Showing posts with label Puerto Rico. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Puerto Rico. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Gran Canaria

We're into January and it's time for our annual trip to Puerto Rico in Gran Canaria for a spot of winter sun.


Each year we go to the same hotel, Riosol, and almost the same apartment with the same view.


The great advantage of going to the same place each year is that we have, as far as we are concerned, done everything. 


Because of this, we don't have to go exploring the island - we can have a relaxing holiday!


This year the holiday was rather like déjà vu.


There may have been different plants in flower...


...but for the most part, we had done it before...


...even down to our return visit to Cocodrilo Park to see the Fennec foxes and all their other wonderful creatures,...


...the photos of the sunrise...


...and sunset,...


...the visit to Montecristo gardens...


...to see the exotic plants and works of art...


...and the pleasant walk along the front at Puerto Rico...



...not forgetting the stop for coffee.



We also had a walk along the front of the next beach, Amadores,...


...which is very popular with sun worshippers of all ages and consequently is packed out. You don't come here to get away from it all!


One thing we did different this year was to go with a group of people from our hotel to the village of Valsequillo to their Almond Festival. The town, half way up the mountains on the east side of the island, was absolutely thronging with visitors...




...as well as displays of farm animals, artisan stalls selling produce of every description...


...and groups of musicians and dancers where you just had to join in. A great day out and another wonderful holiday!

To see the short video of my performance as a dancer, click HERE.

To see the short video of us feeding the deer at Cocodrilo Park, click HERE.

To see the short video of how to feed crocodiles at Cocodrilo Park, click HERE.

To see the short video of how to feed the tiger at Cocodrilo Park, click HERE.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Holiday in Gran Canaria!

The first part of our holiday was in the Parador at Cruz de Tejeda which is in the centre of the island at around 1,500 metres above sea level.

Click on any image to see it full size.

The view from our room was incredible with the Roque Bentayga being very prominent at 1,414 metres.


In the photo below, taken at sunset, Pico del Teide on Tenerife can be seen above the cloud to the right.


There were some dramatic sunsets.


The pueblo of Tejede is peaceful and tranquil at this time of the year. Even at this altitude they can still grow oranges.


Evenings in the Parador were spent in the lounge in front of the fire.


Another attraction of the Parador is the spa which we had all to ourselves one morning.


The menu in the Parador was well worth exploring - in this dish I had 55 caracoles. Delicious!


Not in the Parador but in a restaurant nearby - clearly not popular vintages.


Driving around the centre of the island you were never far away from known landmarks even though the drive had taken a long time - there are no straight roads in this region.


Cactus thrives at lower altitudes...


...as do the local colourful weeds.


There are breathtaking views all around the island.


The second part of the holiday was at Puerto Rico very close to where we stayed last year but a little higher up the hill. Below is the view from our terrace.


Around the grounds of the hotel, the gardens were set out neatly...


...with lots of colourful bougainvillea...


...and lots of palms and cacti.


One day we visited Palmitos Park and saw all the animals and plants we saw last year but this year we also saw the dolphins which have just been introduced. Click HERE to see the video on YouTube.

We also saw the exotic birds and birds of prey shows. To see edited highlights of both shows, click HERE. After the show with the birds of prey there was a photo opportunity with an eagle!


The cacti were splendid...









...as were the birds...


...and butterflies.



Another show we had to visit was the parrot show - great fun. To see the edited highlights, click HERE.


Another day we visited Maspolomas...


...and saw the famous dunes.


A brilliant holiday. We've already booked for next year!