Gran Canaria, final part

GRAN CANARIA

PART NINE.

So, that was it – the end of our ten days. Well – more like eleven really as the complex said that, as our flight wasn’t until 8PM, we could leave all our stuff there, and they’d even let us change and shower later. Sorted! We packed our cossies and set off for a day on the beach. We passed this fine example of the candelabra cactus on our way.

We also thought we’d take a trip into the northern end of the dunes to see if we could spot any lizards (we didn’t). This was also where they did the camel dune trips from.

I know we’re all God’s creatures, but these things are HELLISH ugly!!

But, they served a purpose, so it was time to head off ‘a la Lawrence’. We weren’t tempted though, preferring to use a pony (Shanks’)

When we got into the dunes, the ‘breeze’ was quite strong – more like a sirocco (that’s desert wind, to you). Look how it’s dug a hole behind this stone.

After our walk, we decided to go and relax on the beach. Does anyone know how to get there though??

It’s THAT way, mate. (Thanks, Columbus).

We passed this dilapidated and closed cafe on our way. I jokingly told Sue that was where I’d planned for us to have lunch.

Salubrious? NOT!

These roadside thermometers became a thing of ridicule. We often saw up to half a dozen or more in a day's walking, and most of them showed a different temperature?

This ‘statue’ was SO good, he even fooled the pigeons!

Lunchtime came, and we saw that this particular restaurant had a local food called ‘gofio’ on the menu. The guide had talked about it on our trip at the beginning of this holiday, and said how Canarians ate it at most meals. What was it like? We just HAD to try it! It came, and it was a thick paste in consistency, but served with marinated onion to dip, we quite liked it (and bought a bag to bring home). It’s a ground down sweetcorn powder, and makes chicken taste really lovely.

The last supper (well, lunch).

Fish, in what was described as a Basque sauce. I’ve been to the Basque region of France, and this really was good – the two fish steaks were HUGE as well.

Happy Susie :-)  

Amazing what a couple of glasses of Sangria and some Canarian sunshine can do!

Oh look – it’s twenty EIGHT now!

But, after a fantastic holiday, it was time to make our way back, collect our cases, and head for home and a return to winter.

Which way, Chris?

Cheers!

Gran Canaria, part eight.

GRAN CANARIA

PART EIGHT.

We got to Playa Del Inglis early to drop off the car. No problems, no 'hidden extras', just good service and a smile. Great. We strolled down to the beach to take a look - the first time we'd been here. The dunes (which we would explore) are off to the right about a mile away.

We'd never SEEN so many dunes - and were eager to explore them! The view back to Ingles was good.

The view to the sea was not bad either. We knew it would be hard work walking up and down the dunes, but we were enjoying it, and there was a constant, cooling breeze.

Desiderata!

NOW what Sue????

Oh come ON - after the 'playground' thing, I thought you'd start acting your age.

As IF!

From some angles, the sand looked endless.

The relentless sun & sand took its toll on Sue.

Is that enough for you, Sue?

We'll just take a stroll along th......WHAT!!!!!! MADAM!!!!

This guy wasn't getting much of a tan though.

We reached Maspalomas, and decided to just carry on walking. We'd been out already for about ten hours, but the body was still willing, and it was a beautiful afternoon.

Such a lovely promenade walk in the daytime. Later, we were to see it in all its night time glory too.

But for now, a cheery wave from Sue, still up for a walk (after a little sit-down). The small cove you can see is Melaneras. We only 'discovered' this late in the holiday, and found it to be a great swimming and sunning beach. Not as crowded as Maspalomas beach, and nicely tucked away from the breeze.

There were also lots of beach bars and cafe bistros to choose from. We chose this one because they said they did a very good paella. I told the guy I was fussy, and he said; if you don't like, you don't eat and don't pay. Near enough! As you can see, it came, and was a scrumptious panful of loveliness!

Oh, was I GLAD to pay - it was just divine!

We then decided to just sit, let dinner settle, and watch the waves for a while. There was a lot of action in the sea tonight.

And, of course, we just HAD to wait for the sun to set in this perfect sky. With being further round the headland, we were in the perfect position to get some good shots.

The golden orb was coming good!

 Fishing for a good sunset.

We sat in silence and just watched as it sank into the waves. What a perfectly delightful way to spend time.

Now for a long, steady stroll back. I treated us to a taxi for the bit from Maspalomas to our complex. It was then that Sue remarked that we had been out for THIRTEEN HOURS (and walking for most of them). This is the prom' at night. 

The big hotels took on a new light too, after dark. Some of the lighting arrangements were like a work of art.

This was the 'expensive' new part of Maspalomas. Here, there was no shortage of customers for the restaurants and bars. The food here WILL cost quite a bit more than the norm, but it IS very good. You get what you pay for, and if you want a treat, this is where you come.

WOW! This was the first time we'd seen the piazza at night. Money WELL spent, isn't it? This is how I'd love my home town of Bakewell to look after dark (not black, as it is now). These people really know how to make the most of what they've got, and show it off to its best advantage.

Just LOOK at this backlit waterfall - good during the day, but magical after dark.

Fountains, too, all lit up to accentuate the flow and colours.

Paradoxically, the 'cheap' side of town was very quiet tonight.

We saw this little fellow on the last part of our walk. I got the picture, and then we left him to his nocturnal perambulations.