Gran Canaria has plenty of astonishing sights to offer, some of them very impressive to the eye. I particularly like this one, a Canary palm tree (miraculously spared by the fire in the summer 2007), which actually takes its roots from a large stone underneath. It can be seen along a lovely mountain road on the hill side almost overhanging Los Palmitos Park. Some meters further, you reach a belvedere commanding an impressive view on the valley and reservoir of Ayagaures, the surroundings mountains and the “Roque Nublo”, Gran Canaria’s emblematic mountain, all of it within walking distance from Monte Leon, a splendid place to live “in the heights” but with your feet well on solid ground, like this “Phoenix canariensis”.

More about Monte Leon:Â www.monteleon-grancanaria.com

By Rolande Chagrin Chevènement