How would you like to play in Sahara sand dunes at lunchtime, then sit in a lush tropical garden for dinner? When you visit Gran Canaria with us next winter, you will. Magnolias Natura is located on the southern end of the volcanic island, Gran Canaria, off the western African coast. Sun shines daily, with spring-like temperatures on the coolest days; but we’ll try to avoid those cooler days by traveling in early March. With 28 rooms on offer, you’ll get to meet all the other guests around the pool or in the restaurant, where we will breakfast daily. Bern and I are leading a group there Saturday, March 12, 2011, departing Saturday, March 19, 2011, and invite you to join us! We have been advised that February is still a little chilly, and perhaps has a few more showers than we would experience in March, when the island bursts into even fuller bloom than you can imagine.
A 10-minute walk, or free bus service several times a day, gets you to the sand dunes and beach. Playa del Ingles is Spanish for Englishman’s beach, and is a very large, long beach with room for everyone. Textiles are on one end, nudists on the other. Sprinkled along the beach are refreshment stands and first aid stations, but no food. So we’ll all chip in with fruits, cheeses, salami and crackers, etc. to have something to snack while soaking up the sun. The sand dunes are formed by Africa’s Sahara Desert during wind storms. So, you get to enjoy the desert sands from another continent and the cooling breezes by the ocean – quite an extraordinary experience!
Of all the Canarian Islands, Gran Canaria is the lushest, with plenty of things to do. For instance, you could truly experience that Sahara Desert feeling on a camel-ride tour of the dunes and along the beach, where you will probably spot your nudist friends taking in the sun. I’ve never ridden a dromedary, but look forward to that adventure on this trip!
Bus service is grand on the island. There are several outings that might be of interest. On the eastern edge of the mountains, Guayadaque is a national park with breathtaking views, and lush green valleys filled with almond trees. However, the “barranco,” or valley, is more known for its caves, most of which are in use either by farmers or other locals who have converted them into homes. One such area has been carved into a village, complete with cobbled walkways, a church, bar, and street lamps – all from caves! Follow the road as it climbs up through this valley to find the restaurant “Tagoror,” again a spectacular cave with space carved inside for more than a hundred in one sitting with more tables enjoying the spectacular views at the mouth of this cave. Tables and chairs are carved from thick oak trees and the food is excellent. Try the set menu (around €10 for 3-4 courses) for some superb, traditional Canarian food.
An aboriginal museum is located on the road from Maspalomas to San Bartolome and close to the village of Fataga, Mundo Aborigen is best accessed by car. The No.1 bus service runs every 20 minutes from Puerto Rico. This is a museum, situated in a National Park that is supported by the Canarian Government. Aborigen World shows everything about the first inhabitants of the islands – the Gaunche. The aboriginal history has been recreated in the form of a village with a separate museum. You’ll learn about their world of magic, religion and burial rites; see how they lived, their homes and farms. Various shows and demonstrations make this a fascinating day trip. There are also a restaurant, parking, souvenir shop and gardens.
Some prefer the underwater world, and we have a different kind of experience available on Gran Canaria. From the port of Mogán, to the east of Magnolias and reachable by bus, you journey to the sea floor in a yellow submarine! “Sinking times” are at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:30, 16:20 and 17:10 o’clock. Journeying to the bottom of the sea, the submarine has high-tech equipment that assures you won’t end up staying down there! Eight voyages daily, seven days a week.
Skydiving is something I haven’t tried yet, but then, I’m not going to. You don’t need any experience or medical certificates, and only 15 minutes of training as all jumps are tandem jumps with a qualified (certified!) instructor. A 20-minute flight takes you to 12,000 ft where you freefall to 4,500 ft before the parachute will (hopefully) open. Parachutes are equipped with “Cypress- Hightech-Emergency release systems to help make everything extra safe.” Jumps are daily, except Mondays, and the whole thing can be either filmed or photographed for you.
Now, this outing has my name on it… El Salobre Canyon Horse Farm – called “The Black Horse.” The tour starts at the ranch and takes you through the surrounding countryside for 90 minutes. Spectacular, Canarian scenery and amazing views over Maspalomas, are the highlight. There’s some free lounge time around the ranch upon return, or a dive into the pool! Lunch on the ranch, and then back to Magnolias Natura by around 14:30 - 15:00 o’clock. For inexperienced riders there’s an easy one-hour tour, while the more experienced riders go through the countryside on a more challenging route through the woods and a little into the mountains. There are riding routes of 60 minutes, and 90 minutes for €22-50 including lunch and swimming.
We can’t forget our other underwater world – SCUBA. The diving center is located in the Europa Center in Puerto Rico in the south of the island of Gran Canaria and can be reached easily by bus. From here we have access to all the best diving the island has to offer. They are based in Puerto Rico but offer free pickups from Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas, so getting outfitted won’t be a problem.
Another adventure will be checking out local nightlife and restaurants! We shall enjoy our stay at Magnolias Natura, on a half-board basis every other night. So dinner is included the first night, we’ll explore and eat out on Sunday night. Magnolias will feed us dinner Monday night, and Tuesday evening we’ll explore… you get the idea! Those content to stay near the pool and their new friends can dine at Magnolias for an additional charge.
The rooms are large – plenty of space to spread out our suitcases and collect souvenirs. Each unit includes a kitchen with fridge for those late-night snacks!
You’ve read now that there are a number of excursions to enjoy. You can see the picture of a lovely pool awaiting your exploration at Magnolias Natura, and your happy hosts, Bern and Sherry, can’t wait to share with you this exotic island for our winter break. We just have to be patient through February, so we get the warmer temperatures and the lush glory of the island in March. Sign-up sheets are available now.
Call Sherry at 973-697-8099 today!