Travel Signs

I started writing destination pages for easyJet Holidays at the start of this year, and since, I have received work from Ideal Cruising, as well as writing travel blogs for other sites, through easyJet Holidays. My research for these pieces has opened my eyes to places I never would have thought of travelling to, and as I am required to attract readers to these places I have to pick out the best things to do and writer persuasively. Often, I find myself wanting to go there myself.

After my recent holiday to Benidorm, my ambition to travel was heightened. As described in my last post, I had mixed feelings about the resort and these feelings propelled me to want to see other places in the world. When I discovered a different side to Benidorm - the beautiful, alive ocean available to explore through snorkelling - I realised that I would love to travel and see the parts of towns and cities and countries that aren't all about tourism. Whilst I write about some amazing activities and attractions on offer, I want to find out what goes on beneath the tourism driven life of destinations. Like discovering snorkelling in Benidorm, I want to find the less-advertised things to do and see. I would love to be able to write about these things; persuade people to travel to certain places because of natural beauty, hidden histories and the exciting real life of residents, rather than use the internet to find out which water parks are the best and which areas are best for nights out.

Also, on my holiday to Benidorm, I got talking to one of my cousin's friends who told me about all the places he's travelled to. He also told me about a qualification which would allow me to teach English abroad. I had already been looking into teaching in Japan, but knowing about this qualification has opened up more doors, and more countries.

I picked up a copy of Ryanair's in-flight magazine on the outward journey to Benidorm as I thought it might come in handy with my travel writing. I flicked through and thought about how great it would be to write for a magazine like this; to explore different countries, their food, culture, attractions, and come home to write about all the wonderful things you'd found and accompany them with stunning photographs.

I believe that everything happens for a reason, so on my return from this holiday I thought about all the recent things and thoughts that had happened about travel. Maybe they are signs, maybe I am meant to travel, maybe I am meant to travel and write about travel. So now I have a new one for my bucket list.

However, I know that had it been fashion, or art, or childcare I had been writing about, I would have developed the same interest in the subject. I like to be fully informed when writing articles. While I hope to inspire and persuade through my writing, the topics inspire and persuade me too. It's a two way relationship and it's one of the best things about my job.

Benidorm Blues

I have returned from an enjoyable and incredibly relaxing holiday! I have never needed a holiday more in my life, and seven hot days of Spanish sun has refreshed me and revitalised my spirits. 

I travelled with 15 others, family and friends, last week, for my Dad's and Uncle's joint 50th. Ten years ago the family embarked on a trip to Blackpool to celebrate their 40th birthdays, so this year we upgraded to the Spanish Blackpool - Benidorm - to celebrate another decade.

The weather was amazingly hot all week, and I managed two whole days sunbathing; then the parasol came out to protect my pastey skin. We all enjoyed great food, three times a day in our lovely hotel, before heading out to tour the bars. Drinks began at cheap bars close to our hotel, largely with English clienteles. Then after a few one euro beers the younger ones of the group (30 and under) proceeded to experience Benidorm night life along the strip. I experienced my first strippers; male and female, and was intrigued by the audience response to both. I saw hen dos and stags dos, families at strip clubs and an array of awful cabaret.

When immersed in the bizarre culture of Benidorm, you sort of 'go with the flow', but on the penultimate night I returned to my hotel early and looked out at the concrete jungle from my balcony. Every direction I looked to, I saw ugly skyscrapers or chaotic bars smothered in flashing lights. I felt emotional, because I knew what a beautiful coast laid just beyond these boozy buildings. The best sandy beaches I've ever seen, stunning jagged horizons and ocean snapshots were so close, and I couldn't see a grain of it because this tourist-infatuated, British-obsessed mess was in the way. I felt ashamed to be English, because all the stereotypes that are attached to our nationality, particularly to us northerners, were here; Benidorm - the living proof. When I'd made all my judgements and placed hatred on this Spanish tourist resort, I went inside to bed, feeling defeated.

But the next day, my partner forced me to go snorkelling in the sea, despite my protests and failed first attempts at breathing through my mouth rather than my nose. I have done a lot in my life, thanks to my parents who gave me so many opportunities as a child. I have tried many activities, been many different places, but I can honestly say snorkelling on Benidorm beach is one of the best things I have ever done. When I eventually climbed out of the sea (after three hours underwater!), my opinions of Benidorm had changed.

I swam with schools of colourful fish, all shapes and sizes, all reflecting the light differently, but all looking at me friendlily and swimming along with me. I could have touched them when I reached out if they didn't instinctively swim away from my grasp. They were so close, so beautiful and so real.

We eventually had to leave the sea to get ready for our evening meal, so we returned to shore, reluctantly. Benidorm may be a bigger, more bustling Blackpool, it may be full of repetitive acts attracting the same crowds year in year out, but behind all that was a blue, blue ocean full of beautiful creatures, welcoming you, from the stunning sandy shores, into their home. Even if I couldn't see it all from my balcony, I now knew there was so much more to Benidorm, and you don't have to be a stereotypical Brit to reap the benefits.