What do you think?
Rate this book
Less Ketchup than Salsa: Finding my Mojo in Travel Writing
How do you go from pulling pints one day, to travelling the world, all-expenses paid the next?
For this author it involved a huge dollop of Ketchup, a little bit of growing up, and an extraordinary sequence of events that flings the author on a career path he’d never dreamed could happen.
Throw in the patter of little feet, sharp teeth, amputations and a smattering of characters from their Tenerife bar days, and you have another serving of Ketchup – only this time, it’s a little more salsa.
With the Smugglers Tavern still a nagging ghost of their past, Joe and Joy free themselves from limpet-like patrons, battle once more with Spain’s bungling bureaucracy and dip a toe in numerous but short-lived careers to stop their bar money evaporating.
Less Ketchup than Salsa is a true story about growing up, finding your dreams in the most unexpected of places and discovering what’s truly important in life.
If you’ve ever pondered living abroad, are interested in travel writing as a career, wondered what life is all about, or just want a funny read in the style of Bill Bryson or Carl Hiaasen…. join Joe and Joy on this third and final memoir in the Ketchup trilogy.
For this author it involved a huge dollop of Ketchup, a little bit of growing up, and an extraordinary sequence of events that flings the author on a career path he’d never dreamed could happen.
Throw in the patter of little feet, sharp teeth, amputations and a smattering of characters from their Tenerife bar days, and you have another serving of Ketchup – only this time, it’s a little more salsa.
With the Smugglers Tavern still a nagging ghost of their past, Joe and Joy free themselves from limpet-like patrons, battle once more with Spain’s bungling bureaucracy and dip a toe in numerous but short-lived careers to stop their bar money evaporating.
Less Ketchup than Salsa is a true story about growing up, finding your dreams in the most unexpected of places and discovering what’s truly important in life.
If you’ve ever pondered living abroad, are interested in travel writing as a career, wondered what life is all about, or just want a funny read in the style of Bill Bryson or Carl Hiaasen…. join Joe and Joy on this third and final memoir in the Ketchup trilogy.
- GenresTravel
208 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2018
81 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Joe Cawley
9 books116 followersJoe Cawley is a travel writer and award-winning author published in many international newspapers and magazines such as The Times, New York Post and Taipei Times.
His first book, More Ketchup than Salsa was voted 'Best Travel Narrative' by the British Guild of Travel Writers and follows the disasters of a young couple seeking greener pastures abroad.
Joe currently lives in the hills of Tenerife with his family and an assortment of other wildlife. Although he loves his family dearly, he admits he gets most sense out of the guinea pigs.
His first book, More Ketchup than Salsa was voted 'Best Travel Narrative' by the British Guild of Travel Writers and follows the disasters of a young couple seeking greener pastures abroad.
Joe currently lives in the hills of Tenerife with his family and an assortment of other wildlife. Although he loves his family dearly, he admits he gets most sense out of the guinea pigs.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 22, 2022
More Adventures from Tenerife.
I have read all of Joe's Salsa books and his writings have transported me to Tenerife, so much so that I have now booked a holiday there for later this year as it is a place I have never been to.
What an interesting life Joe has led, not one to be daunted or afraid to try his hand at anything new. Moving thousands of miles away from home to pursue a better life for himself and his partner, Joy. In this episode, we meet dear, sweet Grandma, his crazy cat and are introduced to his firstborn.
Now living a slower pace of life since the sale of the bar it is not long until Joe needs to start a new adventure, he needs to occupy his time, and stretch his mind and body. This is a fascinating story of how Joe found his mojo in travel writing, it is no holds barred honest, often humorous and very well written.
Thank you again Joe for a wonderful read, I hope there are more on the way.
I have read all of Joe's Salsa books and his writings have transported me to Tenerife, so much so that I have now booked a holiday there for later this year as it is a place I have never been to.
What an interesting life Joe has led, not one to be daunted or afraid to try his hand at anything new. Moving thousands of miles away from home to pursue a better life for himself and his partner, Joy. In this episode, we meet dear, sweet Grandma, his crazy cat and are introduced to his firstborn.
Now living a slower pace of life since the sale of the bar it is not long until Joe needs to start a new adventure, he needs to occupy his time, and stretch his mind and body. This is a fascinating story of how Joe found his mojo in travel writing, it is no holds barred honest, often humorous and very well written.
Thank you again Joe for a wonderful read, I hope there are more on the way.
August 20, 2025
I've read all three books by Joe Cawley because I LOVE travel writing, and you can see how much better he gets as he gets going - by book three, he is a master travel writer (should be, he wrote for the London Times, I believe). It's engaging, it's funny, and he really puts you right there - wherever he might be flinging himself around the world.
The walk he was supposed to take with Bill Bryson in Peru is a brilliant story. It's funny how excited he is, and then it doesn't quite happen how he expected. All through this book, you see a writer who took a chance on themselves. Paid for their own travel, kept submitting their work, and finally started to make it happen. It's inspiring. In the world of travel influencers who expect to get everything for free without having much talent or trial, it was refreshing.
If you love travel writing and haven't read something by Joe Cawley, you are missing out.
The walk he was supposed to take with Bill Bryson in Peru is a brilliant story. It's funny how excited he is, and then it doesn't quite happen how he expected. All through this book, you see a writer who took a chance on themselves. Paid for their own travel, kept submitting their work, and finally started to make it happen. It's inspiring. In the world of travel influencers who expect to get everything for free without having much talent or trial, it was refreshing.
If you love travel writing and haven't read something by Joe Cawley, you are missing out.
December 25, 2019
Ok to skim through
I read Joe Cawley’s last two bios from cover to cover which were a lot more entertaining - this ones a bit mundane compared to those and to be fair, one might expect so since it relates to a more stable period of Joe’s life and gives closure to his transition to a writer. One for diehard fans of the last two books.
I read Joe Cawley’s last two bios from cover to cover which were a lot more entertaining - this ones a bit mundane compared to those and to be fair, one might expect so since it relates to a more stable period of Joe’s life and gives closure to his transition to a writer. One for diehard fans of the last two books.
September 25, 2021
A nice read but nowhere near as good as the previous two books.
As an owner of a property on Tenerife and knowing all of the places mentioned in all of Joe's books, I found this one a bit light on details and jumps around too much. Maybe life just got more simple and less to write about?
Anyway, well done Joe, but that is probably it for this series!
As an owner of a property on Tenerife and knowing all of the places mentioned in all of Joe's books, I found this one a bit light on details and jumps around too much. Maybe life just got more simple and less to write about?
Anyway, well done Joe, but that is probably it for this series!
January 26, 2019
I think Mr. Cawley should let a little more time pass between each of his memoirs. By book #3 we're running pretty thin on plot. Some interesting stories, but overall, not as exciting as his earlier efforts.
February 7, 2019
Perfect ending
Perfect ending to a fun series of books. I began reading them because I live on a small Island. No matter what part of the world that you are in, islands have their own issues and schedules. I have laughed and enjoyed every moment of these books.
Perfect ending to a fun series of books. I began reading them because I live on a small Island. No matter what part of the world that you are in, islands have their own issues and schedules. I have laughed and enjoyed every moment of these books.
July 14, 2019
Generally ketchup please
The ketchup trilogy, is without doubt up there with the best travel writing around today.
Joe Cawley is an exceptional wordsmith.
If you read three books in a year make sure it's these.
The ketchup trilogy, is without doubt up there with the best travel writing around today.
Joe Cawley is an exceptional wordsmith.
If you read three books in a year make sure it's these.
April 4, 2020
I smiled all the way through!
I love Joe's stories, you really get a sense of being there. Joe paints such a great picture you can feel the heat in the air and the dryness of the landscape.
I love Joe's stories, you really get a sense of being there. Joe paints such a great picture you can feel the heat in the air and the dryness of the landscape.
June 9, 2020
Excellent Read
Just finished reading all 3 books. Excellent all of them. They transported you to the Island and made you feel as if you were actually there Can't
All three books were brilliant. Made you feel.as if you were actually there. Quite sad that I've finished them .
.
Just finished reading all 3 books. Excellent all of them. They transported you to the Island and made you feel as if you were actually there Can't
All three books were brilliant. Made you feel.as if you were actually there. Quite sad that I've finished them .
.
October 14, 2024
very funny and inspiring.
This was a book I couldn’t put down. Loved how they had to deal with new language, people and finding working a bar hard. Gave a positive impression of the island its people and beautiful countryside.
This was a book I couldn’t put down. Loved how they had to deal with new language, people and finding working a bar hard. Gave a positive impression of the island its people and beautiful countryside.
March 22, 2020
Entertaining and humorous. I especially enjoyed the retelling of how he got his start in travel writing.
August 3, 2021
A fantastic read of a true life experience.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews