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September 15 – September 28, 2016 El Trompo ruling

Poema del Mar

Out there

Bodegón Las Vistas

Ex-mayor faces prison term

Rolling in the deep

Blessed with choices

A double whammy

Page 3

Pages 8 & 9

Page 14

Page 20

Underwater art

Circuit of life

Four horsemen of the rising tide

On August 29, the foundation stone for Tenerife’s groundbreaking motorsports circuit in the south of the island was placed at Atogo in the borough of Granadilla de Abona.

The construction of Circuito del Motor de Tenerife will be carried out by the company Axia SRL, while Onda Rossa SL will be in charge of managing the installation for 35 years, a period which can be extended by another five. Both companies were represented by Riccardo Ferretti in his capacity as CEO of Axia and administrator of Onda Rossa.

Photo: Tenerife Cabildo

Continued on page two

The foundation stone for the Atogo circuit was recently set

An artistic welcome for every visitor, but also a stimulus for reflection

Photo: Cabildo de Lanzarote

Romancing the stone

Wandering along the shoreline of Lanzarote’s Bay of Naos at high tide, one would be unaware that the area has hidden secrets. However, as nature’s forces reduce sea levels, four ghostly horses and riders emerge into view.

Jason deCaires Taylor, creator of Lanzarote’s underwater museum at Playa Blanca, installed his latest work of art in Arrecife in early September.

Concealed in the sea, directly in front of the Castillo de San José, the four statues are, he hopes, a call which will be answered.

Entitled ‘La Marea Creciente’ (The Rising Tide), each of the concrete structures is 2.7 metres high and weighs eight tons. Whilst the rest of the figures are true to form, the horses’ heads are modelled in the form of oil derricks: a symbolic reflection on the threat they pose

to the planet, especially the seas and oceans. “We need to decide which direction we want to pursue as humanity. This is a wake-up call over climate change and its consequences if we leave it in the hands of profiteers, and what we leave behind for our children, the future of the planet”, explained British sculptor deCaires Taylor during the inauguration of his striking statement. Positioned so the figures appear or dis-

appear with the rise and fall of the tides, the artist has created a very special form of expression, one with which he wishes to stimulate reflection. “It is a statement regarding climate change and is intended to show how small we humans are in nature.

We cannot affect the tides nor stop the waves. Given the forces of nature, we are very vulnerable”.

Continued on page two

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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 046

Art as a memorial

Climate change wake-up call Continued from front page The four horsemen stand in a strategically important location, and welcome visitors arriving by sea to the island’s capital. “This island breathes art”, emphasised deCaires Taylor, who is making a huge contribution

Jason deCaires Taylor wants people to reflect on the possibility of a new man for a new planet: “This is a definition of the new relationship and understanding that should arise between man and nature, because all our actions

is definitively a cry for life”, he declared.

During the inauguration, the island’s tourism councillor, Echedey Eugenio, encouraged the island’s population to contemplate its latest sculptural legacy and also to visit

Photos: Cabildo de Lanzarote

‘Nature is stronger than man’, that’s the message of the four horsemen at Castillo de San José

towards enriching the area with contemporary works, following in the footsteps of Canarian artist César Manrique.

will have a lasting effect on the ecological system of the planet, long after our cities have perhaps already disappeared. It

the Castillo de San José, which houses a museum and international collection of contemporary art works. “It is a striking

place and has the best view of the Bay of Naos, from the panoramic windows in the QuéMUAC restaurant. The vista is even further enriched by its latest addition”, he enthused.

DeCaires Taylor took an early launch of The Rising Tide to London during the Totally Thames Festival 2015. The figures were installed along a 42 mile stretch of the River Thames, close to the Tate Museum and Houses of Parliament. After the moulds returned to Lanzarote, the sculptor worked for several months on the four figures, which have now been brought to life in the inter-tidal zone just below the museum.

The structures are a welcoming gift for visitors arriving in Lanzarote, but also a suggestion for them to reconsider their habits and make a stand to help protect the environment. After all, in the end, nature really is n stronger than man.

The artist calls for a respectful relationship with nature instead of exploitation

Now it’s for real

Foundation stone laid for race circuit Continued from front page The construction period for the circuit is 21 months, with 12 months needed for the northern access road. Around 50 jobs are being created, both during the construction phase and for the subsequent running of the circuit. Ricardo Ferretti said: “This is a historic day and I thank everyone who helped to ensure that the circuit is built. It is located in a strategic position on the island and will become an attraction of technological excellence.”

The race track has a private investment of €23.6 million, of which €21.2 million will go towards the construction of the circuit and €2.4 million will be used to create the northern access. Several motor sports enthusiasts from the island are behind this project. In the opinion of Island President Car-

los Alonso, the project is only becoming a reality thanks to the active support of his predecessor Ricardo Melchior and the former Canarian President Adán Martín, as well as motorsport enthusiasts, Santa Cruz mayor José Manuel Bermúdez, and dedicated councillors such as Fernando Capdevila, Dámaso Arteaga, Cristo Pérez and Eduardo Pintado.

Carlos Alonso said: “Together they have ensured that this circuit will actually be con-

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structed”. The Granadilla sports councillor Cristo Pérez added: “This is not just a project but a dream, and that desire has become a reality”.

The future Tenerife Motor Circuit will occupy around 350,000 square metres and be built according to the latest safety criteria and International Automobile Federation (FIA) guidelines. The circuit will consist of several track connections to allow for a variety of alternatives or simultaneous Disclaimer: Island Connections Newspaper is published and printed fortnightly by ISLAND CONNECTIONS S.L. Adverts, texts, photos or other parts of this publication are property of the publishers.

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use. Six connections have been planned, making the track more flexible and allowing up to nine different variations.

The main route was planned so that the T1 FIA licence can be requested for Formula One events in the future.

The track will be 4,068 metres long with a main straight section of 819 metres. There will be 10 left-hand bends and five right-hand turns built into the route, and driving will be counter-clockwise.

The top speed, calculated for a simulated Formula One race, could reach over 310 kilometres per hour on the home straight. The minimum speed would be slightly more than 91 kilometres per hour. The speed simulation in a theoretical Formula One race results in one lap taking one minute and 20 seconds

to complete, with an average speed of 180.19 km/h.

The actual circuit will be supplemented by a paddock zone and various buildings and installations. Both Axia and Onda

features. Advertisements once contracted cannot be cancelled and have to be paid in full.

The publishers can not be held responsible for variation on colour printed in this newspaper.

Advertising conditions are to be obtained in our offices.

Publishers: Tina Straub Schacher, Joe Schacher Design team: Javier Gómez, Maribel Rodríguez Editor: Andrea Abrell editorial@ic-news.com Deputy editor: Lee Bullen Editorial team: Xena Fox, Karl McLaughlin, Barbara Belt, Theresa Willson, Sheila Collis Contributors: Colin Kirby, Katy Kennedy, Manuel De La Flor, Chris Todd, Sabine Virgin Sales manager: Jamie Lee Armstrong sales@icmedia.eu Classifieds: classifieds@ic-news.com

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Rossa have decades of experience in international motorsport, and this exciting project, which will make many dreams come true, is now officially off n the starting grid!

European Union European Regional Development Fund

“Creating Europe” This company has qualified for subsidies from the Spanish Government, cofinanced by funding from the European Regional Development Fund, for the transport of merchandise in the Canaries.

15.9.2016 – 28.9.2016

CANARY ISLANDS

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El Trompo ruling

Jail term for La Orotava ex-mayor Two former members of the La Orotava Council, along with a major property developer, have received prison sentences in what has become known as the ‘El Trompo case’.

The ruling comes 14 years after the initial investigation into the illegal building of the El Trompo Commercial Centre on land designated as rustic and greenbelt. Isaac Valencia, ex-mayor of La Orotava, and municipal secretary Juan Carlos de Tomas were accused at the time of various offences, including abuse of office and a breach of urban planning laws.

Building contractor Ambrosio Jiménez was also charged with violating planning laws.

At the recent proceedings in Criminal Court number five in Santa Cruz, Judge Marcos Díaz Peteiro announced that he considered the evidence against the three men to be irrefutable. In his 79-page verdict he stated that Isaac Valencia and Juan Carlos de Tomás were “fully aware of the illegality of their approach and colluded

Isaac Valencia, ex-mayor of La Orotava (second from right), was sentenced to two years in prison and a €4,200 fine

to achieve a common goal”.

The two public employees granted building licences for the El Trompo shopping centre in 2002 in contravention of the council’s Urban Plan of the time. He went on to state that Valencia acted in a completely “capricious” manner and that his deeds were “damaging to the area’s citizens, the public administration, and the island

of Tenerife”. He also stated that the argument put forward that the accused men did not know they were breaking the law was neither reasonable nor credible, the project being of such a size that it was impossible for it to have somehow “slipped through”. Equally condemning was the apparent falsification of documents presented in the case, a matter that will also be

brought before the courts at a further date.

Valencia and Juan Carlos de Tomás were each sentenced to two years in prison and a €4,200 fine, as well as being banned from working in the public sector for eight years and from being elected to office for two years.

The administrator of Proyectos Inmobiliarios Las Arenas,

Ambrosio Jiménez, was handed a lesser penalty for knowingly contravening Ordination of Territory laws. He faces five months’ imprisonment, a fine of €3,000, disbarment from construction work for five months, and being banned from election to office.

However, the judge has also ordered the future demolition of 2,137 square metres of the

Trompo development which are still in contravention of local planning regulations, despite changes to land designation being made two years after the complex’s construction in a move that was also considered suspect. The three men will be expected to pay towards the legal case, as well as the destruction of the cited area and any necessary compensation to third parties. The trio were given 10 days to appeal the sentence.

The current mayor of La Orotava, Francisco Linares, commented that, though he acknowledged the judgment, he was a firm believer in ‘innocent until proven guilty’ and that the case was not yet over.

He also stressed that the current administration has borne none of the costs of any legal proceedings to date and would not be doing so in the future.

On a personal level, he said he respected the verdict but did not believe that his predecessor was guilty, something he hoped would be confirmed n in a further court case.

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Buenavista del Norte

Beauty spot charges News that the road into Punta de Teno was to be closed permanently to private cars and access was only to be allowed by a paid-for bus service set the cat among the pigeons in Buenavista del Norte recently.

It’s one of the jewels in the crown of this small northern town. The locals often use the area for walking, fishing and bathing and it is a popular tourism draw. Sadly, access has been very difficult for the last few years. The road was closed for safety reasons after rock falls several times, the last in February 2014 when a large rock actually smashed through the road edge taking part of the road surface with it. Repairing that and ‘caging’ the cliffs took until July last year. Just twelve months later, a huge chunk of the road disappeared downhill leaving over 100 people stranded on point who had to be rescued by lifeline and a shuttle service of three helicopters. Luck-

Bodypainting Festival Anyone who wanted to see the first Bodypainting Festival in Puerto de La Cruz had to search a bit to eventually find the action going on in the small plaza above the Playa Jardín.

The hunt was well worth the effort, because the results were nothing short of amazing.

Painters from various parts of Europe had created true works of art on the body. Some of them resembled creepy horror stories, others the ethnic look or colourful vitality. Colours and special effects made

Work to repair the road continues

ily, neither incident resulted in anybody being injured.

The road-menders moved in and all seemed to be going well until an article appeared in the Spanish press saying that when it reopened access would be denied to private cars. The local population was up in arms and an immediate call went out for a public meeting. To be fair, the powers-that-be turned up within days, headed by the Island President Carlos Alonso. In a rather long-winded

opening speech by the mayor, Alonso made a short presentation: “We believe it is a good time to rethink the use of this area and to look at ways of protecting the natural heritage of the island in general from Teide downwards. Changes in tourist demand have put an increasing pressure on protected areas and we have to find ways of making that usage sustainable to the environment”.

A system is to be discussed for management and to make

allowances for local residents, workers and existing marine and tourist activities.

The floor was opened to questions and comments. The biggest cheer of the evening went to an elderly resident who said he couldn’t believe that for many years what has been most needed are more services, toilets, a small bar, better parking and rubbish collection, but all of that has been ignored and what they’re going to get is a bus service!

Unfortunately, the mayor allowed the meeting to escape her control and many of the comments and questions had nothing to do with the matter in hand, which in the end angered Alonso and bored many others present.

A commission is to be set up to discuss the matter, but it looks likely that despite the small town’s resistance to change, the bus service will be introduced in November when the road is due n to be reopened.

Ephemeral body art

for variety and expressiveness as bodies became the canvas on which artistic creativity was

staged while visitors looked on in wonder. From midday, those who wished could follow these works of art being created, from the application of the first primer to the last brush stroke, while others just admired the end result.

Many local residents and tourists enjoyed the event and took some particularly memorable photos of the art forms. The models took it all with much composure and posed to provide some fantasn tic souvenir photos.

Cyclist saved

Traffic police to the rescue A member of the armed forces is being hailed as a hero after saving the life of a 19-year-old cyclist who had fallen 35 metres down a steep ridge.

Members of the Italian UC Pregnana team, taking part in the LXI Vuelta a la Isla de Tenerife, were dismayed when young Ricardo Bridelli crashed on a curve at kilometre 57 of the TF-28 and took a terrifying tumble down a ravine.

Luckily, they were able to flag down Guardia Civil agent Francisco Santana.

The brave 34-year-old has been with the law enforcement agency for 10 years, the last seven of which working in the traffic department. Thankfully for all those concerned, he did not hesitate in doing his duty, despite the danger. After first informing colleagues and the emergency services, Santana headed down the gorge to reach the fallen cyclist who was in a critical condition. Along with various injuries, an open chin wound meant he was swallowing his own blood and having difficulty breathing.

Having carefully positioned the injured man so he wouldn’t choke to death, the officer then climbed several times up and down the valley side to fetch necessary medical equipment, as well as to direct members of the rescue services to the victim. Two members of the Red Cross and a pair of fire fighters managed to stabilise the cyclist on a stretcher for him to be flown by helicopter. As well as facial injuries, the 19-year-old had a broken pelvis, various cuts and abrasions and severe bruising. He was taken to Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria University Hospital in Santa Cruz where he is currently recovering, surrounded by his family.

No longer in danger, he was able to thank the motorcycle cop for saving his life when he visited the cyclist in hospital. Santana apparently answered modestly that it was no big deal and that he would do it again any time. Staff at the hospital, meanwhile, were confident that without the agent’s quick actions, the young Italn ian would have lost his life.

Photo: FB Hispanica de Aviacion

A hazardous rescue, 35 metres down a dangerous steep valley

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Health service

Beds closure report denied A Spanish media report this month claiming that 50 beds in the Northern Hospital in Icod de Los Vinos were to be closed has been strenuously denied by the Canarian Health Department.

“The beds in the Northern Hospital remain active and it was never under consideration to change that. On September 1, Canarian health staff and unions were informed of the cuts to be made for the last four months of this year to keep within budget. The measures will not affect the ordinary services of any centre. Far from making reductions at the Northern Hospital, we are working to amplify the services, such n as the introduction of major surgery options.”

The Northern Hospital in Icod de Los Vinos

Demographics

Ageing population Along with many other areas in the modern world the average age of the Canarian population is getting older but for the first time there are more elderly people than youngsters.

The demographic index in the Canaries is now at 101 per cent, which means that for every 100 young people under-16, there are 101 over 64-year-olds. However, that is better than the national average which is at 116 per cent.

Interpreting the statistics, the human resource specialist company Adecco has called for a rethink in the labour market. They claim that if the trend continues, by 2052 there will only be one active worker for each pensioner, “which inevitably threatens the sustainability of the system”.

On these grounds, Adecco’s General Manager Francisco Mesonero advocates that a higher percentage of the Gross Domestic Product should be dedicated to family support

Demographic changes threaten stability

Photo: SV

15.9.2016 – 28.9.2016

and employer awareness programmes to finally make the discrimination of women with families, the disabled and the over-45s a thing of the past.

These are the groups which have been particularly affected by the crisis and social exclusion.

“The time where older workers are discriminated against has to be over. We have to realise that they are at the equator of

their career development and offer valuable input for any employer. These include experience, maturity and emotional control”, Mesonero underlined.

He added that disabled people and women should not be excluded any longer from the job market and reminded people of the need for the creation of attractive programmes for partial retirement.

Along with the improvement in elderly health care, the migration of young people in the last five years is having a devastating effect on the demographics. Many youngsters have left Spain to study elsewhere or to find a job that is in line with their qualifications.

Adecco has been operating for 34 years and is the leader in human resources in Spain. n

Charity event

On September 7, Aaron Tyler Bannister got together in La Tejita with a group of friends, family and members of his Los Abrigos school’s AMPA group to celebrate World Duchenne’s Awareness Day. The celebrations took the form of a walk/hike up the Montaña Roja, releasing red balloons as they went. The balloons and tags were provided by Gary Hill and each tag asked in Spanish and English that whoever finds them get in touch with young Aaron. If you find one, please contact him, it will give him a huge boost to get a response.

Unfortunately, everything didn’t go as smoothly as you’d wish for something so important.

Aaron’s parents were informed that for groups of four or more, special permission was required from the local town hall at Granadilla de Abona council and they were given the name and mobile number of Ana Esther (presumably the social services councillor Ana Esther Flores Ventura) to contact to try and arrange that.

Despite numerous phone calls and messages, including some

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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 046

79 red balloons ture to add to the journey that will be his short life.

Sadly, funds are not available in the public sector in Tenerife for everything this young man will need, and as he was born here, his doctors say that a return to a colder climate could adversely affect his lifespan.

There is a charitable fund set up to help Aaron and they have a Facebook page: Aaron Tyler Bannister. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Fund. Alternatively, you can donate via Justgiving. com. He now needs his wheelchair at school and they are currently trying to get the funds for an adapted vehicle to carry Aaron and his chair.

Aaron with sister Kitty and Mum and Dad, Gwen and Carl

Why 79 balloons?

from this newspaper, both on the mobile and Facebook, there was no response at all!

They decided to go ahead anyway and hoped that the local police department was as inefficient as their social services, or at least that they had more heart. It was a fun day and the

family sends their thanks to everyone who took part. Aaron’s increasing health problems, some of which are caused by steroids used to slow the disease, meant he didn’t make it all the way to the top, but he fought to get as high as he could and had another adven-

The dystrophin gene, one of the longest known, has 79 exons and a small mutation in just one of these is all it takes to cause Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This fatal illness is the largest genetic killer of young men yet remains largely unheard of. Duchenne affects one in 3,600 boys and one in n 50 million girls.

Happy Streets

Bringing Adeje to life The Adeje Council’s tourism department is about to present a new project to promote the open areas in the borough. Called Happy Streets, it aims to make the roads, plazas and beaches more attractive to residents and tourists alike.

Despite the fact that the tourism sector is enjoying good results at the moment with high occupation levels, there are still some important aspects which are lacking in terms of leisure activities and in attracting visitors to come and discover the possibilities offered in the borough, especially after 7pm when the majority of holidaymakers return to their hotels. Many restaurants, shops and other businesses are closing due to the lack of clientele.

It is really necessary to give more emphasis to the existing activities and events, both private and public, to support the businesses, restaurants and leisure venues which have chosen quality and entertainment, and to promote new open air projects for tourists which will improve the visitors’ perception of the area.

Costa Adeje has an extraordinary range of hotels as well as numerous other attractions which must occupy an important place in the tourist experience. Adeje’s gastronomy, trekking paths, history, architecture, plazas and coastlines allow for open air events and sporting activities all year round, and among others, they make Adeje a singular destination with a great future ahead.

Happy Streets will be presented on September 27 at the Plaza Salytien in Costa Adeje from 7pm with a performance by the Canarian rock band Ni Un Pelo de Tonto as well as other artists and surprises. Entry is free. n

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PROMOTION

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Poema del mar

Rolling in the deep

By Sabine Virgin

the ocean and our freshwater reservoirs. The park should be understood as a plea for a part of the world to which humans pay little attention. More information leads to more protec-

Photo: SV

Alberto, what for you is exciting about this huge task?

“There’s a lot to prepare and mould into shape. The aquarium is being set up to be as close to the natural environment as possible, so that the animals feel comfortable and people can truly imagine their underwater world. There are so many incredibly spectacular fish and aquatic species, that it is a pleasure to bring them closer to the people. The selection and combinations have to be planned for those species which live under the same conditions and can coexist in harmony. The offspring have to be monitored and we need to organise the purchase of various species, which we are mainly carrying out via specialist breeders. Of course we also have to hire employees.

There’s a lot to do”.

What strange fish await visitors?

“A variety of marine and freshwater fish, many of whom you may never have heard of, will live in our Poema del Mar. For example, we will have huge freshwater stingrays, which have a diameter of up to two metres. There are African tigerfish, native to the Congo, flathead fish, and a freshwater shark from the Mississippi.

Also impressive are the giant carp from Siam which weighs up to 200 kilos and grows up to two metres long. We have examples of the rare aquatic salamander, the olm, which can only be found in Slovenia and a few areas of Italy. It’s almost blind, lives in under-

tion, approximately 600,000 tons of sharks a year are discarded as unintended captures during long line fishing, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization

Photos: Loro Parque

Alberto Castellanos Vizcaíno is the head biologist at the future giant aquarium Poema del Mar, which is currently under construction in the port area of Las Palmas in Gran Canaria.

This young man, who studied marine science in Vigo, faces his first major task of choosing specimens for the Poema del Mar Aquarium project.

Many are already being cared for, raised and bred in 41 specialist quarantine tanks in Loro Parque in Puerto de La Cruz in preparation for the move to Gran Canaria, which is expected in October and November of this year.

they need less food. They love to have a water temperature of around 22 degrees Celsius.

This calms the animals. The warmer the water, the more hungry and more aggressive

The completed Poema del Mar Alberto Castellanos is overseeing an exciting project Become completely immersed in the underwater world

water caves and can last up to four years without food.

Little is known of this species except that it is in danger of extinction. We will also have an impressive shark selection consisting of angels, hammerheads and sand sharks”.

What significance do you place on education and information?

“For us, this is a very important part of the park. We want our visitors to realise the importance of protecting the under-

water world that is unknown to most, and the threatened species therein. The angelshark, for example, has one of its last refuges in the Canaries and this should be a cause for celebration. It’s absolutely harmless to humans, like most other species of sharks for that matter. What can we do to protect marine turtles so they do not eat our plastic waste? We would like to draw attention to sea pollution, bring these often beautiful creatures into more focus and raise awareness of

tion. On the other hand, scientists from around the world will have the opportunity to carry out research. There will be the opportunity for observation and experiments. Areas have been set aside for meetings and classes”.

How dangerous are sharks and how are you able to arrange for them to cohabit with other fish?

“Some animals, such as sharks, have a comfort zone in which their metabolism is slow and

they are. But that’s not the only thing. In fact, the vast majority of sharks, about 98 per cent, are not at all dangerous for humans. On the contrary, man is much more dangerous for the shark. The increasing exploitation of nature by a rapidly growing human population is reducing the numbers of many species; among those endangered are sharks, which have inhabited the earth for 400 million years. Each year, up to 100 million sharks are captured and killed. In addi-

(FAO). Right now, 11 species of shark, including the sandbar shark, are included in the Red List of species threatened with extinction. This is an irresponsible bloodletting which is not without consequences for the stability of our marine habitats. We already have examples of the sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) in Loro Parque. One sandbar recently had a baby that is fortunately thriving.

“The smaller sharks, Abel, Airam, Lian and Juan, have survived the first critical stage.

Detailed studies, including a blood count, have shown evidence of a precisely matched diet – their preferred food is hake and squid. They are housed in a spacious aquarium which is illuminated with natural light during the day, and at night with gentle moonlight. The temperature is controlled according to the rhythm of the seasons. We train the animals so that they come to a targeted feeding area. That is, they respond to sounds, for example, or we even train them to come voluntarily for tests so that the everyday life of the animals is as stress-free

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 779

as possible. Our divers are regularly in the aquarium to keep the windows clean. Of course, safety regulations are complied with, but really, it’s never dangerous”.

ern building on various levels allowing you to leave the outside world for a few hours as you wander into oblivion.

“A total of around 2,500 square metres of exhibition space has been transformed into the mysterious world of the ocean. An island has been rebuilt from top to bottom inside an enormous transparent cylinder. There you will find the different fish that live in the various ocean depths. After that there is a special tank to help injured seaturtles recover until they can be returned to the open sea.

In the mangrove swamp, the banded archer and the foureyed fish, which belong neither to freshwater nor saltwa-

How would you describe a tour of the Poema del Mar? “Poema del Mar is a gigantic white building which doesn’t show from the outside the extent of what it holds. Once a visitor walks through the door, he or she enters uncharted territory. Without diving, they enter an underwater universe, brought together from different continents.

“From freshwater and coastal regions of the oceans down to

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will now appear as a ‘must’ on the holiday wish-list of Gran Canaria visitors and another powerful reason for tourists and residents on other islands to visit the modern capital.

many exciting questions and it’s equally exciting to look for the answers. The observer will experience salt and fresh water tunnels, gigantic aquarium walls and be transported into a surreal underworld.

There will of course also be a restaurant in Poema del Mar, where visitors can take a break in order to process their many impressions. The opening date is already fixed: June n 17, 2017.

Visitors will be greeted by a tropical jungle A restaurant is integrated into the complex The young Loro Parque-born sandbar sharks are thriving

result of several experiments, a squid has learned to open a can with a screw cap to get to a hidden prize. This experiment could be seen by another squid via a system of mirrors and amazingly, he copied it immediately. These and other tests will be part of our work.”

Alberto, thank you for your time and we wish you every success.

Surely the Poema del Mar will soon become a highlight, which

the deep sea, the viewer will marvel at the unknown world that will open up to them, a world that is peopled by odd, amazing, unique or unexpectedly colourful inhabitants. At the entrance they will be met by a humid, lush jungle with free-flying birds and cheeky lemurs. However, beware crocodiles are not far away! A path winds through the mod-

ter habitats, find a home. The archer fish is a curiosity. It captures its prey with saliva that is quickly ‘shot’ at the target.

The depths of the ocean are brought to life in the deep sea area. The world’s largest curved glass disc allows the viewer to become one with this element.

It’s 36 metres wide and eight metres high and in every sense is a window into the deep sea,

which is inhabited by hammerhead sharks, giant groupers and other amazing animals. There will be huge shoals of fish and, in the area where the waves break, jellyfish, seahorses and colourful, luminous fish find a new home”.

How smart are the squid?

“It has been found that squids learn from each other. As a

How colourful can the fish world be? What is an Australian dragon fish? Are there really fish like Nemo from the Pixar movie, and what lives in his neighbourhood? Why are some fish transparent? There are so

10

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Puerto de La Cruz

Super Summer Carnival

A colourful cockatoo is the poster for this year’s Summer Carnival

For the first time ever, major Carnival events will be held away from the traditional Ash Wednesday-tied dates, with the introduction of Puerto de La Cruz’s Summer Carnival.

From September 16 to 18, the streets of this northern tourist town will fill with the colour, glamour, music and laughter of Carnival – with all the added benefits, hopefully, of dry, warm weather. The idea is to show the tourists and neighbours from other Canarian boroughs the splendour of the Puerto de La Cruz International Carnival, with the idea of attracting more people to that event next February, as well as having a great time at the Summer Carnival.

The local tourism councillor Dimple Melwani underlined: “At this point in time, these types of events give an added quality which will bring a new cultural, economic and tourist vitality to the town”.

It’s a joint project prepared by the town authorities and the carnival groups, which they

have been working on for a long while; a kind of mini-Carnival with some new ideas and many of your favourite events which will leave you wanting more!

Main attractions include a Carnival parade with lots of salsa and samba, street parties and the famous Mascarita Ponte Tacón – the event where men in drag and enormously high heels race over obstacles. It’s not meant to replace the International Carnival earlier in the year, but to complement it.

At the launch of the three-day event, the councillor for fiestas, Ruymán García, spoke of the council’s gratitude to the brewery Dorada and Loro Parque who are the main sponsors for the Summer Carnival. The Press Officer for Loro Parque, Natalya Romashko, announced: “Being a major sponsor for this new initiative is yet another opportunity for us to support and participate in the council’s strategic actions and we are sure that it will become a n summer tradition.”

September 16 9.00am – 7.00pm: Display and selection of the poster for the International Carnival 2017, Martiánez.

12.00pm: Launch of the Summer Carnival 2016, Loro Parque.

4.00pm: Inauguration of the Carnival costumes exhibition, Hotels H10, Tenerife Playa, Valle Mar and Las Vegas.

7.00pm: Procession of drum and cornet bands, masked characters and stilt walkers, from Martiánez to the Plaza de Europa via Paseo de San Telmo.

9.00pm – 3.00am: Street party with live music from La Sabrosa and Escuela de Calor, Plaza de Europa.

September 17 11.00am: Salsa workshops, Paseo de San Telmo and the Plaza de Europa.

12.00pm – 4.00pm: Carnival make-up workshops,

Paseo de San Telmo and Avenida de Colón.

12.00pm – 6.00pm: Street dance with DJ Chris Hernández and live music from La Maquinaria, Martiánez.

6.00pm: Dance groups, Martiánez.

8.00pm: Mascarita Ponte Tacón, from Avenida Colón to Plaza de Europa.

10.00pm – 5.00am: Fiesta del Flotador with live music from Orquesta Tenerife and Los Teymar, Plaza de Europa.

September 18 11.00am – 2.00pm: Children’s activities, bouncy castles, games, and a show from Circus Peques, Avenida Colón.

12.00pm – 2.00 pm: Music from DJ Chris Hernández, Plaza de Europa.

4.00pm: Parade from Avenida Colón to the Plaza del Charco.

8.00pm – 10.00pm: Rock concert by La Chalana, Plaza de Europa.

La Palma

HOTEL FIRST AID

Casablanca staff saves tourist The staff at the Casablanca apartments in Puerto de La Cruz recently managed to revive a 55-year-old tourist who had suffered respiratory problems and a heart attack, thanks to the fact that they had all been trained in first aid, and that they had a defibrillator on the premises.

The tourist was waiting in the reception hall for a transfer to the airport at the time. Her husband advised the reception

Carnival Programme

The lifesaving staff at the Casablanca apartments in Puerto de La Cruz

staff who immediately began to help the victim. When an

ambulance arrived, the emergency staff continued the work

which had been started by the apartment personnel, and took her to the University Hospital in La Laguna. Incidents such as this highlight the importance of having fully trained staff, and semi-automatic defibrillators available. The director of the Casablanca apartments, Juan José Hernández, considers the installation of this equipment to be: “Very important, in fact vital because we are talking n about saving lives.”

Green-fingered thief Guardia Civil officers in Santa Cruz de La Palma recently arrested a 43-year-old thief from Los Llanos de Aridane.

The man is accused of three thefts committed between August 8 and 31 in Villa de Mazo and Breña Alta.

The suspect always followed the same pattern. His target was secluded cottages that had been rented out short term for rural tourism. He introduced himself to the temporary holiday guests as a gardener or caretaker, and thus gained their confidence. So much so, that they left him undisturbed on the premises, in the belief that he would look after things. In this way, he had permanent access to the property and never had to break in. He stole €840 in cash, credit cards and several personal documents.

The documents and other stolen goods recovered by the police were handed over to the judge in Santa Cruz de n La Palma.

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TOURISM MARKET GROWTH

Cruise news The tiny capital of San Sebastián de La Gomera will have welcomed over 40,000 cruise visitors by the end of this year.

In 2016, 39 cruise ships with over 40,000 passengers were scheduled to dock in the small port, an increase over the 2015 figures of six per cent. The local mayor Adasat Reyes is delighted. Last year’s cruise visitors spent around half a million euros, with 75 per cent of the passengers buying items during their stopover, the majority of which were local products.

Most tourists stay in the capital for the day, so after a consultation with local business people, a brochure in several languages was prepared showing individual businesses, what can be bought where, walking tours of the city, etc.

These free maps are handed

out as passengers disembark.

Lucrative taxi tours have been proposed and the shopping area around Ruíz de Padrón is to be revitalised to attract more clients.

Whilst retaining the island’s traditional charm, they are aiming to give their visitors a modern and dynamic welcome. This small capital of a tiny island is getting ready for a big crowd!

Over in Tenerife, the port welcomed the most luxurious cruise ship in the world on its first visit to the Canaries. The Seven Seas Explorer cost $450 million to build and offers luxury berths, leisure facilities and service, with a high proportion of staff to cruise customers. The 700 passengers on this voyage have over 400 professionals looking after them. The majority of the passengers hail

from North America and were enjoying a 10 day cruise that began in Lisbon.

The ship was inaugurated in July in Monaco and christened by HSH Princess Charlene. It flies the flag of the Marshall Islands and is the jewel in the crown of the Regent Seas Cruises fleet which also includes Seven Seas Mariner, Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Navigator. It has a gross weight of 54,000 tons and is 223 metres long by 82 metres wide. As is usual, the ship’s first visit to the island was marked by an official visit.

The Port Authorities Director Ricardo Melchior greeted Captain Stanislas Mercier de Lacombe with a bottle of Malvasia wine, a book about the 100 year history of the development of the port, and a commemorative plaque. n

Best in the world

Thomas Cook award for Botánico The Hotel Botánico in Puerto de La Cruz has been awarded the Best Hotel in the World title for the 2015/2016 winter season by the tour operator Thomas Cook.

The luxury hotel scored 4.96 out of a possible of 5.0 points and was the overall international winner, for the first time ever. This great result was thanks to its excellent accommodation facilities with guarantees of excel-

lence and exceptional activities. The directors recognise that this award also represents, without doubt, the daily work undertaken by the team at Hotel Botánico in their commitment to quality, with their wish to create an optimal sense of wellbeing. This award complements the other certificates already awarded to this hotel.

Also, the event ‘A Path of Dialogue between the Artist

and Society’ was recently held at the Hotel Botánico and a lecture on the subject attracted around 100 people. Among others, the artist Maribel Nazco was honoured. Wolfgang Kiessling, the hotel owner, pointed to the cultural dynamism that a hotel like the Botánico possesses. The hotel also resembles a museum of Canarian works from the 19th and 20th centuries. n

Valsequillo celebrates

Setting the devil dog free In Valsequillo on the east coast of Gran Canaria, La Suelta del Perro Maldito (setting the devil dog free) is a unique part of the fiesta in honour of the patron saint of San Miguel.

This ritual begins on September 28 at midnight, when all the lights in Valsequillo will be turned off, and this year there will be some surprises to celebrate its 30th anniversary. This tradition dates back to around the year 1803 when the Canarian sculptor Luján Pérez carved a sculpture of San Miguel in the trunk of a chestnut tree on the edge of the village. In this sculpture which is unique in the world, San Miguel had a dog at his feet instead of a dragon to represent the devil. For many years, the people of Valsequillo believed that on the night of San Miguel, the devil dog was freed from its chains.

Women and children stayed at home to pray, for it was a night of disgrace, bad luck and warnings that the hound from hell was on the rampage in nearby ravines. Meanwhile, men set out to catch the witches and demons, and their favourite hunting grounds were the local bars and other night venues.

After its conversion into a show with over a hundred participants, this encounter between good and evil which still produces a few goose bumps, has become the most popular part of the fiestas in Valsequillo.

While the partygoers are waiting for this spectacle, there will be live music in the Plaza de San Miguel, starting at 9.30pm n by the Bellagio trio.

The local council has promised many surprises on its 30th birthday

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CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 046

Now in Tenerife

Sidecar racing experience

Dell with his new sidecar outfit in Tenerife

which are mostly used in true road racing events like the Isle of Man TT race. This is to distinguish them from the modern post-1980 Superside machines which are now called Formula One sidecars (with 1,000cc engines).

What has all this to do with the Canaries?

Dell Savill raced sidecars known as kneeler outfits in the UK in the 70s with ordinary English Triumph engines. Competition then was hot with the Japanese brands, and it was impossible to beat them. Dell’s solution was to use a bigger engine, so he converted one from a Hillman Imp, fitted it and raced all over the UK. Before moving to Tenerife, he cut a Hillman Imp engine in half, made two 600cc

Photo: A.G. Lloyd-Jones / wikipedia

Sidecars always produce exciting racing and are an important part of classic racing events in the UK, as well as other northern European countries such as Belgium and Germany.

There is an international championship which began in 1949 originally called Superside. In 2010 the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) took over the management of the series and it became the FIM Sidecar World Championship, taking place at various circuits, mostly within Europe. This year, it has been at Brands Hatch, Snetterton, Thruxton, Mallory Park, Oulton Park and Donington. Round 7 will be at Assen in Holland from September 30 to October 2. Prior to 1977, racing sidecars were similar to road-going varieties. A traditional racing outfit was a road-going sidecar without the boot and with lowered suspension. Over time the sub-frame, struts, clamps and sidecar frame merged with the motorcycle mainframe to form a single frame. In 1981 the FIM and competitors reached a compromise involving the rules: a sidecar must be vehicle driven by a single rear wheel and steered by a single front wheel, the driver must use a handlebar rather than a steering wheel, and there must be active passenger participation. The 1981 rules remain largely unchanged, except that during the late 90s the FIM allowed the use of cartype suspension, such as the wishbone, for the front wheel.

Traditional racing sidecars remain popular, especially in the UK, and they are now commonly called Formula Two Sidecars (with 600cc engines)

Sidecars on the starting grid at the Isle of Man TT

bike engines and was going to fit one half onto a chassis built by maker and driver Malcolm Attrill.

Dell eventually sold the lot before leaving the UK. In Tenerife, Dell retired 12 years ago from Kendell Developments, the chairlift and platform installation business he established, which is now run by his son Daniel and wife Jo. In his spare time he has got to know the racing fraternity here by racing karts with Daniel.

After searching for years for a classic sidecar, a few months ago he found one exactly like the one he built in the 70s, already fitted with a Hillman Imp engine. That sidecar outfit has now arrived, and Dell has stripped it out, made it exactly as he wants it, and all that remains is a respray.

With enthusiasm in Tenerife’s racing fraternity, Dell aims to take it to motor shows, vintage vehicle gatherings, karting tracks, and one day he wants to follow one of the hill climb rallies in his sidecar with a passenger on board to show everyone what it’s all about.

His main ambition is to put it on the new track at Atogo and be the first to do it, but that’s a couple of years away.

Who knows, at the age of 77 he could start a new sidecar racing class on the islands.

For now, Dell just wants to demonstrate the machine and maybe offer rides to passengers on what is without doubt the first sidecar racing outfit to arrive in the Canaries. Look out for dates and venues near you in the near future.

Contact Dell on 630 330 251 or email: kendelcanarias@ n hotmail.com.

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Photo: macmillan.org.uk

Coffee cancer care The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is Macmillan’s largest fundraising event for patients and families faced with cancer.

In the UK, the cancer support organisation asks people from all over the country to host their own Coffee Mornings and donations on the day are made to Macmillan. Last year alone they raised over £25 million (nearly €30 million) and this

Domestic violence On the evening of the first Saturday in September, 18-yearold Dino Modric was arrested at Cho in Arona for the alleged murder of his mother and remanded in custody.

Two days earlier, the Croatian is believed to have killed his mother during a family argument in their apartment. The young man had stabbed her many times and strangled her.

Local neighbours alerted the emergency services after they saw the woman lying wounded on the terrace. Emergency staff found her with significant strangulation marks, a discolA minute’s silence was held for Brankica outside the Arona town hall

year they are aiming for more.

In 2015, Marks and Spencer, one of Macmillan’s biggest sponsors, raised an incredible £1.6 million (over €1.9 million) through staged coffee mornings.

Torviscas Coffee Morning In Tenerife, Valerie and Brian Bailey are holding the island’s

first World’s Biggest Coffee Morning as part of the official campaign taking place on September 30. This will be staged between 10am and noon at: Residencial Las Mimosas No.6, Calle Baleares No.7, Torviscas Alto. This private residence is situated close to Laguna Park 2, and Valerie and Brian have special permission from the community to hold the cancer fundraiser.

Everyone is welcome, but they would appreciate a quick phone call on 603 369 737 if you plan to support the event so that they know how much cake to get in! They currently have four raffle prizes and are looking for five more from possible sponsors. Please contact them if you are able to help out.

Valerie and Brian have witnessed both of her parents and some of their friends pass away from various types of cancer. Before Macmillan came into being this was an ordeal that was much harder for the patients and families to come to terms with, and 31 years ago Valerie’s father, 61 years old, passed away in a 30 bed National Health Service hospital. Thankfully, things have got better, and Macmillan understands how important specialist care is when someone has cancer. Their staff is trained to provide the best cancer care possible and your donation will help to make sure that everyone gets the help they deserve.

With your support the organ-

Photo: amenic181 freedigitalphotos.net

Macmillan event

Visit Valerie and Brian’s Coffee Morning in Torviscas on September 30

isation can ensure that their nurses are able to spend more time with those who need it most. Donations will go towards: Medical Help, ensuring that chemotherapy nurses can give vital treatment to cancer patients; Practical Help, ensuring Macmillan nurses can help more people get the equipment and support they need to stay in their own home;

and Emotional help, to assist staff with their role in helping family members come to terms with what’s happening to the person they love.

Pop along to Valerie and Brian’s Coffee Morning in Torviscas on September 30 and help this fantastic cause.

For further information on Macmillan’s campaign, visit: www. macmillan.org.uk/coffee. n

Mother murdered by son oured face, and several stab wounds in her abdomen and legs. The victim, 42-year-old Brankica Danijela Modric, was admitted in a serious condition to the intensive care unit at the Nuestra Señora de Candelaria Hospital in Santa Cruz, where hours later, despite the efforts of the medical staff, she died from the serious injuries she had sustained. Her 49year-old husband and father of the suspect was arrested because at first it was not clear whether or not he was involved in the attack; however, he was released shortly afterwards.

An arrest warrant was issued for the son by a judge when strong suspicions arose during

investigations by the Guardia Civil in Playa de Las Américas.

He was located, arrested and remanded in custody with no possibility of bail.

Meanwhile, Arona Council and other local organisations mourned their fellow citizen, holding a minute of silence and rejecting domestic violence of all kinds. A spokesman for the Arona council made it clear that there must be no tolerance and violence in any form must be rejected. The Canarian Law 16/2003 of April 8 established that violent attacks within a current or former relationship and assaults between parents and children are classed as n domestic violence.

OUT THERE

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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 046

Hiking

Blessed with choices in Candelaria Las Caletillas beach areas

own balancing act on a rock further out.

The small settlement was eerily quiet from the mini church plaza down through a cluster

onward before, I set off along the craggy coast to El Socorro, another small unspoilt beach with a couple of nice watering holes nearby. The waves got

stone dwellings along the route and the remains of salt flats where salt was recovered from evaporated sea water. It was a good 90 minute trek until the lava softened to sand at the edge of El Puertito de Güímar.

With my usual breaks for photos, food, and sheer admiration, the complete trek from Candelaria took just over four hours. The bustling seafront at Güímar was a welcome sight, and a café terrace provided a much needed stoke up.

Las Caletillas

The bell tower of the Candelaria Basilica

By Colin Kirby www.colinkirby.com Were the statues of the Guanche Kings waving up at me or was I just lost in the moment?

I felt like I could reach across and touch the bell tower of the Candelaria Basilica as people scurried around the plaza below and the melodic chimes of the hour merely enhanced my good mood. The steps up from the back of the plaza were a small price to pay for such a start to the Samarines coastal walk, and I was soon walking south along the well marked cliff top path with the sea crashing below.

I couldn’t resist perching on a throne like outcrop to savour the views before taking the dip down a small ravine where rocks cracked open to reveal rough lagoons and stone circles. The wandering path picked its way up through samphire and tabaiba plants before the Samarines beach poked out from a small inlet, deserted

It took nearly 90 minutes to get to Playa de La Viuda from Candelaria Playa de La Viuda

Playa de Samarines Malpaís de Güímar - a long stretch of twisted lava fields

and with a soundtrack of the pebbles and shingle raking the shore. On previous walks driftwood lined the beach but this time it was clear, there were a few signs of people living rough in makeshift shelters in the folds of the rocks but it was like my own little kingdom.

Moving on and up, I followed the pumice and sandstone track below the edge of the industrial estate and noticed some tempting rock pools below. Cresting a hill, I

was suddenly looking down over the sweep of Playa de La Viuda. An old wooden sign pointed the way and two wooden benches perched on a ledge as a fisherman did his

of old weather-beaten houses huddled together. I had taken nearly 90 minutes to get to here. The walk is recommended as a return trip back to Candelaria but having pushed

bigger and rougher here and it often tempts a few surfers down, it’s also the gateway to the Malpais (badlands) de Güímar, a long stretch of twisted lava fields. The path was neatly marked out but it was the one concession to comfort as the hard rock was quite punishing on the feet.

Here comes your history lesson, this landscape was formed 10,000 years ago, thoroughly modern by Tenerife standards.

A small volcanic cone, Montaña del Mar, made a good resting point. There are a few old

If you want a master class in planning and development, pay a visit to Las Caletillas, a few strides up the coast from Candelaria. Much of the pebble beach remains, but with clever use of break waters they have created a series of small, sandy bays. Decking, pergolas, showers, disabled ramps, and sea buggies all play their part.

There’s even a bridge to an old mooring point, complete with ladders into the waves.

The wooden slatted promenade has new benches, but to break up the modern look they are book ended with huge volcanic stones. The general look is neat and spotlessly clean; a row of cafes and restaurants opposite the beaches has a nice uncluttered look, free of advertising displays and over elaborate props.

Exercise areas with fixed gym equipment cater for the athletic but there’s still room for a couple of volleyball courts and plenty of undisturbed beach left over.

It was a couple of years since my last visit and I’m pleased to report that it continues to look bright and vibrant. n

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15

Boreal Festival

Northern lights, music and art session with his inimitable style of electronic dance sounds. Born in Huambo,

The Canarian artist Fajardo’s second album was highly praised by the music media

Representatives from Mozambique are this year’s invited guests La Dame Blanche sings with a mighty powerful voice

of workshops and conferences.

There are also several parallel events including film showings and exhibitions.

An Ocean of Cultures, the festival’s slogan, perfectly embodies its aim of introducing visitors to arts and music from around the world. This year’s guest country is Mozambique so sights and

Maarja Nuut charms with her empathetic music

sounds from the African continent will abound.

The main action will take place in the immediate vicinity of the former convent of San Sebastián in the historic town centre, with many activities spread across other locations. A fabulous fusion of art, culture and environmental pro-

tection, the festival has something for all ages and entrance is free.

A wealth of artists Headlining musicians include the gentle sounds of singer and multi-instrumentalist Mû Mbona from Guinea-Bissau.

A poet and composer, he was influenced and inspired by religious melodies and the soulful songs of women when growing up in the country’s small villages. An accomplished guitarist, much of his music is also played on African instruments such as the Simbi, Tonkorongh and water drum, many of which he has built himself.

Showing the variety of music on offer, Batida, otherwise known as radio, video and music producer Pedro Coquenão will offer a great

Angola, and raised in the suburbs of Lisbon, Portugal, Batida mixes modern tunes with traditional Angolan music from the 60s and 70s.

Matthew Logan Vasquez from the United States is best recognised for being a member of the successful American rock band Delta Spirit. Having recently embarked on a solo career, his latest album is an upbeat mix of folk, country and rock which is reminiscent of Crazy Horse, Wilco or Ryan Adams.

Cuban Yaite Ramos embodies everything that is strong about women. With potent lyrics and a punchy style that nevertheless carries a message of harmony, ‘La Dame Blanche’ personifies the struggle of people from her home country. Currently living in Paris, this will be the first concert she has given in Spain.

Kim Sawol x Kim Haewon from South Korea will also be appearing in Spain for the first time and is sure to seduce audiences with her incredible voice and indie folk songs.

Sensitivity is also one of the aspects that surrounds Maarja Nuut’s performance. The Estonian singer and violinist combines traditional music with electronic elements to create a completely new sound experience.

Afro-Haitian Vox Sambou will thrill fans with his insightful multilingual Hip Hop tunes, whilst Canarian band The Conqueror of Dub will have crowds chilling to roots and dub of the 1970s.

Popular local artist Fajardo, originally from Fuerteventura but living on Gran Canaria, is a guitarist with strong vocal skills and plenty to say. His second album, released last year, was met with national acclaim.

With so much to offer, it’s no surprise that over 10,000 people visited the Boreal Festival in 2015. This year, for the first time ever, there is even an official camp site open from 2pm on September 16 to 2pm on September 18 for those who don’t want to miss a moment of the show.

Get all the latest news on this fabulous fun fest at: www. n festivalboreal.org.

©2015 FLN

September 14 to 17 sees the Boreal Festival visit the Isla Baja area of Los Silos once again.

From its humble beginnings around a decade ago, the arts, gastronomy, music and environmental fest has become one of the cultural highlights for the north-western part of the island.

An impressive range of activities includes concerts, crafts and organic foods stalls, a Gastro market, children’s area, mobile library, and a variety

TENERIFE GENERAL

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 046

Building defects

Auditorium under inspection A stunning Santa Cruz Landmark

An unusual artist The title of a new exhibition, Los recuerdos me miran (memories look at me), is on view at the Centro de Arte La Recova in Santa Cruz until September 30.

Loli Iñiguez is an artist and a lecturer at the Academy of Fine Arts in La Laguna and this is a retrospective of her expressive artistic creations. Her passage through the hours that make up her life have been immortalised with a force full of vitality.

Born into a world where women were still dominated by men, during the course of her life she has been freed from this pressure and has fought for her voice and raised it. Her paintings give an insight into that inner struggle, and her art forms a dialogue with those impressions, their inspirations, and the viewers’ eyes.

The Centro de Arte La Recova is in Plaza Isla de La Madera, right next to the Teatro Guimerá in Santa Cruz, and is open from Monday to Saturday from 11am to 1pm and 6pm to 9pm. n

Photo: RN

Plainly visible faults in the mosaic covering of the iconic Auditorium Adán Martín in Santa Cruz caused concern and a full study of the building was ordered by the Island Council department responsible for local heritage.

Initial reports indicate that the problems have been caused by general wear and tear caused by the public and by rainwater infiltration which has affected some parts of the walls and ceiling, however it does not seem to be a generalised problem. The study, estimated to cost around €84,000, will be completed in about two months and will include suggestions for remedial work.

Designed by the architect Santiago Calatrava, the Auditorium Adán Martín was constructed between 1997

La Recova exhibition

and 2003. It is a postmodern design, characteristic of the late 20th century and

quickly became one of the most prominent landmarks of the Tenerife capital and

the island itself. It’s one of the most modern buildings n in the Canaries.

Photo: Ayuntamiento Santa Cruz

16

Expressive paintings from an unusual artist

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TENERIFE GENERAL

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 779

By

Hi everyone, how are you all coping in this heat? I’ve never drunk so much water in my life.

But then, that’s what keeps your body healthy, otherwise your feet swell and it’s so easy to become dehydrated.

I had a call from some ladies who were here recently. They are all from Barnsley and when I asked them what they thought of the heat, Suzie started laughing and said: “Eeh lass, I’m like Sweaty Betty”.

Which reminded me that I had received the most wonderful letter from a couple who have now gone home to the northeast of the UK. They’d seen the column I wrote about the toilets there when I was a child. My auntie Amy was in charge of some local loos and had them done out like a

Hi Katy I hope you don’t mind me emailing you but I read your column in Island Connections about your aunt in the Fishermen’s Cottages in Whitburn and thought I would update you as I only live 100 metres or so from them.

First though, whenever I read your column I think about the first time my wife and I visited the south of Tenerife in 1993. We were with my wife’s late mother who hadn’t been abroad before and enjoyed every minute. We were staying somewhere beside the Torviscas market and on our second night were passing the Toucan bar when the PA persuaded us to give it a try as there was a great comedienne on – which was you of course.

y Kat

Hi everyone, katykennedy@telefonica.net Tf: 616 110 930

games and the La Bamba Duo we had some fantastic times. I had the pleasure of one of your ‘chest cuddles’ which my wife caught on video camera and we kept the tape we bought from you for a lot of years but lost it eventually.

We’ve been coming back to the island ever since and had an apartment in Royal Palm in Los Cristianos for about 10 years. In England we live in a seafront apartment on the site of the former Bay Hotel and I walk my dog every day round the back of the Fishermen’s Cottages which, although largely unchanged, have just recently started to be ‘gentrified’. Just to the south of them are a few houses called Pebble Beach, one of which looks like a Mal-

Theresa May - coronated or crowned?

Photo: Ricardo Rodríguez / FreeImages.com

There was always a cup of tea on the go at Auntie Amy’s toilet

small sitting room, complete with a kettle and cake tin, and all of us kids used to go round for a cup of tea and a bun.

I thought I’d include it here for your enjoyment as it’s so beautifully written:

We had a wonderful night and almost every night after when we asked my mother-in-law where she wanted to go we always ended up in the Toucan. I think the MC was a girl called Val and what with the

ibu beach house, very posh.

I think your aunt’s toilet, if it was the underground one, is closed now and the ones on the promenade where the lost children office and the deck chair hire was have been

17

turned into a flash new restaurant called Fat Buddha.

Nearer to the cottages, where the garage was, there is a seafood deli and restaurant. I’ll send you some pictures to let you see what things look like now.

I had to laugh about the way your aunt had things set up in her toilet. For my sins, I used to work at the Cleansing Department in Gateshead and our toilets below the ‘Get Carter’ car park were famous locally for the way the attendant had carpeted her office, put pictures on the walls and brought in fresh flowers to brighten the

place up. She took great pride in her toilet and had it spotless, although I’ll avoid the normal description that you could eat off the floor.

Sorry to be so long-winded, hope you don’t mind me writing.

Brian Hallimond What a lovely letter, and so many memories crowd into my mind reading it. Thanks a lot Brian.

I so love hearing from everyone, it’s great to get some feedback.

I’ve had a few letters recently, and the one below made me laugh so much I’ve just got to share it with you as well: Hi Katy, I do enjoy reading your articles and I am almost relieved that

my husband and I are not the only people who find current usage of English irritating. I cannot understand why people say ‘compared to’ rather than ‘compared with’. My husband became so irritated by so many people on TV news programmes ending sentences with a preposition and starting sentences with a conjunction that he looked it up on the internet and, apparently, it is no longer considered grammatically incorrect to do these!

The other day I heard someone on a quiz programme who couldn’t identify the object of a sentence and in fact incorrectly identified the subject as the object!

To cap it all, recently when discussing Theresa May’s rise to Leader of the Conservative Party (and therefore P.M.) the commentator on Sky News referred to Mrs. May as having been ‘coronated’ as Leader! Whatever happened to crowned?

I realise that English is a living language, which evolves to reflect changes in everyday life - for instance the word ‘texting’ - but surely that is not licence to totally corrupt it?

Must be an age thing!

Regards, Elaine aka ‘Grumpy Old Woman’!

Thanks so much Elaine, good to know it’s not just me! If anyone else would like to get in touch, send an email to: katykennedy@telefonica.net or ring me on: 616 110 930.

Until next time, take care of yourselves and especially of n each other.

CANARY ISLANDS

Magnificent Tenerife

A photo of Tenerife, which was taken by the Landsat Operational Land Imager on January 25 this year, was recently selected by NASA as photo of the day. This is not the first time that an image of Tenerife has been awarded in this way.

In this photo the majority of the incredible height of the Mount Teide volcano is unnoticeable.

Actually, when it is measured from the ocean floor, the volcano reaches 7,500 metres, making it the third highest volcanic structure on Earth.

The space agency said on its website that the detail of the image allows us to appreciate that the volcanic features have contributed to the emergence and shaping of the island, from the peak of Teide to the coastal areas. The agency also explained that around 190 square kilometres around the summit have been protected as the Mount Teide National Park since it was listed by Unesco in 2007 as a World Heritage Site, and this area joins the

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 046

Phenomenal photo praised

Loro Parque

Take my good side!

Photo: NASA

18

An imposing image of Tenerife taken from space

National Park of Volcanoes in Hawaii as an example of the geological processes responsible for oceanic volcanoes.

In the photograph the green forested belt can also be seen

clearly around the National Park which largely consists of the endemic Canarian pine, Pino Canario. This species has adapted perfectly to the conditions in the archipelago.

Finally, along the coast the signs of civilisation can be seen, such as Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the largest and most populated city on the island with over 205,000 n inhabitants.

An innovative, non-invasive, marine photo-identification project is being funded by the Loro Parque Foundation.

The subject in this instance is the angel shark, one of the most endangered species on our planet, which has found its last bastion here in the Canaries. It’s the only area this species is known to reproduce.

The programme, run by ElasmoCan, is called Angel Shark ID and it uses the animals’ natural markings and colourings to identify individual specimens. It’s a relatively new technique that is proving to be very useful. The physical tagging method caused stress in some animals and this is a less invasive alternative. It has previously been successfully used when working with whales. ElasmoCan has been developing this method with angel sharks in the Canaries since 2006.

Since the Loro Parque project began, over the course of the first six months 20 visual censuses were carried out in various areas in Gran Canaria, registering data such as location, age, sex and photographs of their natural ‘tags’.

A total of 52 specimens were observed, most of them adults, and the experts were able to describe and classify individually more than 90 per cent of the animals.

Some of the individuals were recognised from previous censuses, a clear indication that the photo-tag method is viable with this species.

In the coming years, further censuses will allow the scientists to arrive at an estimate of the angel sharks’ population and its evolution over time – this is the basic information required to determine future actions necesn sary for the conservation of the species.

The world’s largest seed pod The Italian tourist Salvatore Cogoni was so impressed by the palm garden in Santa Cruz known as the Palmetum that he made an extraordinary donation: one of the world’s largest seed pods from the species Lodoicea maldivica.

This species is also known as the sea coconut or Seychelles double coconut, and is classified as being in danger of extinction. The seed pod was acquired in 2008 and is therefore no longer viable or fertile, but it is nevertheless a great asset for the ethnographic museum and botanical palm garden.

The Lodoicea maldivica is an extraordinary palm that is found only on the islands of Praslin and Curieuse in the Seychelles.

Their fruit is also known as the nut of love. The ripe fruits have a diameter of around 40 centimetres and can weigh between 15 and 30 kilogrammes. The unusual, voluptuous looking seed, in the form of a nut, has been a collector’s item for thousands of years. The palm tree itself can reach a height of up

Photos: Loro Parque

Palmetum palm garden

Trading with the fruit has been strictly regulated since 1995.

Palmetum

The double coconut from the Seychelles is a popular collectors’ item because of its strange shape

to 30 metres. Its maturity process is extremely slow, taking up to 40 years before it produces fruit and maybe another seven years to reach full maturity, and this is contributing to the threat of extinction.

Once the seeds fall to the ground, they take six months to disintegrate and approximately two years to complete the germination process. The sea coconuts have been known to humans for thousands of years because they floated across the sea to the

coasts of India, but by the time they arrived they were incapable of germinating.

Their size and interesting shape has made them objects of great value and people believed that they came from giant trees which lived on the ocean floor.

The inside of the nut, which is edible and tastes like coconut, is treated as a tasty aphrodisiac in China. The largest deposits of the endangered palm trees are found today in the National Park of Praslin and Curieuse.

The Palmetum palm garden has already welcomed almost 21,000 visitors so far this year, of which about 70 per cent were tourists. Many visitors have left excellent reviews on the travel website TripAdvisor, which as a result, recently awarded the Palmetum with its Certificate of Excellence.

The 12-hectare garden, with palm trees from all continents, was opened in February 2014. Since then it has received over 86,000 guests and is very popular with cruise passengers. During July and August, when fewer cruise liners arrive, it can be quiet at the garden but nevertheless, the number of visitors increased by 13 per cent this summer compared with 2015.

The Palm Garden is open daily from 10am to 6pm. More information is available at: www. n palmetumtenerife.es.

Individual markings are used for identification

A diver in La Sardina, Gran Canaria preparing to photograph the examples

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TENERIFE GENERAL

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 779

19

Culinaria Tenerife 2016

Gastronomic tourism Local Canarian products will be playing an important role in the first gastronomy tourism congress called Culinaria Tenerife which has been organised by the hotels and holiday accommodation association for Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro, Ashotel, and Acyre, the Canarian cooks and pastry chefs association.

The event will take place from September 21 to 23 at the tourism development centre (CDCTA) in Adeje. Chef Braulio Simancas from Las Aguas Restaurant at the Gran Hotel Bahía del Duque, for example, will offer a workshop during which he will explain his work with cheeses from the seven islands

Innovative: Crunchy gofio and rice biscuits with dill mayonnaise

which he matures himself and serves as a pre-dessert. He has studied many varieties of

cheese, especially their evolution, with some very interesting results.

Chef David Moraga from the hotel Suites Villa María on Costa Adeje and Luis González from

the Hotel Tigaiga in Puerto de La Cruz will explain how the black pig can be used. Both know the advantages of this meat and how best to extract the juices and get the best out of this flavoursome speciality.

Germán Blanco from Tías in Lanzarote presents his personal way of preparing jareas, which are air-dried salted fish. The fish are hung on lines where they can benefit from the sea spray and sun. This is a particularly natural preservation technique that already has a long tradition in the Canary Islands and is primarily practiced in Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.

Other specialities to be featured are the older varieties of potato,

Canarian honey, and of course the roasted grain flour gofio. The chef Germán Ortega from Restaurante La Aquarela in Mogán has even found gofio in Swedish restaurants, where the chefs seem to have discovered it for themselves. Ortega applies a Nordic touch to its preparation, and will demonstrate how he makes a crispy biscuit from gofio and rice, served with grated goats’ cheese and a touch of dill mayonnaise.

Culinaria Tenerife features traditional recipes, authentic products and innovative ideas to merge gastronomy with tourism in the Canaries, and ensure that local products constantly remain in holidaymakers’ memories. n

Arona at TourNatur

So much more than beach and sun On the first weekend of September, Arona Council delegates visited Dusseldorf, Germany, to participate in TourNatur, the international fair for active and nature tourism, as part of the local strategy to present the destination to new niches in the market.

Arona’s tourism board, working with other departments, is working on the creation of a new brand, Arona Natural, one of four which will be presented next year. According to tourism councillor David Pérez, these new brands will: “encompass the ‘other side’ of Arona, because we are more than just sunshine and beaches and we have much more to offer”. This

diversification, which includes putting more value on Arona’s natural resources, will be reinforced by the recognition of the area with the Biosphere certification in 2017.

Pérez added: “This year Arona is taking part in TourNatur for the first time, to learn more about the sector and make contacts, with the aim of having our own stand next year where we can promote the Arona Natural brand”. Arona Natural embraces the biodiversity of ornithology and cetaceans in the area, as well as the extensive network of trekking paths, rural accommodation, traditions, crafts and marine

floors. “We are about to set up observation points for bird lovers and there are more than 200 species of cetaceans that live off our coast or visit us.

Our underwater world attracts thousands of divers every year.

Arona wants to establish itself in the market as an active and nature-rich holiday destination.

Right now, the occupancy levels are very high. But we also realise that currently we are benefiting from an economic recovery, and problems with other destinations. We want to be prepared for when the circumstances are not so positive”, explained Pérez. Moreover Arona has a special protec-

Divers from all over the world love to be fascinated by the diversity of species off the Canarian coasts, like this shoal of croaker fish

tion zone for birds, four sites of community importance, several reserves and natural monuments and 11 sites of cul-

tural interest. Currently, nature tourism already accounts for 10 to 15 per cent of global travel volume. The nature tour-

ism market is the sector which has the highest annual growth rate, over 20 per cent, and if it is associated with ornithology it becomes one of the most popular sectors of all. In Europe alone, around 10 million tourists travel each year just for bird watching.

TourNatur Dusseldorf, which celebrated its 14th anniversary this year, is dedicated to trekking and the most significant sports holidays in the world. One of the largest fairs of this type, last year it had almost 45,000 visitors, 5,000 destinations and 260 exhibitors and brands on site.

This year, the influx and intern est continued.

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FOOD

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 046

Bodegón Las Vistas

A double whammy

Do you go to Bodegón Las Vistas in Santa Úrsula for the food, the stupendous views over the north of the island of Tenerife, or both?

Well, if you choose to go for the views, make sure that you go on a clear day when the cloud base is not rolling down the hillsides. You will be in for a real treat.

If you go for the food, you will equally not be disappointed.

We have been there twice now, not quite believing how good it is. In the meantime, the owners have invested in new chairs, tables and massive awnings.

But first, to get there! We

very local red wine (there is a vineyard directly outside), water, bread and dips, with all of the aforesaid dishes, including generous amounts of wellseasoned chipped potatoes, came to a reasonable total of under €15 a head! Oh, and

in Blighty. Approach with care if you have small engine transport! Our friend Peter blasted his big SEAT up the hill at such a rate of knots that he only just stopped in time for the Bod-

Bodegón Las Vistas Calle Bencomo 58, Tamaide, Santa Úrsula, Tenerife Tel: 822 108 923 Open: Wednesday to Saturday 11am to 11pm. Sunday 1pm to 5pm. Closed: Monday and Tuesday.

Loo Score: 7/10

wound our way upwards, forever upwards it seemed, until, turning on to Calle Bencomo, we were faced with a narrow road – the vertiginous slope of which there would never have been planning permission back

egón’s spacious car park, nearly taking a couple of surveyors in Hi-Viz jackets with him.

This place sports an interior restaurant, a covered outdoor terrace, and now a vast extra terrace complete with artificial grass and mega-awnings.

The food is good here. No ifs or buts, and considering it is a few miles from nowhere, doing a very brisk trade of local people. Ours were the only English voices to be heard on both our visits, so I hope that readers of Island Connections will make the effort to go there.

From a surprisingly extensive menu, we chose to share fresh succulent calamari (€6.50) followed by a dish of warm mussels in a parsley, garlic and olive oil dressing (€3.95).

Both were praised and demolished with gusto. More difficult to demolish entirely were the main courses, a pork bistec and a pork chop, (both €11.00), together with a dish of ‘ropavieja’ (€4.00) and a mixed salad. A €6.00 litre of

with a generous takeaway of pork for Peter’s new canine companion, Poppy.

And with that we tottered to the car park over the lane and then hung on tight as the car slalomed down back towards n the bright lights.

046

Canary Islands’ attractions for tourists and residents Where to visit

General information

Upcoming events

What’s on

Islands summary

Useful contacts

Spin news

Cultural guide

Pages 22 & 23

Pages 24 & 25

Page 26 & 27

Page 28

FIMUCITÉ

The celebration of soundtracks The Fimucité International Film Music Festival of Tenerife will hit centre stage on September 23 with nine days of concerts and movie dates for fans of the big screen.

From the days when silent films were accompanied by a live piano player, right up to today’s heavily orchestrated scores, music has provided an exciting audio background to the images flashing before our eyes. Setting the mood perfectly, a film’s music can just as easily express sadness, fear or exhilaration, or even build nail-biting expectation until audiences are on the edge of their seats with anticipation.

Fimucité celebrates all this and much more, each year bringing a series of concerts with soundtracks from some of the very best movies around.

The first of these is on September 23 at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium in Los Cristianos.

Starting at 8pm, the Big Band

de Canarias will present their Lalo Schifrin’s Jazz Goes to Hollywood show, booming their way through tunes such as The Cincinnati Kid, Down Here on the Ground from Cool Hand Luke, and The Face of Love from The Osterman Weekend.

The following night will see two performances, at 7pm and 10pm, by The Pop Culture Band at the Teatro Guimerá in Santa Cruz. Their 70s show will take audiences down memory lane with TV and cinema hits such as Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door, Staying Alive, The Love Boat, and The Theme from Shaft.

On September 28 it’s back to the Teatro Guimerá in Santa Cruz at 8pm. A Tribute to Shirley Walker will celebrate this great conductor and film composer’s life. Twice Emmy-awarded, in 1992 Walker became the first woman to compose a symphonic orchestral score for a Hollywood production: John Carpenter’s Memoirs of an

Invisible Man. One of Walker’s

long-time principal associates,

Larry Rench (currently one of Hollywood’s top orchestrators), will be directing the evening’s music programme.

The Teatro Guimerá is also the scene for the next concert, on September 29 at 8pm, with the Santa Cruz Music Conservatory Youth Symphony Orchestra performing popular tunes from animated Warner Bros films.

A Space Opera extravaganza is the next stop on the cinematic tunes tour, at the Adán Martín Auditorium, Santa Cruz, on September 30, starting 8pm.

The Tenerife Film Choir and Symphony Orchestra will transport audiences across the many musical galaxies that this genre has passed through.

The Closing Night Gala, to be held on October 1 from 7.30pm, also at the Adán Martín Auditorium, will boast an honoured guest in the shape of Howard Shore, Academy Award winning author of the scores for Lord of the Rings

and The Hobbit. The evening’s entertainment will pay tribute to the man himself and will include the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra playing music from his famous trilogies plus many more of his film scores.

Meanwhile, this year’s Fimucinema competition will also be taking place. Out of 1,200 works originally received, 40 short films, six documentaries and five feature films have been selected to compete for the Alex North Award for the Best Feature Film Score and the awards for the Best Short Film and Documentary Scores, and Best Original Song.

Each of the finalist films will be screened at the TEA Gallery, Santa Cruz, between September 26 and 29. The winning movies will be projected on October 2, after being announced at the Space Opera concert on September 30.

See: www.fimucite.com for a full programme of events. n

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The Canaries have what is considered one of the best climates anywhere on the planet, making the Islands the perfect destination for all year round tourism.

ous luxury hotels and some very nice, small white sand beaches.

In the foothills above these towns you will find three great places to visit. Siam Park (The Water Kingdom), recently declared the best in the world, has something for everyone, from beach lovers to adrenaline freaks. See: www. siampark.net Aqualand, on Avenida de Austria, a water park with a dolphin show.

See: www.aqualand.es.

The Jungle Park, at Las Águilas del Teide, is great fun for kids of all ages. See: www.aguilasjunglepark.com

Tenerife Teide National Park The highest peak in Spain, at 3,718m, is one of Tenerife’s greatest attractions. It is possible to hike to the top, and also to catch the cable car. See: www.telefericoteide.com.

To access the summit of the volcano, Pico del Teide, you need to obtain a free permit in advance, issued by the Administration Office of the National Park, which you can download at www.reservasparquesnacionales.es.

Los Gigantes

El Teide

summer solstices. See: www. piramidesdeguimar.es

Santa Cruz

Playa de Las Américas

Santa Cruz, the vibrant, bustling capital city of Tenerife, is located on the northeast coast.

It has a variety of interesting museums and art galleries, a well maintained historical centre, and an important commercial port. See: www.santacruzmas.com.

Currently Tenerife’s main tourist destination, this area has spectacular views of La Gomera. There’s a big night-life scene which attracts younger tourists, but it’s also somewhere you can relax, eat, and go sailing, whale and dolphin watching or golfing.

La Laguna La Laguna, a university city, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. It has a lively night life and a thriving cultural scene.

Puerto de la Cruz The town of Puerto de la Cruz was a popular tourist destination long before the south was.

Its attractive and busy town centre has maintained its picturesque fishing-village charm, and nearby is the prestigious, award-winning Loro Parque Zoo. See: www.loroparque.com.

Adán Martín Auditorium

La Orotava One of the prettiest towns on the island, La Orotava also gives its name to the whole valley, which has a very prosperous history. The town centre has beautiful old mansions reflecting the wealth of the past.

Anaga Rural Park The Anaga Rural Park occupies much of the mountainous mas-

Los Cristianos sif in the northeastern corner of Tenerife. This is a steeplysloping area with exceptional natural and cultural treasures, and amazing landscapes.

Güímar This northeastern town is best known for the ethnographic park which was developed

by Thor Heyerdahl. The pyramids are a complex construction, astronomically orientated according to the winter and

Once a little fishing village, Los Cristianos began as a tourist destination for ailing Swedes who came to enjoy some rest and recuperation. From the port you can take a ferry to La Gomera, La Palma or El Hierro.

The two main beaches offer safe swimming with disabled access.

Costa Adeje Costa Adeje is an upmarket area of South West Tenerife

which is popular with European, Russian and national tourists. There are vari-

The town of Los Gigantes, which lives mainly from tourism but on a much more modest scale than Playa de Las Americas or Los Cristianos, is overlooked by the towering cliffs. There is good diving and a small harbour.

El Duque beach

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 779

Other islands La Gomera Only a 45 minute ferry ride from the port of Los Cristianos, La Gomera is a small, peaceful island with amazing hiking and a prehistoric rainforest which is a UNESCO world heritage site and the only one of its kind left in the world.

The ferry will take you to the capital, San Sebastián, famous for being Christopher Columbus’ last stop before crossing the Atlantic on his voyage of discovery.

Valle Gran Rey, in the southwest of the island, and Playa

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23

is Fuencaliente: the place to go in La Palma to see a real volcanic landscape. The western side of this borough has nice beaches and withstood the many volcanic eruptions the island has suffered, the most recent being the Teneguía volcano in1971.

La Palma has a lovely variant of Carnival called Los Indianos, where everyone dresses in white and people take to the streets during the day to cover everything, including each other, in talcum powder.

like parts of North Africa than it does the other islands. The interior is mainly empty, with a few sun bleached villages and a surprising amount of goats, but the coast has some lovely towns and villages and kilometres of white sand beaches ideal for sunbathing and surfing. The capital is Puerto del Rosario, a relatively modern port town, rather sleepy and quiet despite the fact that nearly half of the island’s population live there.

The two main tourist towns are at opposite ends of the island; Corralejo in the north and Morro Jable in the south.

Gran Canaria El Peñón, La Gomera

green and rugged, with breathtaking sights and one of the best places in the world for star gazing, hence the location of the world’s most important astrophysical observatories on its Roque de los Muchachos.

The capital, Las Palmas, is a much bigger city than Santa Cruz de Tenerife and has a nice historical quarter, a good night-life and Las Canteras - a long, yellow sand beach with areas for supervised swimming - and another beach for surfers of all levels. The main tourist areas are Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas, with its beauti-

Lanzarote Lanzarote is known as the ‘Isla de los Volcanes’, with over 300 volcanic cones. Like Fuerteventura, it’s flatter than the other islands and there’s very little rain, even by Canarian standards. The whole island was

El Hierro

Santiago, in the south, are the main tourist towns. Valle Gran Rey is a beautiful valley with good beaches and great restaurants. The harbour still has a small fishing fleet.

Garajonay National Park houses an ancient laurisilva (laurel) forest at its heart, with over 400 species of flora and fauna. The forest was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1987.

El Hierro The smallest and westernmost of all the islands, El Hierro only has three municipalities; Valverde, Frontera and El Pinar.

For exploring, it’s best to hire a car, and you can easily drive all over the island in a day. Valverde is a small town in the north, the only capital in the

Canaries not located on the coast. Frontera (El Golfo) is a milder, bigger town to the west, with more going on and better weather, and right down in the south is La Restinga, famous for its diving.

La Palma Also known as ‘La Isla Bonita’ (the pretty island), La Palma is

Lanzarote

The capital, Santa Cruz, lies to the east of the island. It’s a pretty city of seafaring tradition, although Los Llanos de Aridane in the west is in fact the biggest city on La Palma.

The towns in the north of La Palma are also very beautiful and in the south of the island

ful sand-dunes and all-night bars and clubs. The island also has some spectacular archaeological sites.

Fuerteventura Flat, arid and sparsely populated, this island looks more

declared a Biosphere Reserve

by UNESCO, and those who take the time to explore the island will find it’s strangely beautiful. The capital is Arrecife, to the east, and the three main tourist resorts are Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise.

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General information for visitors

Useful contacts Tenerife Santa Cruz Tourist Office, Plaza de España Tel: (0034) 922 281 287/922 289 287 Open Mon - Fri: 9am - 6pm; Sat, Sun: 9.30am-1.30pm

Time zone: The time zone in the Canary Islands is the same as in the UK and Ireland.

Foreign exchange The Spanish currency is the Euro. You can change currency in any bank by showing your passport (Mon – Fri, 8am – 2pm), or in the many exchange agencies in resorts.

Can I drink the water?

You can drink the tap water in the Canaries, but the change may affect your stomach. If your visit is short, it’s perhaps best to stick to bottled.

Discounts Students and senior citizens may receive discounts on ferries, tickets to concerts, museums, etc., so always ask, as long as you can provide ID to prove it.

Shopping Normal opening hours in the Canaries are from 10am to 1.30pm and 5pm to 8.30pm.

However, in big tourist resorts and shopping centres the opening hours are longer, often from 10am until 10pm, sometimes even later. On Sundays and Bank Holidays only the shops in tourist resorts open.

There is a flea market in Santa Cruz, Tenerife, every Sunday morning Duty Free Despite popular belief, it is generally cheaper to buy alcohol and tobacco on the Islands than on the plane or at the airport.

Limits are: 200 cigarettes/50 cigars/ 250grs rolling tobacco 1L spirits over 22% or 2L spirits under 22% 2L wine 60ml perfume, 250 ml eau de toilette Medical care All residents of the EU have the right to free medical and hospital care from Tenerife’s Public Health Service whilst on holiday (ie less than three months). To receive this you need to have the European Medical Card or equivalent document, which can be applied for in your home country. It doesn’t cover all treatments; excluding dental treatment, except for emergency extractions, and repatriation due to illness.

La Laguna, Tenerife

If you are ill, find a Centro de Salud or Centro Médico. The ones in the tourist resorts generally speak some English.

Make sure they provide care under your insurance policy or EHIC before you sign for anything. Unscrupulous taxi drivers have been known to take back-handers for taking sick people to private clinics so make sure you are in the right place before paying.

Safety Only take out credit and bank cards you actually need: leave the rest in the hotel safe, along with your passport and other valuables. A UK driving licence with a photograph is usually accepted as ID for most credit card purchases, a photo credit card will still have to be accompanied by photo ID, daft, but there you are. Do not leave belongings unattended. Particular vigilance on the beach and when you are travelling with luggage is recommended.

Take the minimum with you on excursions and lock everything in the boot that you aren’t carrying with you and only access it where you are not overlooked.

Do not leave anything in sight.

Cars have been broken into for a beach towel before now.

If you are at a bar or nightclub, don’t leave your drink unattended and avoid dark streets on the way home.

The Islands are safer than many places in Europe, but there are always those who prey on the unaware: relaxing your vigilance could cost you dearly, not just in money but in precious holiday time - reporting the loss of a passport to the police for example and then the visits necessary to the consulates to replace it.

Emergency number: (all Canaries) 112 Guardia Civil (all Canaries): 062

Post Offices Open Monday to Saturday, generally 8.30am - 2.30pm. Some city offices open later.

Blue Badge users Parking for Blue Badge holders in the Canaries is limited to the ‘disabled only’ (Minusválidos) parking spaces in each town. There are no concessions to park on yellow lines or anywhere else normal parking is not allowed. And even if you have a Blue Badge, don’t park in a disabled area which has a registration number marked on it – you will be fined and probably towed away. For further information: www.bluebadgetenerife.com

Consulates

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

British Consulate Tenerife: (0034) 922 286 653 British Consulate Gran Canaria: (0034) 902 109 356 Honorary British consulate Lanzarote: (0034) 928 262 508 Indian consulate: (0034) 922 241 416 Irish Consulate: (0034) 922 245 671 Consulates can issue passports, give information about medical care, education and

legal matters, give assistance to people under arrest, under exceptional circumstances give you enough funds to be repatriated (on loan), and help you in the case of emergency/catastrophe.

Inter island transport: Fred Olsen (Ferries): 902 100 107 www.fredolsen.es Naviera Armas (Ferries): 902 456 500 www.navieraarmas. com Binter (Flights) 902 391 392 www.bintercanarias.com Canary Fly: 902 808 065 Airport and flight Information: All Canarian airports are controlled by AENA. www.aenaaeropuertos.es Buses The transport company TITSA has buses that reach all corners of the island. The main bus station is in Santa Cruz, near the Adán Martín Auditorium. Clients can choose to purchase a ticket on the bus for each individual journey or to buy a Bono-bus ticket, a card which can be shared by various people and will mean saving up to 50 per cent of the fare, depending on the route. They are on sale in any of the TITSA bus stations and also in a number of kiosks and small establishments (often newsagents), identified with a green sticker on the window.

If your Bono-bus has insufficient credit to purchase your last journey, the difference can be made up in cash on the bus, but not with another Bono-bus card.

For information you can call TITSA on: (0034) 922 531 130 or see: www.titsa.com

Taxis Tenerife taxis are white and, unless they are minivans, the maximum number of passengers is four, including children. Eurotaxis have ramps for wheelchairs.

Eurotaxis, Santa Cruz: (0034) 609 867 581/607 612 816/629 132 269 Taxi Santa Cruz: (0034) 937 780 030 www.teletaxi.es Radiotaxi San Pedro: (0034) 922 310 000 Parque Marítimo César Manrique (next to the Auditorium) Open every day: Sun-Thurs: 10am-8pm, Fri, Sat: 10amMidnight Adults: €2.50, Children (under 12): €1.50, Over 65s: €1.50 Tel: (0034) 922 229 368 https://es-es.facebook.com/ parque.manrique Palmetum Open Tues – Sun, 11am - 2pm, 4pm-6pm.

Adults: €4, Children (under 12): €2.80, Canarian residents €1/1.50 Tel: (0034) 697 651 127. info@palmetumsantacruz. com Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre (Nature and Man) Open Tues – Sat, 9am - 8pm; Sun, Mon, 10am - 5pm. Tel: (00 34) 922 535 816 www.museosdetenerife.org Museo Militar (Military Museum), C/ San Isidro.

Tel: (0034) 922 274 224.

Open: Mon-Fri 10am-2pm, ecocmar@et.mde.es Castillo de San Cristóbal, Plaza de España Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm www.museosdetenerife.org Auditorio Adán Martín Tel: (0034) 922 568 600 www.auditoriodetenerife.com Teatro Guimerá, Plaza Isla de la Madera.

Tel: (0034) 922 609 408/922 609 400 www.teatroguimera.es

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 779

La Laguna Tourist Office, Casa Alvaro Bracamonde, C/ La Carrera.

Tel: (0034) 922 631 194/922 601 106.

The tourist office offers a free guided route around the city.

Call to make a reservation.

Tenerife South Playa de Las Américas Tourist Office Plaza del Centro Comercial City Centre, Avda. Rafael Puig, 19.

Tel: (0034) 922 797 668

Museo de Historia y Antropología de Tenerife, Casa Lercaro, C/ San Agustín. Open Tues - Sat: 9am-8pm; Sun, Mon, Bank holidays: 10am 5pm. www.museosdetenerife.org.

Oficinas de Turismo: Avda. Juan Carlos I (Bus station) Tel: (0034) 922 730 133 Paseo Marítimo Playa de Las Vistas Tel: (0034) 922 787 011

Taxis: (0034) 922 715 407

HOLIDAY GUIDE Twin Tickets can be purchased for Siam Park and Loro Parque. www.siampark.net Lost Property Offices Tenerife North Airport: (0034) 922 635 855 Tenerife South Airport: (0034) 922 759 391 Arona: (0034) 922 725 562 Costa Adeje: (0034) 922 710 606 La Laguna: (0034) 922 608 805/922 251 080 Puerto de la Cruz: (0034) 922 378 448

Evangelical Service Centro Apolo, 1ª planta, Los Cristianos, Arona.

Tel: (0034) 922 792 007 Services: Sundays at 11am and 6pm Swedish Church Abroad Coronel, s/n, Los Cristianos, Arona.

Tel: (0034) 922 75 00 68

Radiotaxi La Laguna (0034) 922 255 555.

Puerto de la Cruz Tourist Office, Casa de la Aduana, C/ Las Lonjas.

Tel: (0034) 922 386 000.

Centro de Información Turística, C/ Puerto Viejo.

Tel: (0034) 922 370 243/922 388 777.

Taxis: (0034) 922 378 999.

Loro Parque, Avda. Loro Parque s/n Tel: (0034) 922 373 841 Open every day from 8.30am to 6.45pm www.loroparque.com

Tourist Office Costa Adeje Avda. Litoral Playa Fañabé Tel: (0034) 922 716 539 Jungle Park: Urb. Las Águilas del Teide, s/n Tel: (0034) 922 729 806. www.aguilasjunglepark.com.

Aqualand Avda. Austria, 15 Tel: (0034) 922 715 266. www.aqualand.es Twin tickets can be purchased for Aqualand and Jungle Park, see websites.

Siam Park (The Water Kingdom) Avda. Siam Park s/n. Tel: (0034) 822 070 000.

Santa Cruz: (0034) 922 606 354 Religious Services In Spain, Catholicism is the main religion and almost all towns and cities, including tourist resorts, have churches where mass is frequently held.

Below is information about Catholic services held in languages other than Spanish and services for other faiths.

Holy Communion Anglican Church, Iglesia de San Eugenio, Las Américas.

Tel: (0034) 922 793 143 Services: Sundays at 10.15am Anglican church, Puerto de la Cruz www.allsaintstenerife.com/

San Sebastián Tourist Office C/ Real, 4. www.sansebastiandelagomera. org/turismo/ Taxis: (0034) 922 870 524

Tourism Board C/ Triana, Las Palmas. Tel: (0034) 928 219 600. www.grancanaria.com/patronato_turismo.

Valle Gran Rey Tourist Office C/ La Noria, 2, La Playa.

Tel: (0034) 922 805 458 www.lagomera.travel/islascanarias/la-gomera/es/acerca/ visitar-valle-gran-rey/

Las Dunas Tourist Office Avda. De Tirajana (Hotel Riu Maspalomas), Playa del Inglés.

Tel: (0034) 928 765 242.

Taxis: (0034) 922 747 511

La Gomera

Gran Canaria

Las Canteras Tourist Office Paseo de la Playa de Las Canteras (opposite the Hotel Meliá) Tel: (0034) 928 446 824. www.lpavisit.com.

Museo de la Ciencia y el Cosmos, Avda. Los Menceyes.

Tel: (0034) 922 315 265.

Open: Tues-Sat: 9am-8.pm.

Sun, Mon, Bank holidays: 10am - 5pm. www.museosdetenerife.org.

Teguise Tourist Office Plaza de La Constitución, s/n Tel (0034) 928 845 398 www.turismoteguise.com

Island Tourist Board Avda. España (Yumbo shopping centre), Playa del Inglés.

Tel: (0034) 928 771 550. www.grancanaria.com/patronato_turismo.

El Portón Tourist Office El Portón Shopping Centre, Playa del Inglés. www.turismo.maspalomas. com.

Lanzarote

Taxis Valley Gran Rey: (0034) 922 805 058

Costa Teguise Tourist Office Avda. Islas Canarias s/n Tel: (0034) 928 592 542 www.turismoteguise.com

La Palma La Palma Tourist Office Avda. Blas Pérez González s/n Tel: (0034) 922 412 106 www.visitlapalma.es Taxis: Radiotaxis La Palma: (0034) 922 181 396 www.taxilapalma.com: 686 553868 Radiotaxi San Miguel: (0034) 922 416 070 Los Llanos de Aridane Tourist Offices: Avda. Dr. Flemming, s/n Tel: (0034) 922 402 583 / (0034) 922 402 528 www.lapalmacit.com Llano de Argual, 31 (also handicraft shop) Tel: (0034) 922 401 899

Playa Santiago Tourist Office Avda. Marítima, s/n.

Tel: (0034) 922 895 650 playasantiago@lagomera. travel

Taxi rank: (0034) 922 462 001 www.taxilapalma.com / (0034) 686 553 868

Taxis: (0034) 922 895 698

Puerto Naos Tourist Office Puerto Naos car park Tel: 618 856 516

Fuerteventura Puerto del Rosario Tourist Office Avda. De la Constitución, 5 Tel: (0034) 928 530 844 Taxis: (0034) 928 850 059 / 928 850 216 Corralejo Tourist Office Plaza Grande de Corralejo Tel. (0034) 928 866 235 Taxis: (0034) 928 866 108

Arrecife Tourist Office Parque José Ramírez Cerdá s/n Tel: (0034) 928 813 174 www.turismolanzarote.com

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Morro Jable Tourist Office Avda. Saladar, Jandía shopping centre Tel: (0034) 928 540 776 turismo@playasdejandia.com Taxis: (0034) 928 541 257

Fuencaliente Tourist Office Plaza Minerva, s/n (Minerva Square) Tel: (0034) 922 444 003 Taxis: (0034) 922 434 071 www.taxilapalma.es Caldera de Taburiente National Park www.visitlapalma.es/recursos/recurso-parque-nacionalde-la-caldera-de-taburiente / www.reddeparquesnacionales. mma.es Theme Parks Maro Parque, Breña Alta.

Tel:(0034) 922 417 782. www.maroparque.com Palmex Cactus, El Paso Tel: (0034) 922 464 862 Paraíso de las Aves, El Paso Tel: (0034) 922 485 701 All information was correct at the time of going to press.

Please confirm before travelling.

Lago Martiánez Avda. De Cristóbal Colón, 1 Tel: (0034) 922 385 955 Taxis: Servitaxi (0034) 922 378 999 La Orotava Tourist Office C/ Calvario, 4 Tel: (0034) 922 323 041

Pickup Point 2nd Home Tenerife C.C. Plaza del Duque

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HOLIDAY GUIDE SPIN NEWS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 046

Free Concerts

Photos: Museosdetenerife.org

Playing Portuguese

Luiz Caracol

The Museum of Nature and Man in Santa Cruz is the scene of the Musa Lusa series of Friday concerts throughout the rest of September.

With Portuguese artists being the theme of the musical shows, the museum offers a series of musical moments that are free for all to attend.

On September 16, singer and author Luiz Caracol from Lisbon will whip up the crowds with his urban sounds. The fol-

Musician mix

Northern star

South Tenerife’s very own reggae fusion group will be playing in Las Américas on September 25.

Baba Sall & Raka Ndao is a multicultural band that plays easy listening reggae with an international twist. Members hail from as far and wide as Senegal, Uruguay, the Czech Republic, Argentina and the Canary Islands.

The group has gathered a loyal fan base in a short time on the circuit thanks to their interesting style and poignant lyrics, sung in English, Spanish, French, Wolof and various African dialects. They released their first single, enti-

Raul, the popular Basque Country ballad singer, will be appearing at the Valle Guerra fiestas on September 30.

A bit of a coup for the small town situated in the northernmost tip of Tenerife, the free concert is sure to draw crowds from far and wide.

Raúl Fuentes Cuenca shot to fame when he tried out for the 2000 Spanish Eurovision contest. Though he only came second, his boynext-door good looks, divine dance moves and cheeky smile soon assured his future success.

Since then he has released various singles and albums,

lowing week, on September 23, Olga Cerpa and Mestisay, one of the most acclaimed Canarian duos around, will be offering boleros with a difference.

On September 30, DJ and producer Riot will bring an exotic fusion to the mix, with rock and electronic sounds from around the world.

See more info at the Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre website at: www.museosden tenerife.org.

tled Amigo Mío (My Friend), in July of last year. This was followed in December with Ilegal, with its moving autobiographical observations on immigration. Baba Sall & Raka Ndao will play at the Lo Squalo Surf Bar situated in Calle México.

See: www.facebook.com/losqualobar, email: info@losqualo.es or call: 616 794 n 190 to confirm times.

Photo: www.raulfuentes.com

Reggae and rare Really roots Raúl

won many awards, and become one of his home region’s most successful exports.

Raúl will take centre stage at the town’s fiesta celebrations in Plaza de Valle Guerra.

Check out: www.raulfuentes. com for the latest info. n

Pablo Casal Group

Triumphant trio On September 30 the Pablo Casal Group will be wowing audiences in Los Cristianos with their fabulous fusion and super sounds.

The extraordinary trio mixes blues and jazz with traditional melodies in a combination which defies definition but surely pleases the ear.

The cheeky chappies, Pablo Pérez on saxophone, Mateo Albelda on drums, and Pablo Casal on piano, give an upbeat show that is great fun to watch.

The concert will take place at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium and starts at 8.30pm. Tickets cost just €5 and can be purchased from the town’s cultural centre between the hours of 9am and 2pm, Monday to Friday; from the auditorium’s box office two hours before the show on the day (up until 8.15pm); or online via: w w w. a r o n a . org. n

Pollán’s paintings

Bright and beautiful A collection of paintings by talented artist Manuel Pollán can be visited between September 16 and 30 in Adeje.

Born in 1960 in Leon, Spain, Pollán began painting as a young boy, receiving his first award at just 12 years old.

He went on to study fine art at the Leon Escuela de Bellas Artes and, due to an enthusiastic following, his works soon began to grace walls as far afield as Belgium, Moscow, Florida and Canada.

Nowadays he lives in Adeje in the south of Tenerife and continues to paint on a regular basis.

Technically brilliant and beautifully bold, Pollán’s skilful use of light and vibrant colours in his detailed close-ups makes for an exceptionally pleasing exhibition. Visit it at the Adeje Cultural Centre, 9am – 8pm, Monday to Friday. Entry is free. See: www.adeje.es for this and further events. n

15.9.2016 – 28.9.2016

Children’s theatre

A journey into the unknown For a great theatre show for the younger members of the family, take a trip to Santa Cruz on September 18 for the Journey to the Centre of the Earth performance by Roseland.

Based on the1864 science fiction novel by Jules Verne, sisters Eva and Ava follow in the footsteps of their ancestors on an adventure into the centre of the planet. Finding a handy guide in their starting point of Iceland, the girls begin an epic journey into the uncharted depths. There they discover fascinating beings, surprising landscapes and forgotten civilisations.

As part of the Festival de las Artes del Movimiento (Moving Arts Festival), Viaje al centro de la tierra will be performed in Spanish, however, it is such a visual extravaganza that it can be appreciated by anyone.

The performance will take place at the Adán Martín Auditorium and starts at a family-friendly 12pm. Tickets cost just €7 and these, along with more information, can be n found at: www.auditoriodetenerife.com.

Walk and learn

Environmental excursion As part of Santiago del Teide’s programme of free environmental events, there is a chance to join a guided walk coming up on October 15.

Organised in collaboration with the Los Realejos Rambla de Castro Natural Environment School, the hike will pass through the magnificent Adeje Mountains to the Roque del Conde peak, which sits at 1,001 metres above sea level and delineates the border between the boroughs of Adeje and Arona.

Transport is provided, though places on the trip are limited. Sign up for the ‘Santiago del Teide: Diferente por Naturaleza’ programme as soon as possible by calling: 922 863 127 (extension 234), or online at: www.aularan mbladecastro.es.

Photo: Steve p2008 / CC Z 2.0 GL

HOLIDAY GUIDE SPIN NEWS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 779

27

Free dance fest

Tasty tango Tango fans would do well to make their way to La Laguna between September 26 and October 2 for a host of concerts, classes and much more, all themed around the South American passionate dance.

The following fun activities all take place at the Teatro Leal and are free to join, so it’s an even better excuse to take a trot round the north!

On September 26 the festival opens with a showing of the documentary Tango: un giro extraño, followed at 8pm with a beginners’ class in the dance itself and an open practice session of one hour from 9.30pm onwards.

On the 27th at 7pm there is once again the chance to learn some steps. Then there is a mini concert by the Tenerife based Tango Para Cinco group, followed by another opportunity to try out new moves or watch the professionals in action, between 9pm and 10pm.

The following night at 8.30pm there is a further short music show, this time from Lucio Arce from Buenos Aires, and the freestyle dance session will

Nude exhibition For lovers of the human form, there is a fabulous photography exhibition currently showing in La Laguna.

The EnPAREJAdas collection

by Juan Carlos Chico depicts various images of naked couples with the noble aim of encouraging the public to “accept themselves and their individuality”.

Chico, born in 1962 en El Paso, La Palma, was interested in photography from an early age, showing an emotive and insightful eye from the beginning.

He has been based in Tenerife since he studied agricultural engineering in La Laguna at 22 years old, going on to become a teacher in the field, but has never lost his

take place between 9pm and 10.30pm.

Another class starts at 7pm on September 29, with a slot for rest and enjoyment via a concert by the Tangatos Trio from Tenerife at 8.15pm. Then it’s time to put your dancing shoes on again for the practice session between 9.15pm and 10.30pm.

There is also a full length tango-themed concert at the theatre on October 1, the only activity with an entrance fee.

See: www.teatroleal.es for up to date info on this and all the other events.

In addition, there is free entertainment to be had at a couple of other locations in the borough. The beginners’ classes move to the Santa Domingo ex-convent on September 30 at 7pm, followed by a mini concert by the El Despiole trio from Seville and a dance session between 9.15pm and 10.30pm. At the same venue on October 2 there will be a showing of various short films between 3pm and 6pm.

Last but not least, in the Plaza del Adelantado on October 2

from 6pm onwards you can truly get a taste of Argentinean and Uruguayan cuisine with a fair dedicated to delicious nibbles from the two countries.

And for those ready to parade their tango skills in public, there will be an area cleared for dancing between 6pm and n 10pm.

Baring it all

passion for portrayal. The artist already has many successful exhibitions to his name, including the recent Sobre el Agua (On the Water) show which highlighted images from the beautiful seas that

surround the archipelago. His latest presentation, EnPAREJAdas, is tasteful, aesthetically pleasing and truly thought provoking.

Visit the full frontal show at the Antiguo Convento de

Santo Domingo until October 1. The gallery is open Monday to Friday, 10am - 2pm and 5pm – 8pm, and Saturdays 11am - 2pm. See: www.juancarloschico.com for examples n of his work.

HOLIDAY GUIDE WHATS ON 2016

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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 046

September

September

GRAN CANARIA TENERIFE DIARY DATES

DIARY DATES

September 16

September 14 – 17

9pm: God Save the Queen, tribute to Freddie Mercury, Anexo Estadio de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, from €22.50. www.festivalmarabierto.com

All day: Boreal Festival, music, conferences, workshops, documentaries, exhibitions, stalls and much more, Los Silos. www.festivalboreal.es

September 17 12pm & 5pm: Cinderella, dance and circus style, Gran Canaria Arena, Las Palmas, from €20. www.entrees.es 8.30pm: Gospel music with MLOU, Centro Cívico Carrizal, Ingenio, €6. www.entrees.es 8.30pm: Soul music, Sugar Hill Band, Valleseco Auditorium, €8. www.entrees.es September 18 12pm: Children’s theatre, La isla de los piratas (Pirate island), Teatro Guiniguada, Las Palmas, €10. www.gobiernodecanarias.org September 23 8.30pm: Concert, Darío Sosa & la Ecofolk, San Martín Centro de Cultura Contemporánea, Las Palmas, €5. www.sanmartincontemporaneo.com September 24 9pm: concert, Pablo López, Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, Las Palmas, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, from €21. www.auditorioteatrolaspalmasgc.es September 25 12pm: Children’s theatre, La isla de los piratas (Pirate island), Teatro Guiniguada, Las Palmas, €10. www.gobiernodecanarias.org Until December 25 11.30am – 1pm, every Sunday: Folk dancing, Pueblo Canario, Las Palmas. http://blog. lpavisit.com Until further notice Thursday – Sunday: CamBuyon Market, art, second-hand, vintage, Mercado del Puerto, Las Palmas, Thursdays and Fridays 7pm – 11pm; Saturdays 6pm – 11pm; Sundays 12pm – 3pm.

Exhibitions Until September 24 Retrospective collection, British photographer Vanessa Winship, Centro de Arte La Regenta, Las Palmas, free entry. Tuesday to Friday, 11am – 2pm and 5pm – 8pm; Saturdays, 11am – 2pm.

Until October 9 Caleidoscopio y Rompecabezas. Collection of artworks from Latin-American artists, CAAM, Los Balcones, Las Palmas, free entry. Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 9pm; Sundays 10am – 2pm. www.caam.net

September 16 8.30pm: Concert, Aromas de Semillas (Seed Aromas), classical music fused with folk sounds from around the world by Itahisa Darias and Fran Yanes, Infanta Leonor Auditorium, Los Cristianos, €8. www.arona.org September 16 - 18 Various times: Summer Carnival, parades, music and much more. Puerto de La Cruz. www.puertodelacruz.es September 17 All day: Arts and crafts fair, La Punta de Abona, Arico. www.ayuntamientodearico.com 5pm till late: Exhibition of traditional games followed by live music, La Punta de Abona, Arico. www.ayuntamientodearico.com 9pm: God Save the Queen - Dios Salve a la Reina, tribute to Freddie Mercury and Queen, Pabellón Santiago Martín, La Laguna, from €22.50. www.festivalmarabierto.com 9pm: Theatre show in Spanish, Soy feliz porque me da la gana y punto (I’m happy because I feel like it, full stop), Infanta Leonor Auditorium, Los Cristianos, €8. www.arona.org September 18 12pm: Children’s theatre, Journey into the Centre of the Earth in Spanish by Roseland Theatre Group, Adán Martín Auditorium, Santa Cruz, €7. www.auditoriodetenerife.com.

12pm: !Clownbate!, circus and clown theatre show with interactive participation from the audience. Teatro Leal, La Laguna, €5 - €7. www.teatroleal.es September 23 8.30pm: Concert by the Big Band de Canarias in tribute to Lalo Schifrin, Infanta Leonor Auditorium, Los Cristianos, €8. www.arona.org 9pm: Esmeralda, theatre show from the Helenaturboteatro group chronicling the life of renowned harpist Esmeralda Cervantes, with a contemporary twist, €10 - €15. www.teatroleal.es September 24

12pm: Children’s theatre, ‘Festival Clan - Ven a Mi Cumple’, celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Clan TV channel. Santiago Martín Pabellón de Deportes, La Laguna, from €15. www.entrees.es 3.30pm: Scalextric competition, Escudería de Slot Sauzal premises, El Sauzal, free entry. www.escuderiadeslotsauzal.blogspot.co.uk / www.elsauzal.es 7pm and 10pm: 70s music from The Pop Culture Band, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, €12. www.teatroguimera.es 9pm: Esmeralda, theatre show from the Helenaturboteatro group chronicling the life of renowned harpist Esmeralda Cervantes, €10 - €15. www.teatroleal.es September 25 Evening: Reggae concert, Baba Sall & Raka Ndao, Lo Squalo Surf Bar, Calle México, Las Américas. www.facebook.com/losqualobar / 616 794 190 September 26 – 29 Various times: showings of movies and documentary entries for the Fimucinema competition, 40 short films, six documentaries and five feature films, TEA Gallery, Santa Cruz, free entry. http://fimucite.com September 26 – October 2 Various times: Tango festival, classes, dance sessions, cinema, cuisine, La Laguna, free entry. www.teatroleal.es September 28 8pm: Tribute to composer Shirley Walker by members of the Santa Cruz Music Conservatory, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, €10. www. teatroguimera.es September 29 8pm: The Santa Cruz Music Conservatory Youth Symphony Orchestra performs popular tunes from animated Warner Bros films, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, €10. www.teatroguimera.es

Tenerife Symphony Orchestra tribute to the music of Howard Shore, composer of scores such as Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Adán Martín Auditorium, Santa Cruz, from €32.50. www.auditoriodetenerife.com 8.30pm: Star Wars music and theatre with the Tenerife Miguel Jaubert Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (OFJT-MJ), Infanta Leonor Auditorium, Los Cristianos. Tickets are €5, from the Cultural Centre, Monday to Friday, 9am to 2pm, the ticket office next to the auditorium’s cafe two hours before the show starts, or: www.arona.org.

8.30pm: Fusion music with a Canarian and South American flavour from Ensamble dos Orillas, El Sauzal Auditorium, €9. www.tomaticket.es Until further notice Open air cinema at the Magma Centre, Adeje, from €4 for residents, many films in the original language. See: www.openaircinematenerife.es for programme and non-resident prices.

EXHIBITIONS September 16 – 30 Collection of bold and vibrant paintings by Manuel Pollán, Adeje Cultural Centre, free entry, 9am – 8pm, Monday to Friday. www. adeje.es Until October 1 Photography, EnPAREJAdas, tasteful and aesthetically pleasing collection of nudes, Antiguo Convento de Santo Domingo, La Laguna, free entry, Monday to Friday, 10am - 2pm and 5pm – 8pm; Saturdays 11am - 2pm. www.juancarloschico.com Until October 15: Exhibition on Georges Méliès, known as the ‘father of special effects’, Espacio Cultural CajaCanarias, Plaza del Patriotismo, Santa Cruz, free entry. www.cajacanarias.com

September 30 8pm: Space Opera with the Tenerife Film Choir and Symphony Orchestra, Adán Martín Auditorium, Santa Cruz, €17.20 - €31. www.auditoriodetenerife.com 8.30pm: Piano concert by Alejandro Arango in tribute to the composer Chopin, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, €8 – 12. www.teatroleal.es 8.30pm: Concert, Pablo Casal group, blues, jazz, fusion, Infanta Leonor Auditorium, Los Cristianos, €5, tickets from the Cultural Centre, Monday to Friday, 9am to 2pm, the ticket office next to the auditorium’s cafe two hours before the show starts, or: www.arona.org.

8.30pm: Alejandro Arango, piano concert, tribute to Chopin, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, €8. www.teatroleal.es October 1 7.30pm: Closing Night Of Fimucité Festival,

For regular church, charity and recreational events, please see: www.islandconnections.eu/1000003/1000027/0/41004/living-lifestyle-article.html

15.9.2016 – 28.9.2016

BLEVINS FRANKS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 779

29

Living in Spain

The important question of residence

By Paul Montague, Partner, Blevins Franks

Brexit has brought the issue of residence into the spotlight, so it is worth taking a look at the Spanish residence rules and what you need to do.

It is very encouraging for expatriates that the new UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, continues to confirm her commitment to secure the rights of British nationals living in EU countries. However, nobody knows exactly what a postBrexit world will look like, so if you were considering taking actions it may be best to act now, under rules we understand rather than risk doing so later when the rules may become more difficult.

So if you intend to live in Spain post Brexit but have not yet officially registered your presence, you need to get this sorted now.

Tax residence in Spain There are three situations that could make you resident in Spain for tax purposes: 1. You spend more than 183 days in Spain in a calendar year, whether or not you take out a formal residence permit. Temporary absences are ignored unless you can prove that you are habitually resident in another country for more than 183 days.

2. Your ‘centre of economic interests’ is in Spain (even if you spend less than 183 days a year in the country).

3. Your ‘centre of vital interests’ is in Spain. So if your spouse and/or your dependent children live here, you are a presumed Spanish tax resident even if you live and work in another country, unless you can prove otherwise.

It is possible to fulfil the domestic tax residency rules of two countries. The UK/Spain double taxation treaty sets out a list of ‘tie-breaker’ rules to establish

“The Spanish tax authorities will now receive information from banks and investment companies abroad, detailing your financial assets and income. For peace of mind make sure your affairs are in order.” where you should be paying tax.

This is independent of the EU and not affected by Brexit.

If you are a resident of Spain, you are liable for income, capital gains and wealth taxes on your worldwide assets and subject to the Spanish succession and gift tax rules. You will gen-

erally have to submit annual income and wealth tax returns, as well as Modelo 720 to declare overseas assets over €50,000.

It has always been important to establish where you should be paying tax and fulfil your obligations. It is even more important now with Mod-

elo 720 and the automatic exchange of information. The Spanish tax authorities will now receive information from banks and investment companies abroad, detailing your financial assets and income. For peace of mind make sure your affairs are in order.

The Spanish taxation regime may not be as taxing as you think, especially for retirees with investment capital.

There are compliant tax-efficient arrangements available in Spain that can make a considerable difference to how much tax you pay. Seek specialist, personalised advice from a firm with a long history of advising British expatriates in Spain.

Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice.

Blevins Franks provides tailormade advice on investment strategies, tax mitigation and estate planning. It has decades of experience advising British expatriates in Spain. Contact Paul Montague on 922 716 079 or paul.montague@ blevinsfranks.com. www.blevinsfranks.com

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BUSINESS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 046

UK and EU

Brexit impact on the Canaries Britain’s exit from the EU could seriously affect the Canarian property market

Photo: www.inselteneriffa.com

According to the multinational banking group BBVA, the Canary Islands will be among the Spanish areas most affected by Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union.

Britain has a strong market presence in Spain’s tourism sector and the Canaries, along with the regions of Valencia, the Balearic Islands, Murcia, Aragon, La Rioja and Navarra, will be those hardest hit by any changes that may lead to a drop in British visitors. The UK is also an important market for the Spanish car, chemical, and food industries, as well as the property sector.

With regards to tourism, the holiday contracts for this year’s season were already in place so there hasn’t been an immediate and noticeable impact, but the situation is very different for the property market.

Last year, real estate sales rose by 12 per cent in the Canary Islands, according to the online property portal Don Piso,

and sales for this year were expected to reach 15 per cent.

With 21,000 properties sold and a market price increase of three to four per cent, things

were looking good, but there has since been a slump which has raised fears that Britain’s withdrawal from the EU will dampen the recovery.

Last year, Britain made up for 27 per cent of the share of non-Spanish property buyers on the Islands. Italians totalled 22 per cent and Germans, 17

per cent. However, there has already been a fall in British property buyers post-Brexit, with an unclear view on what will ultimately happen should

the UK government invoke Article 50 and officially leave the EU, which they are expected to do. One of the main reasons for this is the uncertainty regarding agreements between the UK and EU member countries.

Will British pensioners living in Europe still receive payments?

Will British residents still be eligible for public healthcare in those countries? Just two of the many questions surrounding the Brexit issue.

Santander Bank predicts possible price fluctuations followed by a decline, especially with the scenario that Brits may have to sell their property in the Canary Islands to return to the UK and unsettle the slow recovery of the real estate market.

Accurate predictions are not possible at present as governmental trade deals and agreements have only just been started, if at all. However, this degree of uncertainty is placing a great deal of strain on financial and domestic markets. n

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BUSINESS

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31

Multilingual melee

Mind your language occupations within the sector where languages are not so essential. Between January and July 2016, there were 6,233 contracts offered to non-Spanish employees for cleaning services, while 1,808 foreigners were employed as kitchen assistants. González believes that there are more than enough Canarian school leavers and unemployed workers to cover such positions. He has asked Obecan to research this unusual trend so that they could work together to find the right solutions. Unskilled work, training posts and those jobs

Photo: Tony Hisgett CC A 2.0 GL

ers are with regards to language skills, as it is preferable to employ Canarian people rather than foreigners. Many workers from outside Spain are often new to the Islands and don’t stay long term. Of course, businesses would prefer to employ someone who has a social life and private ties to the Canaries so that their commitment is assured; however, all too often it is the case that they have insufficient language skills”.

Languages most in demand are English, German, Italian, French and Russian. Scandinavian languages are also important in some tourist zones.

“Staff that look after tourists need to be multilingual to cater for all situations and requests, and help those guests feel understood. It is a question of image”, González added. He

Workers in tourist zones should be multilingual to cater for all situations and requests This year, 6,233 new contracts were offered to non-Spanish employees for cleaning services

criticized the current education standard, saying that schools should have better bilingual programmes and resources to provide a higher level of teaching. Nurseries and primary schools often have such programmes, albeit at a basic level, but when most Canarian students leave secondary education their language skills are virtually non-existent. To help with the situation, Ashotel has set up an initiative where language courses will be offered in the workplace during the months of September and October.

During the first seven months of 2016, 33 foreigners were employed in managerial posts in the Canary Islands; 49 were hired in Public Relations roles; 39 as receptionists; and 300 as entertainers and animators.

It was surprising to González

Photo: GregsMojo CC A-S A 4.0 IL

Tourism is the Canary Islands’ principal economic engine, and has been for many decades, however, according to Ashotel, the Hotel Association for the Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, it has been suggested that most Canarian workers are ill-prepared for this key industry.

Ashotel claims that one in four jobs during 2015 went to foreign workers due to the importance of language skills. The association says this is because the majority of school leavers and Canarian tourism workers do not possess adequate languages, leaving hotels and businesses no choice but to employ foreign workers, particularly from northern European countries, to fill the gap.

This is a trend all too common throughout the archipelago, not only Tenerife.

According to Obecan, the Canarian institute for employment and higher education, 232,191 new contracts were processed last year, of which 20,604 went to EU citizens and 35,370 went to workers from outside of the European Union. As of April 2016, 62.6 per cent of Spanish workers in the hospitality industry have no other language other than their mother tongue. The remaining 37.4 per cent of workers are foreign with a command of at least one other language. However, it has become all too common for companies to expect not one but several languages to attend to tourists.

The CEO of Ashotel, Pablo González, said of the situation: “We are extremely concerned by how ill-prepared local work-

that so many of those nonSpanish employees had languages and a good level of work experience, and didn’t

require additional training.

However, he also hinted that there is a tendency to offer contracts to foreigners in

where languages are not so important that should be going to workers in the local labour market first, he believes. n

GARDENING

A great way to build up your garden stock is to take cuttings.

Growing new plants from existing ones is really simple once you know how. Here we will look at how to make what is called a basic semi-ripe cutting, which is normally done from late summer into autumn.

Semi-ripe cuttings are suitable for a whole range of plants, including climbers such as ivy and passion flower, evergreen shrubs like Fatsia, Berberis, Ceanothus and Viburnum, and groundcover plants like Lonicera pileata or the lovely periwinkle.

Herbs such as lavender, rosemary, sage and thyme are also easy to reproduce this way, and even hedging plants and some trees will burst forth once again from a cutting taken using the following method.

Carefree cuttings Semi-ripe cuttings are taken from this season’s growth, so the bottom section of the stem you are about to remove should

Clone and create

be hard to the touch, whilst the tip is still soft. When choosing your cutting, go for a nice healthy looking specimen. Pick shoots with short internodes (gaps between the leaves) if you can, and avoid any that are damaged or spindly, making sure that they are free of pests and diseases.

One thing that has to be borne in mind before you start is that as soon as you slice, you are depriving the cutting of its

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 046

powder which can be bought from gardening centres. A small container should be filled with a mix of 60/70 per cent general purpose potting compost and 30/40 per cent sharp sand or perlite. Gently insert the bottom of the cutting into a hole and lightly press the soil into place to support it. Water well and allow to drain.

Keep your mini plant out of direct sunlight and keep the soil moist, but not excessively so, until the roots are n well established.

water and nutrient source so you need to work quickly.

First of all, this is a job that is best undertaken early in the morning when the plant’s water reserves are at their highest.

Once you have chosen your section of growth, remove it from the main stem using a clean, sharp knife or secateurs.

If you are doing several at once, take them from the side of the plant that is not open to view so that its appearance isn’t

spoilt, and always place multiple cuttings in a plastic bag straight away, with a few drops of water added. Keep this in the shade or, in hot weather, in the fridge. Otherwise, trim the cutting to about 10-15cm in length, slicing just below a leaf node (the small swelling where leaves emerge from).

Now strip it, leaving just four or five leaves at the top.

If you want you can dip the bottom of it into hormone rooting

Semi-ripe cuttings are suitable for a whole range of plants, including climbers such as ivy

Taking cuttings is easy once you know how

Photo: Flavio Takemoto / FreeImages.com

Taking cuttings

Photo: Steph P / FreeImages.com

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15.9.2016 – 28.9.2016

BEAUTY SPECIAL

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 779

33

Special scents

A touch of luxury An indispensable accessory and expression of style: a fragrance that highlights the personality and is a statement that leaves a lasting impression

Vanilla and raspberry meet over cocoa, honey and tonka bean in Lady Million Privé by Paco Rabanne

Peony and a hint of salt water characterise The Knot from Bottega Veneta

Photo: freeeimages / Rene Asmussen Photo

The name is Fleur de Parfum and it smells like a heady bouquet.

By Chloé

A true classic with the famous hint of Jasmine: Chanel No. 5, the first fragrance from the legendary fashion designer

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women

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 046

women

L’Eau Couture Le Parfum: This scent with bergamot and magnolia is as elegant as evening gowns, by Elie Saab

Violet, peony and sweet pea give the floral heart to Pleats Please Eau de Parfum by Issey Miyake In the ‘Poudrée’ version, Narciso reveals a very sensual character.

From Narciso Rodriguez

The name says it all: Honey is characterised by its sweet notes.

By Marc Jacobs

The aroma of sun-drenched goji berries meets hibiscus and water lily in Omnia Coral by Bulgari

A prelude of lily of the valley is replaced by an unusual woody note: Miu Miu Eau de Parfum

women Flowery with hints of oriental spices: Potion for Women.

From Dsquared2

For daily news, updates and event information

visit

The US fashion designer Calvin Klein created a purist and elegant fragrance with Sheer Beauty

15.9.2016 – 28.9.2016

BEAUTY SPECIAL

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 779

35

men men

Spicy and sensual with aromas of rum, amber and tobacco: Man in Black Intense.

From Bulgari

Baldessarini Ambré: Unusual hints of tangerine and apple create lightness and freshness

Calvin Klein Man: a classic fragrance with laurel, geranium, nutmeg and cypress

An unusual heart with notes of geranium and violet in Uomo The Red leaves an impression.

From Trussardi

The freshness of grapefruit is complemented by Indian spices, in Silver Shadow Altitude by Davidoff

The Argentine label La Martina stands for noble fashion, leather accessories and fragrances such as Sueño

men The touch of fresh, white pepper adds a distinctive character to Just Cavalli for him.

By Roberto Cavalli

Exciting: the floral heart of Cerruti 1881 Pour Homme contrasting with musk and fir

36

HEALTH

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 046

Investigating the hype

Scintillating superfoods

One of the latest to hit the market is Moringa oleifera.

Will using superfood supplements keep you healthy?

Moringa can be very useful in a low nutrition diet

It’s a fast-growing deciduous tree that is native to India and now widely cultivated in many of the warmer regions of the world. Amongst other attributes, moringa is said to be anti-inflammatory, cholesterol lowering, rejuvenating for the body’s cells, and can slow abnormal cell growth. It is also thought to treat various other ailments, from anxiety, through asthma and bronchitis to diarrhoea and fever. It is even being hailed as a possible solution to developing countries’ malnutrition issues.

The leaves, flowers, young pods and fruits can all be eaten, and the bark, flowers, seeds and roots are often used in herbal

medicine. As far as the supplement and food industry goes, however, it is the leaves that are receiving most of the attention nowadays.

Moringa leaves are one of the superfoods that really do stand up to inspection. Packing a powerful nutritious punch, they are an exceedingly rich source of protein, vitamins A, B and C, calcium, iron, potassium, and around 80 other nutrients. They also have an incredibly high concentration of zeatin. With its high anti-oxidative effects and proven wrinkle reducing properties, zeatin is the darling of the beauty industry right now.

Ayurvedic medicine has been using moringa to combat a

Photo: Greenolive / FreeImages.com

Mighty Moringa

- it was only due to mass production difficulties that it has remained a health food store special.

When dried, chlorella is about 44 per cent protein, 20 per cent fat, 20 per cent carbohydrate, five per cent fibre, and 10 per cent minerals and vitamins. That’s a lot of goodness and, according to a review of clinical trials into its possible healing benefits, published by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information: “Daily dietary supplementation with chlorella may reduce high blood pressure, lower serum cholesterol levels, accelerate wound healing, and enhance immune functions”. It seems that chlorella also lives up to its reputation.

Photo: Henri Snijders / FreeImages.com

Tap the word ‘superfood’ into an internet search bar and you will be offered millions of articles extolling the virtues of a variety of edibles.

From curing headaches, arthritis and cancer, to taking years off your face and adding them to your life expectancy, declarations regarding the nutritional powers of everything from rare berries to obscure algae seem to be multiplying each week.

But is there any scientific evidence to back the claims?

Some say that it is all just another marketing ploy, and in a way it is. The way it’s sold sometimes, superfoods can be popped like vitamins – eat as many burgers and chips as you like but sprinkle a bit of this or that on top of them and all your nutritional worries are over. And in the process you will look 20 years younger, be cured of an endless list of ailments, and be as virile as a youngster.

‘Superfood’ isn’t an expression that is recognised by scientists. However, even those most cynical of anything natural having healing properties are agreeing that certain foods are so high in nutrients that they may, as part of a healthy diet, go some way to keeping us fit into the future. They don’t always, however, agree with the popular media on which ones they are. We decided to delve deeper into the world of superfood supplements to discover which really do have benefits and which are all hype.

series of illnesses and conditions for a very long time.

Western scientific investigations have so far shown that it does indeed have antiinflammatory properties, can improve pancreatic function, lower blood sugar levels and increase lung function in asthma sufferers. The studies have all been small so far, but moringa, it seems, deserves all its praise.

Chlorella Chlorella is a single-celled, freshwater algae that some say

is the ‘world’s greatest healthyaging food’.

Native to Taiwan and Japan, it apparently supports balanced hormonal function, promotes cardiovascular health, helps negate the effects of chemotherapy and radiation, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, and aids detoxification. It certainly is high in nutrients, a fact that has been studied for over 70 years. After the end of the Second World War, there was huge concern about feeding growing populations and many saw chlorella as a possible solution to the problem

Maca Lepidium meyenii, otherwise known as Maca, is a red, black, pink or yellow root vegetable that grows in the high Andean plateaus of Peru and resembles a turnip. Considered a sacred plant by the ancient Inca culture, it has long been used for its medicinal and revitalising properties.

Nutritionally, it is a high fibre carbohydrate and has decent levels of minerals such as calcium, copper, zinc and potassium, as well as vitamin C, Riboflavin and Thiamine,

15.9.2016 – 28.9.2016

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 779

amongst others. However, it is mostly used to treat a variety of malaises from menopause symptoms to low libido and depression.

Studies have tended to be small, but have so far shown that it may boost energy levels and have a positive effect on

65 per cent protein and contains all the essential amino acids which the body needs. It also has extraordinary concentrations of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, including beta carotene, iron, potassium, magnesium, copper, calcium, chromium, manganese, phos-

now, the jury is firmly out on its therapeutic effects being more than any other highly nutritious product.

It should also be noted that as Spirulina has great concentrations of nucleic acids, people with gout or a history of kidney stones should never take it.

little medical evidence to say that wheatgrass is any healthier than any of dozens of ‘ordinary’ foods. It is a good natural source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre, but not exceptionally so.

Acai

Photo: Martina Lukacova FreeImages.com

phytochemical content. But the same attributes found in those are also present in many other kinds of berries, such as strawberries and cranberries.

Kiwis, melons, citrus fruit, bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower and many more and are all high in vitamin C and rich in antioxidants.

Sweet potato and squash have high levels of fibre and vitamin A. Oily fish such as sardines and mackerel are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are thought to lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. Olives, nuts, seeds, oats and many other natural, unprocessed foods are ram-packed full of goodness and health enhancing chemicals.

Kale is often touted as a superfood but all green leafy vegetables have similar properties

Photo: Dorothea Krapp / FreeImages.com

Maca has long been used for its medicinal and revitalising properties One of the good aspects of blueberries is their high phytochemical content.

Strawberries and cranberries also have this, as does red wine

phorus and zinc. It is also an abundant source of Vitamin B12, though not in a form that can be easily absorbed by humans.

So far, so good. But how about its medical properties? Studies on animals showed that it may improve immunity but so few have been carried out on humans that there isn’t enough evidence to substantiate the claims. Tests have been done on 30 patients with chronic hepatitis C in Egypt, but more research is needed to back the positive results.

Further trials, for instance on its effect on patients with HIV, have come back negative. For

Wheatgrass Wheatgrass is the young shoots of the Triticum aestivum wheat plant that grows in temperate regions throughout the world.

Claims regarding its health benefits have been around since the 1940s and all sorts of talents are attributed to it.

These include being a powerful detoxifier, to improving circulation and inflammation, and slowing the aging process. It is often taken as a tablet or freshly made shot of juice as, without being crushed first, wheatgrass is hard to digest.

Unfortunately there is very

the fruit of the Acai Palm tree which is native to Central and South America, and is said to be the most antioxidant-rich food in the world. Aficionado’s say it has all sorts of benefits, two of which being anti-ageing and weight loss properties.

Amongst other qualities, the berries certainly are rich in vitamins and minerals, dietary fibre, fatty acids, flavonoids, essential amino acids and phytosterols. They also have a high concentration of beneficial anthocyanins. These polyphenols are responsible for the red, purple and blue hues in many fruits, vegetables and flowers and have a high antioxidant value. Studies do seem to show that acai fruit pulp has a very high antioxidant capacity, but the few investigations undertaken into the berry’s weightloss powers are inconclusive.

However, eating a nutritious diet has already been proven to aid in losing kilos.

For instance, dark, leafy green vegetables such as kale and spinach are all loaded with vitamins A, C and K, as well as calcium and other minerals.

Beans are a great source of low-fat protein and also contain loads of insoluble fibre, heaps of vitamins, and trace minerals such as manganese.

Blueberries often top lists of superfoods because of their high vitamin, soluble fibre and

The greatest amount of research so far has gone into the effect of a diet which is largely plant-based and includes a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains as well as small amounts of certain animal products. It is already proven that eating this way will give your body everything it needs to stay happy, healthy, fit and youthful looking. Give it a go. n

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Superfoods everywhere So, it does seem that some of the above foods really are

©2014 FLN

Spirulina Spirulina is an assorted group of spiral shaped blue-green algae that grows naturally in salt-water lakes in Africa and Mexico, as well as in some fresh water areas.

It is a popular nutritional supplement that is also said to help prevent cancer, reduce inflammatory and immunodeficiency conditions, help counter allergies such as hay fever, provide liver protection, help improve cholesterol levels and reduce elevated blood sugar levels.

Spirulina is certainly one of the most nutritious supplements around. It is around

super. They can also be expensive. Dietary supplements are useful for those who need a boost, be it through illness or a long term lack of effective nutrition. However, your average person in the Western world should really be getting everything they need from their normal diet - nutrient rich foods can be found everywhere you look.

Highly nutritious Chlorella is often sold in pill form

Photo: P.R. / FreeImages.com

mental clarity. As for the hot flushes and other uncomfortable symptoms of menopause, results are inconclusive, but as Maca is also proven to reduce anxiety in certain cases, this could be a benefit in itself. In addition, there is some research suggesting it could be utilised to reduce prostate size, having similar potency levels as prescription drugs used in the same treatment. Preliminary investigations also suggest that maca can protect the brain from damage, improve bone health, and even give a cognitive boost in healthy people.

It is also heralded as a potent aphrodisiac. Tests using placebos showed that participants found improvements to their libidos whether they were given the root or not, but results from using maca were marginally higher.

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Photo: Kristja / FreeImages.com

The small, black-purple acai berry (Euterpe Oleracea) is

HEALTH

38

PETS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 046

ADOPT, DON’T BUY

Mungo, Mary and Midge

Animal charities’ round up

Three poor souls were dumped in Parque de La Reina recently. A male pug and two female pug / Chihuahua crosses, possibly used for breeding purposes and badly neglected.

It will cost Live Arico a lot of money to get them back to good health, but they can do it with your help. If you can offer any of these poor creatures a home, please get in touch with Sue on: 629 388102, even if you can just foster for the time being it would help.

Donations can be made at any of their charity shops or via PayPal to: livearico@gmail.com. Thank you for caring. n

Cats Welfare We all hope that our pet will have a happy, healthy and long life but even so it’s best to make sure you’re always prepared for an emergency. First of all, keep your vet’s phone number to hand. In an emergency always phone first as there may not be a vet constantly at the surgery. Never give human medicines to a cat (unless prescribed by a vet), and do not offer food or drink in case your pet has to have an anaesthetic.

Keep calm and assess the situation before acting. Injured animals are frightened and in pain, and may try to bite.

Approach your cat quietly and slowly, avoiding sudden movements. The best way of lifting an injured cat is to put one hand under the chin on the front of the chest, and the other behind the hind legs. If the cat seems frightened and potentially aggressive, it’s better to lift them in a thick towel, but be careful as cats can bite through them.

Sometimes outside normal hours it is difficult to decide whether urgent attention is needed. You should phone the vet if: your pet seems weak, is reluctant to get up, or is dull or depressed; there is difficulty breathing, the breathing is noisy or rapid, or there is continual coughing causing distress. Also seek professional help if your cat appears to be in severe pain or discomfort; suddenly has difficulty with balance; or is trying to urinate or defecate but is unable to - blockage of the bladder sometimes occurs, especially in males, and can kill if not treated urgently; and if there is repeated vomiting, particularly if the animal is young or elderly. Diarrhoea, however, is less serious (except in kittens) unless severe, bloody or the animal seems weak or unwell.

Feed small amounts of a bland diet (boiled chicken or white fish) and see a vet if it persists more than a day. Kittens with diarrhoea must be seen by a vet.

Most road accidents occur at night so keep your cat in.

Keep your vet’s phone number to hand for an emergency: it may save your pet’s life

If you find one involved in a road accident, take them to the vet as even if they appear unhurt there may be internal injuries.

See your vet if your cat’s tail is limp, has been trapped in a door, or pulled hard. Such injuries can cause serious bladder problems.

If your cat is poisoned try to find packaging from the substance swallowed and have it with you when you phone the vet. If chewing of plants is suspected, try to find out the name of the plant and cut a sample.

Call the vet immediately and do not make your cat vomit unless the vet says to do so.

Take any packaging or plant cuttings with you.

All our available adult cats are in foster care. Details are on our website: www.catswelfare-tenerife/pets. If it’s a kitten: many are in foster care but in the south of Tenerife we also have kittens for viewing in the Don Perro pet shop in Las Chafiras and Vet Express behind Gran Sur. In the north, kittens can be seen in the Kiwoko pet shop in the El Trompo commercial centre just outside Puerto de La Cruz. If you are looking for something specific, message or WhatsApp Maria on 646 629 129 (9am to 6pm, seven days a week. Please leave a message if the phone is not answered immediately).

Items for donation can be dropped into our shop on San Blas in Golf del Sur (Behind Hiperdino) which is open seven days a week, 10am to 6pm (Saturdays, 11am to 4pm).

If you don’t have transport or have large bulky items, please ring Mark on: 636 590 557 to arrange collection.

A date for your diary is October 16, from 2pm until 8pm at The Palms Bar, Golf del Sur, where we will be holding a fabulous Designer sale.

Dresses, tops, suits, shoes, etc. for women, men, children and babies. Something for everyone. Gucci, Coast, Monsoon, Yves, Saint Laurent, Burberry and Hugo Boss are just some of the big names we have. See you there.

Live Arico (PAWS) They’re back! The Gillian Banks ShowStoppers are in Los Cristianos for one night only. This amazing Las Vegasstyle show, performed by the talented students of the Gillian Banks Theatre School from South Yorkshire, is back in Tenerife to raise funds for local charities.

Tickets are already on sale for the performance on October 24 at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium in Los Cristianos, so you can get in early. It is a fabulous show and costs just €10. Proceeds go to Live Arico

PAWS; Helping Hands, and The Friends of Gillian Banks Guaidyl Children’s Day Centre Fund.

Buy tickets from the Cultural Centre Los Cristianos, weekdays from 9am to 2pm, or online at www.arona.org.

Bag a bargain at our shops in: San Eugenio (Opposite Hotel La Niña. Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm); Los Cristianos (Calle Reverón, near the Thistle and Dragon Bar. Open daily, 10am to 4pm); Golf del Sur (Golf Park, just before the lottery kiosk, Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm; Saturday, 10am to 4pm; Sunday, 10.30am to 3.30pm). Don’t throw things away! Call us on: 629 388 102 and we can sell it to help the dogs. Find us at: www.livear-

A male pug and two female pug / Chihuahua crosses were dumped in Parque de La Reina recently

ico.com, on Facebook, or join us on Twitter: twitter.com/live_ arico.

Acción del Sol Please contact us on: 922 778 630 if you can help in any way. We are always in need of tinned dog food, blankets, towels, sheets, dog toys, and collars and leads for everyone.

Alternatively, visit the refuge on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons from 2pm to 5pm and Saturdays 1pm to 4pm. We are situated directly under the Eolica Parque’s wind turbines at exit 52 on the TF1 northbound,

after the El Médano junction.

Just head for the turbines on the coast and you will see our buildings on the right. Alternatively, email the refuge at: teneriffa@aktiontier.org or visit our Facebook page: action tier Acción del Sol.

K9 Our shop on Alcalá Plaza is in continual need of donations.

If you have anything suitable please take it to the shop.

The kennels are open every day from 11am until 2pm. If you have any enquiries or are looking for a dog or cat, the number n is: 667 638 468.

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FARMERS MARKET

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 779

Farmer’s Markets Adeje Calle Archajara, s/n, in front of Makro Saturday/Sunday 8am – 2pm / Wednesday 4pm – 8pm Telephone: 922 775 200 Alcalá Plaza de Llano Monday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 850 100 Arafo Plaza San Juan Degollado Thursday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 511 711 Arico Porís de Abona Sunday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 676 159 034 Arona Valle San Lorenzo, Carretera General 122 Monday/Friday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 767 138 Buenavista del Norte Plaza de San Sebastián Opening times: Saturday 8.30am – 2pm Telephone: 922 129 030 Candelaria Wednesday 8am - 2pm Next to council offices Saturday 8am – 2pm.

Plaza del Centro Comercial de Punta Larga Telephone: 922 505 014 El Médano Plaza Principal Wednesday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 759 966/62 El Rosario Carretera General del Norte, la Esperanza Saturday/Sunday/festivals 8am – 4pm Telephone: 922 010 160 El Sauzal Hoya de la Vida, next to the church, Ravelo Friday/Saturday/Sunday 7.30am- 2pm Telephone: 922 584 657

Güímar Plaza del Ayuntamiento Sunday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 526 105

side behind Titsa Depot) 8am – 3pm closed Mondays Tel 922 076544

Guía de Isora Plaza del Pueblo de Garachico Friday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 850 100

Playa de San Juan Plaza de la Iglesia Wednesday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 850 100

Icod de Los Vinos Calle Key Muñoz 5 Monday/Friday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 815 700 / 922 447 938 La Guancha Carretera General TFS km 49 Saturday/Sunday 8am – 3pm Telephone: 922 360 788 La Laguna Plaza del Cristo Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday 6am – 2pm Telephone: 922 601 100 / 922 253 903 La Matanza de Acentejo Ctra. General del Norte Saturday 8am – 3pm, Sunday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 577 120 La Orotava Calle Educadora Lucía Mesa Saturday 8am – 1.30pm Telephone: 922 336 804 / 681 277 633 Los Realejos Camino Viejo de San Benito, Finca el Llano, Realejo Alto Saturday/Sunday 9am – 2pm Telephone: 922 346 234 Los Silos Plaza de la Luz, Los Silos Sunday 9am – 2pm Telephone: 922 840 004 Parque de la Reina – El Cho Calle Infanta Elena, 32 (before Karting on right hand

39

Farmer’s Markets

Island support!

Puerto de la Cruz Avenida Blas Pérez González, 4 Wednesday to Saturday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 386 158 San Isidro Mercado del Agricultor de Granadilla Off the roundabout leading to El Médano Saturday/Sunday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 759 966 San Miguel de Abona P.I. Las Chafiras, San Miguel de Abona, next to the fire station Saturday/Sunday 8am – 2pm Wednesday 2pm – 7.30pm Telephone: 922 735 386 Santa Cruz de Tenerife Avenida José Manuel Guimerá Sunday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 606 000 Santa Úrsula Carretera General, near the town hall Saturday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 301 640 Tegueste Calle de Asuncionistas, 6 Saturday/Sunday 8.00am – 2pm Telephone: 922 316 100 Vilaflor Plaza de Vilaflor Monday to Thursday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 709 002 We at Island Connections are sure in the knowledge that one of the best ways to help yourself, and the economy, is to buy locally – even if you are just visiting for a short time.

Canarian farmers harvest an extensive range of crops, which can be seen growing in the typical stepped-terrain farms around the Islands. Products range from tropical fruits, such as mangoes, to worldwide staples like lentils, potatoes and onions.

According to the agricultural group COAG-Canarias, prices of fresh fruits and vegetables differ greatly between the amount the farmers receive and the sale price in the supermarkets.

For instance, towards the end of last year, small marrows, which the farmers were paid

just €0.07/kilo for, retailed at €0.84, and leeks sold at €0.36 were passed onto the consumer for around €2.23 a kilo. Many of the prices don’t even seem to cover the cost of production - and this is when subsidies became necessary to keep farms from disappearing, which, like the hiked prices, also come out of our pockets.

Enter the farmers markets, where the grower can sell directly to the customer without an intermediary. They are dotted all over the Islands, with at least one in almost every town. They allow customers to purchase fresher, higher quality produce at cheaper prices, and the farmers receive a fair payment for their efforts. This

enables them to maintain or raise the standard of their crops and uphold productivity levels – it’s a win-win situation.

In these markets you will be sure to see a variety of seasonal products, as well as some local home-made delicacies such as preserves, honeys and Canarian goat’s cheese. A selection of meats and fish can also be found among the stalls, along with an assortment of cakes, pastries and biscuits.

Buy locally, eat healthily, pay fairly – this is one way we can all help each other.

So, to show our support of local farmers we are taking this timely opportunity to publish the details of the many farmers’ markets around the island n of Tenerife. Enjoy.

40

HOROSCOPES | CLASSIFIEDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 046

Horoscope for period: September 15 to September 28 Aries 21.3 - 20.4 Still putting off the inevitable? This certainly is a time of uncertainty for you, but the signs are all good if you can just take the bull by the horns and take those first steps. How about putting your ideas to a friend?

Contacts

Taurus 21.4 - 20.5 Firmly grounded in the practical, it isn’t always easy for Taureans to get in touch with their inner self. However, one thing that can be said about you is that you will always keep trying. Be patient with yourself.

Los Cristianos, Victoria, a lovely Latin girl, 34 years old, full of sweetness and sensuality, I am hot and playful and always in the mood, put me on my hands and knees and leave me breathless. Tel: 666 977 142.

Gemini 21.5 - 21.6 Always curious, this is a good time to apply that trait to yourself and have a good look at where you want to go in the near future.

With just a few small changes you may find that your goals are not so difficult after all.

Cancer 22.6 - 22.7 Now is not the moment to be sentimental. Your life will benefit more from some strong common sense applied to your current situation. Weigh up the pros and cons and go with whichever path looks most certain.

Leo 23.7 - 23.8 You are full of energy and vigour but lack direction. Be careful that you don’t burn yourself out by expending all you have on the wrong project. Try to remember that it is your close relationships that matter in life.

Virgo 24.8 - 23.9 Having confidence in your choices will always make the outcomes more favourable. If you don’t believe in yourself who else is going to? Make any announcements with pride and others will understand your goal.

Libra 24.9 - 23.10 You may be feeling that you have had far too much company lately.

Librans often enjoy socialising but can always have too much of a good thing. If you need time out, take it. And don’t feel guilty – you’ve earned it.

Scorpio 24.10 - 22.11 Pigheadedness will not get you anywhere. You need to let others have their say and understand that they have the right to their own point of view. You never know, you may learn something from them if you let them.

Sagittarius 23.11 - 21.12 Fun loving and freedom appreciating, you may be feeling stifled by your life right now. However, you need to hang on in there and deal with the mundane – not every day can bring adventure. Try to be a little more gracious.

Capricorn 22.12 - 20.1 Considered the most serious sign of the zodiac, some people can find you a little too down to earth sometimes. How about giving yourself a challenge for a while? Lighten up a little – you might like it.

Aquarius 21.1 - 20.2 Always a deep thinker, you do tend to get stuck in a mental rut sometimes. Over analysing each situation will only hold you back long term so try going with your gut feeling a little more often, it will pay dividends.

Pisces 21.2 - 20.3 This is a good period to go on a bit of a health kick, especially if you have a tendency to eat too many fast foods. Giving your system a clear out by eating well will have the added benefit of boosting your mental clarity.

Cockney girl, Ana. Just what you need to get pampered.

Stunning hot brunette. Let my pleasure be your pleasure, owo, French kissing.

Los Cristianos, opposite the bus station. Tel: (0034) 611 203 925. Busty curvy.

Los Cristianos, Aracely. I am a depraved blonde, I love hard sex, deep Greek with no limits. Private apartment in the centre of Los Cristianos. Tel: 664 099 043.

Transsexual, 37 years old, beautiful, tall, fat, blonde, long big penis, active/passive. €70 half hour, €100 one hour. Apartments Royal, in front of the bus station, Los Cristianos. You can pay in Sterling. SMS/WhatsApp for info. Tel: (0034) 602 626 848.

Los Cristianos, Paula, Latin girl. Enjoy my kisses, body, vibrators, no limits. Available 24 hours in my private apartment, or I can come to you. Tel: 604 115 052.

Erotic massages, Tantric and other services. Attractive lady from Germany.

Without rush. Nice location. Jacuzzi. Tel: (0034) 619 614 380. Erotic private parties for singles and couples, also quickies and threesomes. English and German speaking. Tel: (0034) 648 245 425.

We are a discreet couple, we speak English, Italian, Spanish. We are clean, erotic massages, anal sex, fetishism, sado, golden shower. We invite you for English model, showgirl, a drink, no rush. Tel: 669 professional striptease, quality service, general 722 764. entertainment, stag nights, Come and enjoy our erotic dominatrix, fetish, luxury body to body massage with conditions, visits 24 hours, a happy ending! Unforget- escort service available. Tel: table experience. Beauti- 697 227 139. ful Polish ladies. Opening hours 10am to 10pm, For ladies: Excursions and Playa Paraiso, Costa Adeje escorts, erotic massages area. Tel: (0034) 662 960 and more, with Marc who 065. www.edentenerife. speaks good English, German and Spanish. I have com. my own apartment and car I’m Diana, a pretty Latin in South Tenerife. I also do girl, 23 years old, good visits. Tel: (0034) 630 759 body, pleasing, French, 974. positions, massages, available 24 hours. I’m waiting Tantric and Thai massage for you in my private apart- with a happy ending (no ment in the centre of Los sex) at Las Cardones, San Cristianos. Home/hotel vis- Isidro, second exit after its available. Tel: 605 072 the airport. Shower and tea service offered. There’s 917. the possibility of a 4-hands Los Cristianos, Russian, massage. For appointments Maria, no limits, 24 hour call 631 801 293. services. Private apartment in Los Cristianos. Tel: 677 PAMELA, brunette, Las Chafiras. Massage service 395 599. available for gentlemen Los Cristianos, novelty, only. Private apartment. HH Meliza, Latin blonde. Franciscano street, beside Natural French, positions, the large park, Las Chafiras. kisses, massages, vibra- Number has changed: tors. Private apartment in was 635 801 105, New Calle Noruega, near the number: 608 285 035.

Altavista supermarket. I can do visits and I am available 24 hours. Tel: 602 629 191.

Los Cristianos, Patricia, blonde Venezuelan, big breasts, pretty, obliging, all services, no limits. I am waiting for you in my private apartment, or I can come to you, 24 hours a day. Tel: 650 442 665.

Hi gentlemen, I’m Claudia, Canarian, 29 years, slim, Amber, Las Américas, white skin, redhead, green sensual blonde, gorgeous, eyes, beautiful, an exquiclassy and discreet, for sol- site woman, elegant, sexy, vent gentlemen who appre- affectionate, obliging, disciate good company. Private creet, your perfect lover. apartment, and hotel visits. Hotel and home visits. I No hidden phone numbers. speak English. Tel: 672 Tel: 605 328 942.

889 486.

To advertise your services with us, please call 922 75 06 09

15.9.2016 – 28.9.2016

The deadline for edition 780, which is published on 28th Sept, is 26th Sept.

No classifieds will be taken after this date.

Head Office: Calle Francisco Feo Rodríguez 6º- first floor.

Pol. Industrial Las Chafiras 38620 - San Miguel de Abona.

Tel.: 922 75 06 09 Fax: 922 795 810 Office Hours: Mon-Frid 9:30 -16:30 hours

Classified Info Adverts for our Classifieds Section must be sent by email or hand delivered to the office.

If you would like to advertise, please send your classified text to: classifieds@ ic-news.com.

Alternatively, place your classified advert with one of our four agents: Now Tenerife.com in Golf del Sur, Redhound Bookshop in Los Cristianos, The Bookswop in Las Américas, Petras Deutscher Bücherstand in Puerto de La Cruz.

Rates: * Lineage classifieds: From €16 * Small & Long Term: Ask for long term advertising (3, 6, 12 months) and our special discounts. * Further Options: color / boxed adverts.

To Place your advert call: 922 75 06 09 You are welcome to come to our offices in Las Chafiras to place small ads. Card payment facilities are available.

Island connections media group s.l. www.islandconnections.eu

Island Connections Online: www.islandconnections.eu

Classifieds Deadline Next Edition

CLASSIFIEDS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 779

General Services Massage and more. Offer: 60 minutes body massage €36.

Couples, four hands, lava stones, tantric massages, etc.

Playa de las Américas, Ernesto Sarti no.8, across from Iberostar Hotel Torviscas Playa. Tel. 602 608 626 For sale. Home-produced ecological vegetables, Tenerife south. Interested businesses, call 650 323 751 (Spanish only), send WhatsApp or email to: michelteide@hotmail.com www.mascuidados.com Website for our massages, dedicated to bringing the benefits of therapeutic massage to your home or hotel, no charge for travel. Do you want a massage? www.mascuidados.com Tel. 663 190 727 After school classes, help or activities in English, German or Spanish, please contact Mrs. Garus. Tel. 602 506 793. We are 5 minutes away from Wingate School in Cabo Blanco.

Qualified specialist from Germany helps you with back pain, neck pain, sciatica, headaches and insomnia. Tel. 0034 699 15 61 47 (ask for Eugene).

Spanish native teacher and interpreter gives Spanish lessons at reasonable prices. Tel: 747 790 001. k.arim555@ live.com Masonic Lodge - Ave Fenix No.73. New meetings starting in October 2016 on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

If interested, all visitors are welcome to come down. For further information, lodge secretary John Donaldson is available to contact on Tel: (+34) 922 178 091 or Email: ave.fenix73@gmail.com You’re invited!!! FREE BEAUTY SESSION. This is your time to relax with friends or on your own, share the excitement of trying new products, learn about the latest techniques and trends and of course, earn fabulous rewards. More info: 642 601 553 Maggie.

41

MASONIC MEETINGS Logia Ave Fenix Nº 73 Edificio Simón, Los Cristianos.

New meetings start in October, on the fourth Tuesday All Visitors welcome Contact John Donaldson (Secretary):

(+34) 922 178 091 or ave.fenix73@gmail.com

Spanish and English Lawyers

Conveyancing • Inheritance & Wills Family Law • Criminal Law Civil Litigation & Personal Injury Timeshare • Tax & Commercial law

Los Abrigos Auction Room & Second Hand Shop We buy and pick up your used furniture, also we sell everything you need for your home.

Visit our shop for a real bargain!

Monday-Friday 10am-1pm & 4pm-7pm

Calle La Marina, 33 · Tel. 922 749 664 Auction dates and news on facebook: Los Abrigos Auction Room

Santiago del Teide Lions Club Bargains galore From clothes and children’s toys to kitchenware and books – there are plenty of great deals on second-hand goods.

They even have sets of golf clubs!

Don’t miss out – visit their shop below the plaza in Puerto Santiago (Behind Vigilia Park). Open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am – 1pm and Wednesdays 2pm to 8pm.

BLOCK BUSTERS WE UNBLOCK ALL TYPES OF DRAINS

internal and external using our high pressure jets and cameras.

Call

647 928 223 Are you looking for an opportunity with financial independence and personal fulfillment? Become an Independent Beauty Consultant!!! More Info: 642 601 553.

For sale, cooker with three burners, spit roaster for chickens, three freezers, chairs and decoration. Tel: Carlos on 676 243 558.

We sell furniture suitable for bar/restaurant (tables, chairs, kitchen accessories, decoration etc.) in excellent condition. Price negotiable.

Tel: 922 717 613 or 671 912 301

T: E:

922 719 520

tenerife@decottalaw.net

Av. de Los Pueblos, Residencial Villaflor B-20, San Eugenio

www.decottalaw.net

CLASSIFIEDS

42

Rental Classifieds

Apartment and Villa for rent in Tenerife south. Tel: (0034) 662 507 191.

Garage to rent, double width. Victoria Court 1, Los Cristianos. Close to Sunday market. Very secure lock-up.

Tel: 679 919 623.

For rent in Los Cristianos: attractive 2 bedroom apartment in Cactus 2 for mature couple/person. Available end of September. Pool, satellite TV, views. Unsuitable Looking to exchange or rent: for children. Tel: 629 606 Luxury 85m2 apartment in 495.

Travemünde (on the Baltic Sea, Germany) in exchange for 2/3 bedroom apartment in Tenerife for 4-6 weeks January/ February 2017. Our property is located on the 2nd SALEs Classifieds floor overlooking the sea and the city and furnished to a very high standard. There is a Wellness and Spa on resort and underground parking. We are looking for a 2/3 For sale, Bungalow 160m2 bedroom apartment in Tene- - Costa Sauzal, situated rife in a nice complex with front row with guaranteed heated pool and Spa facilities. spectacular sea-views, 3 Email: m.perling@gmx.de or bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 0049 179 51 75 987. living room with panoramic Wanted urgently: an apartment to rent in El Médano with 2 bedrooms and a garage. Tel: 676 243 558.

Studio for rent, in quiet Bio Finca, 25 sqm, in Los Realejos, close to Restaurant Monasterio, furnished, balcony, parking, garden, terrace, SAT TV, Internet, €280/month, incl. additional costs. Tel: 616 802 861 or 699 044 668.

Apartment for rent, 1 bedroom, fully equipped, near Playa Martiánez, in Puerto de La Cruz, €470 /month + electricity. Tel: Theresa on 606 105 101.

Winter letting Puerto de La Cruz Studio apartment, 24 hour concierge, pool, sea views. Minimum three month contract. €500 per month. 669 652 149

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 046

Apartment Tabaiba Alta For sale, only five mins away from the German school, roughly 102ms, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, living room, utility room, garden, big terrace. Spectacular views of the sea and mountain, big garage with 2 spaces, 2 closed store rooms, price €180,000, mob. 686 798 367, email eoptenerife@ gmail.com www.teneriffa-fincas.net

Beautiful seafront apartment for private sale. One bedroom, garage, sea views and in a sunny position. Price: €120,000. No agents. Tel: 922 752 759.

Mobile: 608 425 426.

Old couple aged 82 and 72 sells against Life Long Tenancy an exclusive 1-bed apartment, cost €145,000.

Los Cristianos. 2 minutes walk from the seafront.

50m2. Small garden, for windows, modern kitchen, €69.000. Tel: (0034) 922 dining room connected to 797 565. For photos email: the terrace, including a privat3001@yahoo.de. heated 4 x 8 m pool, all on same level, garage and a marvellous tropical garden with 800m2 landscaped with various plants and lots of fruit-trees. Private sale contact: info@ simonsanaPickup Point nes.com. Tel.: 00 34 699 444 879 For sale

Property for Sale Playa Honda Urb. Oasis Dakota, Playa Fañabé

3 Bed Semi Detached.

Toilet, complete bathroom, separate kitchen, totally equipped, furnished, 35m2 terrace, secure access to pool, infant park, good views, beside commercial centres, 800m from Playa Fañabé, community fees

Las Américas

One bedroom apartment, tiled throughout, American-style kitchen, separate bedroom and terrace. Located in the center of Las Americas within 3 minutes walk from the beach.

€ 122,000 Alan: 634 098 838

Playa de Las Américas Located just off front line, excellent reputation, regular clientele. Terrace for approximately 10 tables and refurbished interior in timber. Bar walls adorned with memorabilia. Includes store room and Ladies & Gents toilet facilities.

€ 25,000

Alan: 634 098 838

30€/month

Tel 629 244 958 € 155,000 Place your advert at

Classified Agent for

Car Hire, Excursions and Rentails Ocean Golf and Country Club, Golf del Sur 922 736 502

Frutería Miraverde

The easy way to sell or rent properties

Pickup Point 2nd Home Tenerife C.C. Plaza del Duque

Looking to swap my house in Tenerife for a house in Dublin or surroundings. If agreed, the time could be arranged. From a month to a year time gap. Call Carmen 693 727 683

Wonderful rustic house available for holiday rental in San Miguel de Abona. 4 bed rooms, independent flat on the roof. Very well furnished with amazing views. Please call for further information. €70 per night for 2 people. €15 per extra person maximum 5 people. Close to the local town, restaurants, bars, cultural centre.

Tel. 616 460 728 Servihabitat.com

DO YOU WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR COMPANY HERE 922 750 609

British Style Bar

902 15 01 02 your office at “la Caixa”

15.9.2016 – 28.9.2016

CLASSIFIEDS | PASTIMES

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 779

Situations Vacant / wanted

Instructor required to teach essential life skills and thinking for young kids, in south Tenerife.

Diplomas not needed.

Please send CV to lin@ rebl.biz. Tel: 696 713 635 Lin.

43

Are looking for international girls to model swimwear in the south of Tenerife for an immediate start. Must be presentable and speak good English, other languages are an advantage. PR experience essential. Daily work, salary, commissions paid and contracts given.

Call José, between 11am and 5pm on 606 181 946 or 922 751 021

Vehicles FOR SALE

2013 Mercedes Benz Class A Automatic

Ford Fiesta 1.6, 2007.

ITV until February 2018.

Good condition. 87,000km. €4,750. Tel: 922 861 332 / 609 227 562.

MG Sport 1.6 Convertible 2003, ITV to October 2016, one owner, excellent condition, only 25,000km. €8,500. Tel: 922 861 332 / 609 227 562.

Mercedes 420 Elegance, 1996. 115,000km. ITV to November 2016. €4,500.

Tel: 922 861 332 / 609 227 562.

(For Crossword and Sudoku solution see pag 40)

To advertise please call 922 75 06 09

146 CV · Rear camera Navigation · Parktronic sensors Leather and much more

51,000 km · €25,500 Tel. 646 681 511 Place your advert at

Advert Placement

Classified Agent for

www.islandconnections.eu

Across

LA PEPA FOOD MARKET Av. San Francisco, Los Cristianos, Arona, Tenerife South

Books, Cards, Internet Pto. Colón 1st floor Las Américas 922 715 682 bookswop@spantel.com

1 - preliminaries (8) 6 - inner circle (4) 8 - attach (6) 9 - article of clothing (6) 10 - bloke (3) 11 - vipers (4) 12 - dung beetle (6) 13 - takes up (6) 15 - inhibits (6)

17 - residential district (6) 20 - framework (4) 21 - curved shape (3) 22 - desert plant (6) 23 - concealed (6) 24 - tax (4) 25 - tanks (8)

Down

2 - confided in (7) 3 - vegetables (5) 4 - fairground vehicles (7) 5 - moves back and forth (5) 6 - satisfy (7) 7 - governing body (5) 14 - fowl (7)

15 - savoury pies (7) 16 - stand (7) 18 - practice (5) 19 - staple (5) 20 - elevation (5)

MOTORING

EVERYDAY MOTORING

Do you see?

By Wheeler Dealer So what can you do to protect After all, it only takes a sec- to the screen through lack of

Latest model

Bentley Motors recently announced the introduction of a new flagship to one of their best ranges: the Flying Spur W12 S. The latest model is the first four-door Bentley to have a top speed in excess of 320 km/ h, and offers a more sporting experience for owners looking for increased power and responsiveness.

It features enhanced power and torque outputs from the mighty 6.0-litre, twin-turbo W12 engine. Engine power is increased from 625 PS to 635 PS and torque from 800 Nm to 820 Nm and full torque is available from just 2,000 rpm. An initial sprint to 100 km/h is dispatched in just 4.5 seconds.

Luckily, power is delivered to the road via an all-wheel-

ond. Don’t be tempted to have loads of items hanging from the rear view mirror, or too many other distractions such as mobile phones or satnavs stuck in various positions, as

Photo: Keran McKenzie/ FreeImages.com

We all think that our safety and those of our families is very important to us, but how many times do you jump in the car and go, without thinking about things that could be dangerous?

Visibility is a vital factor when you are driving. Obviously we don’t have some of the problems they do in the UK, snow and ice for example, but nevertheless there are factors that can prevent you having full appreciation of your surroundings.

As the driver, you are fully responsible for ensuring that your car is in a fit condition to be driven. This applies to important items such as tyres, brakes etc., but also to any impairment to your visibility. Should something like dirty windows, flyers under the windscreen wipers or washers that don’t work be considered to have contributed to an accident, this could be an expensive mistake to make.

yourself? Firstly, keep your car at least relatively clean so that you are able to see out of the windows and use the mirrors properly. This is particularly important after the hot, sandy

Maintaining your car windows clean and free of obstructions will help keep you and your family safe

winds of a calima, for example. Remove those annoying flyers that are put under your wipers, because if you had to clear the windscreen the paper could get stuck in the middle, restricting your visibility.

the police can take a dim view of this too.

Ensure that you have screen fluid, and that your windscreen wipers work. Because of our hot weather, particularly lately, the wiper blades can get stuck

use, and tear when you switch them on.

As we approach cooler weather and the possibility of rain, which can be torrential and sudden here, give a thought to checking them, and getting replacement blades if necessary. Remember to check them regularly and use them occasionally to keep them in good working order.

Ensure that you and your family are safe, and have peace of mind that you’ve done everything you can to keep it that way.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 046

Celebrate in style

Two-wheeled engagement Motorbike fans might like to check out the coming get together on September 24 and 25.

The Aguiluchos del Valle bikers club is celebrating its ninth anniversary with a weekend of fun and friendship in Candelaria.

The official day of the anniversary is the 24th. There will be a meet in the Plaza de la Patrona at 11am with various activities, including snacks and drinks, commemoration of bikers who have passed away, a tombola and more.

The following day there will be a run starting from the same square at 10am, followed by a joint meal. Tickets for this will cost €18 and will be on sale until September 20 or until finished.

Check them out on facebook for more information. n

Based on their years of experience in the car industry, Wheeler Dealer will be providing useful advice and indepth information for the coming editions of Island Connections. Call Wheeler Dealer, Las Chafiras, on: 922 73 64 51. n

Boldly Bentley

The Flying Spur W12 S

drive system with a 40:60 rearbiased torque split for a sure-

footed, engaging drive in all road and weather conditions,

and a new responsive suspension tune improves handling

and provides even more traction. Owners can even treat themselves to optional carbon ceramic brakes which are available with red or black painted calipers.

Looks-wise, dark styling cues hint at its improved dynamic capabilities and a suite of blackware detailing gives the new model a dramatic and purposeful appearance to match its enhanced performance.

From new gloss-black detailing on the bodywork, to the unique leather stitching, the new exterior and interior styling reflects the more assertive, darker character of the Flying Spur W12 S.

There is full exterior gloss blackware for the radiator and window surrounds, lights, rear bumper, door handle inserts and headlight washer caps.

The front and rear lamps receive a dark tint while a new, lower bumper insert suggests a more assertive driving manner.

The wheels offered on the Flying Spur W12 S are 21” 7spoke with a new gloss-black finish, or a new optional 21” Sports 5-spoke directional wheel finished in either gloss black or a dark tint.

The Flying Spur also comes complete with a suite of onboard technology. n

©2016 FLN

44

SPORTS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 779

Places are now open for the Puntallana Open Water Swimming competition, taking place on September 25 in La Gomera.

You can register for the sea-swimming competition, staged at Puntallana just north of San Sebastián de La Gomera, at the borough council’s website. Proceeds go to the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) and various projects on the island. This is the event’s sixteenth consecutive year and participants will take part individually.

La Gomera’s Sport Councillor, Iván Estévez, encourages people to sign up quickly and be part of a “fantastic sporting event” in honour of the island’s patron saint, the Virgen of Guadalupe, and the various organisations which will receive funds from this year’s XVI Travesía a Nado a Puntallana (XVI Puntallana Open Water Swimming), particularly the AECC which does a commendable job helping cancer patients and their families”.

Similar to last year, the shortest route of the three races available will cover a distance of two kilometres, leaving from the Playa de Avalos beach and arriving at Puntallana. The medium route is five kilometres, departing from the Playa de La Cueva beach. The longest route is 10 kilometres and starts early in the morning, leaving from Puntallana, reaching Playa de La Cueva, before returning to the start point. After the three routes have been completed, all participants are invited to a lunch in honour of the Virgen of Guadalupe.

The use of a wetsuit is mandatory for the five and 10 kilometre races and optional for the two kilometre circuit.

All swimmers must also wear a cap.

You have until September 20 to register for the XVI Travesía a Nado a Puntallana, which you can do directly by visiting: www.sansebastiangomera.org. For further information you can contact the borough’s Centro Juvenil (Youth Centre) on 922 870 044 between 9am and 2pm, and 5pm to 8pm.

Prices are €15 per person for the 10 kilometre route, €12 for the five kilometre race, and €10 for the two kilometre circuit. n

Sign up now for the Puntallana Open Water Swimming competition

Canarian in Ryder Cup team This year’s European Ryder Cup team will have two Spanish golfers competing: Sergio García, born in Borriol, a little town on the east coast of Spain near Castellón, and the Canarian player Rafael Cabrera-Bello, from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

The Ryder Cup is a biennial men’s golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. This will

be García’s eighth appearance while the 2016 event represents Cabrera-Bello’s debut.

The current holders are Europe who won for the third successive time at the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland in 2014.

This year’s competition will be held at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota, USA, from September 30 to October 2. Darren Clarke from Northern Ireland will captain the Europeans while Davis Love III will lead out the Americans.

Canarian golfer, Rafa CabreraBello said: “I grew up watching the Ryder Cup and without doubt, I think it’s the most exciting golf competition in the world. When I watched it on television I dreamed of playing in it one day. To have qualified for the European team for the first time means a great deal to me.”

Sergio García said about the tournament: “The Ryder Cup really excites me, there’s simply nothing else like it. I feel immensely proud to be part of the European team, and this year will be my eighth as a player. In 2010 I was vicecaptain to Monty (Colin Montgomerie), which was a great

Photo: Pvt Pauline CC A-S A 3.0 UGL

Open water swimming in La Gomera

45

GarcÍa and Cabrera-Bello

moment for me. As a competition, it cannot be compared, and I have so many great memories. I’ll never forget the first time I played in 1999, and my last performance in 2014. In the Ryder Cup you represent a continent and play for a team, which makes it even more special. You’re considering your fellow teammates and try to do your best for others. Plus the public support is incredible!”

Photo: Bernard Gagnon GNU FDL

Sign up now

Photo: Agência Brasil CC A 3.0 BL

15.9.2016 – 28.9.2016

Competition history Initially there were two unofficial matches between professionals from Great Britain and the United States, both won by the British, before the birth of The Ryder Cup proper in 1927.

The first was played at Gleneagles in 1921 but the second, held at Wentworth in 1926, was the most significant. Among those in the gallery was a man called Samuel Ryder.

Canarian golfer Rafael CabreraBello will make his Ryder Cup debut Sergio García will play in his eighth consecutive tournament

Ryder was enthralled by the match at Wentworth: ‘We must do this again’, he said in the bar afterwards, and The Ryder Cup was born. Ryder donated a small gold cup that cost £250.

The first 22 Ryder Cup matches pitched Great Britain and Ireland against the United States, with the US winning 18 tournaments, Britain and Ireland three, and one match, the famous 1969 contest, was tied.

In 1979, Europe entered the fray with Seve Ballesteros and Antonio Garrido, both from

Spain, becoming the first continental golfers to play in The Ryder Cup. Since then, the contribution of Spanish players has been instrumental in the development of the competition, currently considered the third biggest sporting event in the world.

In the subsequent 16 tournaments, Europe has won eight and the United States seven, with one match tied.

Every two years, 24 of the best players from Europe and the USA challenge for the coveted cup. Drama, great golf, and sportsmanship encompass the historic event, with millions of spectators around the world excitedly watching n every stroke.

46

SPORTS NEWS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 046

Transvulcania 2017

Skyrunners quick off the mark

Fuerteventura Tour

Set adrift on kayak bliss

The seven day XVIII Fuerteventura Kayak Tour recently concluded, with participants arriving in Puerto del Rosario amid jubilant scenes from the local community.

Kayakers praised the beauty of this sporting event, which offers fantastic scenery during the week-long tour along different parts of the island’s coastline.

Fuerteventura president, Marcial Morales, and the Island Council’s sports minister, Andrés Díaz Matoso, were pleased at the high registration rate for this year’s event, and personally congratulated each participant as they arrived at n the Nautical Club of Puerto del Rosario.

The seven day Fuerteventura Kayak Tour 2016 was a huge success

Over 1,300 runners have already registered for the Transvulcania 2017 Ultra Trail taking place in La Palma on May 13 next year, far and away beating subscription records of previous years for the event.

Transvulcania is an annual endurance race that is as tough as it is spectacular, as well as providing a competitive platform for the best ultra trail runners in the world. Competitors choose between the Half Marathon (24 km), Marathon (45 km), Ultra Marathon (74 km), and the Vertical KM (a route with a distance of 7.6 km and an ascent of 1,2 km, where runners will be rewarded with astonishing views across the north of the island).

The ultra trails are organised by the La Palma Island Council and the public company Sodepal.

La Palma’s Transvulcania 2017 is already attracting a lot of interest The Vertical KM route covers a distance of 7.6 km with a 1.2 km ascent

Councillor for Sports, Ascensión Rodríguez, praised the response to next year´s event, saying: “Places have been booked far quicker than previous years.

That is a healthy sign of what this event means for skyrunners around the world”.

Rodríguez confirmed that there will be an overall limit

of 3,200 participants for Transvulcania 2017, with nearly half the places already taken.

The race has received strong international support since the 2016 event attracted over 66,000 online spectators from 107 countries who watched the live streamed broadcast. There was also a half hour special on

the endurance race that was distributed to over 100 countries, featuring on networks such as Fox Sports, Sky Sports, Universal Sports Network, and Canal +.

As an Ultra Marathon, Transvulcania has been part of the Skyrunner World Series since 2012, and is the race that opens the season of The International Skyrunning Federation (ISF). Transvulcania is also included in the Skyrunner National Series and is part of the Ultra Series (Ultra Marathon). Since 2014, Transvulcania’s Vertical KM became an official race of the Vertical

Series, also organised by the ISF. Current Ultra Trail World Champion, Luis Alberto Hernando, says of Transvulcania La Palma: “It is a beautiful route, an exceptional environment, an excellent organisation, and an entire island united for a common purpose”.

The cost of registration has been significantly reduced compared to previous years.

The Ultra Marathon will cost €95; the Marathon has been lowered to €75; and the Half Marathon is now €65. All routes have a €20 discount for residents of La Palma. The Vertical KM has a flat rate of €50.

However, participants with a confirmed bib in any of the other categories will enjoy a 50 per cent discount.

Entry requirements remain unchanged. For the Ultra Marathon, runners must have finished a trail race of at least 40 km in the 18 months prior to the big day. For the Marathon, runners must have finished a trail running race of at least 20 km in the 18 months prior to May 13, 2017. For the rest of the categories, Half Marathon and Vertical KM, as well as for the Hikers’ Meeting and the Transvulcania Kids Junior trail, these requisites will not be mandatory, although it is strongly recommended to have finished an equivalent race before entering.

For further information or to reserve your place, visit the website: www.transvulcania. n info.

Los Realejos hero

Slow cycle to China The cyclist José María Ruiz Sánchez from Los Realejos in the north of Tenerife will travel to China by bicycle over the next nine months, covering a distance of 14,000 kilometres.

The athlete recently set off from the Peninsula with a José María Ruiz Sánchez is cycling to China in the name of his hometown, Los Realejos

final destination of Shanghai in China, crossing through 17 different countries en route.

Sánchez has called his challenge ‘Baifo World’ and hopes to raise awareness for local sports clubs and organisations in his community.

Sánchez met with officials of the Los Realejos Borough Council in late-August to explain his endeavour and to attract support. The

mayor, Manuel Domínguez, and sports minister, Benito Dévora, were “surprised by Sánchez’s level of physical and mental preparation ahead of the huge task”.

The mayor also thanked him for his courage in becoming a “sports ambassador for Los Realejos” on an international stage while carrying out an “enormous personal and sportn ing challenge.”

15.9.2016 – 28.9.2016

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CD Tenerife

Blanquiazules back on track The players were happy after rare away cup win

After a shaky start the blanquiazules have finally found some form following back to back league and cup wins.

It certainly is a ‘work in progress’ and it feels that we are still in pre-season mode; trying new players, tactics and formations whilst others have settled line-ups. Losing top striker Nano a week before the deadline was a blow but he was quickly replaced by some exciting forwards, however, it will take a while for the whole melting pot to gel into a fine team.

September 3 Elche 3 CD Tenerife 1 The blanquiazules got off to the worst possible start, conceding after only two minutes. After some fine work by ex-Tenerife legend Nino, Elche took the lead through Pablo Hervias. The home side bossed the game, although to be fair they never really enjoyed any clear cut opportunities to

Photo: Marc Crosas

By Chris Todd

stretch their lead in the first 45 minutes.

Tenerife were playing without any recognised striker(Choco Lozano was on World Cup duty, Nano had been sold, and new Tunisian striker, Jouini, had paperwork issues) so the responsibility to score fell to 18 year old Cristo Gonzalez, not even his natural position.

Elche took a 2-0 lead from the penalty spot on 68 minutes before Vitolo missed a penalty for Tenerife. However, the game

now was wide open and Omar Ramos managed to pull a goal back late on but in injury time Elche sealed the victory with a sweet drive by Hugo Fraile to make the final score 3-1.

Spanish Cup Second Round September 6 Lugo 1 Tenerife 2 Shock! CD Tenerife won away in the Cup! The last time they managed that, believe it or not, was way back in 1995 when

they won in Malaga. The year before that CD Tenerife beat the mighty Real Madrid in the cup quarter-final (0-3) in the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium - but since those heady days the cup has not been a good competition for the blanquiazules. Being drawn away every single year since 2009 has had something to do with it!

Against Lugo, despite going 1-0 down, Tenerife fought back brilliantly to progress into the next round, with goals by German

and Cristo. The 1-2 victory sent fans dreaming of a good cup run this time and even a home cup tie, but it was not to be. Incredibly for the 10th successive time Tenerife were drawn away against Valladolid on October 12.

September 10 CD Tenerife 1 Valladolid 0 Tenerife enjoyed their first win of the season but they were pushed all the way by joint league leaders at the start of play, Real Valladolid. The first

half was one to forget for the blanquiazules, they fought hard but were often outplayed by the visitors, it has to be admitted.

Things could have been even worse if the referee had sent off Tenerife centre half Saenz for a foul on a Valladolid attacker; another day, another ref, and he would have gone.

Against the run of play, Tenerife took the lead on the stroke of half-time when a Suso corner was met by a fine bullet header by Carlos Ruiz. The second half saw a more confident display with Marc Crosas taking control of the midfield alongside Vitolo and Aitor Sanz (or Pitbull as he is known in these parts).

In the stifling heat Valladolid were now unable to penetrate the Tenerife area and they ran out of steam whereas the blanquiazules pushed for the second goal on the break. Choco had a great chance to make it two but his effort was well saved. In the end it did not matter as Tenerife held on to win 1-0. It was an important victory, not so much for the league position but as a boost for the coming matches.

Next up is a tricky game away to Almeria on September 18 before facing Real Mallorca in an attractive Thursday night fixture in Santa Cruz on Sepn tember 22.

Nomads FC

Daytime football available Sponsored by: Foreign Language News & www.windowsplus.co.uk The youth and adult teams of Nomads FC in South Tenerife are looking for new players for the coming season.

Youth football provides good fun, quality coaching and healthy exercise for your children. We are proud to have so many kids from different countries in our teams. Most of our training is given in English with some Spanish, and our training facility is based in Los Cristianos.

Our existing under-8s, under10s, under-12s, and under-14s teams have players from the UK, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Rus-

sia and many other countries, and we need a few additional players for the teams.

Under-16s Our new under-16s team also needs a few players as soon as possible, as some of our kids from the under-14s team are now moving up. We would like some players born in 2001 and 2002 to make a new under16s team, so if any kids are looking for a club then please get in touch.

New girl’s team We are hoping to get enough young girls between the age of eight years to 13 years who

want to play football so we can make a team for them to train and organise friendly games.

Please get in touch for our pre-season training schedule.

For more information please look at the club website: www. nomadsfc.com.

Men’s 6s The men’s 6-a-side league wants new teams for the league. If you and some friends fancy a spot of exercise playing football, why not get together and form a side to play every week at our field in Los Cristianos?

Nomads FC’s recently-installed football pitch in Los Cristianos

A day in the life We are getting more requests to provide daytime football games and pitch bookings for night workers, so if you and your friends want to use the facilities or organise a friendly game during the day, please call us.

Contact Nomads FC For more information visit: www.nomadsfc.com. Alternatively, email: info@premfs. com. Call/message: +34 654 200 470 or 650 090 737.

Also visit our general website: n www.premfs.com.

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