Gran Canaria Holidays (Canary Islands) - Travelogue

In the beginning there was Gran Canaria. Winterholidays in the sun, with a sandy beach and the Sea at 25 - 30°C degree, that's how I like the winter. The first trip to Spain in Jan./Feb. 93 together with my friend Ralf, was followed by two more trips to Gran Canaria - in Feb. 96 and Dec. 96 (with our friend Mad). Not recommended can be the Aparthotel Escorial ... only German tourists, fresh rolls at breakfast only twice a week, a sunny pool only till 4 p.m. and a not very central situation. Much recommended can be the hotel Buenaventura in Playa del Inglés, that's really big with it's 1,400 beds, but has a corresponding big choice on the rich Buffet. Even entertainment is good.

There are only 200m to go to the KASBAH contenting disco-pubs, where's a party going on every day of the year. We prefered the GARAGE and the PACHA. There are some more shopping centre where you can party every night; for example CITA and JUMBO, which we didn't visit because they are situated some more meters away from our hotel. During the day the fine sandy beach that extends to Maspalomas in the shape of dunes, invites for a (sun)bath. On the "beach"promenade, you can spend your money or on the real promenade go for a walk to San A(u)gustín. To buy electronic stuff you can go to the CITA where you can bargain hard with the Maroccens trader!

In Maspalomas is not much going on even in high seasons, that's because there are mainly young families with little children or people in the age of 50 and more. It's relative quiet over there. There are some luxury hotels near the beach but they are very expensive. But as I told you before, partypeople don't stay to long over there and return to Playa del Inglés.
Here are some impressions:

On the beach of Playa del Inglés

The promenade of Playa del Inglés in direction to San A(u)gustín

The dunes of Maspalomas (from Playa del Inglés)

View to Maspalomas

After a strong thunderstorm the Sea reconnected with the
Barranco near Maspalomas Oasis for some weeks.
The new "river" was up to 1 meter deep

Sundown at the Faro de Maspalomas (point in the widest southeast of the Canarian Islands)

Visited destinations in the surroundings

The first known place in the east of Playa del Inglés is the second touristcentre of Gran Canaria: Puerto Rico. Take a wide gorge with a small river flowing into the Sea, some (well, some more) golden sand and you'll get a 400m wide beach. Then build up some hotels and apartmenthotels on the slopes and soon the holiday centre will be complete. That's Puerto Rico. For me it's a little bit to unnatural. Driving on you'll reach Puerto de Mogán. This place is a nice port with a number of small and beautiful houses which are a successful contrast to the rocky landscape. The Canarian "little-Venice" is certainly more beautiful than the other tourist centres.

Puerto de Mogán

Driving back, away from the Sea you'll come to the picturesque village Mogán and further on the long and winding way to San Nicolás de Tolentino. Who's able to find the way, may drive to the centre of the Isle and pass some barrages until he finally reaches the Cruz de Tejeda (crossing of Tejeda) and the beautiful village Tejeda.
You also can drive on to the North and stop in Puerto de las Nieves, to see the famous "Dedo del Díos", the godfinger. This rock is situated in the Sea near the coast. Driving on you can visit the northcoast and drive back from Las Palmas to the South on the motorway. Other ways took much more time!!

On our first trip "through" the Isle we went from Playa del Inglés in direction to Fataga and had after about 5 miles a wonderful view to the gorge of Fataga.

Looking back you have a beautiful view to Playa del Inglés, but we didn't have a good sight.
Then we drove on passing Fataga and San Bartolomé de Tirajana to the picturesque village Tejeda

At the three miles away Cruz de Tejeda you have a wonderful view to the north of the Isle. There you can decide whether to go to the North, the West, back to the Roque Nublo or up to the Pozo de las Nieves. This 1,949m high mountain is the highest one of the Island.

Who went to the west may even see the Pico del Teide of Teneriffa

driving on you can make the former described trip from San Nicolás in the other direction to the Sea.

Once on a rainy day we drove to the barrage of Soria. It's sight is certainly more interesting and beautiful on a sunny day and also the muddy streets over there might be better to be driven having dry weather.

Finally two more pictures. A photo of a dragontree in the botanical garden of Gran Canaria, which in 1993 you didn't have to see.

and finally a photo from the Palmitos Park, which you'll never try to reach by feet.
It took us 3:15 h to get there. We have taken a look in our guide before we started, so we would've recognised a distance of 10 miles from Playa del Inglés. So better take the bus. The entrance meanwhile is not very cheap, but it's beautiful over there. There are many plants, some animals a beautiful house of butterflies, a parrotshow and much more.

So, that's all. The first time on the Isle I only filmed, so I don't have more photos.

The End!!! Translated on 05.05.2001

Gran Canaria Holidays (Canary Islands) - Travelogue

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