December 2025. Another attempt to escape Estonian winter, mud and darkness (right before 2 months of beautiful snowy winter), stock up on vitamin D, and not completely forget how to surf.
This time the best connection was through Barcelona, so got to catch up with an old friend and wander around the christmassy old town for a day. Funny feeling, when it is +18 outside.
Had an evening flight, took a bus to Las Palmas town center and stepped right into a christmassy music festival.
Stayed in the same surf hostel as last time - Agüita house - can't get enough of these views from the rooftop terrace!
There were huge waves this time. On the third day we were not advised to go surfing as the waves were a bit too rough. Other days it was still doable but often quite challenging. Funny enough, I was fine surfing, but went to quickly wash off sand after we gave our boards away one afternoon, and although I only stepped into the water up to my knees, it happened to be right at the breaking point of the waves and one big one swallowed me entirely. Did a couple somersaults, lost my bikini, scrunchie and sunglasses. Luckily got everything but the glasses back. These were lost to the ocean. As I told the people I was with t to wait for me, they were also in for a good laugh. Never underestimate the power of nature.
Chorizo de Teror
Ron Miel (Honey Rum) - what a lovely dessert
I visited Gran Canaria for a first time around a year ago, did a daytrip to the south to Puerto Rico then. This time went to Maspalomas. Gran Canaria has more than 320 sunny days a year. In the south even more, they say if it is cloudy in the north it is almost guaranteed to be sunny in the south. Maspalomas in general is a resort town and a tourist hotspot. Playa del Inglés is nice and the promenade enjoyable, but why it is worth it to go there, are the dunes - Dunas de Maspalomas - a desert by the ocean. The area is about 6 km x 2 km large and stretches from Playa del Inglés to Maspalomas’ lighthouse. You can walk on the dunes, but not everywhere, there are about 8 km of marked official trails.
The Maspalomas Dunes were formed over centuries by sand washed ashore by surf and tides, covering the former rocky coast. Strong winds blew the sand inland where it formed one dune after another.
On the last full day decided to go to the mountains, to the middle of the island. The climate was slightly different there.
First up, Firgas, to see Paseo de Canarias. It's a street that runs down hill through Figras' town center. Half of it is a natural slope with a 30m-long cascading waterfall with walkways on either side, and the other half a display of colorful 3D images of all the Canary islands. Paseo de Canarias was first created in 1988 as a celebration of Firgas' 500th anniversary.
Firgas also produces mineral water - Agua de Firgas, is a famous natural sparkling mineral water sourced from springs of Firgas, known for its pure taste from volcanic rock.
Stop 2 - Arucas, a town situated at the foot of a former volcano, La Montana de Arucas.
Arucas is famous for its history of rum. It’s said that Arucas was producing rum long before sugarcane was cultivated in Cuba. Sugarcane was cultivated in Arucas from the 15th century, giving them a head start in sugar production, which led to earlier distillation of sugar cane spirits, way before rum became popular in the Caribbean in the 17th century.
Also today, one of the main places to visit in Arucas is its rum factory “Destilerias Arehucas, S.A.”.
The Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, the largest Neo-Gothic cathedral on the island dedicated the John the Baptist, construction began in 1909 and was completed in 1977.
To keep tradition, went to a fancier restaurant on the last night for some lovely seafood and sang and danced the night away at our favourite karaoke bar. Until next time!
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