Cardenas Real Estate Agent Blog – Gran Canaria

No Don’t Stop The Carnaval, said the 1960’s hit record, and in the Canary Islands no one would want to try. Las Palmas 2008 Carnaval is in full swing and on Friday night one of the key events took place, the election of the Carnaval Queen. The theme this year is Olympia-home of the Gods, and the symbol is the winged sandal of Hermes. All feet have wings at this time of year, as they dance non stop through the night spurred on by the colour, tradition and driving rhythm.

The tension crackled in the night air at Santa Catalina park before the biggest smile of the night outshone even the cascade of fireworks that greeted the announcement. the crown belongs to 21 year old Iraya Viera in her creation entitled, Las Palmas Mon Amour. There is so much glitter and material these days that a metal framework and castors for wheels are needed to make the contestants glide across the stage. Iraya was floating on a cushion of emotion as she accepted her crown, the signal to the 4,000 crowd to dance into the early hours with Colombian superstar Juanes whipping them into a musical frenzy.

The moment has gone but there are many more to come before the final night, the funeral of the sardine on February9, dance, dance, dance.

 By Cardenas News

Following up on our earlier story about the valiant attempt by two rowing boats to race each other across the Atlantic from Puerto Mogán to Barbados we are delighted to let you know that the British boat “La Mondiale” landed safe and sound in Port St. Charles Barbados on Thursday 17th January at 20.35 our time. 

This breaks the current record held by the French by two days, setting a new world record at 33 days, 7 hours and 30 minutes. La Mondiale also broke two further world records during the crossing, being the first rowing boat to cover 117 miles in 24 hours and to travel more than 100 miles a day for 9 consecutive days. The boat experienced bad weather in the early part of the crossing and lost valuable time riding out the storm for more than two days on its sea anchor. Tempers became frayed on occasions due to the cramped space on board but weather conditions were perfect as the men approached Barbados and their spirits were lifted by the proximity of land.  We understand that the American rowing boat “La Orca”, which left Puerto Mogán together with “La Mondiale” on 15th December, has been troubled by technical difficulties severely hampering its progress.  Meanwhile the champagne celebrations continue in Barbados where overjoyed wives, girlfriends, families and friends had been counting the hours until the heroes landed.

Anyone wishing to find out more details on the race: www.oceanrowevents.com and www.oceanrowing.com

By Luisa Baldwin & Theresa Bona

The sun, the sea and the beaches are a major reason for people buying investment property in Gran Canaria, but it has so much more to offer including a rich historic legacy of culture, tradition and fun. Barely a month into the new year and it’s time to turn your thoughts to the colour, spectacle and musical excitement that is Las Palmas Carnaval.

This year the theme is Olympia so expect the gods to smile down on all the revellers in their home made costumes. It all starts on January 18 and runs through to February 9, so get your dancing shoes on and prepare to give in to the rythm. As well as the main theme, this year will be a homage to South American salsa sensation Celia Cruz, who died a few years ago. The livewire singer and dancer lives on in some lavish musical numbers that will be performed at Carnaval and her trademark cry of “Azucar” will once again fill the night air.

It’s well worth making the effort with a costume, even if you can only run to a mask and some bright clothes. There are no such thing as spectators at Carnaval, everyone joins in, that rythm is hard to resist. The biggest event of the celebrations is the election of the Carnaval Queen on Janury 25, but there will also be a similar contest for children and a series of parades through the streets. The season comes to a close with the burial of the sardine on February 9, a night of mock mourning and weeping mixed with dancing as the giant papier mache sardine is carried through the streets en route to it’s final point of cremation, amid a cascade of fireworks.

Las Palmas, the capital, is in the north of the island, little more than an hours journey from the main beach resorts of the south, Maspalomas, Playa Mogan and Puerto Rico, to name just a few. All major towns in Gran Canaria will follow the Las Palmas party with their own regional version, each trying to outdo their neighbours with splendour and spectacle. Don’t just stand there, grab a drink and a friend, and have a dance.