Here’s a little bit about us and why, about a year ago, we began a journey to create a guest house in Baleal. Out of all the things we could have done, why this? Why swap stable and relatively lucrative jobs for a self employed existence in the seasonal and competitive tourism industry?
A little bit of the wild is good for you
The draw of the ocean is strong for both of us, with me growing up near the UK coast and Alex spending most of his spare time surfing in Baleal since he was a teenager. So we both dreamed of a life by the sea, and after we met (here in Baleal, by the way) we decided to get cracking before we are too old to enjoy it.
But what is it that draws us, and so many other people, to the ocean? It’s not all lazy sunny days on golden sands. Sometimes the ocean batters the shore, the wind roars in over the water and there seems little protection from the elements. But that’s part of the attraction, being closer to its vast, ever changing wildness.
City dwelling, as I was doing prior to this, is totally insulated from the wild and I don’t know about you but it wasn’t doing me much good. Look at how the medical profession is increasingly encouraging people to get into the garden for their mental and physical health. We are part of nature and it feels good to be more immersed in it. Take a dip in the sea and tell me it doesn’t feel skin-tinglingly fabulous.
Travel can change your life
Sorry for the massive cliché, but bear with me. Having been closed during the coronavirus lockdown we can see that our industry is something we can live without, at least for short periods. But travel and exploration will enrich and sometimes change your life.
Think about your best ever holiday. You know, the one that totally undermined your attempts to return to work mode. The one that somehow had that X factor. For me I remember floating in an outdoor pool in the Alps surrounded by snow, or evenings spent around camp fires on the beach, or early morning surf sessions when the sea is so still and empty.
These are moments that stay with you forever and make you wonder why on earth you spend every morning crammed into a commuter train (presumably to make money for holidays). You need these moments in your life! And we love to help you out with that.
Pleasure isn’t complicated
Does your life sometimes feel like you’re trying to squeeze lots of stuff into your day, house and brain? Too many lives are like this. But when you’re on holiday, and most of your stuff and normal schedule is left behind, you suddenly have more space. We say the best thing you can do at this point is take your time over some high quality simple pleasures.
Luckily, Baleal is absolutely world class for simple pleasures. Think surfing in crystal clear seas, white sand beaches under your bare feet and spectacular sunsets. Think hammocks, long lunches and great coffee. We’ve tried to make our house a tiny little version of Baleal so that the experience continues at home.
We truly believe that a simpler life is better and that we’re in the perfect place to create that for our guests. And hopefully some will take it back with them!
A first summer
So these are the beliefs that led us here and shaped the feel of our guest house. It’s all about a true experience of Baleal where simple pleasures are king. The reality of our new seasonal life should be about to hit home with a first peak season, but the pandemic is flattening our curve. Despite that, here’s to our first summer!
By Clare