Chilling out in the Canaries 6/3/2022

 It must be five and a half years since we have seen my niece, Sarah and her now husband, Adrian. I know this because on last meeting we had discussed the outcome of that fateful day 23rd June 2016. Last week, as a matter of courtesy I phoned my brother to let him know that we would be out of the country for a couple of weeks in Gran Canaria. It was only then we learnt that Sarah and Adrian would be there at the same time. A get together in Las Palmas was called for and duly arranged. They were staying in Maspalomas whilst enjoying the rugged terrain by bike, so travelled up to Las Palmas on the bus. We, meanwhile had hired a car for the middle part of our holiday. 

Actually meeting up in the city could have been quite a problem but serendipitously their bus terminal and the car park we chose were almost adjacent. Here we are with the famous Las Canteras beach behind us. This beach has over 1000 metres of fine white sand and is protected by La Barra a rock and coral barrier that not only provides excellent scuba and snorkel diving but also keeps the sea pleasantly calm. 

We walked the length of the promenade taking in the sights. Wherever you go in Gran Canaria you encounter works of art,  many of them bronze sculptures and each with its own story to tell. This figure (not Sarah) is dedicated to shoe cleaners the world over.

Helen arm in arm with a famous dancing teacher but I'm not sure how much she learnt.

If you look carefully you will see three posts with wooden constructions on the top of them.  They look very primitive but I couldn't find any explanation of their meaning. Perhaps they represented some of the art of indigenous people. If anybody reading this knows, please use the comment facility to let me know. 

Another expansive view of the beach. 

Adrian tells me they add cement to the mix, it saves a lot of work the next day.  What an old cynic he is (but probably right). On first sight this appears to be a representation of a North American "Indian Chief". I'm rather hoping it is in fact a representation of the Canarii, those first inhabitants of the Canary Islands and the designs on each side are references to their troglodyte lifestyle. 

The city is built on a narrow peninsula with higher land at each end of it and sea at either side, a bit like Llandudno if you know it. The natural harbour at Las Palmas is defended by the Castillo de la Luz, built in 1494 on existing Castillian foundations, it had gun platforms for eleven canons. Today it is home to a permanent art exhibition devoted to the work of Martin Chirino. You may have encountered the excellent worldwide organisation called Strawberry Tours. They run free informative tours conducted by local people for the benefit of local charities. We are very grateful to Adrian, who for one day only set up his own "Raspberry Tour" for us. Not perhaps quite as informative as the originals but definitely more amusing. 

We can't leave without reference to the importance of Las Palmas as a port. Historically Spain valued the islands as a jumping off point to the New World. Christopher Columbus discovered the advantage of the trade winds that blow east to west, north of the equator. This was why they were so keen to possess them in the late C15. Today it is still busy importing and exporting goods, as a military base and as a port of call for cruise liners. Modern day windjammers do exist and here's the living proof. A special kind of cruise can be had on the Sea Cloud Spirit. Google it up if you want more information or fancy a cruise. There were two more of a similar size nearby.