For our 10th wedding anniversary we decided to take a trip to the Canary Islands, to Maspalomas in Gran Canaria to be exact. We were hoping for some warmer weather and a bit of sunshine. We did get some sun but only the first day or so were nice enough to really enjoy in your bathing suits. Most of the time the wind was cold (and it was windy) and the sun was covered by sporadic clouds. However, as always, we made the best of it and had a wonderful week.
A view of the mountains on the interior of the island:
We arrived on Monday, December 15, 2008 and stayed until the following Monday. Our anniversary was on Friday, December 19th, so halfway through the trip. Once we arrived on Monday morning we took a short 20 minute bus ride to our resort, Maspalomas Princess. The hotel was very nice, but the people did not really care about the guests at all. It was kind of annoying that none of the staff were helpful or anything, and they acted like the were doing you a favor by answering a question or even getting you a drink when in the restaurant. Not good for a 4 * hotel. When we got there and checked in we didn't really do too much. We walked around the resort to get our bearings and even stopped in at one of the pool side bars for a drink before heading to the beach to walk around and see the lighthouse as well.
The beach and dunes at Maspalomas:
a sand dragon on the beach:
the lighthouse:
Dinner, the same pretty well every night. After a day out and about we would come back to the room, take a shower and get ready, then head down to the buffet dinner that awaited us. After dinner we usually would end up hanging out in the piano bar or going back to the room for some cards on the balcony and having a glass of wine. Either way our evenings were very laid back.
Most mornings were the same as well, we would get up, get ready for the day then head to the breakfast buffet before continuing on. Tuesday was more of a welcoming day, so we just hung out by the pool, had very bad massages, lunch at the Bamboo Garden chinese restaurant behind the resort that was wonderful, some ping pong, and our typical evening.
Wednesday was the BEST day while we were there. After breakfast we were picked up by a bus (coach) for a camel day. We started out at Rancho Verde, a camel rescue center, to see many young camels, female camels, and a couple males, mainly Andre the Giant. He alone has apparently fathered over 500 camels in his short 25 years. It was so much fun watching the young camels playing, they would bite each others legs and wrap their legs around one another. Then we got back on the bus and headed to the Camel Oasis where we got ride a camel. Not how I had expected, but they have a wooden contraption over the camel and each person sits on either side. It was a lot of fun and the camels are amazing animals. They walked us through the desert for about 45 minutes before heading back to the main camp area. There we had Arabian Tea (which tasted kind of like strong mint tea) while waiting for our pictures to develop. Then it was off to Meloneras for a tea or coffee and some cake. We decided not to take the bus back to the hotel and instead walk around Meloneras for a bit.
Aren't they so cute:
The camels playing:
Tami and Greg riding around the desert:
Greg with a camel:
Meloneras was a great place, kind of wish we were staying there instead but no big deal. The little area is complete with restaurants, shops, hangouts, a casino, and the beach and lighthouse. We walked around and ended up eating lunch at El Senador for some spanish tapas, including Papas Arrugadas (boiled potatoes coverd in a red mojo sauce)....yummy. Then it was back to the hotel to get ready for dinner.
Thursday we did a catamaran cruise. It was a lot of fun but the guides weren't quite as friendly as we would have liked. The cruise took us around the coast of Gran Canaria, to the most western tip, we could even see Tenerife through the clouds at one point. We did spot a couple of Reese dolphins that came super close to the boat. We were served drinks and lunch on board and then given the chance to go for a swim. Even though it was FREEZING we decided to do it, since it is our only trip to the Canary Islands. We did and it was cold. The last 45 minutes of the boat trip had the bartender also acting as our entertainment, singing songs from Elton John, Randy Travis, Barry White, and Eric Clapton. We were on the boat for over 5 hours and had a relaxing time. The rest of the night involved mini golf before the evening ritual. I will point out that this was the ONLY night that the dinner differentiated, they had a Mexican themed night, fun but still not quite up to Jamaica standard. After dinner we did sit in the piano bar and talk with some people we had met on the cruise, Dave & Anne, and then played cards with another couple, Angela & Martin.
On the Catamaran:
The coast line of Gran Canaria:
Tenerife:
Us in the freezing water, look closely for the goose bumps:
Friday was our anniversary.....Happy 10th. We took a dolphin cruise today. It was okay but wish we had done something else. The cruise was a bit disappointing, didn't see too many dolphins and had to ask the guide twice what kind we were seeing. On the way back the seas had gotten so rough that everyone was freezing and a few people even got sick. We made it back to shore....finally, and then got left at the pier by our guide (uggghhhh!!!). We had to run for almost 5 minutes to catch up to the bus, and we were only able to because they had to wait for someone to wait for them to open the gates. Oh well, we made it. We were just very happy to get back to the hotel and get done with that trip. We decided to cheer ourselves up with some yummy chinese food. Later on we got ready for dinner out. We took a cab to Meloneras and walked along the ocean front to watch the sunset before dinner. We even watched a surfer for a while, it was so nice and romantic. We had dinner at Ciao Ciao, which was a recommendation, and the food was great. The seats outside under the heaters had the most amazing view of the ocean with some palm trees, so all in all it was a great evening.
The two of us during sunset:
Saturday we took it upon ourselves to do something. We took a bus up to Las Palmas, which is at the opposite end of the island from where we were staying. Las Palmas is the capital of Gran Canaria and has a connection to the US because it is where Christopher Columbus last stayed before finding the Americas. We went to the Casa de Colon (Columbus house & Museum) and to the Catedral de Santa Ana before hitting the streets for a bit of retail therapy. Afterwards, we found a pizzeria on the beach and enjoyed a nice lunch outdoors. It was a beautiful day. We then hit a mall before catching the bus back to Maspalomas. When we got back we went to Meloneras where we stopped at Boulevard Oasis for the most delicious banana split and Greg had a coffee. We walked around a bit and then headed back to our hotel for dinner, drinks, and conversation with Dave & Anne, and Sharon & Trevor.
Catedral de Santa Ana
One of the many altars inside:
Sunday was our last day in Gran Canaria and we had absolutely no plans. We decided to go hit the sand dunes and play around for a bit. It is amazing there, just like being in the desert. We then walked around the beach, watched the wind surfers, had a drink, and then lunch again at El Senador again. We tried to then hang out at the pool but it was just a bit too cold so we hung out on our balcony instead where we could get some sun without the cold wind. We took it easy reading, playing cards, and then grabbing some ice cream from a nearby pizzeria. Then it was off to get ready for supper again. We hung out again after dinner with the two couples that we had met and then Monday morning we were off back to London.
Here are a few pictures of the sand dunes and both of us playing in them:
Greg in the ocean
Happy Birthday Daisy Adair!
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