Playa De Las Americas – All inclusive heaven!

The hotel I stayed at and the pool!

So I have just got back from Tenerife (Canary Islands) and not only have I gained a decent tan, but a couple of pounds too!
I stayed in the Hotel ‘Best Tenerife’ which well deserves the four stars it has been awarded. My room was lovely, large, two double beds, en-suite bathroom, TV and best of all a sizeable balcony with a beautiful view.

The above picture was my room at the hotel!
For an extra £130 I had all my food and drink included for my weeks stay which meant I had an un-limited amount of breakfast, lunch and dinner on offer to me in so many different varieties through out the day. On top of that I had snacks such as ice creams and toasties delivered to me by the pool. And on top of that I had the pick of any drink I wanted (I discovered a liking for Baileys this holiday after trying every drink just because I could).
All this might sound amazing (that’s because it was) but there has been a major down side. I have added pounds to my already expanding figure (coming to university in Leeds has not been kind to my gut). All inclusive was a money saver but I’m starting to think that may be it prevented me from enjoying the lovely restaurants Playa De Las Americas has to offer.
Like any 19 year old I did go off seeking the night life and funnily enough I think I found it quite well due to my lack of memory about the night out. What I do remember is that drinks were cheap, people were friendly and the entertainment was genuinely entertaining.
I would recommend going to Tenerife; the locals have made it paradise to the extent that they have shipped in tones of sand from neighbouring Africa to ensure the beaches are the perfect shade of white to blend in with the picturesque turquoise of the sea. And the temperature never drops below 25 degrees Celsius all year round. Although if you have that bit of extra money to spend I would keep your board as self-catering to ensure you get a good view of the Island and what it has to offer. Carrying that extra money and expanding your wallet may prevent an expansion in your waistline.

Placement Year

Being in my second year at Leeds Met I have to start considering the opportunities offered by completing a years placement in Public Relations. The obvious benefits such as work experience in a real business environment, learning the things that can never be taught in a classroom and some thing worth while to put on my C.V. are factors swaying my decision to do a placement. But the route to obtaining one is so confusing.
There are so many un-answered questions and many more negative points. Such as where will I live if I move to another city and if I end up doing a placement in Leeds after all my friends have signed for a house then where will I live?! I have to apply for my student loan, but I don’t know whether I will be doing a placement or not so how do I know what to apply for? What if I don’t find a placement? When do they start? And the list goes on and on.
In PR I feel that experience counts for a lot more then what you are taught in a class room. So what do you do in a situation like this? Leave myself hovering above whether I will be offered a placement or just go straight into my final year?

House Party Galore

As any Leeds loving student knows the first year of University is all about the nights out, every one goes to the standard well known nights advertised by 'Voodoo Events' and 'Taking liberties' which meant last year my week revolved around Halo, Space, Oceana, Mezz, Chilli Whites and some other random well organised, well advertised event. I'm not complaining, I had the best year of my life, I definitely gave a new meaning to the saying 'Live for the nights you cant remember with the friends you'll never forget.'

But after spending every penny of my overdraft and student loan the second year has now been all about the cheapest nights available or paying that little bit more and going to the best nights available but less often. And for those nights with no money Headingley has become House party Heaven!!

Hyde Park has so far shown me some of the most legendary, mind-blowing party's. They are full to the brim having 'bouncers' on the doors on the odd occasion because the house is literally at capacity! Headingley has been hot-to-trot following in Hyde Park houses foot steps being the location of some of the best all weekender party's. The houses these party's are thrown in tend to have the same lay outs; massive living rooms and Kitchens and the added bonus of huge basements. And the reasons why they are so amazing is that they:

• have such a laid back feel, most people are dressed casual (unless you join the party after a night out)


• the music is incredible, there are usually 2 or 3 different rooms of music with decks, djs and massive speakers. So its guaranteed you will find music you like.


• you meet so many new people and can actually talk to them because not every room makes your ears ring


• you can come and go as you please and even if your friends have been on a night out and you haven't they can come and join you after


• The best bit has to be IT'S FREE TO GET IN

It's amazing how having no money changes your social activities, whats even more amazing is how much it has it has improved it from the same monotonous nights to a mash up of the best party scenes.

(The photo is from my most recent party, 15 hours after it started!!)

Sunday at HIFI

So it was another Sunday night in Leeds and yet again i mostly didn't have much to do (apart from the mound of Uni work) so after getting a text from a friend saying they were going to Space or HIFI I got a bit of itchy feet.

As every one who lives in Leeds knows Space is a really good night out, fantastic music and an eerie but good underground venue, the only down side is every one that goes is so drugged up they cant dance, see straight or hold a conversation. So since it was a Sunday i fancied something abit less intense and convinced people to go to HIFI.

All i can say is AMAZING! It was the perfect mix of different. I can see why it has been three times winner of the “Best Nightclub” and “Best Live Music Venue” at the annual Leeds Bar & Club Awards. And what makes it even better is it was FREE ENTRY!!

As soon as i walked in the atmosphere was fantastic. Everyone was dressed in their own manner with no judgemental looks being thrown around, so laid back. It was also filled with people from all walks of life (mainly students) from international students to people that are Leeds born and bred.

The music was a live jazz, Latin, funk & salsa bands alongside resident DJs from New Bohemia and First Word Records who play Soul, Funk & Hip Hop into the early hours! The salsa and jazz songs often were mixes of music in the charts like Destination Calabria so i never felt out of place. All the music just made you want to move your feet and dance.

This night out is definitely going to be a regular occurrence, the only down side was drinks were ridiculously expensive (£3.30 for a single spirit and mixer).