It is of paramount importance that I introduce to this beautiful restaurant along the beach front of Las Palmas, her name is Oliva. It is the first and last place you should find yourself dining in GC and here are a few scrum-didly-dumtious snaps to explain why…
Octopus
Canarian peppers covered in sea salt
Spicy sausage floating in sizzling oil
Little fishies in batter, lemon to drizzle
Accompanied by a healthy bottle of red, salut to the feast you are about to enjoy!
- Laura marking the event with a jelly fish sting and a big grin!
Waking up with every fibre of your body feeling dizzy is a sure sign that you’ve just experienced the festivities of San Juan (not pronounced San Jose…) in Las Palmas. An annual event where it is believed if you run into the sea at midnight you cleanse all your sins from the year before. You can also expect bonfires, fireworks and lots of alcohol on the beach of Las Canteras. I would recommend a trip to Gran Canaria just for this festival.
Often we’ve gone for evening walks along the beach and seen a few nutters swim in the dark, complete fools I thought, but last night was one of my favourite memories of being on the island. Holding hands with 3 other gems on the Leonardo Programme and legging it towards the waves as the midnight fireworks set off left, right and centre – such a buzz; until someone gets stung by a jellyfish. We hope this isn’t a sign for the next year!
every fibre of your body feeling dizzy is a sure sign that you’ve just experienced the festivities of San Juan
A night of epic proportions followed by clubbing at bar Mojo by the auditorium, how has it taken almost 3 months to find this cluster of decent bars? And then a gradual walk home, making one final stop along the beach for the sun to rise and Las Palmas to wake up.
High on San Juan! (and bubbles)
‘Listen I tell you something disgusting. Part your legs like so. Yes. Now, you see toilets in ground, yes? Good. Imagine one below – here –you have to get all that stuff right in centre, all your ones and two’s, that way you have your centre balance. Yes?’
My first surfing lesson had just begun.
To be honest if it wasn’t for the athletic men and gorgeous sunshine I’m not sure what drew me to surfing – it’s just cool. The beady bracelets, the wetsuits, messy hair; it’s a sure recipe for deliciousness. So I signed up to a surf lesson along Playa de las Canteras only to discover it’s actually rather difficult. You need serious upper body strength and gusto, as Ollie my instructor reminded me…
‘Natalie when you lift yourself on board, imagine you-lift-yourself-on-man. Now – go!’
So I went for it and belly flopped myself onto every potential wave. At this stage we were taking fairly small whitewash and the current was tame in comparison to the sea´s attitude this June. Swallowing half the sea is also a small habit you will have no choice in enduring.
When you go into your first lesson try not to get so frustrated, as I did, with spending 2 hours barely getting the method right. Instead avoid over thinking every instruction and you´ll have a much better time either body-boarding into the sand or eventually kneeling, as I have more recently managed to do and feel a great sense of accomplishment. Sort of.
It’s all about the method
It turns out surfing is very methodical, who knew? The technique goes as such:
“Paddle, paddle, paddle, hands on deck, foot to side, push your pretty ass in air and… UP!” So you should be standing now, kneeling or falling (yet again) deep into the water.
Swallowing half the sea is also a small habit you will have no choice in enduring.
Reality Check
The boards are actually really heavy and wide, the current of the waves are strong, every wave is different and the method is slow when you´re a newby.
The whole process is a real challenge and if you´re a water baby its the perfect sport to try. It’s also completely exhausting and dressing post-surf proved difficult - to say the least - apparently I have muscles in my armpits which decided to throb relentlessly, making basic tasks a mammoth.
Part your legs like so. Yes. Now, you see toilets in ground, yes?
Surfing will test your endurance mentally to keep throwing yourself into the water after you´ve been beaten up by the waves and of course a physical feat.
I’ll meet those waves again and stand on that board, somehow, remembering to aim for the hole in the ground and to pounce on that man.
MARINA RESTAURANT
Don’t be afraid to take leftovers home – they add a few extra king prawns in there, too.
If ever there was pride in work it is reflected in The Marina Restaurant by the gentlemen whom create a fanciful treat of ensuring you’re having a good time and your glass is never just half full.
Situated on the edge of Las Canteras promenade, almost falling into the sea, you can lunch here at mid-day and feel as though you’re surfing, or dine in the evening and watch the waves disappear with the sunset. Prices are reasonable if you consider the location and service, but it is a place to wine and dine yourself.
The outdoor space of this restaurant is made up of a sort of canvas/awning, which can get a bit cold on a windy night. Take a few steps into the warmth and be guided to a seat by a man in suit and bow, readily awaiting your order and smile.
We ordered a bottle of red and paella for 3 (although there were 4 of us). Don’t be afraid to take leftovers home – they add a few extra king prawns in there, too. The seafood paella with drizzled lemon and complimentary honey rum shots are a seriously yummy combination to treat yourself to.
