what will they get up to next?  

Part 2 coming soon.