Maspalomas – Gran Canaria

(many pigeons amongst the duck people)

It’s birthday time again and this year we flew off to Gran Canaria, exchanging Brit winter for some winter sun. 

 

 











Stayed in the south of the Island and can recommend Maspalomas to anyone who likes laid back hols in a well integrated community + helluva beach :)

 













We had free entertainment, of varying quality, at the local restaurant . An amazing young female saxophonist of real quality and a male guitarist who was OK instrumentally until he started singing (made amateur karaoke sound good!).

Also took in neighbouring Playa del Ingles:

Had a great tour round half the island with an amazing multi lingual guide who slipped effortlessly between many languages with ease. The trip included:

The picturesque village of Telde, once the capital of the gaunche:


 

The rum distillery at Arucas who still the excellent local delicacy – honey rum :-p

 









Many mountain passes and amazing volcanic vistas through Valleseco, Cruz de Tejeda, Ayacata and San Bartolome returning through the valley of Fataga:

Roque Nublo Gran Canary's landmark

A beach day to recover.

Then off to spend a day at Palmitos Park, similar to Tenerife, but much more natural. Incredibly well laid out with breeding progs for endangered species and fabulous shows of free flying tropical birds and birds of prey, butterflies and dolphin show (know the arguments but as they point out they’re in a very large pool that is free from pollution, killer trawler nets and predators).

Took the local bus – the Globus service is pretty reliable, modern air con and relatively cheap – to Las Palmas ( can recommend for those who fancy Blackpool without the tower type hols ;)

replica of the boat in which Chris Columbus sailed the ocean blue

 









Evening promenades caught lovely sunsets.

The penultimate day we took a day trip to the expansive market in the fishing village of Mogan, must have been 5-600 stalls but still plenty of room to move and delicious crepes :) 

Came back, with an excellent driver, over a narrow high coastal road, through Puerto Rico and Arguineguin, with amazing views over many coves and bays.