POST 25 (FINAL) (11/27/25) POST TRIP REFLECTIONS Wow! What a trip. I finally made it back to Spain for the fifth time, but the first in 18 years, and I finally made it to Gran Canaria, a legendary place that has been on my travel list for at least a decade. I survived the long journeys, multiple flights, and getting used to traveling again after eight years without having been on an airplane. I have so many memories, plus the visual aids of photos, videos, and this blog to stimulate further reflection and avoid forgetting everything. And then there's Ramón, and the multiple messages we send each other daily. Indeed this trip was a chance to grieve and further process Bill's passing, dive back into world travel, destress from all I've been through for the past eight years (on multiple fronts), meet some new people, explore the "dating" scene (or I guess more like hook-up culture), and even make a couple of potentially lasting friendships. I also got to know myself...
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POST 24 (11/26/25) WEDNESDAY, TRAVEL HOME DAY 🥲 We awakened plenty early for my preparation, breakfast, packing, transport to the airport, and flight home. We showed up bright and early for the buffet, and had a similar breakfast to the day before. Now familiar with us, the staff were super sweet and engaging. We were gonna miss this... Back up at the suite, I got myself cleaned up, packed up, and ready for the long and arduous trip home. Before packing my festive sequined hat, I couldn't help but pop it on Ramón for a quick pic. His look really speaks volumes if you know what you're looking at: With sadness from separation anxiety, we descended in the elevator, arrived at the lower reception desk for check out, asked the doorman for a taxi, and said our goodbyes at the street when the taxi arrived. If you meet someone who is not that exciting to you, you just want to get away and don't care. But when you meet a special one and the chemistry is strong, it makes it very di...
POST 23 (11/25/25) TUESDAY, A FULL DAY IN MADRID Ramón and I awakened a little late and took our time getting ready, which put us at the breakfast buffet fairly close to closing time. The breakfast at the Barceló Torre Madrid was ample and appetizing. We both ate well but not excessively. I focused on fruit, cheese, and olives, then enjoyed a very American style, perfectly prepared pancake with maple syrup. I convinced him to eat this unfamiliar food to him, so he grabbed a pancake, which he enjoyed very much. After a bit of clean-up, teeth brushing, etc. he needed to go by his home for his medications. I chose this hotel due to its location just a few minutes walk from his place. So we bundled up a bit (it was less than 50 degrees), and headed over there. I realized it would be worth taking a couple pictures out his living room window just to capture the incredible view of the historic Templo Debod that is literally across the street from his building. If you saw the blog post wi...
POST 22 (11/24/25) MONDAY: FLY BACK TO MADRID DAY I awakened at 8am due to an early-to-bed and a good night's sleep! I had decided not to have breakfast to better facilitate the morning. I needed to leave the hotel at 10am to head to the airport. I got cleaned up, did a little work on the computer blogging and planning the travel day as well as the arrival in Madrid, finished packing, and called reception to summon a taxi for my ride to the airport. After my final double sweep of the room, I strapped on the backpack for the first time in 16 days and rolled my large check-in suitcase out the door. Alex was working on this morning, and we had a good wrap-up/departure chat during which she strongly encouraged me to return. There were no additional charges beyond the room, which had been prepaid. I handed over my keys and the taxi arrived. The driver loaded my suitcase in the trunk, and I kept my backpack with me. I had my new, thick sweatshirt, which I had purchased in Madrid a coupl...
POST 21 (11/23/25) SUNDAY, THE LAST FULL DAY Since the weather heated up again quite a bit, I knew the only thing to do was to get some last sun rays to put the finishing touch on my tan. To avoid tan lines, my best two options were the beach or Seven Hotel, so I opted for the latter. I had a really good night's sleep and awakened in the nine o'clock hour. I got myself ready and shuffled off to the taxi stand, and like old faithful a taxi awaited my arrival and dashed me right off toward my destination. There was a different staff working today, also nice, and the place wasn't too crowded in general when I arrived. I grabbed an orange juice for starters, and once finished headed to the pool for a lounger. It was still sparcely populated, but filled in somewhat as the day wore on. I was likely the only day-pass guest, as it was clear all the guys around me were guests of the hotel. I sunned using my new timed playlists, which worked great. It's fun to hear a playlist th...
POST 20 (11/22/25) SATURDAY DOUBLE SPA DAY (Gloria Palace) Having an appointment for massage at 11am, and of course not wanting to eat anything before that, I took advantage of the opportunity to sleep after my late night on Friday. I got up at 10:30, leaving time to shower etc. and head down in the elevator to the "spa". Hamza was waiting at his desk and lit up when I arrived. The massage was very good, as before. He really is an appropriate fit for that job at this resort, as he is a kind, gentle person with a firm, assertive pressure and some solid techniques. Not leaving too much time between appointments, I showered and dressed for my trip to the Gloria Palace Hotel and Thalasso in the next town over of St. Augustin. Alex, at reception, called me a taxi, which showed up in just a couple minutes (they are always very quick around here). The trip over was less than ten minutes. The entire resort is huge and impressive, with a marble lobby overlooking the pool area through...
POST 19 (11/21/25) FRIDAY, THE WINDY VERSION I awakened a bit late, knowing I was just going directly to my second and final massage with Hamza. I didn't want to eat anything before that of course, and given the windy weather, had no desire to leave the room. Check out this wind from my balcony: So I published Wednesday's blog and wrote the entry for Thursday. Later, after the massage, I was hoping to spend some time with Andre or Charles, but hoping they didn't both seek to do so and therefore be in conflict. haha Just before needing to leave for my massage I heard from Charles. Now that he became a contact in Whatsapp, I noticed his profile picture and realized that I recognized that pic from Silver Daddies! I logged on to look him up and realized that I had not only already added him to my favorites, but in fact had written to him three weeks ago! Imagine that! I had attempted to make contact realizing that he would be here in Playa Del Ingles, and then I end up meeting...
POST 18 (11/20/25) THURSDAY A WINDY DAY FOR A WORKOUT, ETC. I awakened before 9am, and got off to a good start. I went down to the hotel gym and had a really good workout, which always feels healthy, accomplished, and worthwhile. I went back to the room to blog Monday and Tuesday. I enjoyed the two slices of leftover room-temperature pizza for breakfast. That stuff is good no matter how you eat it. Truly the best crust ever! I decided to let the housekeeper come in to clean, which I only do every 3-4 days. Since I have a pet cockroach in here, and there were a few food droppings around, I figured it was best. In the afternoon, I went out for a coffee. I had heard such good things about Rokoko, but had that negative experience before when the guy never brought me the menu I requested so I ended up leaving. Now, a week later, I decided to give them another try. It is a very friendly, social place. I think the guys who run it are Italian, and they're all husky, tatted up, burly bear ...