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Published: January 5th 2010
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Around Gran Canaria
Around Gran Canaria
Things don’t always go according to plan. My intention of jumping on the buses going around the island didn’t quite materialise. We had a few days of poor weather when I first arrived {
Having seen the weather back in the UK on TV I guess I’d better not complain too much about that though!} and then I overdid the walking on my recently liberated foot and had to ground myself again for a few days.
This ruled out any running for buses.
On the bright side we did find ourselves with a couple of cars for a few days so I was able to get a lift and get out and about a bit. I’m grateful to Brian and Barbara who unexpectedly found themselves with a hire car, took me out around the island for a couple of days and even gave me a lollipop for being well behaved in the car.
Maspalomas
We base ourselves in Maspalomas. The beach and lighthouse are a pleasant 30 minute walk from where our apartments are. Apart from being a stopping off point for Christopher Columbus on his 3rd voyage, Maspalomas
is most famous for its sand dunes. The sand dunes are a unique area of Gran Canaria and are now a nature reserve and conservation area. Attempts are being made to conserve the area of the dunes. Some areas have been roped off and signs put up asking people to keep off the dunes. But the area is still open to allow access to the camel ride attraction and it is accessible from the beach. Unfortunately a lot of people are ignoring the signs and the area is still being eroded.
In front of the sand dunes is the Maspalomas nudist beach, popular with middle-aged, overweight, pale skinned people. The nudists also tend to sunbathe in the sand dunes area and you can often see some X-rated adults-only activities going on in the area of the dunes. If going for a walk through the dunes keep to the marked paths if you’re not broad-minded!
Amadores Beach
Amadores Beach is Carrie’s favourite spot on the island and the first place she wants to go to when she arrives. It’s a man-made beach just west of the resort of Puerto Rico. It has the attraction of being more
sheltered than the other beaches, having beautifully-coloured (but cold!) water, and having shops, bars and restaurants on the beach. It’s sheltered location also makes it one of the easier beaches for swimming.
Lot’s of other people seem to share Carrie’s opinion - it’s a popular beach and is always busy.
Tejeda and Roque Nublo
Tejeda is near the highest point on the island. There is what appears to be an old fort and a cross here. It also has some extremely forceful souvenir sellers who will drag you into their shops and the world’s shortest donkey ride.
Near the cross are some spectacular views over the tops of the Gran Canaria hills to Tenerife and Mount Teide. On the day we visited there were a lot of bikers gathering near the cross - I don’t know if this is a regular weekend venue for them or if this meeting was part of a special event.
A short drive from Tejeda and past another couple of impressive viewpoints is Roque Nublo, the highest point on the island. There´s a car park here and it´s a short walk up the track to the rock.
From
At The Viewpoint at Tejeda
With Teneriffe visible in the background here the road drops down to the village of Ayacata. We stopped here for some tapas - something we may have found hard to find in the holiday area we are staying in. The no 18 bus also stops at Ayacata - a bus ride and a walk up to Roque Nublo could be a definite possibility next year.
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