Wednesday 8 February 2023

Lazy Wednesdays

After a workout, some parcel wrapping & a Post Office run, a morning of charity shopping and a frenzied afternoon of washing, ironing and mending, that's not a description of our day. Lazy Wednesdays was the tour we'd booked days before leaving for Gran Canaria and, at 9am a fortnight ago, we made our way to the designated pick-up spot in Vegueta to meet Pavel, the host and organiser of the trip. 


Twenty minutes later and we arrived at our first destination, Caldera de BandamaIt was formed five thousand million years ago along with the ancient volcano Pico de Bandama. The crater is 216 metres deep, 574 metres high and 1,000 metres wide. The views from the peak were amazing.



To the northwest of Las Palmas lies Santa Brigida, a stunningly pretty mountain village surrounded by lush vegetation, which has been attracting visitors since the 19th Century.








We loved that this little bar was called El Despacho (The Office), so you could legitimately tell your partner that you were going to the office and actually spend the day in the pub. Pavel had taken drinks orders on the way and phoned ahead so complimentary coffees and goats cheese & tomato bocadillos were already waiting when we arrived.









The red house (above) is a guesthouse, I've found it on Booking.com (HERE


We carried on to Pico de las Nieves, the highest point on the island, which stands at 1,949 metres above sea level (by comparison, Britain's tallest mountain, Ben Nevis, is just 1,345 metres). Pavel suggested we prayed to the weather gods for the mist to clear - and for a safe journey up there - handing out homeopathic travel sickness pills to any passengers who needed them (not us!) The gods were on our side, Salvo, the driver, managed to successfully navigate the bus to the top of the cliff and, as if by magic, within minutes of stepping down, the mists vanished revealing the mysterious rocks of both Roque Nublo and Roque Bantayga as well as offering us a tantalising glimpse of Gran Canaria's sister island, Tenerife.






We'd been told to dress in warm clothes, it's cold up there!







You might remember me writing about my Dad being a mountaineer (HERE). Like him, I'm not in the least bit bothered by heights, scaling a rock like a mountain goat while Jon looked on in horror.



We stopped at San Bartolomé de Tirajana, which is a bit of a mouthful, so it is known as Tunte.


Tunte is on the Camino de Santiago trail, the only route located outside of mainland Europe. 


 The village's folk museum, formerly the home of a wealthy 19th century doctor, contained a stash of vintage textiles & costumes to die for.

Another idyllic Canarian mountain village, surrounded by palm groves with traditional cobbled houses with wooden balconies and masses of bougainvillea, Fataga was our next stop and the destination for lunch, which wasn't included in the price of the trip but the reviews were good and there were lots of choices for vegetarians and vegans so we were more than happy to partake (packed lunches are for home, not for holidays!) Again, Pavel took our orders on the way and phoned ahead we didn't have long to wait before our food arrived.....broken eggs & Iberian ham for Jon and a Spanish tortilla for me.













On the way to Maspalomas, situated in the southern extreme of the island, Pavel passed round photos taken in 1899 and in 1960, warning us that mass development in the 1960s and 1970s had all but destroyed the area likening it to Disneyland. 


Whilst the surrounding sand dunes and nature reserve were undeniably beautiful, the resort of Maspalomas left us cold.


Running the gamut of waiters waving menus and trying to usher us into bars we had a look around the ethnographic museum located within the old lighthouse and were back at the bus fifteen minutes before we needed to be. We'd definitely done the right thing by shunning package holiday hell and staying in Vegueta.


Our Lazy Wednesday trip was the highlight of our week on Gran Canaria. Pavel was an absolute joy, radiating warmth and enthusiasm. In addition to his impressive knowledge of the history, folk law, geography and agriculture of his native island, he pointed out locations used by Rhianna and J-Lo and Penelope Cruz's favourite hotel, gave gardening tips, recipes, told us about the best hiking trail and even taught us a few words in Canarian Spanish. 

Fancy a Lazy Wednesday?
Cost per person : £35 
Book HERE


What a week. Mountains, volcanos, art, culture, dazzling architecture and amazing food, we loved Gran Canaria! I can't wait to hear what Jane thinks of the island, she & her husband are off this weekend.  


Thanks for coming along, see you soon!

34 comments:

  1. Loved seeing such different vegetation than your staying around home posts. These photos remind me of Panama a bit. Aside from the cactus, the countryside is plentiful in bougainvillea. And the buildings are painted much the same.

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    1. There's a real Latin American feel to the island, a lot of it reminded me of our travels in Brazil. x

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  2. There is nothing (except perhaps Maspalomas) which does not sound anything less than perfect for your excursion. I hope Pavel receives a commission for taking you to such lovely eateries, and phoning ahead with orders is inspired - makes it easier on the restaurant and nicer for you not having to wait.

    Santa Brigida looks gorgeous, are you contemplating a return trip?

    Thank you for sharing a Wonderful Wednesday with us, xx

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    1. Pavel was fantastic. I thought phoning ahead to the restaurant was inspired. He was an estate agent in a previous life and pointed out a few properties currently for sale including a four bedroomed farmhouse with five acres of land and a houseful of antique furniture thrown in for €95,000 - if it wasn't for Brex**it and the 180 day rule, I don't think we'd have bothered to come back! xxx

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  3. I loved seeing plants that were so different from the ones I knew or always saw.https://www.melodyjacob.com/2023/02/cantu-extra-hold-edge-stay-gel-review.html

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  4. Good for you for taking the tour up amongst the clouds and avoiding the tourist area! Wow, what an amazing place that is. Thank you so much for sharing this, Mountain Goat Vix! :D

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    1. I preferred being amongst the clouds than the crowds! I've always fancied climbing to Everest's base camp but Jon's not at all keen! xxx

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  5. I haven't mend clothes for ages. Maybe sew on button
    Coffee is on and stay safe

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  6. Santa Brigida looks absolutely stunning, as does that holiday rental (I had a nose around).
    I adored the mountain views but felt sick just watching you on that rocky outcrop!
    Thanks for showcasing the island's beauty. I don't get the appeal of those package holiday destinations either...often so ugly and soulless. xxx

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    1. Isn't it gorgeous? Santa Brigida was such a pretty village, I'd have been happy to stay there forever!
      I loathe those purpose-built "resorts" you could be anywhere in the world. xxx

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  7. I love the idea of a guided tour. Maybe that's what you could do as a sideline in your home town. I bet it would be a great day out with you. X

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    1. I love going on tours with locals, we've done some fabulous walking tours in India in the past. I'm liking your idea! xxx

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  8. Wow, what a tour! You certainly got your money's worth as the places you visited seemed absolutely endless. When you mentioned lunch, I thought this was at the end of your day!
    I saw you scaling that rock on Facebook and my heart and stomach did a somersault ... Stunning scenery, though! I hope it weren't Canarian Spanish swear words Pavel taught you :-) xxx

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    1. It was a bargain at £35, we loved it! Jon was appalled by me standing on that rock, I reckon my dad would have been proud! xxx

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  9. A lazy Wednesday that wasn't! It looks and sounds fantastic. Loved the folk museum...
    xxx

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    1. We loved it - and slept very well that night! xxx

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  10. how lovely, there's so much to explore and it's not all flat and predictable like some destinations can turn out to be, nice rugged landscape, some cacti and pretty painted houses, your outfits coordinated well with the scenery!

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    1. I know what you mean by flat and predictable, Betty! I love it when there are mountains and pretty villages where real people live instead of purpose built! xxx

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  11. Ah, this is brilliant! Just the type of place CBC likes- maybe we will go to Gran Canaria! I love your mountain goat photo- you wouldn't catch me doing that though!!

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    1. It really was lovely. I quite fancy a walking holiday and staying in a different mountain village every night! I think you'd love Gran Canaria as long as you avoid the Southern beach resorts. xxx

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  12. What a beautiful place. Like you, I have no issue with heights and always think it's wonderfully humbling to be up so high and looking out on the big wide expanse. Stunning. When I see these places it makes me realise how little I have travelled, and while no travel is on the cards this year, I definitely think I need to get my passport sorted and start making up for lost time. By next year, Miss D will be old enough to appreciate some new places, I think. xx

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    1. It was standing on a hill and looking down over Barcelona which confirmed my love of travel, there's nothing to beat it! Do apply for your passport and do a bit of travelling when you can! xxx

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  13. wow, such lovely places!, I have a weakness for old doors, balconies and folk museums, so this is just my kind of fun! ;DDD
    Totally in love with the landscapes and those villages!, so colourful!. And also lovely organisation, taking orders before arriving! brilliant idea!.
    besos

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    1. It was an absolute dream, so many gorgeous places and plenty of time to explore all of them. Wasn't it a good idea to ring ahead with our orders? helpful for the restaurants and not too long a wait for us! xxx

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  14. Eh up our Mountain Goat, stunning pictures Vix ! Amazing to see the cacti in flower and the Canary Palms where they are happiest. I like the idea of going to the 'office' each day :) Looks like you had a super fab time xXx

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    1. It was amazing, Lulu! I thought you'd enjoy the plantlife! x

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  15. What a dreamy place! Gorgeous photos.

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  16. When I see your photos from mini-vacations like this I am filled with envy at your being a short plane or train ride from another country. It's such an ordeal (time and money) for us here in Canada to get over there. The last photo with all the colourful houses is lovely.

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    1. We're so lucky to be able to fly to another country and experience a different culture within a few hours and for so little money (our flights were £14.99 each way!) xxx

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Lots of love, Vix