BEACH CLUB at ABAMA

The next morning, we were up early and went straight to La Veranda where the daily breakfast buffet is served. After a full breakfast - fresh fruit smoothies (banana plantations surround the hotel property where the Canary banana is grown), a vegetable omelet, toast and cappuccinos, we decided go down to the beach.

As the property is quite large, one can walk down the road (a 10 minute walk downhill) or take a buggy. We did the latter loaded down as we were with magazines, beach toys, a stroller and two kids. The buggy dropped us off at the cable car station where we all got in the special cable car that goes down the cliff to take us straight to the beach below.

The beach at the ABAMA was worth the trip - a small private cove with powdery sand and clear blue waters. There are sun loungers, towels and cold bottled water on offer to all hotel guests. Alongside the beach is also the hotel beach restaurant - Beach Club.

We spent the morning at the beach, reading and lying around while the baby had a nap and our son kept busy building sandcastles. After a refreshing swim (water temperature was 23C), we had lunch on the terrace overlooking the Atlantic and nearby Gomera island in the distance. Lunch was simple and delicious - grilled langoustines with garlic and herbs for me and grilled chorizo for A which were both accompanied by grilled vegetables and papas arrugadas (wrinkled baby potatoes which are another Canary island specialty) served with salsa mojo (either a red or green spicy sauce like pesto). From the kid's menu (most of the ABAMA restaurants have one) J had some pasta with tomato sauce.

After lunch, we went swimming towards the lower cliffs where a natural swimming pool has formed. I stayed in the water while both my son and my husband climbed up the ladder and jumped off the cliffs several times. Then we sat around some more reading magazines while J played and C started to take her first steps on the sand. This is what beach holidays are made of.