Cardenas Real Estate Agent Blog - Gran Canaria

If you want to know where to go for the best holiday, follow the lead of your local travel agent, and if one’s opinion doesn’t sway you, 1,200 of them should give you a very convincing lead.

Gran Canaria is very proud to have been chosen as the venue for the 2008 ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) annual conference, beating off competition from Tunisia. The prestigious event will take place on October 7, 8 and 9 in the Maspalomas Conference Centre. The centre at Meloneras, just 700 metres from the beach, has a stunning architectural design and can hold 3,000 people in it’s series of halls and meeting rooms.

The Gran Canaria tourist board are rolling out the red carpet and has donated 200 free hotel rooms for delegates. Many of the representatives from Britains top travel firms, will arrive a few days before the conference and enjoy the islands hospitality and a chance to explore. Decisions and impressions made at this conference will shape the tourism market for 2009, and Gran Canaria will use it as a showcase to keep visitors flowing in.

Maspalomas is sure to impress them with it’s golf course and rolling sand dunes, no wonder so many people chose to invest in a holiday home there. Cardenas Real Estate specialise in Maspalomas and the surrounding resorts of Puerto Rico, Mogan and Arguineguin and has some great new additions to it’s Mapalomas properties including villas, bungalows and apartments.

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.

Until the 7th of January several international artists have created different sand sculptures creating an impressive great nativity scene of sand. This attraction has consolidated itself and is now part of the Canarian Christmas Tradition.

We recommend you to walk along the nice promenade of Las Canteras Beach in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and visit the nativity scene at the end of the promenade, at “La Puntilla”.

By Ramón Sánchez Bruhn

On Saturday 15th December Puerto de Mogan in Gran Canaria witnessed a truly heroic and unique sporting event. At 13.00 two rowing boats, the British-owned “La Mondiale” and the American-owned “La Orca” embarked from the calm waters of Puerto De Mogán – destination Barbados 2,987 miles (4,808 kilometres) away – in a spectacular bid to race across the Atlantic Ocean and set a new world record for this feat. The two teams, 14 British oarsmen and 4 Americans, will need to reach the Caribbean in less than 35 days, 8 hours and 30 minutes, the world record currently held by the French and achieved in 1992.

Scores of thrilled spectators, together with well-wishers and friends and family of the crew were privileged to watch the courageous men row off in unison to begin their amazing adventure. Amongst them was our Theresa Bona, manager of Cardenas Real Estate Office Puerto de Mogan, together with close friends and clients Rob and Luisa. Emotions ran high as the two teams were waved to and cheered as they slowly rowed out to the start line, and good luck wishes were shouted out to the men as they disappeared into the horizon. Not a day Puerto de Mogan will forget for a long time and we all wish the men God speed with their epic task ahead and a safe and record-breaking arrival in Barbadian waters in mid-January 2008. 

Anyone wishing to find out more details on the crossing and current progress can log onto the following websites: www.oceanrowevents.com and www.oceanrowing.com

By Luisa Baldwin & Theresa Bona

There’s no point in being shy, Gran Canaria is beautiful and has fabulous golf courses and property, so you might as well tell the world. That is just what is happening at the International Golf Travel Market in Cancun, Mexico from December 3 to 6.

This is the tenth annual show and this year it features hundreds of exhibitors from 46 different countries. Gran Canaria is holding it’s head up high and promoting the island, golf and property via several big names. Canarias, the tourist board for all 7 islands have a stand there as do the Gran Canaria Golf Association and the Gran Canaria Golf Association - Maspalomas Golf. Thousands of visitors to the show will also be able to see the fine range of luxury villas at the Anfi Tauro Golf stand.  

Cardenas Real Estate are proud to have been chosen to market a modern luxurious development of Anfi Tauro villas in the Tauro valley near Puerto Rico in the south of Gran Canaria. The newly opened 18 hole golf course near the villas is just one of many reasons why people are flocking to an island with so much to offer.

This Sunday a very good friend invited me to a unique experience. We sailed out with his small but nice sailing boat to say good bye to 235 yachts from 28 different nations on their way from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Santa Lucia.

In approx. 3 weeks, after sailing 2.700 nautical miles, they will arrive to the Caribbean island. For many as for myself it is a dream to cross once in life the Atlantic in a boat.

This is the 22nd edition of the ARC, the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers. In the official website of the World Cruising Club you can read the full story and even follow the race in Google Earth. There is a nice picture gallery as well in the newspaper La Provincia and in my gallery.

By Ramón Sánchez Bruhn

Finally we have found a special place to enjoy dinner: Samsara, a new lounge-restaurant near the Boulevard Maspalomas. Creative kitchen with Asiatic touch - for all who like something different and special.

Good atmosphere and a friendly and helpful staff. From the terrace you can enjoy a very nice view to the beach relaxing with a drink. I recommend to reserve before going, call 928 14 27 36. By Gisela Calvo Escudero.

Puerto de Mogan will be basking in the gaze of the European press over the next couple of months as a descendant of Christopher Colombus prepares his boat and crew for an assault on the Atlantic crossing record for rowers.

Scotsman Leven Brown will be setting off on the near 3,000 mile journey to Barbados, West Indies on December 15 in the boat Ocean Row Events Challenger. The wooden vessel already holds the record of 35 days, 8 hours and 30 minutes from 1992 when it set the time as La Mondiale with a French crew of 11. This is the first part of a three year plan which includes rowing the Indian Ocean in 2008 and the Pacific in 2009, all with the target of raising one million pounds for a selection of charities including MS and Cancer Research.

The crew this time, are a mix of British and Irish and a late decision will see them go with 12 or 14 rowers. The boat has four sets of paired seating and crews will work in shifts with non rowers squeezing into the cramped cabin to catch some sleep. The boat is already having sea trials, after a complete refit, and they hope to arrive at Puerto de Mogan  about mid November to start the final adjustments.

 There are 2 rivals for the record, The Oyster Shack Ocean Challenger, an all English team that leaves from La Gomera 2 weeks earlier, and Orca, an American based crew that has yet to declare when they will go and from which island. Mogan will become the crews home for a few weeks and they will no doubt be just as enchanted by the sun kissed modern marina and it’s facillities as countless holiday visitors are.