Excursions on Gran Canaria, via the Thomson’s Rep. There was a good selection but as I was only in the Riu Palace Oasis for 2 weeks, I decided on four (2 night/2 day).
The first, being the Rep’s ‘Blanket (free) trip. There seem to be many on the different islands. Our’s was a coach, to a mattress sale – an air mattress, with two layers of Merano Wool.
On the plus side the Sangria was very nice, some of their wool products were reasonable and I found, after, very comfortable.
The idea is, that you give them your name & address and they sent it with invoice.
The mattress was also, comfortable and did consider it but was told that it was. Ot suitable for an Adjustable bed – I have since spoken to someone on a bus, who bought the mattress, had it delivered FOC to UK and said it still is excellent.
We later went to a ‘houses in Caves’ restaurant and for 6€ had a very filling meal! with very enjoyable red wine.
Another stop to show a ‘quant’ village and back home – with no sales pressure, it was a very relaxing day out.
Sunday was the Garbo’s (68€). This included bus, 3 course meal and a show.
The interior was that of a 1970’s night club with dinning and I understand that this show has been running for a couple of decades and available employment much sort after.
I was told that, hundreds, if not thousands apply but only a few per year are accepted. Those lucky enough, must go through training as waiters, prior to training as performers (as least they would always have a second role to fall back on); so the waiters were our performers.
The meal, (grandmother’s Tomato soup, Chicken Supreme, followed by cake – I have had worse!
Prior to the meal, our waiter explained that the meal would be interjected with individual performances and between each curse the whole group would perform and perform they did.
The each performers had a very nice to an excellent voices and the shows (4 acts in all) were so professional, the nuances, the style was not far short of a West End Musical, which says a lot for their training.
I am so glad I saw this show, I am telling everyone about it.
Island Delights Premium (62€)
I have since heard others made various comments: “there was mole on the was of the restaurant” – the restaurant was on the of the highest mountain and can normally be covered in cloud.
However, as a rule I say, your not in the UK now, so set your expectations low and you get get very presently surprised.
I found the trip very exhilarating. I was lucky enough, due some infirmity, to have the front seat all day.
The inside of Gran Canaria is not to be missed, the sharp ravines, the aw inspired views and the modern roads we used showed the older, traditional routes that that the Canarian’s had used for generations.
When we stopped at the lunch time break, I did not look for the bad but had appreciated the tasty soup, the very flavoursome chicken (well I think is was chicken leg), followed by cake. There was free wine, for the stronger palates of the group.
Another thing about these groups, you do mix with many different type; I lucked out this time and spent a enjoyable hour or so with a General Manger of Morrison, a Financial (port folio) type and their families; not my normal inner circle but that is the treasure of travelling alone, you are not always with the same group very day.
The dialog, commentary, was transmitted via the lead driver and while informative, we came to the impression ‘maybe he might be early dementia’ as he kept repeating facts, perhaps he lost his place on the script! Though we found this hillairous.
Considering the 62€ (46£) the 9 hour day, wonderful pictures, filling lunch and very nice company, it was worth every Euro.
Musical Hall Tavern (49€)
Unfortunately, not for me. It was a Drag show but I was expecting something different and that was my error. The venue had seen better days – well I hoped so. The food was not to my liking, although the staff were keen to ensure that everyone has lots of free drinks. Perhaps, being drunk helped, I was not!
The three artists did their best to entertain, I am sure they have their following and to be fair a lot of their act was funny.
However, what I did not appreciate, was to have water thrown over me 3 times, I and those on my table got soaked. While the rest of the venue thought that was hilarious, we did not.
Puerto Mogan – not an organised trip but I took the local bus from Maspolomas (4.5€ each way)
I was there ten years ago, a sleepy little port, lots of Bougainvillea and a few nice restaurants.
Well it is still exceptionally beautiful, it is has grown.There are many more restaurants, shops by the dozens and more hotels.
I was lucky to look around the Hotel Puerto Mogan. The room are a very good size, with very large showers, their restaurant area looked clean & smart. There is a very sizeable roof terrace and a lovely pool area, twin sun loungers!
The bay gives over to a nice and I believe safe public beach (sun bed 3€ & parasol 3€).
I spoke to several people who were very impressed, like myself. I do not know if there is any night life but I am sure that if you are staying at any of the larger hotels, then that would not be a problem.
On the whole, well worth a visit.
