A Ferry, a Car, and a Barf Bag.
December 1999 arrived in full force—a blizzard of snow, bone-chilling winds, and the kind of cold that makes you question your life choices.
We were dreaming of escaping to somewhere warm, but a quick glance at flight costs, accommodations, and food expenses crushed that dream faster than you can say “budget constraints.”
Then, fate (or just good timing) intervened.
One day, as Yoni was strolling through the neighborhood shopping street, something caught his eye.
A notice on the window of a travel agency (yes, kids, there was once a time before online booking, when travel agents were a thing!).
The sign advertised an all-inclusive week in La Gomera—flights, an apartment hotel, and even the ferry from some mysterious island called Tenerife.
And the best part? The price was so ridiculously low that even we could afford it.
Without hesitation, he walked in and booked it.
“Merry Christmas, Honey—I Got You an Island!”
I still remember the moment Yoni came home, grinning like a kid on Christmas morning, and announced that he had gotten me a present—a whole week on the “magical” island of La Gomera. “La Go-what?” I asked.
To be fair, I had never heard of the island before. Heck, I had barely heard of the Canary Islands.
But a week in the sun? On a beach? Far, far away from the snow-covered sidewalks of home? That was all I needed to hear.
There was just one small detail—we had to rent a car once we arrived because our hotel was nowhere near where the ferry would drop us off. But how hard could that be? Piece of cake!
Packing Light (Except for the Toddler’s Suitcase).
Packing was easy—for us, at least. Thom, on the other hand, required an entire suitcase just for herself.
Toddlers don’t believe in traveling light. The hardest part? Convincing her that only two stuffed animals could come along.
After a dramatic elimination process, the winners were declared: her absolute favorite Teletubby doll and another lucky cuddly companion.
With that settled, we were ready for our sunny adventure.
The Fine Print We Didn’t Read.
When the universe hands you an unexpected vacation at a price you can actually afford, you don’t stop to question it.
You just say, “Yes, please!” and start packing. What we didn’t do was pay attention to the fine print—specifically, the travel time.
We had mentally prepared for a 4.5-hour flight. What we hadn’t considered was:
* A 2-hour wait for the ferry.
* A 1-hour ferry ride.
* A very long queue to pick up our rental car.
* And then, the grand finale: a 1.5-hour drive on steep, winding mountain roads.
Total travel time? Let’s just say way longer than anticipated.
A Bumpy (and Barfy) Ride.
We also hadn’t anticipated one tiny problem—Thom got carsick.
She had been an absolute trooper through the whole journey—until the mountain roads.
As the twists and turns began, she started shifting uncomfortably and muttering, “Mummy, I don’t feel well.”
Like any seasoned parent (which I was not), I reassured her with the classic, “We’re nearly there.”
We were not nearly there.
And then, it happened. She choked. She gagged. And… well, let’s just say our rental car got baptized in ways rental companies probably don’t approve of.
Poor Thom was more frightened than we were, so we pulled over, cleaned her up, calmed her down, and I moved to the back seat to comfort her for the rest of the journey.
By the time we finally arrived, we were all utterly exhausted. We collapsed into bed, too tired to appreciate that we had actually made it.
A Beach… That’s Black?
The next morning, Thom was back to full toddler energy, demanding adventure. “Mum wants to sleep a bit” was not an acceptable excuse.
So, off we went to the beach. And that’s when I got my second surprise—
The beach was black.
I had never seen a black sand beach before. It was surreal. Not only was the sand dark as night, but it was also mostly rocky, making it a bit tricky to stroll on.
But Thom? She didn’t care. She plopped down on the patches of sand and started building what could generously be called “sand castles.”
To her, this was paradise.
Finding Our Rhythm.
The next few days, we fell into an easy routine.
In the mornings, I took Thom out for beach adventures while Yoni enjoyed some much-needed sleep.
After a few hours, we’d return to the apartment, where Thom and I would take a siesta (because when in Spain, you embrace the nap life!).
Afternoons were for exploring the island, driving through its breathtaking landscapes.
Whales & Rainforests.
One day, Yoni decided to venture solo into La Gomera’s famous rainforest—too much trekking for a toddler.
While he hiked through the misty trails, Thom and I had our own adventure at the beach.
And that’s when the whales came.
From the shore, we watched in awe as whales passed by, their massive bodies cutting through the ocean with such grace.
Thom was mesmerized. I was speechless. It was magic.
A Vacation of Unexpected Gifts.
Nothing particularly grand happened during that trip. No extravagant excursions, no wild adventures—just simple, beautiful moments of surprise, discovery, and gratitude.
It was a vacation that reminded us that sometimes, the universe hands you exactly what you need, even if it comes with a side of unexpected twists, winding roads, and an impromptu lesson in dealing with car sickness.
Would we do it again? In a heartbeat.
But next time? We might double-check the travel time first. 😉
