A Tenerife Adventure with Poppy

After wrapping up our time in Amsterdam, Poppy and I flew directly to Tenerife for a much-needed vacation. Tenerife, a Spanish island, lies parallel to the western coast of Morocco. The flight took about 4.5 hours, and when we arrived, the weather was a perfect 27 degrees Celsius every day. I always try to take Poppy on a spring trip, but with all the Olympic preparation this year, we didn’t have the chance. So, since we were already in Europe, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to combine some downtime with adventure after a very busy year.

One of the highlights of the trip was spending time and staying with my longtime friend Cat Traer. Cat and I met back in 2011 at the All-Canada Classic game, and we've played together on the National Team at different points, including at the Commonwealth Games in 2018, and again during the 3x3 Women’s Series in 2019, when Poppy was just a few months old. We reunited again in 2021, just four months after Cat’s son, Isaiah, was born. Cat and her family have been living in Europe for the past few years, as both she and her husband play basketball professionally. Their two kids were so adorable, and Poppy had an amazing time spending the week with them.

We stayed in Santa Cruz, on the north side of the island, which is a bit quieter and less touristy than the south. It was such a charming city, and the beaches never felt too crowded or commercialized. Most days, we spent our time at the beach, enjoying the warm weather and ocean. Most of the island has the unique black sand, which comes from the island's volcanic history. Tenerife’s black sand beaches are a distinct feature, a result of its volcanic origins.

One day, we visited the local zoo with the kids, and on our last day, we headed to Siam Park, one of the top-rated waterparks in the world. It was such an exciting experience. The water slides were intense—some of them were terrifying—but Poppy had the time of her life. The park even had a lazy river that ended with a slide going through an aquarium filled with sharks, stingrays, and exotic fish. It was incredible!

In the mornings, Poppy and I would sit on Cat’s rooftop patio, working on her reading while soaking in the island sun. We also explored the local markets, enjoyed delicious food, and took the bus everywhere, which was super convenient and affordable. It was the perfect mix of relaxation and fun.

Overall, it was a fantastic experience. Poppy really enjoyed being on vacation and also being surrounded by someone other than me. Tenerife was the ideal spot for both of us to unwind after such a hectic year, and I’m already looking forward to our next adventure.

Can we all have a moment of joy looking at the length of my shorts and socks in 2011. Hahahaha.