LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA

Casablanca was followed by one day at sea. Today, we arrived in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. No other ships were in port so we had the quayside to ourselves.

We’ve been here several times before so we’re familiar with it and pretty much had a plan already laid out for the day. Our traditional route is to walk through the town, which is quite narrow at one point, to the promenade on the other side. From here, we followed the coastline, past beaches, cafes and volleyball, until the buildings started to run out.

At this point, decked footpaths lead visitors across a broad beach area (which is quiet, and not bursting with beach games) to a rocky headland where we were able to sit and enjoy some huge waves… and I mean REALLY huge.

The area is quite wild and barren, yet there are the remains of several buildings that show signs of recent habitation. In fact, on one particular prominent section of rock, there appeared to be quite a large makeshift house sporting flags and all manner of fishing and boating paraphernalia. Odd… Who lives in a house like this?…

I could have happily sat there all day, watching and filming, the waves. All-aboard time was 4.30pm, however, it was easily a couple of miles back to the ship, and we had yet to fulfil another Gran Canaria tradition… ice cream, which we bought on the way back for €4 each – and, as with the waves, they were huge.