Cardenas Real Estate Agent Blog - Gran Canaria

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.

The registered residents in the municipality have increased from 15.771 (2003) to 20.717 (2007), which will mean that the Municipal Council will have 21 councillors instead of the current 17. Besides, this will mean a great economical benefit for Mogán, because the supramunicipal subsidies will increase in more than 20% (comparing with the subsidies received in 2003), since these subsidies are regulated mainly by the number of inhabitants.

This will sensibly increase the budget for investment plans, and for the diverse public services. This is a crucial issue, because one of the main problems the Municipality has had to face in the past is the granting of public services for the “floating population”, i. e. the tourists who visit or spend long seasons in the area.

Source: Maspalomas Ahora

The beach known as El Cochino, between Playa del Inglés and Las Burras (San Agustin) will be totally closed for 7 months from last Monday. The project aims to create natural beaches, by building underwater jettys that will help to retain the sand.

This is one of several actions that the General Coast Department of Spain is undertaking in the souther coast of Gran Canaria, i. e. the improvement of Meloneras Beach, the extension of the beach promenade in San Agustin or the repair of the promenade at Mirador de las Dunas.

As many saturdays and sundays we like having breakfast outside and the place we like most to go is Panadería La Bella in the Ancora Shopping Centre in Arguineguín.

They have allways very good german bread and pastries, fresh orange juice and an excellent italian coffee. Recently they have added as well different salats.

María Eugenia and Analía are very nice & friendly people,  I can really recommend this place.

Some people love Gran Canaria for the warm all year climate, some for the beaches and some for the sports and excellent night life, but most love it for all that and more. It’s no wonder that so many people are looking to invest in property in this rich vibrant island.

The Maspalomas and Mogan coasts can offer the best of all worlds to renters and buyers alike as it includes the most popular resorts on the island, Maspalomas, Puerto Rico and the twin delights of Puerto and Playa de Mogan. Puerto Rico is built into a large crescent shaped hillside and features a lively marina and fine sand beach. Mogan will please swimmers and sun worshippers with it’s beach, and will also keep the more active busy in the large marina, where sports & sailing are a big favourite, and then there’s always Mogan village, where Canarian life is still largely undisturbed.

For quieter days and restful nights, Tauro is a good choice and Güigüi is a remote beach well worth the walk, away from the main roads. The jewel in the crown of Mogan must be Monte Léon, set a little inland in the hills, it has individual villas with all the modern amenities but bags of character. All this is set against nature at it’s finest with green plants and trees nestling among craggy hillsides. The views are something special and sunsets seem like a command performance put on especially for you.