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1984-2017

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February 23 – March 8, 2017 Strange bedfellows

Keep a lookout

Restaurant Garibaldi

Tourism boom and poverty

Criminal gangs in the Canaries

A venue that exudes class

Pages 6 & 7

Page 10

Page 18

Podemos looks into public spending

Foto: Turismo TF

Fernando Sabaté, spokesman for the Podemos party represented in the Tenerife Council, sent a petition to the tourist office, currently led by Alberto Bernabé, asking for clarification of expenditure related to alarmingly high credit card costs.

In the past five years, the Sociedad de Promoción Exterior de Tenerife (SPET), which is part of the island’s governing body and promotes Tenerife to Miguel Ángel Santos overseas markets, has spent over €1.3 million with credit cards. Particularly striking is that Bernabé’s predecessor, Miguel Ángel Santos, spent €699,527 in the period of 2012 to 2016 alone. Since 2015, SPET has been integrated into the tourism department overseen by Alberto Bernabé. During this time, the minister has only spent €6,716 with credit cards, a significant difference to his predecessor.

Continued on page two

The fifth season Carnival 2017 Pages 33, 34 & 35

Los Cristianos building collapse

Experts point the finger In a tragedy that shocked residents and visitors alike, a Los Cristianos apartment block collapsed in April of last year, killing seven people and injuring three more.

The edifice, situated on Calle Amalia Alayón, right in the heart of the south Tenerife tourist resort, crashed to the ground at precisely 9.31am, completely destroying three-quarters of the building.

Arona council commissioned two independent studies shortly afterwards to get to the bottom of the cause of the accident, the results of which have just been made public.

The investigations were carried out by Atlante, a forensic analysis company, and the Technical Materials and Construction Institute (INTEMAC). The organisations used a combination of electrical tomography, ultrasound, scan-

Establecimiento

de las causas

que desencadenan No se puede enten el proceso der un colapso de causas, establecer tales proporciones que causa ha sido sino es porque estam edificio es algo muy determinante, causa os ante una concu complejo de estab rrencia de lecer, pero que vamosin la cual no se habría producido el colap so del s a intentar deter Causas relativas mina r de manera razon al proceso: ada:

En cuanto al diseñ o y cálculo de la estructura

El edificio se proye ctó con un diseño el siniestro, sin embargo este era que tacharemos de desafortunado o comprobación de los cálculos había lo habitual del momento y sujeto adverso para colaborar en evitar algún error de cálcu a la norma. De acuerdo con la lo previo.

1. Los pórticos no se encontraba n arriostrados (atad informe de 2004, os) de colaborante, sino modo que no existía una red estru entre sí. Este hecho ya se apun tó que se trataba de una estructura ctural que podríamos decir tridimensioen el estructura del proye bidimensional, suelta cto nal y 2. La viga dispu entre sí. Plano esta, “Viga Moris” de es una viga mixta 40 mm de espesor , compuesta por un y plantón de 20 cm que sustentan otro unos angulares dispuestos verticalme de ancho angu nte y lar horizontal en que ayudan a los presenta dificultade esfuerzos cortantes la cara superior, s en se su trata de una viga ejecución y su conex que facilita que, en muy rígida, que ión con caso pilare de s, frente fallo, se rompan antes 3. Se ha conce ntrado los nudos que las a unos nudos muy débiles, lo propias vigas acuerdo la normativael estudio en 14 pilares de los cuale de s, aplica en el ción en recálculo de la estru concreto los Pilare ctura de s de planta baja o 1971, tres de ellos no cumplirían en cuantía de arma zona de colapso. nivel cero, B3, B5 Cuadro Resumen dura, en de comprobación y C2. Estos pilares también coinciden de proyecto con la En cuanto

Photo: Gerard Zenou

Maxed out

Special

The Los Cristianos multi-storey building collapsed almost completely

ners, and drones for the exhaustive analysis, as well as an in-depth consideration of the original plans and specifications, before coming to their conclusions.

The final reports, numbering more than a thousand pages, were submitted to the courts in September

was constructed in 1972, in an era when regulations were neither as stringent as they are today nor as rigorously enforced. However, though the reports highlight a number of design and structural faults which could have contributed to the tragic collapse, both agreed that, taken individually, they could not have actually caused it.

a la ejecución de la estructura

1. Los hormigone s analiz variados de 60 mm ados son muy heterogéneos, con arcillas y áridos de a 10 mm, de naturaleza pumítica una gran variedad de áridos, tama ños muy (tosca o jable) a playa, este hecho basaltos, incluso obra con los mate nos restos de riales que dispusiero lleva a pensar que se trató de un hormigón elabo resistencias son muy n rado variadas, y con una en función de la evolución de la masa cementicia, obra, por lo tanto en densidad baja. por el anclaje mecánico tener muy bajo contenido en ceme Muy poca cohesión entre los árido , las nto, este hecho tamb hormigón – acero sy anclaje como si s y explica porqu ién es determínate la en 2. La puesta en fuera mantequilla en un cuchillo calien e el hormigón se desprende de las barras de obra del hormigón fue muy deficiente te vertido y vibrado , la configuración del de la Viga Moris, década de los seten hormigón, ciertamente este tipo dificu de se aprecia, debid ta. El hormigón no llega a llenar toda vigas se dejó de utilizar a mediados lta el oa de la la sección de la viga posible desprende la pobreza del hormigón, que los y el plantón inferi r el árido del horm áridos está disgregad igón de su negativo en os, esto es suelto or la pasta, hecho relac con la mano y se aprecia como que en el impacto el árido deja la impres. Es ionada con la poca sión cohesión, con un 3. Estrangulamien produce disgregación. vertido con cubilo to de los nudos, te y es una parte muy mayor presencia delica de armadura de refuerzo y un maciz da de la estructura que reque comprobada es que riría ado de hormigón, armaduras de pilare los nudos se encontraban estre sin embargo la realiduna chado s no ad tenía s con bovedillas plana conti 4. Ajustando la s y algunas comprobación del nuidad. cálcu estudiados, cabe señalar que lo realm lo del punto 3 del apartado anter no cumplen 6 de los 14 pilares estud ente ejecutado difiere de proyecto ior sobre los 14 pilares iados. Cuadro Resu y que en esas cond men de comprobac iciones, ión de lo ejecutado

and November of last year but have only now been released due to legal implications in the on-going case.

History of incompetence

pericial forense: Colap so Edificio de Los The findings of the reports eare Cristianos somewhat sobering. The building Continued on page two Inform

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Preventing a repeat

Judicial inquiry continues Continued from front page Firstly, the concrete used was of poor and inconsistent quality, the foundation floor was shallow, and the supporting framework was not adequately calculated, meaning that the load on the foundations was too high. In addition, an apartment

the pressure on other sections of the building, including on normally non-load bearing areas.

In 2004 a report commissioned by the building’s Community Committee investigated cracks

of the internal walls and use of inadequate replacements which ultimately led to the collapse. Experts believe that without the elimination of the walls on the ground floor the whole building would not have fallen in the way it did.

The story continues

had been built onto the roof area which was not included in the original plans.

Yet, both reports point to modifications made to the lower floor of the building in 2001 and 2002 as the main culprit. At that time the ground floor premises were being used by a branch of the Banesto Bank. Remodelling works included the removal of several interior walls, increasing

in the masonry resulting from the works but, according to a spokesman, “There was nothing in the report that suggested serious structural damage”, nor that “it would be necessary to continue monitoring the situation” once repairs had been undertaken.

Banesto closed their office in 2007 and the premises were left empty and uncared for, and “undoubtedly deteriorating”, state the reports.

It wasn’t until the beginning of 2016 that they were once again readied for use, when a company began conversion works in preparation for open-

ing a perfumery. A licence for ‘minor remodelling works’ was apparently applied for, and also rejected by the municipal administration as it was deemed that the proposals actually came under the classification of ‘obra mayor’ – for major reconstructions. Nevertheless, the works went ahead, leading to the tragedy that unfolded shortly after. Those works are not being blamed for the catastrophe, however.

The investigations, whilst citing the poor building standards and the 2016 remodelling as contributory factors, say that it was Banesto’s removal

Referring to the publication of the reports, Arona councillor Luis García said that the investigations were not commissioned “to find who was responsible for the collapse.

That is what the courts are for”. Rather, the administration wanted “to know the reasons it happened so we can prevent it from occurring again.”

The story is far from over, however. The judicial inquiry continues and many of those who were involved on the day or in the aftermath are still suffering from emotional scars. n

A chequered past

Rescue forces worked to the limits of resilience

In a thought-provoking adjunct to the building’s tragic history, on January 27, 1977, the same Banesto premises were the scene of a bomb explosion, thought to have been undertaken by the underground terrorist organisation, the Canarian Independence Movement (Mpaiac). However, the damage was minor, causing mostly broken windows, and is not thought to have any bearing on the later collapse of the edifice.

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Expenses in the spotlight

Continued from front page

The same discrepancies apply to SPET’s total expenditure, which fell to €208,132 during this period – an average of €80,000 less per year compared to the five years under Santos’ reign.

In total, there were 23 credit cards in use by SPET representatives, including the current island president, Carlos Alonso, when he was involved with the department at the time. During the five year period, Alonso charged €23,795 to two cards, a figure significantly less than Santos’ bill.

A spokesperson for the tourism department explained: “Credit cards are necessary because most of these expenses are covered while working abroad, when a fast, secure and international payment method is needed. Also, cash cannot be withdrawn from these cards. In addition, all expenditure has to be pre-approved in the annual action plan and is later audited by government and independent bodies”.

In response, Podemos said: “Nevertheless, this does not explain how serious discrepancies occurred, as in the situation with Santos, compared to the current figures”.

Podemos continues to demand an explanation as to why this politician spent so much during his term in office. In the course of his political career, Santos was always active in tourism. He was particularly involved in the promotion of the island of La Palma, and in Adeje he was behind the creation of the successful ‘Costa Adeje’ brand.

More transparency Tenerife president Carlos Alonso described Santos’ expenses bill as “justified” in an initial statement. He argued that there were many years when Santos was working abroad for up to 200 days of the year, promoting the Islands and attending many meetings. “This work has greatly contributed to the fact that we have record tourism levels right now”, Alonso defended. However, for Podemos, this was not a credible argument, stating: “Without wishing to downplay the good work of the Tenerife tourism department, it is unacceptable to link the current tourism record with the work of one representative. We are all aware that the high levels are mainly because of instability in destinations in other parts of the world right now. We also do not question the fact that credit cards are a practical payment method for those travelling on business and needing to cover expenses; however, we do question the amount amassed by Santos”. Fernando Sabaté argues that this high expenditure occurred at a time when belts n were being tightened due to the economic crisis.

All photos: ©Gerard Zenou 634 173 766

Many residents and visitors in Los Cristianos attended the funeral procession

Credit cards query

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“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.

23.2.2017 – 8.3.2017

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59 people rescued

A daring journey across the sea In mid-February, the Guardia Civil control centre was told that a refugee boat had just left Cabo Bojador on the northern coast of the Western Sahara, and immediately a Sasemar 103 aircraft and Guardamar Talía search and rescue vessel were mobilised.

It was already dark when the wobbly ‘patera’ was spotted from the air, around 163 miles south of Gran Canaria.

In order to give the refugees a sense of security, the cruise ship MSC Barcelona, which was nearby, was sent to the position of their small boat.

It stayed there until the Guardamar Talía arrived at around 11pm and took the passengers on board. In the patera, 47 men, 11 women (one pregnant), and a baby had travelled across the sea. As expected, they were all exhausted but luckily they arrived at the port of Arguineguín in the south of Gran Canaria in good health.

The Spanish marine rescue service does a wonderful job and its teams are constantly

which the most lives are saved.

Around 10,700 immigrants were detected in 2016 as they attempted to reach Spain using routes from Africa, generating record figures for the Spanish peninsula. Most of these came from Guinea, Algeria and the Ivory Coast.

Sea rescue dangers

How great is the desperation of these people to risk their lives crossing the Atlantic in a small boat?

being trained and updated.

They are the people called into action when water sportsmen and fishermen get lost at sea.

They evacuate the sick and injured from cruise liners and

merchant ships, or go to the aid of distressed crews of small yachts or fishing boats, and of course the pateras.

The number of immigrants who reached the Canarian coast fell

by 23 per cent last year from 874 (2015) to 671 (2016), according to the European border control system, Frontex. Nevertheless, it is one of the areas of marine rescue in

One of the most important moments for the rescue services is when they arrive at the fragile boats, which are full of frightened people, and ensure that no panic breaks out and that not everyone tries to get onboard the rescue ship at once. This is to prevent the patera from capsizing, as many of the refugees who are exposed to the forces of the sea in these boats cannot even swim.

Refugees commonly cross the sea during the winter months.

High waves and unpredictable weather surges make crossing the Atlantic at this time of the year even more dangerous. Nevertheless,

desperate people dare to take that chance. Often, in winter, they choose other routes to the peninsula.

On the first day of January alone, 112 people arrived in Málaga in three pateras. On February 15, Moroccan security forces reported that they had saved two people from a capsized boat at Tangier. However, nine people were missing and presumed to have drowned.

The refugees do not always come in search of shelter. An example of this is the 13 people who were caught in Caleta de Famara in Lanzarote on January 1 this year. When two Local Police patrols arrived at the beach, they found the patera deserted. Four men and a woman were caught by the police trying to bury plastic containers containing 120 kilos of hashish in the sand. The officers also found a crate containing a compass, three mobile phones, a telephone directory and a Morocn can passport.

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Battle of Tamasite

Remembering past heroism

Photo: Cabildo Fuerteventura

The first two statues of a planned total of eight were inaugurated in Tuineje, South Fuerteventura, in early February.

They are to recall the Battle of Tamasite, which is so closely connected with the history of the island. The two steel statues were created by the sculptor Amancio González. The first named ‘Y amaneciendo el día’ (And at dawn) was set up in Llano Florido, and the second ‘Ya vienen las compañias’

Photo: Cabildo Fuerteventura

History and tourism

The long shallow beaches made it easy for pirates

(Here come the companies) at the entrance of Tiscamanita.

The next in the series, ‘The camel’ and ‘The book on the beginning of the cantata’, are to follow soon. A walk from statue to statue will give locals and visitors a short trip into the history of the place.

The Battle of Tamasite The middle years of the 18th century were not easy for Fuerteventura, or Erbane as it was then known. It’s diffi-

cult to visualise now looking at the desert-like landscapes that the Island is famous for, but Fuerteventura was once known as the ‘granary’ of the Canaries, exporting their abundant crops to other islands. Drought struck again and again in the mid 18th century, causing terrible financial crises and famine.

Many Majoreros (Fuerteventura inhabitants) were forced to emigrate to other islands in order to survive. The situation was worsened by the ruler in charge of the islands post-con-

quest, who was renowned as a terrible tyrant.

In 1739, Britain declared war on Spain and supported by the Portuguese began attacking Spanish colonies. Often the attacks were carried out by privateers, who were given the ‘right’ to attack another country’s shipping in return for a share in the booty. Fuerteventura with its flat landscape and numerous sandy beaches was an easy target and the spoils were later sold in Madeira. There were no fortifications, no protective

mountains and, of course, no real army.

On October 13, 1740, the Majoreros first came face to face with the British troops who were trying to take the island for the British Crown.

They came ashore at what is now know as Gran Tarajal and headed towards Tuineje. The invaders were equipped with guns, whilst the locals had only sticks and stones and farming implements. A local militia led

by General Sánchez Umpiérrez met them and out of 53 invaders, 33 died. The remainder were taken prisoner.

In a subsequent attack on November 24, which became known as the Battle of Tamasite, the 55 invaders were completely wiped out, the defenders now having the use of the weapons they had taken during the October skirmish and using camels as shields.

It wasn’t until the famous battle off the coast of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, lost by Lord Nelson in 1797, that the facts came to light about the attempted invasions. And it wasn’t until the 19th century that the Spanish kingdom established a strong troop base on the Canaries after losing colonies in America and Asia. Prior to this, the Canarians had campaigned for almost four centuries from their own ranks, often with the simplest means. Their courage and dexterity have often helped them to victory.

The battles and local victories in Fuerteventura are recreated every year during the festival of San Miguel in October, but the statues will help to remind everyone of the courage and ingenuity of the Majoreros of earlier n times all year round.

Isla Bonita Love Festival

La Palma’s plurality party The Isla Bonita Love Festival 2017 will take place on the island of La Palma from July 27 to 29.

The event is a commitment to tolerance and mutual respect and offers activities, mostly in El Paso, including lectures and talks about sexuality from July 1 onwards.

From July 27 to 29, the Los Llanos de Aridane and the Tazacorte communities will be featured. This year, there will be a fashion show for young designers from the Gran Canaria Cálida and Tenerife Moda collectives, as well as the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week from Madrid, in Los Llanos de Aridane.

Also for the first time, a gay cinema festival and various gastronomic events will take place. Tazacorte will be hosting the icing on the cake of the Love Festival: a 12 hour mega musical event, the biggest of this type ever presented in La Palma. With the group Amaral taking part it will definitely put the island on the national and international map.

As preparations began, the director of the festival, Jordi Pérez Camacho, said that: “After only two editions, the Isla Bonita Love Festival has improved so much that it is now time to make it known. This year will be a milestone”.

For the island president Anselmo Pestana it is important to project a cosmopolitan image, saying: “The Isla Bonita Love Festival is an event that conveys a social message of plurality, respect and versatility to the outside world. It will make our island culturally dynamic and turn La Palma into a fun place to visit”.

The only criticism came from the capital Santa Cruz de La Palma, which feels excluded from the festival. Previously there would have been at least some events at the Teatro Marte, but this year the east coast is completely excluded.

However, the important thing to remember is that the event is a charitable project, and under an agreement between the island council and INDISPAL, the entity which encompasses all the social associations in La Palma, the benefits from the Isla Bonita Love Festival will be shared out among all the social collectives on the island, which will use the festival to inform the public of their projects. n

The island presents itself as a cosmopolitan society which believes in plurality and tolerance

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Refugee crisis

La Laguna applies pressure mayor and socialist spokesperson Mónica Martín said she would be in favour of starting a dialogue with all the political parties and independent communities so that Spain could home the refugees according to the capacity available in each area and the needs of the people. Two years ago, the Canaries volunteered to provide free capacity.

On September 22, 2015, a year had passed since the Spanish government agreed to bring asylum seekers into the country as part of an emergency plan. However, the government under the leadership of prime minister Mariano Rajoy doesn't seem to be in a hurry. Marrero said: "It is embarrassing that Europe can-

People rescued from the Atlantic by Spanish emergency services can apply for asylum

The spokeswoman for the Coalición Canaria political party and councillor for social wellbeing and quality of life in La Laguna, Flora Marrero, is backing a motion to urge the Spanish central government to finally act and bring refugees from crisis areas to Spain. To date, little has happened.

According to interior ministry data at the end of last September, despite the commitment made in 2015 to relocate 6,647 refugees from Greece within a two year period, to date Spain has only taken 344, while other countries such as France have taken over 2,000. Spain had agreed to accept 17,337 refugees, partly by redistribution

from another European country or by resettlement from one of the refugee camps. This is a long way from reality, and in the face of the humanitarian crisis and the bad conditions at many refugee camps, more action is required instead of empty words.

Marrero sees it as Spain's duty to host its share of refugees as soon as possible. The deputy

Last year, too many were saved from drowning at the last minute

not push politics to one side to solve this humanitarian crisis, to share out the refugees in a responsible and balanced way.

Even if we all worked together and each took a relatively small number of refugees, it would help."

Together with other Canarian colleagues she calls for deeds n instead of words.

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Strange bedfellows

Booming tourism with rising poverty Whilst tourism continues to peak in the Canaries with almost 15 million visitors last year, producing around €16.5 million for the local economy, the Canaries continue to be in the top five of poverty stricken regions in Spain.

In the last quarter, the hotel sector has apparently created 5,492 new jobs in the Islands and as of the end of 2016, the island statistics service (Istac) registered a total of 65,176 employees in hotels and tourism related apartment facilities.

Year on year comparisons show an employment increase of more than nine per cent, however, the Canaries appear in the national statistics (INE) among the poorest provinces in the country with 28.5 per cent of the population living in poverty.

The situation is even worse in Andalusia (35.7 per cent), Murcia (31.8 per cent) and Extremadura (29 per cent) and Castilla-La Mancha is at the same 28.5 per cent level as the Canaries. Despite the tourism boom here, the number of families who experience extreme financial difficulty in reaching the end of the month almost doubled last year, from 19.5 per cent to 34.5 per cent of households. In the same way, 67.7 per cent of the population claim that they are not in a position to be able to cover unforeseen expenses – the national average is 39.4 per cent.

The economic crisis can no longer be blamed and in view

Too many families struggle to pay the bills each month

of the booming tourism business, the situation would seem to be incomprehensible.

Structural change Guillermo Fernández is a member of the Spanish Caritas Committee, a charity linked

to the Catholic Church. He claims that the reasons for the poverty levels aren’t the economic activity but the economic structure in the Islands.

"All the Spanish provinces evolved over the last 40 years, but then they came to a standstill. Particularly in the case

of the Canaries, it’s one-sided development. Most of the jobs in the Islands are in the hotel industry, gastronomy and in the field of tourism and leisure. All the eggs are in the same basket and, in addition, in a basket which is known for low wages", Fernández told the

Canarian daily newspaper Diario de Avisos.

Tourism is a business which depends not only on the holidaymakers’ preferences but also on the seasons. In workrelated, tourism-dependent areas like the Canaries, it isn’t unusual to find all the mem-

bers of a family unemployed at the same time. Poorly paid and low-skilled employees pay less taxes, which means the public purse coins in less euros and has less to spread around.

Curiously, in the Canaries there is another factor. Whether rich or poor, we are all below the

national average, the poor are poorer and the rich are less rich. According to Fernández: “There is a social class in the Canaries that is much poorer than in the rest of Spain. The solution of the central government to create temporary and unsafe employment contracts is a deficient emergency solution. What was meant as a transitional solution has become an established economic mode.

The situation is similar in Germany, where these ‘mini-jobs’ have come to stay. It wasn’t the original intention, because this model doesn’t solve the problem of unemployment or poverty", says Fernández.

In the Canaries, many people were ‘let go’ at the beginning of the crisis. Now, new hiring is progressing, but much slower.

"At the moment we have a generation which is educated to a level as never before, but with the worst quality work”, Fernández insists. The entire socioeconomic model must, in his opinion, be rethought and restructured. The most important thing is the diversification of the economy, which creates jobs in different areas that are not related to tourism and working conditions that require more skills, but also pay better.

Possible approaches ZEC's (Special Canarian Economic Zone) tax incentives and the tricontinental situation are designed to attract international corporations from a variety of sectors to establish themselves in the Islands.

Two business parks with office buildings and residential areas for employees are planned on the outskirts of Santa Cruz and La Laguna. Medicine, agriculture, computer science, film industry and renewable energies are only a few of the areas that could be of interest for foreign companies to set up here.

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Further education is the key

Young graduate students would then have the opportunity to gain work experience in their home country without having to leave the Islands.

Canarian industry is also enjoying good results, for the first time since 2011, production overall rose on average last year around one per cent and the signs for 2017 are positive.

Around 73 per cent of local entrepreneurs believe they will maintain their sales volume this year and possibly even increase it. A total of 1,417 new jobs were created last year in these fields. Santiago Sesé, President of the Chamber of Commerce, emphasises the importance of industrial and energy companies for the archipelago, which currently

account for eight per cent of gross domestic product. "This sector is strategically important in order to create a sustainable and stable economic situation where skilled workers are in demand”, says Sesé. He sees a great potential in the area of energy production, including alternative energies and in the area of food, waste disposal as well as in the construction industry through renovation of existing hotels and houses.

Internationalisation It isn’t enough to be in a great geographical situation between the three continents of Europe, Africa and America. The University of La Laguna has decided that

Photo: Escuela de Idiomas

23.2.2017 – 8.3.2017

Private classes supplement poor public school language education

a crash plan for the introduction of languages is necessary.

"Bilingualism is no longer an option today, but a necessity.

In Europe, every teenager can speak three languages and we

still have to learn English. We have to do everything we can to change that quickly. Internationalisation is an absolute priority", says the president of the Social Council at

the University of La Laguna, Raimundo Baroja. Immediate suggestions include bilingual courses with native speakers, Erasmus student exchanges, and the possibility to learn foreign languages in specific courses are envisaged. Foreign teachers are to be offered a sabbatical year to teach their language in the Canaries. In addition, private companies are to invest more in the university through patronage and to participate more in course development, etc.

With economically diverse development and more people with well-paid jobs, the Canaries will be boosted out of the poorhouse. However, it takes time to turn theory into n reality. Let's go for it!

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Deadly brawl

British attacker released on conditional bail A man who was arrested in early February for killing a fellow Briton during a brawl in a Puerto de Santiago hotel bar was initially remanded in custody by the Arona court number two, pending trial, but was later released on conditional bail.

The partner of the 27 year old suspect was also freed with charges for her part in the attack. The man is accused of killing 36 year old Daryl Bhandal.

On February 10, Daryl, a father of two young children, arrived with his partner in Tenerife to celebrate his 36th birthday.

They were staying at a hotel in Puerto Santiago. On that fateful evening, Daryl was at the bar, in a drunken state, arguing with the suspect.

Daryl was a strong man who had a passion for bodybuilding. During the course of the brawl, which became verbal and later physical, the suspect’s partner attacked Daryl

with a plastic triangle of the type used by hotel cleaners to warn guests of wet floors.

She hit Daryl so hard that he fell to the floor. According to police, the couple then went to their hotel room.

There the man realised that Daryl had injured his lip with a bite or a blow. In a rage, he returned to the bar and began to kick the body and head of the half-conscious man who was still lying on the floor. A little later the police arrived.

First of all, both men were taken to hospital for medical treatment. While the suspect was able to return to the hotel a little later, Daryl died at 3am on Sunday morning at Hospiten Sur in Playa de Las Américas. The amount of alcohol he had consumed combined with his injuries had led to a heart attack.

His body was transferred to Santa Cruz for autopsy. When the police heard about Dar-

Daryl spent a lot of time at the gym. He leaves behind a partner and two young children

yl's death, they went to the hotel to arrest the couple but they had left. They were later found by Local Police officers from Santiago del Teide and Guardia Civil officers based in Playa San Juan. The young couple were arrested and most likely face a long prison sentence for their parts in the killing.

Daryl from Woolwich in London had arrived on the island to celebrate his birthday but sadly and needlessly lost his life. The mayor of Santiago del Teide, Emilio Navarro, and the sub-delegate for the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Guillermo Díaz Guerra, both regretted the tragedy. At the same time, they praised the police officers involved for their quick and prudent actions, firstly with regard to the initial care of the injured man, and later to the fast and efficient investin gation and arrests.

Risky seas

Photo: Cabildo de Lanzarote

Survival kits for La Graciosa beaches

In an emergency, throwing a life ring to a stranded swimmer can save their life

The small island of La Graciosa just to the north of Lanzarote is an idyllic islet enjoyed by numerous locals and holidaymakers who visit for a relaxing break or day trip.

There are approximately 700 inhabitants and motor vehicles are prohibited while roads are unpaved sand. However, despite its sleepy interior, the surrounding ocean is often stormy and there are several dangerous areas for bathers where the beaches are not always as harmless as they first appear. For this reason, beach safety kits have

been placed in 10 hot spots which are considered dangerous due to difficult access or where high waves often occur.

Life rings are included in the kits for eyewitnesses to throw to a swimmer in danger until emergency services arrive with the instruction that under no circumstances should a third party put themselves in harm’s way to help another.

Beach safety kits have been set up on the Playa de Las Conchas (two points), Playa del Ámbar, Pedro Barba, Baja del Ganado, Baja del Corral, Playa de La Cocina, Playa de Franceses,

Playa del Salao, and Playa del Barranco de Los Conejos.

The safety measures were supported by the KrogagerFonden Foundation headed by Rune Søren Eilif Knude and associated with the Club La Santa.

Lanzarote councillor for security, Echedey Eugenio, has already overseen a similar project where survival kits were placed at several risky beach areas in Lanzarote: Yaiza, Tinajo and Teguise.

The identified hot spots were decided in consultation with fisherman, rescue services as well as local beach goers. n

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Water treatment

From our homes to the fields The Gran Canaria island council is studying a system to convert waste water produced in homes into water appropriate for agricultural purposes.

The ‘Adaptares’ research project is led by the Canarian Technology Institute (ITC) and co-financed by the European Interreg MAC programme. The council is also contributing €60,000 via the island’s water board.

The project deals with the treatment of waste water generated by households and involves filtering and disinfecting to make it usable for agricultural purposes. The water is filtered through soil and stones of different sizes and channelled to an underground container.

With the use of conventional salt and a small electrical current which can be generated by a solar cell, the water is disinfected and can then be used for the irrigation of fields and plantations. With its easy application and low energy costs, this project could be especially beneficial to the less developed countries of Macaronesia, which do not produce good water and generally have low water resources.

The results of this experimental project are expected by the year 2020 before deciding on its long term applications. n

Waste water from households can easily be regenerated for agricultural use

Tel.:

+34 922 388 255 +34 627 777 260

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First offspring

Loro Parque welcomes zebra sharks For years, the zebra sharks (Stegostoma fasciatum), Marilyn and Elvis, have lived with another couple at Loro Parque in the north of Tenerife where there have never been any new members of the family: that was until October last year when Udra was born at the park.

It was a wonderful success for the team at the Aquarium who performed an egg caesarean to ensure that the baby shark could be born without problem. Then, this year on January 18, Anton slipped out of his egg by himself and is now 24 centimetres long and weighs 67 grams. The caregivers feed the offspring daily with crawfish, mussels, hake and squid. Anton consumes about four per cent of his body weight every day, and his sister Udra thrives just as splendidly.

www.steinert-invest.com info@steinert-invest.com FANTASTIC OFFER! Studios, apartments with one or two bedrooms - two bathrooms, terraces with sea view, in prime position.

Bajamar municipally La Laguna on the north-eastern coast of Tenerife! Only 700m that separate it from the beach. Spectacular view of the Teide and / or the beach. 10 minutes to the airport north, Santa Cruz or La Laguna.

Prices: 70.000€ to 120.000€ Contact us to arrange a visit.

C/ Pitera, Edf. Ikarus, Local B-25, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, La Paz

A fascinating little creature: the zebra shark which can grow to three metres long

Zebra sharks can grow to a length of three metres and they have a creamy coloured body with black spots which allows them to pass by unnoticed when they are on the sandy seabed. They live mostly at depths of between five and 30 metres, up to a maximum of 60 metres. They live mainly in coral reefs and move slowly.

They can squeeze themselves into small spaces in search of

food, and even chase their prey into places from where escape is impossible.

Each year, 100 million sharks are killed by fishing and 11 species are threatened by extinction. Those most at risk include the angel shark, which has one of its last refuges in the Canaries, and the hammerhead shark. The protection of both species is supported by

the Loro Parque Foundation through various projects.

The breeding success of the zebra sharks is also important in this sense: the more man knows about optimal reproduction conditions, the better he can help maintain the species.

Loro Parque sees itself as an ambassador for shark species, in particular those which are n endangered.

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Keep a lookout

Criminals take advantage of the Canaries the holidaymakers in order to observe, and if necessary to intervene. In the last few months, they have identified nearly 50 people who are suspected of being pickpockets. In

sonate policemen, showing a badge, and ask the tourists to hand over their purses and wallets, supposedly to examine them for possible drugs.

Then they take only some of

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Groups of criminals, mostly East Europeans, have diversified their range of tricks to enable them to steal in any part of the island.

They have the knack of separating purses and wallets from holidaymakers, and the ruse of pretending to be a deaf-mute or a handicapped person in a wheelchair is on the rise.

This is not a new message and neither is it limited to Tenerife or the rest of the Canaries, but you cannot be warned enough at the moment. Critics prefer to hide the problem but the question should be how to address the problem. The Local and National Police, as well as the Guardia Civil, know that between October and April criminal gangs, mostly from Romania, move their working place from European coasts to the Canaries. They operate mainly in tourist centres, markets, in front of hotels, at viewpoints or at events, in fact anywhere where they can get lost in a crowd or distract an unwitting tourist easily.

The phenomenon is known and yet it is very difficult to stop.

A police officer who recently worked in Garachico in plain clothes commented: "The groups of perpetrators are well organised, they always think of new networks, and above all evidence is difficult to find. If they are not caught red handed, it is hardly ever possible to prove the theft. They only keep the cash and usually throw the rest away. If we see and identify any of them today, by tomorrow they will be working in a different place where they are not yet known to our colleagues. They move from Arona to Puerto de La Cruz, from Garachico to La Laguna or elsewhere."

The plain clothes officers move inconspicuously among

Caution is advisable, particularly in the well-known tourist areas Cases of prostitutes stealing from solitary holidaymakers are on the rise

noticed five people who have a wheelchair. They were always looking for elderly or middleaged victims, in front of whom they stumbled and fell. If the tourists tried to help, they became the victims of a very speedy theft. Several incidents of this kind have been reported by various police forces.

A new way of making money Garachico they usually operate during the lunchtime period of 12pm to 4pm. Before that, during the morning, they had often already visited the centre of Icod de Los Vinos. The majority are young people, but there are also 40 to 50 year olds who belong to the gang.

They also know that whoever stands out today is already in a different place tomorrow.

At the police’s expense The police in Playa de Las Américas warn against professionals who have developed a particularly perfidious method of stealing money from the holidaymakers. They imper-

the banknotes in a lightning fast move. If the victim has €500 for example, they will only steal €300. The victim is unlikely to notice immediately that some money is missing.

It is striking that the alleged perpetrators are even so bold as to show their faces and not to just wait for a quick grab.

The same type of method is used at the expense of the handicapped. The pickpockets carry false documents and papers as deaf or disabled people who pretend to collect signatures on behalf of handicapped groups. While the victims are engaged in a conversation, their money is taken.

The Guardia Civil has recently

Nocturnal drug trafficking at Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje and prostitutes who readily steal have also been witnessed recently. Víctor Sánchez who represents the Entrepreneurs Association of Playa de Las Américas and Costa Adeje (Aepaca) said that they have noted a lack of police presence at night, especially after midnight. Some prostitutes, especially women from the Western Sahara, have, in his opinion, devised a new, profitable method to get quick money.

They target solitary men, who are seen leaving a bar or using a cash dispenser at night, often drunk, and are on their way home. As they approach the vic-

tim and offer him their services, they steal his money in a quick attack. They keep the cash and get rid of the wallet. Only those who are caught red handed can be held accountable.

Sánchez added: "We need more policing to tackle this situation. Perhaps we cannot prevent everything, but police presence alone disturbs their practices. We have been able to establish a direct link between police presence and a decline in criminal activities, especially after midnight in the problem areas. The problem with keeping this going is that the National Police is often short staffed."

Jorge Marichal, President of the Hotels Association for Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro (Ashotel), also calls for greater police presence. Until a few years ago this kind of criminal activity was predominantly centred in Playa de Las Américas on the Avenida Llanos de Troya and the Las Verónicas commercial centre in the Avenida Rafael Puig. Now it has spread to adjacent streets and the Avenida Arquitecto Gómez Cuesta. The radius of the area involved is getting bigger and these thefts have become an important additional source of income for them. Marichal

emphasised: "Nevertheless, we are a safe holiday destination.

Anyone who avoids the dangerous areas has nothing to fear."

But he also calls for more policing and better public awareness. This has just happened in the hotel sector. Until a few years ago, organised gangs were happy to hit while the tourists stood in front of the hotels or in the lobby waiting to check in or check out. Bags or suitcases disappeared like lightning. Since hotel staff, in co-operation with the National Police, has been trained with regard to the procedure and noticing suspicious behaviour, this form of theft has diminished noticeably.

All this can help to make the thieves' lives as difficult as possible. Above all, the possible victims, holidaymakers themselves, need to be on the lookout. This means not leaving any valuables in the car and not carrying all your cash with you at once. Especially with regards to the upcoming carnival where the following applies: take only the most necessary things with you and be mindful while you enjoy the fun.

Canary Islands Government delegate Guillermo Díaz Guerra admitted for the first time that such criminal gangs exist and that their activities are regarded as seasonal. According to officials, the organised gangs arrive predominantly from Romania and Bulgaria.

Their preferred locations on the island are the Orotava Valley in North Tenerife and Costa Adeje in the south.

Presently, Romanian and French police departments, which are well acquainted with the criminals’ practices, are working closely with the National Police to monitor the n situation.

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PROMOTION

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 790

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tions of the valuable omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids and, out of all plants thus far researched, the highest concentration of chlorophyll, as well as the miracle substances zeatin and salvestrols, nature’s response to cancer.

When one thinks that, on average, the plant hormone zeatin, which is present in Moringa, increases the effectiveness of nutrients six fold, ensuring that cells ‘open their doors’ to nutrients wherever they need them, and in view of widespread nutrient deficiency, Moringa’s ORAC value - the measurement of its antioxidative potential is beyond comparison. Antioxi-

dants eliminate aggressive oxygen compounds, the so-called free radicals, which are responsible for degenerative diseases and premature aging.

A superlative plant

Moringa is a plant of superlatives, and the most vitaminrich plant on Earth.

Eating Moringa regularly means an end to worries over an optimal supply of nutrients.

This plant contains more than 90 nutrients that are important to one’s health, in a natural compound, with synergistic effects, and therefore provides the best bio-availability. The powdered leaves of organic Moringa contain twice as much high quality protein as soya, seven times as much vitamin C as oranges, four times

In memoriam

Remembering Susan

Moringa’s antioxidative potential is beyond comparison Owner of the Finca Moringa Suerte, Martin Thiele Horses are also kept at the Finca Moringa Suerte

In loving memory of wife, mum and sister, Susan Duddy, who passed away on March 2, 2012.

“Death is a heartache no one can heal; memories are something no one can steal”.

Loved and missed always, Michael, Mikey, and sister Linda.

Susan Duddy – forever loved

as much vitamin A as carrots, 17 times as much calcium as milk, 25 times as much iron as spinach,15 times as much potassium as bananas, seven times as much vitamin B1 and B2 as yeast, six times as much polyphenol as red wine, four times as much folic acid as beef liver, four times as much vitamin E as wheat germ, twice as much magnesium as brown millet, an ideal amino acid profile, and twice as much fibre

You are invited to

Sunday 10am and Wednesday 7pm

Shopping Center Salytien Av. Rafael Puig Lluvina 37 www.clifchurch.org Pastor Mark 637 321 453

as many whole-wheat products. Moringa also holds 26 anti-inflammatory substances, 46 antioxidants, high propor-

Moringa • How can I get Moringa?

• Can I order it here in Tenerife?

• Where can I find more information?

You can receive more info by contacting Martin Thiele at Moringa Suerte: Email: suertefit@yahoo.com Tel: +34 664 084 344 / 822 n 683 676

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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 057

Indispal

The voice of La Palma production and sale activities is much wider and includes the ubiquitous ‘mojo palmero’; honey; liqueurs; loom weaving and woven goods; dried goods such as flowers; peppers; garden maintenance; path and plot clearing; and horticulture, to name but a few.

This is just a quick resumé of a

Photo: Indispal

Photo: Cabildo de La Palma

guidance of a workshop monitor and a manager. Just 12 years down the line and there were 14 operators, an admin worker, two workshop monitors, a social worker and a manager.

When this centre first opened, its only activity was the production and sale of locally grown tobacco. Today’s range of work,

Indispal staff, students and workers at an anniversary event

The island of La Palma boasts both an extremely good music school and an organisation called La Plataforma Palmera de Atención Integral a la Discapacidad, better known as Indispal, whose function is to offer integrated support to islanders in need.

Indispal was founded in July 2002 with the objective of ‘fighting to improve the quality of life of physically and intellectually incapacitated persons and their families’.

Today’s Indispal consists of 14 different entities which, in different ways, attend to the needs of more than 600 island families.

Among the many projects organised, respite care and public support are of special

Mila Martín (centre) The music school on the Plaza de San Francisco in Santa Cruz de La Palma

note, but the list of Indispal’s activities, services and collaborative ventures is long and includes the Breña Alta, Garehagua, La Tisera and Taburiente Occupational Centres; the Association for Families of the Mentally Ill of La Palma, AFEM; the Association of Special Children of La Palma, NEP; Infosida; and a Special Employment Centre called Destiladera SL, of which more below.

Destiladera SL comes under the auspices of the Villa de Breña Alta borough council and was created in 1998 to offer employment for five incapacitated operators, under the

Photo: Escuela de Música Insular

By Barbara Belt

short but intense story that has united the efforts of incapacitated persons, support workers, local authorities, public and private entities and townspeople who, without self-interest, work and collaborate to develop social and employment opportunities on the island for everyone.

Indispal manages to prove that small enterprises can achieve big success, as is the case with the other island institution involved in this update from ‘La Isla Bonita’: the music school.

Island capital Santa Cruz de La Palma was the scene of a recent ceremony, when island councillor for health, education and handicrafts (nice combination), Susana Machín, presented over €1,200 to Indispal director Lourdes Medina at the Escuela Insular de Música. Also present were

Cristina González and Santiago González, representing the island music school.

The money was collected from donations made just before Christmas, at a concert to mark the presentation

Los Llanos de Aridane and San Andrés y Sauces, and two outreach centres at Puntallana and Puntagorda. The music teachers move between centres to ensure accessibility for everyone. Their mission is to “offer

the chance to flourish in areas that are not so readily available, without paying for private lessons, elsewhere.

All islands have either island or municipal music schools.

These are generally very low

Municipal de Valle Gran Rey here in La Gomera when it started and learned ballet, modern dance and the violin with her group of friends. It was an important part of their lives and the discipline of practicing

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The latest album recorded by La Palma’s music school is titled Azulao and is the second by the school’s 50-strong choir. It features a compilation of pieces, from the range of musical styles included in

the album, including Blanca Quevedo on piano, Juan Carlos Pérez Brito on bass and Pepetoni Tamarit on drums, together with pupil Christian Plasencia on electric guitar.

Much praise was given to singing teacher Rosina Herrera’s hard work in preparing her pupils and the work of violin teacher Francisco Afonso and guitar teacher Juan Carlos Pérez Brito, whose arrangements made the pieces chosen accessible to their young pupils.

Without all the hard work, professionalism and dedication on the part of the teachers and music school director

Photo: Cabildo de La Palma

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 790

Susana Machín presented Indispal director Lourdes Medina with a cheque La Destiladera’s own bees make the honey it sells

The Taburiente Occupational Centre works with Indispal

of a new recording made by younger pupils of the island music school’s choir. Susana Machín stressed the importance of this collaboration between the Escuela Insular de Música and Indispal, which dates back over five years and has included music therapy courses and other joint ventures.

The island music school was founded in 1995 by the La Palma island council and has its HQ in the capital’s Plaza de San Francisco, as well as two other principal centres at

music as a global process with an organic focus, always keeping in mind the relationship between music and life”.

Although no official qualifications are awarded by this, or any other, public island music school, pupils who show promise and wish to pursue music as a career are prepared for further studies via entrance tests at provincial music conservatories.

Living in the Canaries is attractive to parents interested in their children having

cost, if not free, and offer the opportunity to anyone interested, regardless of age or experience, to learn a musical instrument. An important part of that is the ‘solfeo’ class, where pupils are taught to understand and read musical notation. Often, depending on the size of the school, modern or classical dance, or music and movement, classes are on offer and most music schools have at least one choir.

My youngest daughter was lucky to coincide with the Escuela

and preparing for concerts was great. Then, for a good few years after that, I shared my workspace with the music school and loved doing so. The excitement and enthusiasm, not to mention noise, of lots of kids having fun and eventually managing to play well, made for my best ever work place when they rattled down the stairs with their instruments to their English classes.

Photo: Merdal CC A-S A 3.0 UL

Photo: Cabildo de La Palma

23.2.2017 – 8.3.2017

the choir’s repertoire over the last few years, ranging from John Lennon’s Imagine to Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.

Music school teachers play on

Mila Martín, as well as the enthusiasm and natural talent of the choir, there would have been no disc or donan tion to Indispal.

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Promotion

On your bike with Bikronos Tenerife is a magnet for cyclists.

Not so much for commuter riders as has become the vogue in so many European cities, but rather for the sports-orientated cyclists who are based here or come over in groups to train and enjoy the challenging and beautiful terrain. Just a few weeks ago, the island played host to Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador Velasco, as it does with so many top international cyclists every year.

The astute founders of Bikronos, the cyclists’ paradise in the south of the island, caught on to this trend early and a lit-

However, it wasn’t big enough for their massive clientele and they have moved a few hundred metres next to Intersport, where they now have a sales area in excess of 1,000 square metres to better display their amazing selection of over 300 cycles! They have added the Specialized brand to their ticket, which means that with both leading Spanish brands, virtually all your bicycle wishes can be fulfilled in a one-stop shop!

If you’ve never been to this store, you will be blown away by the space, size and choice on offer. Whatever your cycling

Bikronos has a sales area in excess of 1,000 square metres Bikronos’ store in Las Chafiras has an amazing selection of over 300 bicycles Bikronos stocks top brands such as Scott and Specialized

ics are all cyclists themselves, which gives them a special understanding of your needs.

They repair everything that has two wheels, whatever the brand or provenance. If you are looking for a bicycle repair shop and talented, dedicated care for your bike, then Bikronos is the best solution.

Spares and supplements

tle over two and a half years ago they opened their amazing store in Las Chafiras. The showroom-space was over 600 square metres and they showcased over 200 models of bikes, including the Scott brand, for which they are the exclusive representatives in the Islands.

Bikronos Avda. Islas Canarias Las Chafiras · Tenerife Tel: 922 736 772 Email: info@bikronos.com Website: www.bikronos.com Opening hours: Mon to Fri, 9.30am to 1.30pm and 4.30pm to 8.30pm; Sat, 10am to 2.30pm

needs, they can be catered for! Shopping? ‘Walking’ the dog? Quality time with the kids? Keep fit, racing, trekking, mountain biking? Any colour, any frame size, men, women and children, they can fit you to the right bike. Whatever your needs, you’ll find it

at Bikronos, including a wide range of electric bikes for those who aren’t as fit as they were - or would like to be.

The service doesn’t stop at the sale – a part of the shop is dedicated to a workshop with a complete maintenance and repair service. The mechan-

In addition to in-house service and new bikes, the Bikronos store offers numerous accessories, spare parts, tyres and technical accessories. Mileage indicators, repair kits, pumps, helmets (which by law in Spain have to be worn on inter-borough roads), wheels, sports’ shoes, sunglasses, gloves, socks, wind/rain jackets, saddle bags, drink bottles/holders, etc. It’s a truly massive selection with quality top brands like Garmin, Shimano, Syncros and Thule.

Bikronos has developed a great reputation on the cycling scene since it opened. Don’t be a stranger, because they have staff who are skilled in English, Spanish, German and Italian!

At Bikronos they live the fascination of cycling and impart it to each and every one of their customers. Get down there and check it out. Your next dream machine could well be a Scott or a Specialized!

We are so lucky in the Canaries, our ‘cycling season’ is 12 months of the year; however, there are deals to be had in spring to satisfy your cycling desires.

Bikronos can be found in Las Chafiras (San Miguel), north of the TF1 motorway, on the road to Lidl, right next to n Intersport.

Promotion

A Knight to remember

By Dream Excursions Tenerife Galloping back to a time of kings, castles and swashbuckling swords, the Castillo San Miguel lowers its draw-bridge for everyone to experience a knight to remember!

As soon as you set eyes upon this magnificent castle, the desire to see inside quickly becomes the need to see inside. With the knights mounted and standing guard for all who enter, you are quickly transported back to medieval times. Making your way through the grand entrance around the great hall, you are given your crown and your knight’s colour. Before entering the grand arena, you are met by the count and countess and welcomed into their castle for the evening.

Once seated, the show opens with a blazing display of fire and skill, leaving you mesmerised as you’re served your medieval banquet.

In true medieval fashion, cutlery is available only on request as you drink your soup and rip into a whole chicken while quaffing from a chalice. The crowd begins to cheer as the knights gallop into the arena demonstrating their impressive skills and horsemanship. The atmosphere is electric as they face off against each other in a high speed jousting tournament of marksmanship, before dismounting and duelling to the death!

This excursion is a fantastic evening for audiences of all ages, often on their feet cheering for their knight to be victorious. One special little boy was especially enthralled recently. Thanks to Dream Excursions Tenerife and the amazing staff at Castillo San Miguel, three year old Jack Chamberlain had his birthday wish come true: to ride with his knight.

Trotting over on horseback to where the birthday boy stood in awe of his hero, the knight slowly lifted Jack to join him. The child’s mother, Sarah Chamberlain, said: “All through the show he was cheering and screaming for his knight to win but when he actually came up and held out his arms, the look on his face brought a tear to my eye. I can’t thank them enough”.

The best things in life are always the people you love, the places you’ve visited and the memories you’ve made along the way. Dream Excursions Tenerife, located on the corner of Palm Beach Las Américas, is here to help make those dreams come true. Visit us, seven days a week, 10am to 9.30pm. For further information, go to: www.dreamtenerife. com/eveningshows/medieval-adventure. n

Jack Chamberlain recently had his birthday wish come true

Medieval Adventure, Castillo San Miguel in South Tenerife

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Great results in the north

More tourists for Puerto de La Cruz The efforts of the Puerto de La Cruz tourism department, led

by Dimple Melwani, in coordination with the Consorcio de Rehabilitación and Turismo de Tenerife, are bearing fruit according to recent figures.

By November 2016, Puerto de La Cruz had hosted 811,104 holidaymakers. This figure, which is 15.5 per cent more than the same period of the previous year, has made Puerto de La Cruz one of the destinations in Tenerife to record the biggest improvement last year.

Hotel room prices increased by 18 per cent between June and September, reaching an average of €50.70, a level that has not been seen since 2010. The numbers for official holiday apartments have also improved. They recorded an annual increase of more than 19 per cent, or 34,844 more clients in the first 11 months of the year, compared with the same period from the previous year.

Staged walk

The historic old town of La Orotava is a place that already exudes a certain magic.

What have these ancient walls seen? What horrors, what battles, what dramas, and what love stories? The German actress Antonia Jaster, with her Jaster & Luis Ensemble, offers a small look behind the façades and the

The good economic situation in the region has also been felt by the population, with 9.6 per cent more jobs in the region.

Dimple Melwani and her team continue to make an effort to open up new customer circles and, for example, to strive for cultural enthusiasts.

The largest part of the holiday market in the northern metropolis is still occupied by holidaymakers from the Spanish peninsula. With 378,324 guests in the first 11 months of last year, they account for 46 per cent of the total. A little less than a quarter (23.9 per cent)

of the tourists came from Germany, with a total of 194,009 holidaymakers spending their holidays in Puerto de La Cruz.

With 75,476 tourists, the British represent only 9.3 per cent of the total. In addition, there were 19,497 Finnish and 18,071 French guests.

While tourists from the eastern countries only account for 1.8 per cent of the total, there was an increase of more than 70 per cent in arrivals last year.

The mild climate, especially in winter, the nature and the cultural calendar are of interest to the more mature holidaymaker.

But there are also more attrac-

The new image: Puerto de La Cruz will appeal to the young as well as the mature holidaymaker

tions for the younger generation in the north, for example, especially sporting activities such as surfing, bodyboarding, mountain biking, paragliding, diving and hiking.

Delwani took advantage of the good results to thank hoteliers for the continuous renovations and improvements they have n made.

The popular beach promenade in San Telmo

The tourism councillor said that her department would continue to work on repositioning Puerto on the national and international holiday market.

A place called La Orotava exciting stories of the small town. It shows the visitor the charm of La Orotava in a very special way.

English language performances are by request only.

In the case of bad weather a warm jacket or an umbrella is recommended. Those taking part should wear good, sturdy shoes in any case.

Registration is required in advance for this tour, which starts at the town hall, and you have until March 7 to make your booking. The fee is €20 per person. You can sign up at the Tourist Office in La Orotava by calling: 922 323 041, or by sending an email to: jasterluis@gmail.com, Monday to n Friday, 8am to 6pm.

The Jaster & Luis Ensemble offers a small look behind the façades of La Orotava

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Dr. Saffiedine

Eye doctor in the south of Tenerife

Dr. Saffiedine runs a private practice in the south of Tenerife

Eyes are often referred to as the window of the soul but they are much more than that, actually providing a window through which many signs of the health of the whole body can be seen, and 33 years of clinical ophthalmological experience have confirmed this belief to Dr. Saffiedine.

The eyes are connected to the brain through uncounted nerve fibres and thus reflect several brain states. Also, observing eye blood vessels allows the health of the general blood vessels to be evaluated. It is, in fact, the only part of the body where this evaluation can be done. On the other hand, many diseases may show signs in the eyes. Arterial hypertension, diabetes, joint and bowel conditions, and many infectious diseases are amongst the ones most encountered in daily ophthalmological practice.

Most people visit an ophthalmologist due to a reduction in their vision. As well as regulating vision by optical means such as a pair of glasses or contact lenses, or offering advice on laser assisted refractive sur-

If further in-depth investigations are recommended, Dr Saffiedine explains plainly to the patient the reasons for needing them, the nature of the investigation as well as any resulting additional costs. Further examinations will not be performed unless they have been explicitly accepted by the patient. Patients are supplied with explicative documents in English, German, Spanish, French, Dutch or Italian.

Dr. Saffiedine began his specialisation in ophthalmology in 1984. He worked in a private practice in Brussels from

The pleasing interior provides a comfortable atmosphere for visitors

are pleasantly designed and have a welcoming atmosphere.

Patients are treated with individual care and as much time as needed is taken for each person. There’s no rush or being made to feel you are wasting a medic’s time. The fees are also very reasonable.

For further information visit: www.drsaffiedine.com. n The OCT device gives the specialist important information about the condition of the eye

gical procedures, Dr. Saffiedine carries out numerous tests to examine the general state of the eyes and their connection with the patient’s health. His clinic is equipped with stateof-the-art technical equipment, including the latest generation OCT device.

1989 onwards. Since the end of 2011, he has run a private practice in Playa de Las Américas in the south of Tenerife and has already received more than 6,000 consultations.

You feel comfortable when visiting his clinic. Rather than cold white walls, the rooms

Dr. SAFFIEDINE Playa de Las Américas C/ Luis Díaz de Losada, 5 Tenerife Royal Gardens D6-D7-D8 Tel: 922 791 530 or 677 136 700 Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 12.30pm.

23.2.2017 – 8.3.2017

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 790

By

our dog Rusty three times a day even when he could hardly see, until about three years ago.

Although he wasn’t widely known by many people in recent years due to his illnesses, he will be remembered for his great sense of humour.

DO MORE THAN HOPE FOR THE BEST

902 886 226

www.todocancer.org

17

a successful career and living her dream.

I think she is an inspiration to other women but especially to little girls: don’t give up your dreams. Somehow or other you can make it happen.

So you can imagine the fun Dee, Tracy and I had at Antonio’s restaurant that day. Neither of them looked any older and, as we said goodbye, planning to meet up again soon, I decided to go on a diet.

ing of strawberry and cream cake, and with our coffee, real Turkish Delight with all the lovely icing sugar. I dropped the clanger.

It was Tony’s turn to cook the following Saturday, so when he stopped laughing and spluttering all over the sofa, he asked if he should just make a salad.

With a haughty look I said “No, thank you. I won’t even be eating salad. I’m going to be really strict for a whole month. I’m going on the Egg Diet”.

They both looked at me as if I’d gone mad. “You can’t eat just eggs for a month, you’ll be ill”.

“I can and I will”, I replied, stubbornly.

“Boiled, scrambled... surely not fried?”

I looked at them both and began to laugh. “Oh don’t be silly, Cadbury’s cream eggs!”

They really should have known better.

Until next time, take care of yourselves, and especially of each other. Write to me at: katykennedydj@yahoo.co.uk, or give me a call on: +34 616 n 110 930.

Hi everyone,

He was extremely proud of his son Ray, who is an entertainer and compère appearing as Ray King and who misses his father so much.

Best wishes, Val Simpson.

The lovely Dave Simpson who passed away on New Year’s Eve. He will be sorely missed

Thank you for your letter Val. I know how difficult these past few weeks have been for you and your son, and I know Ray will be greatly missed by his close family and everyone whose lives he touched.

Duerma bien, Ray.

Dee and Tracy Join us and combat cancer

Dear Katy, My husband Dave passed away on 31.12.16 at the age of 78 after nine months illness during which he was looked after in Hospiten Sur, the Green Clinic. He had many interests but his chief love was tenpin bowling. He was very popular and played in the leagues at Harleys Bowl from 2001 to 2011. He latterly bowled with his great friend Ron and sometimes with Ron’s wife Maureen.

They won doubles trophies as Pinseekers and DaveRon. He loved his bowling and really enjoyed the company of the other team members, and even if he and Ron didn’t win. Dave was most proud of the time he won the singles league.

He knew he was going blind in 2007, and though his sight had deteriorated by 50 per

cent, he never got depressed, and that was when he won the singles league.

We lived in the south of Tenerife for 15 years, and he was very active, insisting on walking

aecc

Sometimes very sad things happen, and even though we’re expecting them, they never cease to be a huge shock and a severe blow to the heart.

This edition I’d like to pay tribute to Dave Simpson. Dave sadly passed away on New Year’s Eve. So many people will remember him, especially at Harley’s Bowl. I’m really saddened as I used to go tenpin bowling with him back in the day, and he was lovely. I think the nicest thing I can do is share the letter I received from Dave’s wife Val.

y Kat

CANARY ISLANDS

I meet some great people. I’ve been friends with Dee Daniels ever since she first arrived on the island. We’d meet up occasionally to swap stories and I think the last time I saw her was when I was a DJ

katykennedy@telefonica.net

with Waves FM and we were doing an outside broadcast at Pleasure Island one St. Patrick’s Day. She was, as always, extremely effervescent and you couldn’t get a better solo artiste on that special day. We arranged to meet last week in Playa de San Juan for lunch and as she tripped up the street to the restaurant, I was thrilled to see she’d brought a mutual friend with her, Tracy.

Tracy is a dancer, as most of you know, and is married to Dom, and both appear in the Sound of Musicals in Playa de Las Américas.

Now truth to tell, Dom was a compère at a hotel I used to appear at, and I knew Tracy as all the artistes in the south knew each other. All the young 16 and 17 year olds would come to the shows and gaze longingly at him. But then one night I was waiting to do my spot when I heard Dom saying to his sound man that he’d met this smashing girl and was “smitten”. And that was Tracy.

They now have two lovely children and work together.

Actually, she and I used to meet often at Palm Practice Surgery when David the physio would fix our bad backs. Mine was from jumping on unsuspecting Dads (to the delight of their kids) but Tracy had scoliosis of the spine. When she was a little girl, her dream was to dance.

She’d been in hospital and told the surgeon she wanted to dance. She was a little tiddler at eight, and cried for days when he gently told her she should find another dream. But Tracy being Tracy persuaded her mother to let her take dancing lessons, and has had, and is still having,

Tony and Michael Each Saturday I have dinner with Tony and Michael. For some reason neither of them want me to go to the trouble of cooking for them at my house.

I don’t really know for definite, but it could have something to do with my bow legged oven and a bin that cries when I cook. So I mentioned I was going on a diet. That remark was ill timed as I sat after a sumptuous roast dinner, including cheese and cream cauliflower, Yorkshire puddings, etc., then a huge help-

18

CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 057

Garibaldi H. Park Club Europe

A restaurant that exudes class

As part of the Garibaldi H. Park Club Europe resort, The Restaurant Garibaldi is a venue which no discerning diner should miss and was recently announced as the winner of the Mi-Gusto Restaurant Award for Best Mediterranean Cuisine.

This restaurant exudes class.

The tables are large with plenty of space between them and the waiting staff are well-presented and always just an eyebrow raise away. The décor is modern and bright without being garish. Wi-Fi is available and there’s a taxi rank right outside.

It is not the cheapest restaurant in town but the quality of food and the general ambience are well above the level of most other establishments in the area.

A good range of Spanish wines is on offer with some excellent choices from France and Italy,

too, including champagnes.

The menu is also extensive and includes lots of Italian choices, several Spanish favourites and the expected steaks and pork dishes. The

seafood is a speciality here, offering fresh lobster, locally caught fish and a wide range of other ‘fruites de mer’.

Children and vegetarians are well catered for too, and with a wide range of salads, everyone should be able to enjoy a fine dining experience. Food is sampled alongside the accompaniment of a lounge pianist, who plays every night of the week.

Recommended from an impressive menu is the Black and

White, a combination of fillet of pork and fillet mignon steak served with Béarnaise sauce, port, asparagus and king prawns.

A side dish of Canarian potatoes completes the presentation. Also, the house speciality of chicken breast with zucchini, smoked salmon baked with feta cheese, and served with a Marsala sauce, is excellent. Restaurant Garibaldi offers top quality, great presentation and superb service. Booking in advance is recommended. n

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FOOD

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 790

19

PROMOTION

Charcoal: the hot spot in Golf del Sur The Charcoal Indian Tandoori Restaurant, specialising in high class Indian cuisine, is located right on the seafront behind the Hotel Aguamarina in Golf del Sur. All customers are given a big welcome to this light, bright and spacious restaurant which has a large indoor dining area, as well as a spacious covered terrace overlooking the ocean and protected from the wind.

This is a family business which opened in November last year and that family dynamic is visible from the word go, especially in the way that all team members work together in perfect harmony. Inside and out, the tables are smartly dressed with crisp beige linen tablecloths over white. The tableware is just as elegant, and the cutlery and glassware literally sparkle.

The menu is as it should be at this type of restaurant, with a wide range of starters, including Indian style soups and salads, some mouth watering vegetarian starters and plenty of kebabs, prawn, tikka and tandoori dishes, all designed to make your taste buds tingle ahead of the main course.

There are main dishes available with around 17 delicious sauces to choose from, including some not seen very often such as cylon, jalfrezi, moglie and the chef's own patiyala, all ranging from mild to very hot.

You could also choose from the list of tandoori dishes, a range of biryanis served with the Charcoal special sauce, vegetarian dishes, plus a great range of rice options and Indian breads. The list of house specialities is equally tempting, and includes chicken, lamb

tikka masala with chips or rice, and highchairs are available for very young diners!

The staff is happy to explain the dishes on the menu and while your order is being prepared, elegantly pre-

or paneer tikka masala, methi gosht, Goan prawn masala, special lamb, keema mattar, butter chicken, butter paneer and methi chicken.

The wine menu is one which will suit connoisseurs, and features a wide range of high class red, white and rosĂŠ wines, including Spanish Rioja and Ribera del Duero, and selections from

sas (delicate pastry turnovers filled with curried chicken) were brought to the table, and it soon became evident that presentation is very important at the Charcoal Tandoori. The fine, flaky and perfectly spiced

The Charcoal Indian Tandoori at night Inside the spacious restaurant

and if you are celebrating, Champagnes, including Anna de Codorniu. Beers are available too, including Cobra and Kingfisher, plus spirits, aperitifs, soft drinks, juices, milkshakes and cocktails.

Sizzling hot Chicken tikka with cheese and a Chicken Jalfrezi

Charcoal Indian Tandoori

Delicious chicken pakoras and samosas Presentation is very important at the Charcoal Indian Tandoori

Tenerife, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. Wines can be purchased by the bottle or glass. There are also sangrias

Children have not been forgotten at Charcoal, they have their own fabulous menu of nuggets, fish fingers, chicken korma or

sented crispy pappadoms are brought to the table, with mango chutney, raita and crispy onion salad.

Our starters, chicken pakoras (spiced and battered pieces of chicken) and chicken samo-

(a delicate dry sauce prepared with yogurt, ginger, peppers and green chilli), accompanied by pilau rice and a butter naan.

The chicken tikka and cheese was served sizzling on a bed of crispy onions and peppers, and was incredibly tender and rich. The chicken Jalfrezi was well spiced and just the right heat, while the butter naan was unexpectedly light and fine.

It is easy to see why this restaurant is already a very popular venue on the seafront at Golf del Sur. The Charcoal Indian Tandoori specialises in fine food created by their highly competent chef. The prices are very reasonable and the service is attentive without being intrusive. It is clearly their intention to please their customers.

The whole restaurant is wheelchair friendly, and the staff are always happy to help any disabled customers where needed.

It comes as no surprise that this restaurant not only attracts repeat clients but also plenty of five star reviews on TripAdvisor, so we recommend that you try it soon. Visit once and you'll want to again!

If you are driving, there are some parking areas within a two minute walk to the sean front.

samosas and our tender pakoras in crispy batter were invitingly garnished with salad.

For main course, we ordered one of the house specials, a chicken tikka with cheese, plus a medium hot chicken Jalfrezi

Edificio Aguamarina, Local 5 Avda. del AtlĂĄntico, 21 Golf del Sur, San Miguel de Abona Open: Daily 12pm to 11pm Tel: 922 727 966 Facebook: Charcoal Indian Tandoori

FOOD

20

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 057

Bodegón El Barranquillo

Perfect for a special night out a beer for me as I have drawn the short straw tonight. We start with a nice mixed salad incorporating avocado,

half a roast chicken for €3.50 and Carne Fiesta for €3.75.

The ubiquitous chips for three were €1.50!

By John A wet Thursday sees us up in the hills in a village called La Perdoma, seeking a parking space near our chosen eating place.

A couple of spins round the block, and we are fixed up within a couple of minutes walking distance, close enough to avoid the showers.

It’s one of those places that have a nice sign but otherwise look rather unprepossessing, so that you might well pass on by. My spies have assured me otherwise.

Plastic awnings protect the four tables outside, but these are already taken so inside we shuffle, into a much larger restaurant than we had been expecting. Along one side is a huge table, laid up for 26 people. Thank heavens we have got here before that lot!

bread, water and IGIC. Just a few miles out of Puerto de La Cruz and prices drop like the proverbial stone.

If you are looking for further bargains, there is a special offer running weekdays, sometimes a free glass of wine, sometimes four dine for the price of three, etc. Do check first.

And that table for 26? They all came in just after we had completed our order – 26 young ladies done up to the nines, out to celebrate a birthday. The decibel level went through the roof, cameras flashed aplenty, but they were all charm personified. The kitchen coped admirably, and other families kept coming in. If the locals eat here, and all those ladies chose it for a special night out, n then it has to be good.

Bodegón El Barranquillo

There is a waiter and waitress on duty, and both are prompt, efficient and friendly. Surprisingly too, there is a very smart menu printed in three languages – Spanish, English

and German. Good, so we will be welcome here.

Yes, the wine is local, so a half-litre of red (does anyone drink white up here? You never see it) is ordered, with

melon, freshly grated carrot, olives, lettuce, cucumber, tomato and red onion (€3.75 – quite enough for the three of us), and move on to some piping hot homemade croquettes with a mayonnaise dip. These were €3.25 for six.

I splashed out on tender Secreto pork from the huge brazier in the kitchen, a great delicacy, and it set me back €12, but the others enjoyed

These prices were frankly ridiculous and left us slightly embarrassed at the bill which came to just €33.55 including

Ctra. General La Perdoma, 37 La Orotava, Tenerife Tel: 922 309 466 Open: 7pm to 11pm daily Loo Score: 6/10

057

Canary Islands’ attractions for tourists and residents

Starring Maria Callas

Renowned American opera singer Maria Callas is the subject of a series of Santa Cruz events paying tribute to the now deceased star.

Born in New York in 1923, Callas stunned audiences throughout the 40s, 50s and 60s with her onstage presence and incredible vocal range. Her parents, Greek immigrants George and Evangelia, encouraged her to begin taking piano lessons when she was seven years old.

Yet, by the time they divorced and she moved to Greece with her mother and sister in her teens, her aptitude for dramatic singing performances was obvious. She began studying under Elvira de Hidalgo in Athens and made her stage debut in 1939 in a production of Cavalleria Rusticana, for which she was honoured by the conservatory.

Her professional debut came just two years later, with the Royal Opera of Athens and a modest contribution in Franz von Suppé’s Boccaccio, but only a few months later she took on her first major part, in Tosca – still considered one of her signature roles. Her rise to international acclaim was swift, and

Photo: auditoriodetenerife.com

Diva with a difference

though the quality and number of her performances had begun to wane during the 1960s, she is still known as “one of the most exciting voices of the twentieth century”.

Her final public operatic performance was in Tosca at Covent Garden, London, in mid-1965, a show that was attended by the Queen Mother. In Septem-

ber 1977, at the age of 55, the singer died suddenly in her Paris home, due to what was believed to have been a heart attack, though a certain mystery surrounds her demise. To coincide with the 40th anniversary of the artist’s death, the Adán Martín Auditorium has organised various activities.

First, an exhibition of photo-

graphs is on show at the venue until March 20, with free entry for all members of the public.

Then, on March 2 starting 8.30pm, a tribute concert will be held at the Paraninfo at the La Laguna University. Admission is free but must be booked via this website address: http:// auditoriodetenerife.com/ concierto-maria-callas/.

The main event of the celebrations will be a number of performances of Norma by the Ópera de Tenerife organisation.

These will be on March 14, 16 and 18, each of the showings starting at 7.30pm. Tickets start at €5 for the unemployed and other concession groups, soaring to €60 for the very best seats.

All can be purchased from the auditorium’s box office between 10am and 3pm from Monday to Friday (except bank holidays); 10am to 2pm on Saturdays and two hours before the start of the show.

Alternatively, see: www.auditorio detenerife.com, from where you will be able to buy them n online.

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HOLIDAY GUIDE

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 057

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

Los Gigantes

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.

Fañabé beach

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 Teide National Park

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 790

Other islands 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

Photo: Mathias Weil / FreeImages.com

La Gomera

La Gomera view

Gran Canaria street

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

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 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-

Photo: Miguel DP / FreeImages.com

Photo: Manny Proebster / FreeImages.com

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.

HOLIDAY GUIDE

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

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

Cactus garden, Lanzarote

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.

24

PROPERTY PROMOTION

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 057

639 906 998 / 922 867 019 FOR SALE €1,349,900

VILLA IN EXCLUSIVE AREA ABOVE PLAYA DE LA ARENA PROPERTY DETAILS Reference: 00225 Bedrooms: 5 bedrooms Property Type: Villa Status: Used Province: Tenerife Municipality: Santiago del Teide · Puerto de Santiago Internal Area: 540 m² Land area: 749 m² Year of construction: 2010 Energy Rating: G Municipal Property Tax: €980

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION Exclusive location Private double garage Infinity pool (seawater and heated) High quality property, fully furnished Private gym American style kitchen in top condition Covered summer kitchen BBQ area Big built-in wardrobes

Filter system for drinkwater Billard room Double glazing 4 bedrooms have sea view Year of construction 2010 Panoramic sea view Very quiet location Solar panels Beautiful sea views Smart sun-protection throughout the whole villa including sun-blinds, shutters and curtains

DUPLEX STYLE APARTMENT IN EXCLUSIVE FRONTLINE COMPLEX IN PUERTO SANTIAGO PROPERTY DETAILS Reference: 00242 Bedrooms: 2 bedrooms Property Type: Apartment Status: Remodelled Province: Tenerife Municipality: Santiago del Teide Village: Puerto de Santiago Year of construction: 1985 Condo price: € 3,376 Municipal Property Tax: €376

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION Frontline Duplex Apartment Living Space: 103 m² Terrace Area 1: 20,8 m² Terrace Area 2: 10,2 m² Date of Construction: 1985 Bedrooms: 2 1/2 Bathrooms: 2 Floors: 2 Singularities: Heated Pool Automatic Shutters Automatic Sun-Blinds Sea and Cliff View

APARTMENT IN EXCLUSIVE AREA PUERTO SANTIAGO - LOS GIGANTES PROPERTY DETAILS Reference: 00238 Bedrooms: 2 Bedrooms Property Type: Duplex Status: Used Province: Tenerife Municipality: Santiago del Teide · Puerto de Santiago Internal Area: 106.92 m² Year of construction: 1990 Condo price: €2,400 Municipal Property Tax: € 380 For sale 350 000

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION Year of construction: 1990 Duplex style apartment Living space: 106,92 m² Terrace area 1: 15,9 m² Terrace area 2: 11,5 m² Exclusive area Heated community pool 1 American kitchen 2 Bedroom 2 Bathrooms Latest rennovation in 2006

FOR SALE €450,000

Frontline Last refurbishment 2012 includes the bathroom, kitchen, all the tubes and electricity 2 terraces, all the windows Parking: on the complex Furniture: Sold fully furnished Kitchen: American Town: Puerto de Santiago Los Gigantes Complex: Sansofé

FOR SALE €350,000 This fantastic apartment is located in a quiet and exclusive area in the residential complex Vitacura with beautiful views over the sea. The last renovation included the upper terrace area, all electricity and water pipes and the extension of the kitchen.

The complex has a heated pool, well-kept gardens and quiet zones.

23.2.2017 – 8.3.2017

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 790

PROPERTY PROMOTION

25

HOLIDAY GUIDE SPIN NEWS

26

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 057

Serrano sings out

Calling the audience Ismael Serrano is returning to the Canarian archipelago and will be giving not one but two concerts at the Teatro Leal in La Laguna on March 8 and 9.

Serrano originates from Madrid, where he started his musical career playing on the local café scene with a number of groups airing their voices against the politics of the 1990s. Since his first album in 1996 (Atrapados en Azul – Trapped in Blue), the singer has grown in popularity and taken his tunes across Europe and South America.

To this day he continues to speak out against persecution and corruption, and is a wellrespected composer and producer. His repertoire spreads across a variety of genres, from

Dance schools Arona’s FIMA music festival is still underway, so there is plenty of time to catch one or more concerts from the borough’s annual offering.

On February 25, the Pulso y Púa group from the Municipal Music and Arona Dance Schools will showcase the skills of the 25 young and talented musicians. The concert is free but seating is limited, so entrance is on a first come first served basis.

On February 28, a flute and piano recital by Sara Cabrera and Ana Belén Gutiérrez will wow the audiences, and March’s events start on the 1st with trombone by John Kenny and piano once again by Gutiérrez.

Well worth a listen, Kenny is a British trombonist, actor and composer who is well known for his multi-faceted performances of a contemporary repertoire and modern jazz.

The following night, on March 2, a big band sound will be provided by the Arona Music Band, who will accompany

blues to jazz and ballads, with lyrics that are meant to have an impact on listeners.

His ninth and latest studio album, released in 2015, is entitled La Llamada (The Call), and has been produced with a more intimate and personal format: just voice and guitar and a wealth of meaning.

Tickets cost €25 and can be bought online via the theatre’s webpage at: www.teatroleal.es, or from the box office 11am to 1pm and 6pm to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and just during the morning hours on Saturdays.

They will also be available for purchase two hours before the shows start. More information on the artist can be found at: www.ismaelserrano.com. n

Women speak out

Water and earth A fine tribute to the collective memory of the women of Tenerife will take place on March 3 in El Sauzal.

The show gives the audience an in-depth look at women throughout the rural history of our times. Usually the food growers and gatherers, women have played an integral, if often undervalued, role in basic survival throughout the years.

For the rhythmic and visual performance, 11 ladies will take to the stage to recount their stories (in Spanish) as they describe the challenges of living in the countryside in an age when females were still underestimated, their opinions often disregarded, their pain ignored, their rights minimal: “No voice, no water, no land”.

The scenic poem embraces the women’s memories whilst the background video and dance show weaves images, sounds, and smells that depict the rural world.

See the Ellas… Agua y Tierra documentary theatre presentation at the Espacio Cultural La Pirámide, Calle Mercado, starting 8pm.

Tickets cost €5 and €9 and can be bought online via: www.tomaticket.es. Alternatively, you can purchase them from the local town hall, Monday to Friday, 9am to 2.30pm, or for 90 minutes before the performance starts from the venue’s box office. You can n also visit: www.elsauzal.es for more information.

Arona makes music Exhibition

Hidden values

Ana Belén Gutiérrez and Steven Mead on piano. Mead is a world renowned soloist who is originally from Bournemouth in the UK. His wife, Misa Mead, will also play in the concert.

Misa was born in Japan and is a skilled euphonium player, well respected as a musician in her own right. Strings are the stars of the show on March 3,

with a guitar recital by Samuel Delgado from the Canaries. The closing concert of this year’s festival will take place on March 4 and is a free event that is open to everyone, though you will need to turn up early to ensure a seat.

All of the concerts start at 8pm and will take place at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium.

Except for the two free events, tickets cost €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 shows on their respective days (up until 15 minutes before they start); or online via: n www.arona.org.

Artist Soledad González Ortega has a collection of her works on show in El Sauzal until March 5.

In an exhibition entitled El Valor Escondido (Hidden Values), González presents a colourful combination of abstract art that is well executed and pleasing to the eye.

It is well worth checking out if you are in the area. Visit the Sala de Exposiciones off the Plaza del Príncipe, opposite the town hall. Entrance is free and the doors are open from Wednesday to Sunday every week, from 5pm to 8pm.

See more on this and other events in the borough at: n www.elsauzal.es.

23.2.2017 – 8.3.2017

HOLIDAY GUIDE SPIN NEWS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 790

Tribute concert

A shining light La Laguna is the scene for an evening’s entertainment on March 4 in honour of top Spanish pop singer Luz Casal.

Born in Galicia in 1958, Casal is one of the most prized and respected soloists of her genre. After national success during the 1980s, she shot to international fame as a talented singer/songwriter. As well as endless successful albums and singles, she has also penned many a tune for the film industry and has received a variety of awards for her work. Thanks to a performance background which includes dance, Casal has an onstage presence that is equally as exciting as her music, perhaps the reason for her being as popular today as she ever was.

For the tribute evening, fans will enjoy an evening of her songs and music at the Búho Club in San Cristóbal de La Laguna. Starting at 11pm, entrance costs a mere €7 and includes one free drink.

Tickets can be bought in advance via: www.tomaticket.es, and you can catch up with the latest action at the venue n at: buholalaguna/Facebook.

27

Free film showing

Thought provoking fun English speakers with a love of political satire may wish to head to Los Cristianos on March 3 to see Dr. Strangelove or how I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb, in its original language.

Called ¿Teléfono rojo? Volamos hacía Moscú in Spanish, the film was made in 1964 and is widely considered as one of cinema’s greatest comedies. Starring Peter Sellers and George C. Scott, the story uses black humour to satirise the Cold War fears of a possible nuclear conflict between Russia and the United States.

The narrative begins when a US Air Force general orders a first strike nuclear attack on the Soviet Union and follows the desperate actions of the US president and his advisers as they try to recall the bombers to prevent a nuclear catastrophe.

Separately, it shows the crew of a B52 bomber as they try to carry out their original orders.

Production for the film, which was directed, produced, and co-written by Stanley Kubrick, took place in the United Kingdom. Loosely based on Peter George’s novel Red Alert from 1958, the action is ram packed full of laughs and surreal takes on human interaction. The movie is famous for the line: “Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here, this is the War Room!”

It will be shown in English with Spanish subtitles at the Los Cristianos Cultural Centre, with a presentation and introduction starting at 7.15pm and a debate on its content at 9pm.

Entrance is free but seats are limited so you may want to arrive early.

Dr. Strangelove is the last of three showings of original language films directed

by Kubrick. The series has been organised by the cultural department of the Arona council. For more information, n see: www.arona.org.

The Funamviolists

Mix and match

Revolutionary exhibition Guía de Isora is currently hosting a collection of art works which will be on show until March 24.

The exhibition stars a variety of images created by resident artists at the Magda Lázaro Gallery in Santa Cruz and offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy a number of different styles and presentations. Entitled Totum Revolutum, the collection can be seen at the town’s cultural centre and entrance is free, from 4pm to 9pm, Monday to Saturday.

Visit: www.guiadeisora.org or see: Cultura-Guía-de-Isora on Facebook for up to date information on events and activin ties in the area.

Three talented female string players will take audiences through a touching performance in Santa Cruz on March 4.

Ana Hernández Ramos (on violin), Mayte Olmedilla (viola) and Lila Horovitz on double bass tell the tale of three women who are sacked from their orchestras and end up chatting to each other on a street bench. The crossing of destinies defines a new direction for the laid-off musicians, who create a wonderful and exciting future for themselves.

The Funamviolists recount the endearing story by combining music, dance, singing and humour, whilst showcasing their mastery over their instruments. The musical repertoire often provides the voice of the characters, who take viewers on

Photo: teatroguimera.es

String theory

a journey through the range of human emotions via compositions by Vivaldi, Edvard Grieg, Jules Massenet, Georges Bizet, Astor Piazzolla, Rita Pavone, and many more classic themes.

The action starts at 8.30pm at the Teatro Guimerá. Tickets cost between €18 and €24 and can be bought online via: www.tomaticket.es or from the theatre’s box office, Tuesday to

Friday 11am - 1pm and 6pm 8pm, or two hours before the show starts on the day.

Check out: www.teatroguimera. es for information on this and n other performances.

HOLIDAY GUIDE WHATS ON 2017

28

FEBRUARY/MARCH

GRAN CANARIA DIARY DATES February 23 8.30pm: Sugar Hill Band concert, Teatro Guiniguada, Las Palmas, €12. www.entrees.es

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 057

March 10

Until February 28

8.30pm: Ismael Serrano in concert, music with a conscience, CICCA, Las Palmas, €25. www. generaltickets.com

Entries welcome up to this date for Garachico’s FICMEC film and documentary competition. www.festival.movibeta.com

March 11

February 28

9pm: Concert, Vocal Siete, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, from €12. www.entradas.com

8pm: Flute and piano recital by Sara Cabrera and Ana Belén Gutiérrez, part of the FIMA music festival, Auditorio Infanta Leonor, Los Cristianos, free entry, limited seats. www.arona.org

February 25

Until further notice

12pm: Remix, contemporary circus show for all the family, joint project by various Canarian artists, Teatro Guiniguada, Las Palmas, €10. www.entrees.es

Thursday – Sunday: CamBuyon Market, art, second hand, vintage and antiques, Mercado del Puerto, LPGC, Thursdays and Fridays, 7pm – 11pm; Saturdays 6pm – 11pm; Sundays 12pm – 3pm.

February 26 12pm: Remix, contemporary circus show for all the family, joint project by various Canarian artists, Teatro Guiniguada, Las Palmas, €10. www.entrees.es

Exhibitions

‘Bronze in Movement’ by sculptor Ana Luisa Benítez, Centro Insular de Turismo, Centro Comercial Yumbo, Playa del Inglés, free entry. www. grancanaria/patronato_turismo

El iris de Lucy (Lucy’s iris), collection of works by 25 contemporary African artists, Centro de Arte Moderno (CAAM), Las Palmas, free entry, Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 9pm, Sundays 10am - 2pm, www.caam.net.Also at the Casa África.www.casafrica.es

FEBRUARY/MARCH

TENERIFE March 4 8.30pm: Juancho Limiñana - La Voz del Tango, musical rendition of various tangos, Teatro Guiniguada, Las Palmas, €10. www.entrees.es March 5 12pm: Family theatre, El Gato con botas (Puss in Boots), Teatro Municipal Juan Ramón Jiménez, Telde, €5. www.entrees.es

8pm: British trombonist, actor and composer John Kenny with Ana Belén Gutiérrez on piano, contemporary and modern jazz plus other genres, part of the FIMA music festival, Auditorio Infanta Leonor, Los Cristianos, €5. www. arona.org March 2

March 2 - 31

Until June 4

12.30pm: Organ concert by Simon Johnson (organist and musical director at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London), Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, €7. www.entradas.com

March 1

DIARY DATES

8pm: Concert by the Arona Music Band accompanied by Ana Belén Gutiérrez and British pianist Steven Mead on piano, plus Misa Mead on Euphonium, part of the FIMA music festival, Auditorio Infanta Leonor, Los Cristianos, €5. www.arona.org March 3 7.15pm: Free film showing in original language, Dr. Strangelove or how I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb, Los Cristianos Cultural Centre. www.arona.org.

8pm: Guitar recital by Canarian musician Samuel Delgado, part of the FIMA music festival, Auditorio Infanta Leonor, Los Cristianos, €5. www.arona.org 8pm: Ellas… Agua y Tierra (The ladies: Water and earth), rhythmic and visual stage performance, in-depth look at women’s role throughout living rural history, true stories, Espacio Cultural La Pirámide, Calle Mercado, El Sauzal, €5 and €9. www.tomaticket.es.

February 23

March 4

7.30pm: Concert by resident chamber music group Quantum Ensemble, inspired by the works of painter Kandinsky, Auditorio de Tenerife Adán Martín, Santa Cruz, tickets start at €5. www. auditoriodetenerife.com

8pm: Closing concert of the FIMA music festival, Auditorio Infanta Leonor, Los Cristianos, free entry but places are limited. www.arona.org 8.30pm: Funamviolists, musical theatre performance by talented female string players, Ana Hernández Ramos (violin), Mayte Olmedilla (viola) and Lila Horovitz, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, €18 - €24. www.tomaticket.es 11pm: Tribute concert in honour of top Spanish pop singer Luz Casal, Búho Club, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, €7 including one free drink. www.tomaticket.es

February 24 8pm: Recital of famous film soundtracks by the Banda de Música de Arona, part of the FIMA music festival, Auditorio Infanta Leonor, Los Cristianos, €5. www.arona.org February 25 8pm: Concert and show by the Pulso y Púa group from the Municipal Music and Arona Dance Schools, part of the FIMA music festival, Auditorio Infanta Leonor, Los Cristianos, free entry, limited seats. www.arona.org February 26 8pm: Carnival groups Los Playeritos and Ritmo Sureño, Auditorio Infanta Leonor, Los Cristianos, €5. www.arona.org

9pm: Musical, Boleros y algo más, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, from €8. www.entrees.es March 11 8.30pm: Los musicales de tu vida (The musicals of your life), Banda Sinfónica de Tenerife with accompanying choirs, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, €4 - €10. 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.

Every Saturday morning Events for specific groups, families, seniors, women, etc. Activate Sports Club. www.tenerifeactivate.com

EXHIBITIONS Until March 5 El Valor Escondido (Hidden Values), abstract and conceptual art by Soledad González Ortega, Sala de exposiciones, Plaza del Príncipe, El Sauzal, free entry, Wednesday to Sunday, 5pm to 8pm. www.elsauzal.es.

Tierra de sombras (Land of shadows), collection of 35 black and white photos by renowned photographer Roger Ballen, run in collaboration with the Belgian Dr. Guislain Museum, TEA Tenerife Espacio de Las Artes, Santa Cruz, free entry, Tuesday to Sunday, 10am - 8pm. www.teatenerife.es Don Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Embajador de España, Tribute collection of memorabilia to Spain’s greatest author, plus related artefacts from Tenerife, run in conjunction with Madrid’s Real Casa de La Moneda, Antiguo Convento de San Francisco, Icod de Los Vinos, free entry. www.icoddelosvinos.es

March 8

Until March 24

8.30pm: Ismael Serrano in concert, contemporary political commentary, pop/rock, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, €25. www.teatroleal.es

‘Totum Revolutum’, a collection of art and images by resident artists at the Santa Cruz Magda Lázaro Gallery. See it at Guia de Isora Cultural Centre, free entry, Monday to Saturday, 4pm to 9pm. www.guiadeisora.org

March 9 8.30pm: Ismael Serrano in concert, contemporary political commentary, pop/rock, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, €25. www.teatroleal.es March 10 8.30pm: Esmeralda, theatre show, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, from €12. www. tomaticket.es

Until further notice Inédito (Unpublished), collection of works by, and information on, Alfredo Reyes Darias, founding member of the PIC Canarian Independent Painters movement. Museo Etnográfico, Calle Arquitecto Marrero Regalado, Granadilla de Abona, free entry, Monday - Friday, 8am - 3pm. www.granadilladeabona.org

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

23.2.2017 – 8.3.2017

BLEVINS FRANKS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 790

29

Inheritance

Do you pay more tax than necessary?

By Paul Montague, Partner, Blevins Franks

Tax planning is a fundamental part of protecting and maximising your wealth, yet so many people do not review their tax planning often enough or do not have all the knowledge they need to set up effective tax mitigation.

There are two key elements to tax planning. The first is a good understanding of the tax regimes that affect you, so that you are fully aware of your tax obligations and how they impact your income and wealth. If there are two regimes – for example you spend time in both the Canary Islands and the UK – you need to know how they interact, which country you should pay tax in, etc.

The second part is knowing how to apply the rules to your advantage and use compliant arrangements to lower your tax liabilities wherever possible.

If you do not have suitable tax

Even if you have tax planning in place, it is important to review it because regulations change, new opportunities arise, or a specialist adviser could point out opportunities you were not aware of planning in place it is likely that you are paying more tax than necessary, particularly on your invested capital.

You also do not want your heirs to pay any more tax on their

inheritance than they have to. If you live or have assets in Spain you need to understand how Spanish succession tax affects you and how you may be able to take steps to lower this liability.

You may also need to plan for UK inheritance tax. Remember that being resident in Spain does not mean your estate escapes this tax. It is based on domicile rather than residence,

so most UK nationals remain liable even when living abroad.

Even if you have tax planning in place, it is important to review it from time to time because regulations change, new opportunities arise, or a specialist adviser could point out opportunities you were not aware of.

Expatriates living in Spain are more likely to get their tax planning wrong because they are dealing with a foreign tax system. You cannot presume that tax will be similar to the UK. What was tax efficient in the UK is unlikely to be tax efficient here. You need to look at the local Spanish regime to determine what works, and what would be suitable for your personal circumstances and objectives.

Professional advice is important. With do-it-yourself tax planning there is always the risk that you will miss something important or not realise where tax mitigation opportunities are available. Expert

advice is even more invaluable if you have complex affairs and cross-border interests (you are resident in Spain but have investments elsewhere, or heirs in the UK, etc.).

Making the right investment choice is key in making the most of your money, but you also need to make the most out of tax planning opportunities to increase the potential for better returns.

To ensure you fully understand how the Spanish tax regime affects you, and that you are aware of all the tax planning opportunities available, you need specialist advice personalised for your circumstances and objectives.

Blevins Franks provides tailor-made 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

BUSINESS

30

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 057

Tax incentives

Special in so many ways

By Goya Abogados Is a four per cent rate on income tax possible? The answer is yes, and this is just one of the many advantages the Canary Islands Special Zone (ZEC) has to offer.

This low tax regime offers a four per cent fixed rate on corporate income tax, compared to the general 25 per cent rate that applies in the rest of Spain and the standard 23 per cent in the rest of Europe.

Other proposed tax incentives are being exempt from the Canary Islands General Indirect Tax (IGIC) and from the Property Transfer and Certified Legal Documents Tax (ITPO and AJD). Also proposed is a low rate on income tax for people not residing in Spain.

In addition, companies benefiting from the Special Zone may also apply for Reserve for Investments in the Canary Islands (RIC), to take advantage of European funds (the Canaries being a European region) as well as

Companies that want to be part of ZEC have to be start-ups or legally recognised persons or businesses

other incentives for startups. This scheme has been approved by the European Union to promote the establishment of businesses in the Islands, thereby fostering the economic and social development of the archipelago. It will be in force until 2026 - although this is an extendable term - and the registration deadline for companies is December 31, 2020.

Can anybody do it? Companies that want to be part of ZEC have to be start-ups or legally recognised persons or businesses. This includes branches of companies that are not domiciled in Spain, which can be very interesting for foreign companies looking to operate from the EU member state. One of the requirements these companies must meet is that one of its social adminis-

trators or legal representatives resides in the Canaries.

With regards to commercial activities included, there is an extensive list of business activities allowed within the Canary Islands Special Zone, such as health, education, telecommunication, IT, public relations, manufacturing, goods trading activities, as well as transportation, waste collection, and many others.

The ultimate requirement is related to investment and job creation, which in the case of Tenerife and Gran Canaria amounts to an investment of €100,000 in mixed assets and the creation of five jobs. An investment of €50,000 and the creation of three jobs will be sufficient on the other islands.

To enjoy these benefits and tax incentives, with the legal certainty and guarantees of fiscal transparency of the European Union, please contact us at: www.goyaabogados.com and establish your business in the Canary n Islands Special Zone.

Living abroad

Admin SOS

Sponsored by the Free Advice Centre Tenerife (FACT)

Paperwork and admin can be complicated in any country, but especially so if you have chosen to live in a foreign country.

Apart from the language, there are some administrative processes that just don’t seem to make sense.

Spanish ‘Residencias’ used to be done in Santa Cruz and if you were missing a paper or even a photocopy, you had to come back another day.

Also, when you needed to do a medical for your driving licence in Los Cristianos, you had to buy the official stamped paper at the Mercedes garage. No logic to that at all, except the garage owner was the doctor’s brother!

There are some residents who are quick to criticise people who prefer to use someone to help them out, but some of the official offices can be quite daunting if you don’t know the system. For example, it’s relatively simple to get an NIE number, but not if you don’t know where to queue or that you need to pay a tax at a bank that isn’t near the police station.

In addition, the Tax Office is not obliged to inform you or remind you of your obligations, and ignorance is certainly no defence and will not prevent a penalty, so it’s always wise to find a financial adviser who can explain things to you. Not doing so could be a false economy if you get hit with a hefty fine.

On the plus side, things have improved. There is more information available online, and much more in English than there used to be. For those who criticise the fact that a lot of officials don’t speak English, remember that even if they do, they are within their rights to choose not to do so at work. This is particularly true of the medical profession, where a doctor could be held liable for any misunderstanding of a diagnosis, for example.

When it comes to your health, your official paperwork and taxes, don’t be afraid to ask for help. These matters are simply too important to ignore. Working with someone who specialises in what you need can give you peace of mind, and is often less expensive than you might think. For free advice and referrals contact FACT at Wheeler Dealer in Las Chafiras, on: 922 738 500. n

MOTORING

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 790

31

EVERYDAY MOTORING

Classic cars on the move

Cruising in Santa Cruz

Photo: simonstratford FreeImages.com

The streets of Tenerife’s capital city will be teeming with classic cars on March 5.

As part of the Carnival, celebrations will include a vintage car competition and exhibition which will take place in the Parque García Sanabria from 10am onwards.

Once all the polishing, preening, juicing up and judging is over, the classy classics will take a tour round the city, n no doubt to the immense delight of passersby.

Keep an eye out in Santa Cruz for classy classics on March 5

What to do in the event of a breakdown

By Wheeler Dealer A breakdown can be dangerous as well as inconvenient, so it makes sense take a few precautions to ensure you are prepared.

If you car breaks down whilst moving, you should, if possible, direct the vehicle to the side of the road as quickly and safely as you can. Don’t be too eager to brake, as you may be able to use the momentum of the car to move it to a safer place, such as the hard shoulder. Bear in mind that the steering and brakes might be harder to operate without power assistance.

Also, turn on the hazard lights to alert other drivers.

Your hazards are important to show others that you are in trouble so that they can make allowances for you. If

Daniel Duchon / FreeImages.com

23.2.2017 – 8.3.2017

By law you are required to have two triangles in the car at all times in case of emergencies

you break down at night, you can put your side lights on as well to improve your visibility to other road users. By law you are required to have two triangles in the car at all times.

If you break down on a twoway road, place one triangle on each side of the road at a distance of approximately 25 metres as a warning to passing traffic. If you break down on the motorway, you only need

to place one triangle behind your car. You must also put on your fluorescent jacket, which is another requirement under Spanish law.

If you are on the motorway, or indeed on any busy road, evacuate all passengers through the right hand door, and stay as far away from the road as possible.

Do not try to carry out any repairs to the car, even of a minor nature, unless you are in a place of safety and well away from the road, and never on the motorway as this will put you in danger for far longer than necessary. Motorways are monitored so assistance will arrive in due course.

Use your mobile phone to call for help - a garage, recovery service, or the police - if you are on a main road or motor-

way, and if your car is causing an obstruction.

Talk to your local garage to see if they have an emergency number or contact with a recovery company that you can save in your phone, and make sure that you have your triangles, jacket and the number of the garage or a recovery company so that you are well prepared in the event of a breakdown.

Based on their years of experience in the car industry, Wheeler Dealer will be providing useful advice and in-depth information for the coming editions of Island Connections.

Call Wheeler Dealer, Las Chafin ras, on: 605 318 143.

Safety tips

The long and windy road With the constant change of weather at the moment, it’s hard to tell what conditions will be in any given few days’ time.

One thing is for sure: there is still a little winter time left and that means there’ll be quite a few windy days to come.

IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards Richard Gladman has plenty of advice on how to stay safe when the gusts are rattling across the Islands.

First of all, he recommends that if you have to go riding

in the wind choose a heavier bike, as those with a low centre of gravity will be more stable. Nevertheless, a fully faired touring machine will be greater affected by side winds than a smaller bike where often the greatest surface area is the rider.

He also says that drivers should try to be aware of cyclists, horse riders, highsided vehicles, and pedestrians that can be easily impacted by the wind. Be aware of upcoming trees,

open areas, and bridges that might force a person or vehicle to swerve suddenly. Bikers should also pick their position carefully so that sudden gusts of wind don’t blow them into oncoming traffic or the side of the road. If leaning into a crosswind, they should try to anticipate where it will end and where it is likely to start again. Bridges and cuttings on major roads can provide momentary respite but you need to be ready for the blast as you emerge.

Keeping speed down will minimise the effect of high winds on the vehicle. The faster you drive or ride the more difficult it becomes to maintain control in cross winds and the further you are likely to stray off course.

Gladman finishes with a couple of pieces of sound advice: “Always keep both hands on the wheel or handlebars ready to exert maximum grip if required”, he says, “and make sure you take frequent breaks as it can be very tir-

The wind sure can blast across the Islands at times

ing fighting the wind, whether on two or four wheels.” To find out more about IAM

RoadSmart services, visit the new website at: www. n iamroadsmart.com.

32

GARDENING

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 057

Glorious geraniums

A truly versatile plant them from seed, take cuttings from an established plant, or buy one from a garden centre. This latter choice is obviously the quickest and simplest, just make sure you pick ones that look green and healthy, have plenty of leaves and shoots growing from the base, and that aren’t spindly or have lots of brown patches on the leaves.

If you have a handy friend who wouldn’t mind donating a few cuttings, you will find that

If you want to grow from seed then you will need to prepare a spot that has plenty of light but doesn’t receive full sun. A good growing medium for geraniums is one part soil, two parts peat and two parts perlite, though multi-purpose compost with a little sand or grit will do. Once the seeds have germinated and the first true set of leaves has appeared, the seedlings are ready to be transplanted into individual containers. Always handle seedlings by their

even manage in nutrient poor soil, but adding a small amount of compost will improve growth and general health. Geraniums are seldom bothered by insects or diseases, though some may suffer mildew in humid conditions and the ubiquitous whitefly can take a hold at times.

Luckily, they are fast growers and if no other recourse is available they can be cut back to ground level and will usually sprout a fresh crop of healthy leaves within a few weeks.

geraniums root quite easily and take well to being propagated in this way. Simply snip off a few new side shoots, between seven and 10 centimetres in length, taking the cutting from just above a node.

Have some moistened multipurpose or potting soil with a thumb-width hole already prepared, and place at least a third of the cutting into the soil, having removed most of the leaves except a few at the top. Gently push the soil back into place around the shoot and keep the growing medium moist but not wet, ensuring that it doesn’t dry out over the next few weeks.

leaves so as not to crush the delicate stems.

A short time later, between 10 and 16 weeks, you will be able to enjoy your very first blooms.

To encourage a continuous display, always ‘deadhead’ your plant by pinching or cutting off flowers once they die. If growth becomes too spindly, simply pinch out shoot tips to encourage side branching and a bushier plant.

Feed with a general purpose fertiliser throughout the growing season, and if you live in one of the colder areas it can be a good idea to prune right back once foliage and stems slow their growth down. n

Photo: monique72 / FreeImages.com

Ground rules A truly versatile plant, geraniums can be planted at any time of year, though midsummer with its elevated temperatures is probably best avoided. Spring and autumn are ideal, however, so now is a great time to start planning for their arrival.

First of all you need to choose exactly where you would like your geranium to live. They make great houseplants as long as they have enough sunlight – without it they will be spindly, weak and no doubt refuse to bloom. However, place them in a bright room or on a sunny window ledge, preferably a

better placed in a mid-height area of a bed. There are even dwarf varieties which can be a good option for indoors.

As far as soil goes, once again this wonderful plant will be happy anywhere you put it almost. They will grow in most soils but will not tolerate being waterlogged so ensure there is good drainage. Adding a little sand or grit to a heavy soil will help with this, and always allow the top portion of soil to dry out fully before watering. They will

Photo: Graham Briggs / FreeImages.com

Geraniums are a delight for the not-so-green-fingered gardener.

Simple to grow, adaptable to various conditions, very low maintenance, and beautiful whether in bloom or not – they are the perfect addition to any garden or balcony.

Here in the Canary Islands they will flower through most seasons and will also keep going for many a year. They offer an attractive assortment of colours and shades, from white through to pink, mauves and red, and come in various shapes and sizes so can be used in several different positions.

south facing one, and they will survive quite happily.

If planting outdoors, you will probably have to provide at least a little shade. Some varieties will tolerate our long hard days of strong sunshine during summer, but most of them prefer a cooler spot for at least some of the day.

Choosing their position can

Geraniums can brighten up any corner Pick up geraniums from garden centres or markets

influence which variety is best for your needs. Some geraniums are low-growing and spread easily, perfect for border edges, whilst others are taller and more upright and would be

Bring on the blooms There are three ways you can bag yourself a geranium: grow

23.2.2017 – 8.3.2017

CARNIVAL SPECIAL

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 790

33

Viva el Carnaval

The fifth season begins When the Christmas season is over in the Canaries everyone starts to concentrate on the next big event, and that is the changeover from the contemplative New Year to the craziness of the carnival.

The annual event is in itself a separate season, somewhere in no-man’s land between winter and spring. The carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is unique in Europe and is considered the second largest Samba carnival in the world after Rio de Janeiro.

Tenerife is particularly wellknown for its hustle and bustle but this is totally overlooked once partygoers are strapped into their carnival costumes. It doesn’t all end on Ash Wednes-

day, Tenerife’s carnival continues in some areas until shortly before Easter. For example, when the symbolic sardine has been buried in Santa Cruz, the fun starts in Puerto de La Cruz, as well as other locations around the island as carnival fever takes hold.

During the carnival the clocks on the island simply tick at a different speed. It is much celebrated, very little sleep is to be had, and for some, a little work must be crammed in between all the partying.

But it is carnival, a time when you should not take anything too seriously. Since there are some peculiarities about the different carnivals, some explanations follow so that

everyone knows what not to miss.

Carnival queen Almost every girl in Santa Cruz dreams of becoming the city’s carnival queen. The Gala for the queen’s election is always held in the week before Shrove Tuesday and signals the start of the carnival in Santa Cruz. The choice of the carnival queen is based not only on the beauty and radiance of the candidate, but also the large costume that the designer has created for her, which is always imaginative, glamorous and pompous.

For her, it is not so easy to walk elegantly with the massive weight of the costume and

continue smiling. The gala will be broadcast live on Spanish and Canarian TV.

Murgas The carnival is considered a politics-free zone. The only exception is the murgas, singing groups which have a long tradition in the Canaries.

They sing songs about political incompetence and inter-island rivalry to well known melodies, and to really understand them you will need to speak Spanish well. There are children’s and adult bands which are all popular with the public.

Dancers and samba groups appear in different formations during the galas, and

dance to the tune of the best murga. Their good mood, elaborate dance steps and impressive costumes, which usually show plenty of naked flesh, are always popular.

Santa Cruz highlights The starting pistol for the fun to begin in Santa Cruz happens once the carnival queen has been elected. This is the hot phase of the carnival, as the partygoers take to the streets for nocturnal revelry. The weekend afterwards is packed with dancing parties under the open night sky. There is a special day which is designed for all the family to enjoy and begins at noon. There will be live enter-

tainment for everyone and you can dance, have fun, or get an adrenalin-kick from the fairground activities.

The best party, in the opinion of many islanders, traditionally takes place on the Monday night before Shrove Tuesday.

The dancing often continues until dawn. At noon the celebrations start again for the day of the carnival parade, which is an absolute must and should not be missed.

The burial of the sardine When the sardine is carried in a procession accompanied by lamenting, wailing widows dressed in black, the end of the carnival is near. At the end of

Ayuntamiento Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The 2016 Santa Cruz carnival queen

CARNIVAL SPECIAL

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 057

Ayuntamiento Santa Cruz de Tenerife

34

Ayuntamiento Puerto de la Cruz

Creative costumes presented with high heels

The carnival promises fun and crazy activities for the whole family

Programme for the carnival 2017 Due to the great variety of events, the individual programmes can only be mentioned briefly. In addition, Island Connections will publish the main events during the carnival season.

Tenerife Santa Cruz February 22 Election of the carnival queen, Recinto Ferial, 9.30pm February 23 Zarzuela concert by the Círculo de Amistad XII de Enero, Teatro Guimerá, 8.30pm February 24 Opening procession from Plaza de la República Dominicana, 8pm. Dancing with various orchestras, Plaza de La Candelaria, 11pm February 25 Grand carnival music and dance events, from 11pm in the city centre February 26 Day carnival, 1pm to 6.30pm, Plaza de La Candelaria. Shows on different stages in the city centre from 5.30pm. Fancy dress party, Plaza de La Candelaria from 11pm February 27 Children‘s carnival, Plaza Bulevard, from 5.30pm to 8pm.

Shows on different stages in the city centre from 5.30pm. Fancy dress party, Plaza de La Candelaria, from 11pm February 28 Grand carnival procession, Coso Apoteosis, Avenida Anaga from 4pm. Dance party, Plaza de La Candelaria, from 8pm March 1 The burial of the sardine, city centre, from 10pm. Widows’ ball, Plaza de La Candelaria, from 10.30pm March 3 Shows on different stages in the city centre, from 5.30pm. Fancy dress party, Plaza de La Candelaria, from 11pm March 4 Day carnival, 1pm to 6.30pm, Plaza de La Candelaria

March 5 Grand carnival festival, from 5pm, fireworks at 8.30pm More details at www.carnavaldetenerife.com Puerto de La Cruz February 23 Gala for the election of the carnival queen. Plaza Europa, 9pm February 25 Opening procession from Avenida José Campo Llanera, 8.30pm. Grand dance party, Plaza del Charco, 10.30pm February 26 Festival of Children‘s Dance Groups, Plaza de Europa, 11.30am. Dance choreographies, Plaza Europa, 7.30pm.

Fancy dress contest with dance, Plaza Europa and Plaza del Charco, 8pm February 27 Ritual ‘Mata La Culebra‘, town centre, 6.30pm. For the first time election of the trans-queen, Plaza Europa, 9pm.

Carnival dance, Plaza del Charco, 11pm February 28 Rally del Valle, Vintage rally, leaving Avenida de Colón at 2pm March 1 Duel of the Sardine, Avenida Colón, 12.30pm. Burial of the sardine with fireworks at the port, 9pm. Carnival dance, Plaza del Charco, 11.30pm March 3 XIII Men’s race in high heels, Plaza del Charco, 8pm. Dancing to DJs or live music, Calle Perdomo / Plaza del Charco, 12am March 4 Grand carnival parade, town centre, 4pm Carnival dance, Plaza del Charco, 8pm March 5 Piñata dance, Plaza del Charco, 3pm to 7pm

La Orotava

Icod de Los Vinos

February 25 X Pizzicatos Solidarios, charity concert with paella, Plaza de La Constitución, from 12pm to 4pm. II Race Carnavalera, charity concert at 6.30pm February 26 Carnival in the street, Plaza de La Constitución from 11.30am to 9pm February 27 Masks and costume contest, Plaza de La Constitución, at 6pm followed by masked ball February 28 Vintage car parade, Plaza de La Constitución, departure 10am.

Grand carnival procession from Cruz del Teide to Plaza La Paz, 5pm. Grand dance to live music, Plaza de La Constitución, from 7.30pm March 1 Duel and funeral of Crispín, Plaza de La Constitución, from 7.30pm March 4 End of carnival dance, Plaza de San Juan Bautista, 10pm Los Realejos

February 25 Election of the carnival queen, Plaza América, 9pm, followed by dancing February 26 Grand carnival procession, main street, 5pm, followed by dancing February 27 Dancing to live orchestra, Plaza Luis de León Huerta, 10pm March 4 The burial of the sardine, town centre, 6pm, followed by the widows‘ ball

February 24 Gala for the election of the carnival queen, Plaza de San Agustín, 8.30pm February 25 Gala for the election of the children‘s queen, Plaza de San Agustín, 5.30pm. Race, Carrera del Color, part of San Agustín, 7pm February 26 Children‘s procession and day carnival, Plaza de San Agustín at 12pm February 27 Grand carnival procession from Tigaiga to San Agustín, 5pm March 1 The burial of the sardine, San Agustín, 8pm

la palma Santa Cruz de La Palma February 24 Dancing at the carnival centre, 11pm February 25 Reception of carnival ambassadors and celebrities, Calle O‘Daly to Plaza de La Alameda, 6pm. Dancing at the carnival centre, 11pm February 26 Children‘s carnival, Los Indianitos, Plaza de España, 11am to 2pm. Batucada meeting, city centre, 5pm. XII Festival Orillas del Son, a Cuban fiesta, Calle Blas Simón, 8pm. Carnival concert at the carnival centre, 9pm February 27 Parody of the arrival of the Indianos, town hall atrium, 10.30am. Concerts from 10.30am to 9pm in the city centre. Arrival of the black Tomasa and her Cuban family, port, 12pm. Arrival and reception of Tomasa at the Plaza de España, 1.30pm. Los Indianos Festival, Plaza de la Alameda, 5pm. Dancing in the city centre with various live bands, 10.30pm

March 3 Burial of the sardine, city centre, 9pm. Dancing in the city centre, from 11pm March 4 Children’s day carnival, Plaza de España, 11am to 2pm. Street concerts, city centre, from 4pm to 10pm. Dancing in the city centre from 11pm March 5 Children’s carnival in the city centre, from 6pm Gran Canaria Las Palmas February 24 Gala for the election of the carnival queen, Parque Santa Catalina, 9pm. Dance party from 11.50pm February 25 Carnaval al Sol, moving to Playa de Las Canteras, 5pm. Preselection for the election of the drag queen, Parque Santa Catalina, 9pm. Dance party from 11.50pm February 27 Gala for the election of the drag queen 2017, Parque Santa Catalina, 9pm. Dance party from 11.50pm February 28 Day carnival, street festival, Parque Santa Catalina, from 12pm March 2 Integrative carnival for the handicapped, Parque Santa Catalina, 7pm March 3 Body painting contest, Parque Santa Catalina, 9pm. Dance party from 11.50pm March 4 Grand carnival procession from the south of the city to the north, 5pm. Last carnival dance party from 11.50pm

March 5 The burial of the sardine, Parque Santa Catalina, 7pm More details at www.lpacarnaval.com Maspalomas February 28 Traditional carnival, Maspalomas Cultural Centre, 8pm March 3 Opening ceremony with dance, CC Yumbo, from 9pm March 4 Gala for the election of the carnival queen with dancing, CC Yumbo, from 9pm March 5 Election of the children’s queen, CC Yumbo, 5pm March 6 Gala without hurdles (for the handicapped), CC Yumbo, 7pm March 7 Gala for the pre-selection of the drag queen, CC Yumbo, 10.30pm March 8 Gala for the carnival queen, CC Yumbo, 9pm March 9 Gala for the drag queen, CC Yumbo, 9pm, dancing from 11pm March 10 Tourist day, Playa de Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés, with the burial of the sardine, 12pm.

Gala for tourist day, CC Yumbo, 9pm, dancing from 11pm March 11 Grand carnival procession from Playa del Inglés to Maspalomas, 5pm. Dancing from 10pm March 12 Carnival on the beach, CC Anexo II, Playa del Inglés, 2pm The burial of the sardine, CC Anexo II with fireworks, from 8pm

CARNIVAL SPECIAL

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 790

Ayuntamiento Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Even mayor José Manuel Bermúdez gets into carnival mode

Ayuntamiento Santa Cruz de La Palma

Samba tunes and sexy outfits this is the Santa Cruz carnival

The Carnival de Los Indios in La Palma is different but no less fun!

the procession the defenceless sardine is solemnly set alight and a great party follows. This does seem rather final but doesn’t necessarily mean that the carnival is over just yet.

Safety More than 1,500 police officers, paramedics and civilians are involved in the security aspect of the Santa Cruz carnival. Some central points are controlled by CCTV, and this year for the first time a helicopter is being added to monitor certain events in order to guarantee visitors’ safety.

35

Ayuntamiento Santa Cruz de Tenerife

23.2.2017 – 8.3.2017

Although the carnival in Santa Cruz is generally known as safe, you should be on the lookout for bag or wallet thieves who operate unnoticed in big crowds, and make sure you don’t carry more cash or valuables with you than are absolutely necessary.

An outpatients’ medical service on the outskirts of the carnival provides initial help for any injured persons and also serves to sober up those who have somewhat overdone things. Drunkenness, falls or mild circulatory weaknesses are the most common problems that are treated.

Carnival in Puerto de La Cruz When the carnival in Santa Cruz is almost over following Ash Wednesday, the fun begins in the northern metropolis of Puerto de La Cruz. Beside the large parade there are two fixed elements which are unique: the old tradition ‘Mata la Culabra’ (Kill the Serpent) has been part of the carnival season for some years. Equally as popular is the men’s race in high heeled shoes. Dressed as hot women, plump mommies or crazy personalities, the men of Puerto

provide lots of entertainment, even though this event is anything but youthful.

An absolute must is the carnival parade, which runs through the streets of the town centre.

just before Easter. In addition, there are many smaller communities that celebrate their own parades with wonderful costumes. Check with your local borough council.

More carnival

Carnival de Los Indios

Other centres which go crazy with the carnival are Los Realejos, La Orotava and Icod de Los Vinos in the north of Tenerife, and Los Gigantes and Los Cristianos in the south. While the festivities in the north take place around the carnival week, those in the south continue later, almost until

White clothes and talcum powder are the ingredients that form the carnival in La Palma. It mocks the former emigrants who left the island for South America at the beginning of the 20th century and came back as rich men.

White suits, panama hats, thick cigars and coloured house workers were their hallmarks.

There are usually special flights from the other islands to La Palma for the Carnival de Los Indios, and many more partygoers make their way to the island by ferry.

Carnival in Gran Canaria In Gran Canaria, the main centres of the carnival are the capital Las Palmas in the north and Maspalomas in the south.

There are also some specialities in Gran Canaria, where the drag queen contest is particularly popular and usually televised. Amazing figures in great costumes fill the stage and inspire the audience. In Las Palmas there is a procession in which peoples’ pets also join the party and don a disguise. For some this is a questionable activity but for others it is a pleasure to have their four legged friends join them. The body painting costume festival is almost an art form in itself, and in Maspalomas there is even a carnival party on the beach.

Carnivals on the other islands Tenerife and Gran Canaria are undoubtedly the high fortresses of the carnival, while La Palma is famous for its special white carnival. On the other islands the activity is more limited, but this does not mean that it doesn’t exist. It’s just that they don’t reach quite the same partying levels. If you would like to celebrate, you will be able to find information locally. n

HEALTH

Paediatric mental health

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 057

Depression in children

By Xena Fox As far as depression goes, action from the government: an

integral plan that offers equal resources across the Islands and which concentrates on the fields of promotion of positive mental health and prevention strategies.

As elsewhere, mental health issues here have increased notably over the last few decades, especially as the crisis has continued to deeply affect many sectors of society. Serious

Recognising that a child is depressed can be extremely difficult, especially when they hit their teens and a certain amount of rebellion and

in an otherwise balanced child, are particularly strong in nature, or continue for longer than the officially recognised period of two weeks, then you really need to consider taking action.

There are a number of behaviours to look for. Is your child

social awkwardness is almost expected. Symptoms also vary greatly, between different children and at distinct periods in their lives. Nevertheless, there is a great deal of difference between occasional low or angry moods and a state of mind that needs attention before it develops into a more serious condition.

Whilst many of the following possible external manifestations of depression can be found in many a youngster at some time during their childhood, if they appear suddenly

withdrawn? Do they no longer want to mix with their friends, go to school, or attend family events? They may be constantly irritable or angry, shouting or crying excessively, or might seem increasingly sensitive to criticism. Younger children often exhibit depression via anger; older ones may be more noticeably ‘sad’.

Do they have frequent accidents or suffer from consistent illnesses such as stomach aches and headaches that don't respond to treatment? Maybe they seem tired all the time, are

Signs and symptoms

Photo: MargaritRalev / FreeImages.com

Do you have a moody teenager or child who is just going through the ordinary insecurities of growing up? Or could your son or daughter be clinically depressed?

It can be extremely hard for parents to differentiate between what is ‘normal’ behaviour and the signs and symptoms of a serious condi-

in Spain it is estimated that around one out of every 20 children will experience at least one episode before turning 19 years old. Here in the archipelago, a chilling statement made last year to the Canarian Government by Andrés Mendoza, president of the Canary Islands’ Mental Health Federation, highlighted the seriousness of the situation. He

Photo: Domagoj T. FreeImages.com

36

Withdrawal can be an indication of depression Though rare, even very young children can experience depression

suggests that by 2020, mental illnesses across all age groups will be “the second highest disease in the archipelago” with regards to incidence and overall effect on society.

There are currently around 190,000 people in the Islands suffering from some form of mental disorder, including children. Mendoza and the groups he represents say that current services are woefully inadequate for dealing with the present, let alone future, problem. Organisations have long been requesting positive

illnesses such as bipolar syndrome, addiction and anorexia are all on the rise, not to mention psychiatric disorders that particularly affect children, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), ObsessiveCompulsive Disorder (OCD), or Conduct Disorder (CD).

Unsurprisingly, health organisations across the world are very concerned, and depression amongst the young is a particular worry: especially as studies have shown that it may precede more serious mental illnesses.

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tion, or even admit that children can suffer from depression. Sadly, figures from around the world clearly show that they can, and that it is much more widespread than people tend to realise – even leading to suicide in some cases.

According to the World Health Organisation: “between 10 and 20 per cent of children and adolescents experience mental disorders”. The advisory body also goes on to say that “Half of all mental illnesses begin by the age of 14 and three-quarters by the mid-20s.”

not sleeping enough or spend as many hours as possible asleep: sleeping excessively may be a way of avoiding interaction with others or of trying to block out their own thoughts.

Has their appetite changed?

Are they eating much more than they did, or are you having difficulty making sure they eat enough? The first may be a sign of comfort eating where they are using food as a drug to raise mood. The latter could show they feel out of control or are suffering self-esteem issues.

Have their school grades dropped suddenly; are they having difficulty concentrating or remembering things? Have they developed secretive or erratic behaviour? It is not uncommon for children as young as 12 (or even 10 in some countries) to begin using drugs or alcohol or be involved in criminal activities such as shoplifting.

Has the way they dress changed radically? Older kids regularly experiment with different styles, but if children suddenly start dressing in baggy clothes and hiding in corners, it could be a sign of a serious problem. Some children use clothes to cover signs of self-harm or as ‘protection’ against an abuser or painful situation.

Do they seem fixated on death or pain? Have they told you they feel hopeless or worthless, or are so unhappy they’ve thought of suicide? Talk like this should always be taken seriously, especially if it cannot be linked to a concrete event that may have upset them. Just in the US alone, it’s estimated that 500,000 teens attempt suicide every year – with 5,000 of them succeeding.

Just as in adults, depression in children can be triggered by one or a combination of factors. Youngsters from conflicted families or ones with a history of depression have a greater risk of experiencing it themselves, as do those who have suffered abuse of some form, or regularly see it in the home environment. Parents getting divorced, death of loved ones, physical illness, genetic vulnerability and biochemical disturbances can also play a possible role. Potential difficulties at school include bullying and fears over their grades, whilst peer pressure or worries regarding sexual orientation can also have a major effect. Add in raging hormones for the older kids, and the likelihood of them having a bout of depression rises exponentially.

Dealing with depression Just because a child seems sad or confused it doesn't necessarily mean they have significant depression: there is a world of difference between passing a bad mood and a serious medical condition. On the other hand, if sadness becomes persistent, or disruptive behaviour constantly interferes with schoolwork, social activities or family life, it may indicate a problem.

If you suspect your child is having difficulties, experts say the first thing to do is try to talk to them. For this you will need to pick your moment carefully, and also create a safe and comfortable environment: trying to speak to them whilst they’re in the middle of a rage is never going to work. Choose a time when you are both relaxed, and don’t force the issue if they won’t talk immediately. You may need to try a few times before they feel safe sharing

37

their troubles, or even enlist the help of a friend or family member your child is close to.

Never trivialise their replies, even if you can’t understand the importance they are giving to something you consider insignificant. It may not be a

Evaluating the situation There aren’t any specific medical or psychological tests that can clearly show depression, so a general approach which looks at the whole situation will be

tion and to not feel ashamed.

Any negative emotion will be quickly picked up on by the child, possibly exacerbating their condition.

medication is most effective at treating severe depression.

The child's environment also plays a fundamental role in the treatment process. Family therapy may be helpful if internal conflict is contributing to the situation, and schooling arrangements may have to be changed if a child is being bullied.

Ensuring your child has room to make their own decisions and mistakes is vital: they need to do this to learn and gain confidence in themselves. Not forcing them down the path you expect them to follow is also key, as this will almost always lead to conflict.

Educating yourself on behaviour and mental health issues will also help: anything you can do to ensure you are as aware as possible of any situation your child may be going through.

The World Health Organisation speaks very clearly about this: “If untreated, these conditions severely influence children’s development, their educational attainments and their potential to live fulfilling and produc-

Treatment Therapy options for children with depression are similar to those for adults, including psychotherapy, counselling and, in severe cases, medication. The World Health Organisation states that antidepressants “should not be used for treating depression in children and are not the first line of treatment in adolescents, among whom they should be used with caution”.

Even the FDA warns that “antidepressant medications may increase the risk of suicidal

Childhood depression has been shown to lead to more serious mental health issues in some cases

Prevention Being a parent is possibly the most difficult job in the world, so what can you do to help, or even prevent your child from becoming depressed?

It may seem obvious, but one of the best preventions is to truly know your children. To spend time with them, show inter-

After puberty, girls are much more likely to suffer from depression

big deal to you, but it could be a major problem for them.

If you're still worried after conversing with them, or they won’t talk to anyone at all, make an appointment with your GP. The first issue doctors will be concerned with is ruling out any medical causes. These range from mood- and personality-changing brain tumours, to thyroid imbalance, hearing difficulties and easily cured ‘intimate’ problems that children, especially adolescents, have simply been too embarrassed to talk about.

However, if no physical cause can be found and the problem persists, a consultation with a paediatric mental health care professional will likely be recommended.

used. A mental health evaluation will normally include interviews with the child as well as the parent (or primary caregiver). Further information from teachers, friends and other family members can be useful for showing that symptoms are consistent and are a noticeable change from previous behaviour.

Questionnaires may also be used, as well as more in-depth psychological testing, such as observation, if this is thought necessary. Separate or contributory conditions such as bipolar disorder, psychosis and those listed earlier may also be picked up during this time.

The important issue throughout the process is for parents to be positive about the situa-

Photo: RenátaZaja / FreeImages.com

What causes it?

HEALTH

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 790

Photo: Andrew Richards / FreeImages.com

23.2.2017 – 8.3.2017

thinking and behaviour in children and adolescents with depression and other psychiatric disorders”.

Unfortunately, they are still hugely overprescribed for youngsters. Never just accept that your child needs medication: always ask about other options. Nevertheless, there are times when it may be the best short-term solution when added to other treatments.

Studies indicate that a combination of psychotherapy and

est in their lives, and to listen carefully to what they are saying. Apart from the emotional benefits this brings, being fully aware of their usual behaviour can help you spot any drastic changes earlier.

Building a relationship based on respect and trust is also important. Positive discipline, where good behaviour is rewarded rather than shame or harsh punishment being doled out for ‘bad’ behaviour, can help with this.

tive lives. Children with mental disorders face major challenges with stigma, isolation and discrimination, as well as lack of access to health care and education facilities, in violation of their fundamental human rights.”

Yet, the situation does have a positive side: With proper care and a supportive environment, many children will overcome depression and continue to grow and evolve in a healthy n manner.

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PETS

38

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 057

ADOPT, DON’T BUY

Animal charities’ round up Cats Welfare Cat or Kitten: Which is better for you? When people think about adding a cat to their lives, they automatically think ‘kitten’. For some people, though, an adult cat is a better option.

Everyone loves kittens but they can be a lot of work and expense, especially in the first year. Then there’s house training, and helping your kitten learn to stay off the kitchen worktops, sofa, curtains, etc.

Kittens are fragile and may accidentally be hurt by young children who don’t understand the concept of ‘gentle’.

Similarly, a kitten isn’t the best choice for anyone who’s a little unsteady on their feet or isn’t able to chase or keep up with an energetic feline baby.

On the other hand, a kitten can be perfect for a family with older, more responsible children, or a source of delightful amusement to an active older adult. You just need to look carefully at your living situation and consider the problems and pleasures a kitten will bring.

Adult cats meanwhile offer some compelling advantages and few disadvantages. If you adopt one you know exactly what you’re getting. Laid-back or active, quiet or vocal, cuddly or demanding, an adult cat has already settled into his persona. An adult cat’s personality may be set, but his affections aren’t: they bond with you just as tightly as a kitten does. Through us, all adult cats have been neutered, vaccinated and have a microchip free of charge so they are definitely the cheaper option,

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and they go on trial so you can be sure you’ve made the right decision. Look at the kittens, sure. But check out the older cats, too!

Forever homes

The Fab Fourteen Meet Ella, one of K9’s Fab Fourteen.

These are beautiful dogs who have found it very difficult to find their forever homes. Some are getting on in years, some shy and retiring and some very large. They all have hearts of gold and so much to give in return for a loving and safe home but, sadly, they continue to be overlooked.

Ella and her friends would love you to adopt them, but K9 know that many people would really like to have a dog but, for many different reasons, it isn’t practical. If that’s the case for you, how about sponsoring one of these special guys?

For €8 or £8 each month you can choose which of the Fab Fourteen you would like to sponsor and he or she will send you regular news and photos of what they’ve been up to at the refuge. And if you live locally and can visit, they’d be delighted to see you. You can find out how to sponsor Ella and her friends via: www.k9tenerife.com, at ‘K9 dogs/K9 Sponsor Dogs’. Alternatively, you can email: n info@k9tenerife.com or call: 667 638 468.

Beautiful Molly is with Cats Welfare and looking for a home

K9

Designer Sale On February 26 at the Palms Bar in Golf del Sur, 12pm until 6pm. Dresses, tops, suits, shoes, etc. for women, men, children and babies, so something for everyone. Brands include Gucci, Coast, Monsoon, Yves Saint Laurent, etc.

Adoptions Molly is a beautiful, young adult who was abandoned last year when her owners left the island, and we need a kind and caring home for her.

She’s frightened with new people at first but settles down when shown love and attention. To ask questions or meet her with no obligation, ring or WhatsApp Maria on: 646 629 129 (seven days a week 9am to 6pm), message us on Facebook or contact us on our website: www.cats-welfare-tenerife.com. You can also see all our adult cats awaiting adoption there.

Donations Good condition items can be dropped into the shop on San Blas in Golf del Sur (Behind Hiperdino). It is open seven days a week 10am until 6pm but on Saturdays is open from 10am until 4pm. If you don’t have transport or have large bulky items to donate please ring Mark on: 636 590 557 and he will arrange collection from you. We’ve made big changes to our shop; we think you’ll like them.

Meet Our Dogs We have many dogs as well as our Fab Fourteen featured on this page, all shapes and sizes and all waiting patiently for their loving and safe forever homes. You can see them all, their stories and pictures, on our website at: www.k9tenerife. com. Or visit us at K9 Refuge on Calle Chimbesque between Las Chafiras and Las Zocas any day of the week between 10am and 2pm. Alternatively, you can get in touch by telephoning us on: 667 638 468 or emailing info@k9tenerife.com.

You will also find stories of our dogs, their antics and heartwarming re-homings on Facebook by following Diary of a K9 Tenerife Dogwalker and also K9 Tenerife.

Shops Proceeds from our charity shop sales are essential to ensuring our dogs have everything they need to make their time at the refuge as comfortable as possible. Why not visit us soon at Alcalá Plaza next to the weekly market. We’re open every day from 10am to 2pm. There’re always lots of bargains to be had and our volunteers will make you very welcome. Donations of quality second-hand furniture and household goods, small and large, are all very welcome. Call us on: 646 561 035 for more information or to arrange collection from all local areas.

Acción del Sol After a windy start the sun shone for our fun day at the refuge and many of our volunteers and supporters arrived to

the delight of our refuge dogs for an afternoon starting with a stroll to the beach followed by lots of attention and cuddles. The dogs retired to their kennels that evening knowing what love and care humans can offer. A great day was had by all and we would like to say a special thank you to those who came and supported our event.

We have an abundance of puppies and smaller dogs at the refuge all looking for loving homes: we don’t charge an adoption fee but donations are appreciated. Every dog is fully vaccinated, micro chipped, sterilised, and has a clean bill of health to ensure the best start in life after leaving our refuge.

Please call the refuge on: 922 778 630 if you can help in any way, or visit on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons from 2pm to 5pm and Saturdays 1pm to 4pm.

We’re situated directly under the wind turbines, from exit 52 on the TF1 north bound which is after the El Médano junction.

Head for the giant windmills on the coast and we are the buildings on the right hand side.

Alternatively, email the refuge at: teneriffa@aktiontier.org or visit our Facebook page, action tier Accion del Sol.

Live Arico (PAWS) 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. Every day, 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 them to help the dogs. Find us at: www. livearico.com, on Facebook, or join us on Twitter: twitter. n com/live_arico.

FARMERS MARKET

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 790

Farmer’s Markets Adeje Calle Archajara, s/n, in front of Makro Saturday/Sunday 8am – 2pm / Wednesday 3pm – 7pm 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

Playa de San Juan Paseo El Bufadero 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

Puerto de la Cruz Avenida Blas Pérez González, 4 Wednesday to Saturday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 386 158

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

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Avenida José Manuel Guimerá Sunday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 606 000

Los Realejos Camino Viejo de San Benito, Finca el Llano, Realejo Alto Saturday/Sunday 9am – 2pm Telephone: 922 346 234

Santa Úrsula Carretera General, near the town hall Saturday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 301 640

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

Farmer’s Markets

Island support!

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

39

Photo: by Frank C. Muller

23.2.2017 – 8.3.2017

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

sary 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

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.

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 neces-

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.

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.

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

40

HOROSCOPES | CLASSIFIEDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 057

Horoscope for period: February 23 to March 8 Aries 21.3 - 20.4 Your naturally independent personality is proving a real bonus at the moment. That ability to not always think like the crowd gives you the opportunity to take a step back for a better view of the whole picture. Use it well.

Contacts

Taurus 21.4 - 20.5 You are entering a period of change, when the need for flexibility will be paramount. Enterprise and personal initiative are your key words right now. Try to make decisions based on your wisdom, not on gossip.

You’ll love the details. Luxury erotic massages. Visit our new branch in Adeje. Tel: 674 407 827. www.edencanary.com. We are also in Playa Paraiso, Costa Adeje. Tel: 662 960 065. www. edentenerife.com. Appointments only, 10am to 10pm.

Gemini 21.5 - 21.6 Now is a good time to break any news to your family. If you time it right, you might be surprised by their reaction. Maybe you will find they are right behind the idea, or if not, at least willing to accept your point of view.

Cancer 22.6 - 22.7 This is no time for inappropriate emotions. You need a cool, clear head right now, so try to concentrate on the most important issues of each day. Don’t let others convince you that their problems are paramount.

Leo 23.7 - 23.8 Socialising is a must for you at the moment, as it’s one of the main ways you’ll find the contacts you need. But you should keep your more exuberant traits to a minimum – especially when it comes to letting others speak.

Virgo 24.8 - 23.9 Home issues have to take precedence this month, whilst work and careers sit on the backseat. That works out nicely though, as now is not a good time for travelling for you. Just chill and sort out home base.

Libra 24.9 - 23.10 The coming period will be an excellent one for you, with plenty of opportunities for advancement and learning. The talents you gather now will be recognised and highly appreciated by others, and all to your advantage.

Scorpio 24.10 - 22.11 You could use the coming quiet period for formulating future career targets and the strategies required to accomplish them. Or you can take a seat in the background while everyone else steals the thunder. Your choice.

Sagittarius 23.11 - 21.12 Will power will keep you moving forward right now, even when you are not sure of how to get where you wish to be. Just take all the steps one by one. Every difficulty has a solution: every challenge makes you grow.

Hi, I’m Gabriela and I have two more friends, we are in Playa de Las Américas (in front of the Hotel Gala). We are young and hot, massages with a happy ending, all services. We invite you for a drink. 24 hours. Tel: 642 164 285.

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: (+34) 631 564 875.

Busty and curvy.

Las Américas, Cristianos, Adeje. Ukrainian blonde, spectacular body, for demanding men. Private apartment. Outcalls 24 hours. All services.

You won’t regret it. Call me, I’m waiting for you. Tel: 602 631 367.

Erotic private parties for singles and couples with German couple. Also quickies and threesomes. Without rush. Also visits to your home or hotel.

English speaking. Tel: (+34) 619 614 380 and (+34) 648 245 425.

Transsexual, 37 years old, beautiful, tall, blonde, long big penis, active/passive. €100 one hour. Apartments Royal, in front of the bus station, Los Cristianos. SMS/WhatsApp for info. Tel: (+34) 602 626 848.

Capricorn 22.12 - 20.1 A dedicated and diligent approach will ensure that you achieve your goals and overcome any opposition you may face. It has to be your way, all the way, as only you can see the prize you are seeking.

Aquarius 21.1 - 20.2 Focussing on building up harmony in others around you will eventually pay dividends. If you have the support you need right now, everything will work faster. And everyone will be happier too – what could be better?

Pisces 21.2 - 20.3 It’s time to focus on yourself for a change. Stop worrying about possible family issues: these can be tackled as and when they arise.

This is the time for personal enterprise and to make sure you succeed in your ventures.

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

Outcall, south and north: Tantric massage for impotence, premature ejaculation, and sagging. Prolong your erection and enjoy an incredible experience. I’m Amaia from Colombia, I’m a very exotic woman. I offer you two orgasms, internal and external, prostate massage, body to body, couple massage. Full body relaxation. More than pleasure. For more about me, see: www.sensesmassagetenerife.com. Tel: (+34) 640 814 067. Also by WhatsApp. For ladies: Excursions and escorts, erotic massages and more, with Marc (German) who also speaks English and Spanish. I have my own apartment and car and I also do visits. We can meet in a café before. Tel: (+34) 630 759 974.

Busty and hot Canarian woman, brunette, pretty, slim, sexy, curvy, 100 per cent fun.

Passionate and intimate. Toys.

In/out calls. A real girlfriend experience. Tantric massage, Owo, Los Cristianos. Tel: 631 343 527.

South Tenerife. Young Latin girl. Pretty, obliging, affectionate. Come and see me for good company and to have a good time. Tel: 642 615 094.

Los Cristianos, young blonde.

Spectacular, welcoming body.

Natural 130cm breasts, all services. Discreet. I speak a little English. Opposite the bus station. Tel: 619 168 878.

Are you looking for erotic relaxation... the special kind? In a stylish ambience without any time pressure? Then enjoy different sensual massages with me, also tantric. I’m an attractive, sensitive, young German woman with education and charm. I speak English well.

Tel: (+34) 664 085 213.

Los Cristianos, Yoana, dark skinned, pretty. I will please you, you won’t regret it. I have a private apartment in the centre of Los Cristianos. Tel: 605 072 917.

Los Cristianos, Meliza, blonde Venezuelan, large breasts, all services, natural French, positions, kisses, sado. I have a private apartment in Calle Ramón Pino, near to Playa Las Vistas. I can do outcalls. Tel: 602 629 191.

English model, showgirl, professional striptease. Quality service, general entertainment, stag nights, dominatrix, fetish, luxury conditions, 24 hour visits, escort service available. Tel: 697 227 139.

PAMELA, an Afro-Brazilian, Las Chafiras. Massage service available for gentlemen only.

Private apartment. HH Franciscano Street, beside the large park, Las Chafiras. Number has changed: was 635 801 105, new number: 608 285 035.

Los Cristianos, new, Aracely, Spanish blonde. All services.

I can do hotel visits or I’ll welcome you in my private apartment. Tel: 664 099 043.

Gay Latin guy in Los Cristianos.

Outcalls to all over the island.

A sex and massage service for men. Masculine, 28 years old, handsome, athletic body, sportsman. Contact by WhatsApp in English: (+34) 695 793 841, or in Spanish call me on (+34) 695 793 841.

To advertise your services with us, please call

922 75 06 09

23.2.2017 – 8.3.2017

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

Island Connections Online: www.islandconnections.eu

Classifieds Deadline Next Edition The deadline for edition 791, which is published on 9th March, is 7th March.

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:

CLASSIFIEDS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 790

General Services

Spanish and English Lawyers

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

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

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

* 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.

Mobile welder for hire anywhere on the island

To Place your advert call: 922 75 06 09

683 422 304

Contact Jason:

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.

Are you looking for an opportunity with financial independence and personal fulfillment? Become an Independent Beauty Consultant!!! More Info: 642 601 553.

Teacher (English and Spanish) and interpreter gives Spanish lessons. I would also like to work as a secretary. Tel: 747 790 001 or email: k.arim555@ live.com.

Lady Golfer, 65 years old, single, hcp 28, new resident in South Tenerife, is looking for male or female partner for many relaxed rounds. Tel: 922 741 118.

Body, foot reflexology, Breuss massage, manual lymph drainage. Let yourself be pampered

by Simone’s hands. Economic price. Tel: 611 277 578. www. simonehands.de.

BLOCK BUSTERS WE UNBLOCK ALL TYPES OF DRAINS

internal and external using our high pressure jets and cameras.

Call

647 928 223

Lamp Factory

You are welcome to come to our offices in Las Chafiras to place small ads. Card payment facilities are available.

Integrated Tax Planning and Wealth Management since 1975

T: E:

Buy during your holidays We deliver to your home country

922 716 079

Ctra. General C-820, Travesía la Panadería, 1 38440 Santo Domingo (La Guancha) Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Tel / Fax: 922 130 301

www.blevinsfranks.com

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Saturday 9 am to 2 pm & 4 pm to 9 pm

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.

922 719 520

tenerife@decottalaw.net

Av. de Los Pueblos, Residencial Villaflor B-20, San Eugenio

www.decottalaw.net

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

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

41

Second-Hand Sale LOS ABRIGOS & Auction X Room We sell everything you need for your home or rental apartment We buy quality furniture for CASH. Free Valuations!

Collection & Delivery Service.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am-1pm & 4pm-7pm · Sat 10am-1pm

Tel: 922 749 664

Los Abrigos, 1st building on the right, coming from Las Chafiras

CLASSIFIEDS

42

Spa facilities. Email: m.perling@ gmx.de or 0049 179 51 75 987.

Rental Classifieds

Wanted urgently: an apartment to rent in El Médano with 2 bedrooms and a garage. Tel: 676 243 558.

Looking to exchange or rent: Luxury 85m2 apartment in 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 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 bedroom apartment in Tenerife in a nice complex with heated pool and

FOR RENT, luxury one bedroom apartment in Los Cristianos Available April 15 to November 28. Fully equipped to very high standard, international TV channels, WiFi, secured off-street parking. Terrace, 3rd floor, lift and communal pool. One minute walk to beach and amenities. No pets.

Mature couples only. €975 per month, bills included.

Tel: 637 268 337

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 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

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 057 For sale, Bungalow 160m2 Costa Sauzal, situated front row with guaranteed spectacular sea-views, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, living room with panoramic windows, modern kitchen, dining room connected to the terrace, including a heated 4 x 8 m pool, all on same level, garage and a marvellous tropical garden with 8 0 0m 2 lands caped with various plants and lots of fruit-trees. Private sale contact: info@ simonsananes.com. Tel.: 00 34 699 444 879 For sale 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

SALEs 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.

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.

Good running restaurant in Los Cristianos. Transfer available (for health reasons).

Tel: (34) 603 200 341.

The easy way to sell or rent properties

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

676 378 618 CONTACT: +34 icrealestate@icmedia.eu

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

House for sale in El Fraile

335m2 of living space 3 bedrooms 3 bathrooms, 1 guest WC Prepared for freight lift from the entrance to the roof Power supply: 380V Fin de obra 2015 Lighting: everything with LEDs Solar heating for hot water All rooms with balcony Wood parquet in the whole house Descaling system Drinking water preparation etc.

Value: 502,500 € (1,500 € per m2)

Price 450,000 € (1,342,28 € per m2)

& 693 577 101

BAR/RESTAURANT COSTA ADEJE This excellent traspaso opportunity has just recently come on to the market.

This busy establishment specializes in lunch and dinner service along with a strong football/sports customer base who regularly frequent the establishment to watch their favorite sport on one of the 7 TV’s located around the bar.

The restaurant/bar has an official opening license

Las Américas

British Style Bar

TRASPASO

€200.000

Place your advert at

Classified Agent for

Car Hire, Excursions and Rentals Ocean Golf and Country Club, Golf del Sur 922 736 502

Situations Vacant / wanted

Remember the type of job you thought you might do when yo u m ove d to Tenerife...?

Outdoors, fun, honest, helping people...

Suncare Central are now recruiting friendly people to become Suncare Advisors.

Supervisor also required to give ongoing training and motivation to their team.

Please send your CV to jobs@suncarecentral. com or call Craig on 651 172 738.

CLASSIFIEDS | PASTIMES

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 790

Vehicles To advertise please call 922 75 06 09

Car needed for long-term rental 676 378 618 Ford Fiesta 1.6, 2007.

ITV until February 2018.

Good condition. 87,000km. €4,750. Tel: 922 861 332 / 609 227 562.

FOR SALE

Mercedes S 320

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.

1999. 216,000 km.

Serviced with ITV valid to September 2017.

€4,850 Tel: 634 347 439

Estate agency in Las Américas requires: • A secretary with experience. Languages: English, German, Flemish.

• Sales agents with experience, languages and own car.

Please send your Curriculum Vitae to: sggconsultores@hotmail. com

Tel: 658 032 174 We are looking for a male radio announcer or voiceover professional, native English (British or American).

Knowledge of Spanish is a plus. Experience required.

If you are interested, please send your resume to oferta radiotenerife@gmail.com

Apartment administration in Los Gigantes requires: Part time secretary (m/f), English essential, Spanish basic knowledge. Good computer skills. Curriculum Vitae to: cstgigantes@gmail.com · Tel. 661 274 283

43

(For Crossword and Sudoku solution see pag 40)

23.2.2017 – 8.3.2017

Proline 241 American fast fishing boat with a Volvo KAD 32P diesel engine.

Supercharged and turbo charged with less than 200 hrs. Z drive with duo props.

Cushions still in plastics. Forward cabin and lots of storage.

Being overhauled and antifouled. Stored in garage for 10 years. Very little use. €18,000.

For a viewing call: 616 460 728.

Place your advert at

Classified Agent for

Books, Cards, Internet Pto. Colón 1st floor Las Américas 922 715 682 bookswop@spantel.com

Across

1 - duplicate copy (3) 3 - increase (3) 5 - mitre (anag) (5) 8 - role plays (4) 9 - communicator (8) 11 - lovingness (10) 13 - decline (6) 14 - wear off (6) 17 - they cut pencils (10)

21 - provoking (8) 22 - volcanic rock (4) 23 - dangers (5) 24 - diffident (3) 25 - slippery fish (3)

Down

1 - distributed (5) 2 - life scientist (8) 4 - colouring (6) 5 - protective coverings (5) 6 - floor covers (4) 7 - dish (7) 10 - colloids (4) 12 - called the same (8)

13 - stretching device (7) 15 - cattle; meat (4) 16 - lifting devices (6) 18 - dislikes intensely (5) 19 - tiny; modest (5) 20 - seabirds (4)

FITNESS & WELLBEING

44

Enhance Fitness

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 057

Reduce the helpings

By Debbie Gilbey We’ve all been in that situation where we just need a snack right there and then.

In an ideal world, you would have a nice healthy snack at hand ready to go, though this is not always the case and I am no saint either. However, what I have noticed when going for said snack in a convenience store is that a smaller size item is only a few cents less than the larger equivalent, therefore it seems logical to buy the larger version – value for money and all that.

Using a chocolate bar as an example, a small size bar has six squares but for an extra 10 cents you can have a bar with eight squares, and most

1step2fit

In the 1950s, food servings were typically much smaller than today

people would opt for the latter. This in itself is an easy

dieting self-sabotage. Very few people would be able

to just eat the original six squares that they actually

wanted and save two segments for a different day.

We live in a world where everything needs to be bigger – remember the uproar caused every year when the Quality Street tins decreased in size?

Par the odd confectionary item, portion sizes have been growing for years.

As you can see from the photo, during the 1950s size portions were actually of a ‘normal’ size, and were still extremely filling albeit junk food. Also, it was food that was, for the most part, eaten as a treat once in a while. Less healthy food didn’t cause a sudden surge in obesity back then because the portion sizes were kept within decent parameters. If you went into a burger

Wellbeing holidays in Tenerife

By Ellie I also have my own YouTube I arrived in Tenerife two years ago and I simply fell in love with the island. I love the ocean, the spectacular nature, the people, and of course, above all, the climate!

My passion is being a teacher.

I became a certified aerobics instructor when I was 16 years old. Since then I teach yoga to children and adults, as well as Pilates. I do personal training and pretty much any kind of exercise that might help someone’s physical condition.

Since arriving in Tenerife, I have worked as a personal trainer, Thai massage therapist and an instructor in one of the best five star hotels on the island: Hotel Botanico & the Oriental Spa Garden.

bar and were given a 1950s style serving size, you would be quite annoyed at how meagre it seemed.

The phrase ‘having eyes bigger than your belly’ always springs to mind, and is especially true when in a buffet restaurant or ordering takeaway. With the latter, I already know that before my Chinese food arrives there will probably be far too much for me to consume, partly due to ordering extra spring rolls and prawn crackers just to receive a free bottle of wine, when the reality of it is pure greed and diet sabotage.

For more information about health and fitness, please contact Debbie via: www.fitnessn withdebbie.com.

channel for easy workouts called 1step2fit and a website for wellness vacations in Tenerife. I want to include a range of my skills alongside other teachers, in a relaxing and picturesque setting which is very affordable. I found an incredible place called Hacienda Cristoforo, a complex of little houses offering green space, swimming pool, studios, accommodation and organic food from their own garden.

Yoga and wellbeing holiday So here is the first ever 1step2fit yoga and wellbeing holiday: from April 17 to 22, six days and five nights accommodation at this amazing venue in the south of Tenerife. There

Bar/Café. New equipment, Fully fitted bar and kitchen.

• Situated on a private complex in Golf del Sur, this pretty complex over looks the golf course with sea views, boasting over 200 properties, 50% of which are owned by a prestigious time-share company • Constant flow of regular customers all year round, including swallows, holiday makers, loyal time-share members and residents • Current owners serving lunch and dinner but there is a demand for breakfast • Trip Advisor ‘Certificate of Excellence’ two years running, and 4.9 Stars on Facebook • Easily ran by a couple, or the generous turnover allows for it to be ran with employees as a second business • Trading for 10 years under the same name

1step2fit is organising its first yoga and wellbeing holiday Ellie is a qualified aerobics, massage, yoga and Pilates instructor

will be four classes per day: two in the morning (stretching and yoga, plus meditation

for the early birds who want to set the vibe for the day) and two classes in the afternoon (Pilates and something more cardio like Zumba or AcroYoga). We have three vegetarian meals per day made with fresh ingredients from the garden.

Then every night after dinner we will gather in a circle to share our emotions and talents.

We will go on a one day trip to explore the coastline where we can participate in beach yoga and enjoy some time in the sun! All of this for the affordable price of €615. The place is family friendly too as it offers day care.

For further information visit their website: www.1step2fit. com, and the 1step2fit Facebook page: www.facebook. n com/1step2fit.

€ 65,0 00 O.N.O .

C

REALESTATE

+34 676 378 618 | icrealestate@icmedia.eu | Tenerife

Leasehold. Just reduced for quick sale

23.2.2017 – 8.3.2017

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GIFT the Sport

Get inspired for transformation GIFT the Sport also stocks cameras and sports watches as well as Myprotein nutrition goods – considered one of the cleanest and best quality protein supplements on the mar-

and Maria have set up a business which is far more than “just a shop”. Darren explains: “We don’t want to be a typical sports store where the staff isn’t passionate about the

Maria, Darren and Nicole beside the Runner Trail section of the shop The exterior of GIFT the Sport, situated on the front line of CC Fañabé Plaza, Costa Adeje GIFT the Sport offers a comprehensive range of products and services Myprotein sports nutrition supplements and the Puma section of footballs and trainers

routes. I arranged to meet him and accompanied him on an 11km run the following day.

We want to offer a comprehensive service for residents and develop a trusted reputation that sportspeople on the island can rely on. In the future, we would also like to organise local runs and sporting events”.

GIFT the Sport ket. As Maria is a qualified nutritionist, related dietary services will soon be included in the company’s portfolio.

More than a store With their wealth of experience and knowledge, Darren

products and services and people just walk in, buy something and leave. We want to take an interest in our clients’ pursuits and offer the best solutions for their personal goals. The other day, a gentleman came in for a pair of running shoes and enquired about good, nearby

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with local running or trail events and in store offers. Also, visit the store at CC Fañabé Plaza or call on: 922 724 035.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ n GIFTtheSPORT.

©2016 FLN

A new, fully-comprehensive sports shop has opened in the Commercial Centre Fañabé Plaza, Costa Adeje, offering a wide range of sporting essentials, experienced advice and top brands.

GIFT the Sport is owned by Darren Chamberlain and Maria Dendisova, two avid sportspersons with an impressive background in multiple practices and sporting disciplines. Darren is a former footballer (co-founder and striker for Tenerife Sur) and now a long distance and endurance runner, while Maria has a black belt in Shaolin Kung Fu and regularly competes in mountain and endurance runs, including the renowned Spartan Race and most principal competitions in the Canaries, including the Tenerife Bluetrail. Their two children boast similar sporting backgrounds, with son Marco playing for CD Marino in the south of Tenerife, and daughter Nicole regularly participating in triathlon events, as well as holding a black belt in Kung Fu and being an avid surfer.

These personal interests are very much influenced in the shop’s stock, with the finest footwear and trail gear available, including a large selection of Mizuno products. There is also an impressive array of surfing, martial arts, swimwear and football makes and models, including numerous Puma items.

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Local rugby

Ñandú capsize the Boatmen

Ñandú’s sure-footed captain, Jacob Oakenfold

04/02/2017 Ñandú 89 – Boatmen 7 The El Galeón sports centre was the host for Ñandú’s recent match against the Boatmen from El Médano.

With a 2pm kick off, this tie took place under the watchful eye of coach Adrian Sukudian, with welcome assistance from Germán, a coach from the Ñandú under 14s.

El Médano brought a full squad of 15 and were on form for a good strong battle. Ñandú got off to a good early start when they broke through in the fifth minute with Nacho Robe Callegari blasting his way over the line.

This was converted by the

Ñandú celebrated another resounding win

team captain, Jacob Oakenfold. The pace was tough and the Boatmen kept pushing, using their skilled forwards to

try and punch a hole in the Ñandú defence, but the home team held their ground for the first half, with two tries from

Ryan Cox and tries from Gabri Trujillo, Ricki Lorenzo Bernal, Ángel Castañeda and Jacob.

This, added to two conversions from Gabri and Jacob, gave Ñandú a first half score of 43-0.

The Boatmen regrouped well at half time and started the second half strong, with Ñandú having to dig deep into their defensive abilities to keep the visitors in check. It was not enough, however, to stop Ryan Cox scoring his hat-trick of the day, converted by Jacob, and closely followed by a double whammy by David Tevosyan, also converted by Jacob.

The Boatmen hit back with a speedy sprint and try, which was successfully converted, putting the score at 68-7.

Ricki Lorenzo responded with a second try, followed closely

by Jacob’s second, both of which were converted by the sure-footed captain. Ñandú’s stamina began to show through, with Ryan Cox blasting home for his fourth try of the day, converted by Valentin Sukudian, and bringing the game to a close with a final score of 89-7. The match was spirited, as always, and showed the true sportsmanship of rugby.

If anyone is interested in getting involved in this great sport, please contact Paul on: 664 n 361 058.

Golf tournament

Roberts family dominate Tenerife Challenge Two decades ago, four golfing friends who holidayed in the Canary Islands started the Tenerife Challenge golf contest, which in those days used to be played at Golf del Sur over three days.

At the end of January, 12 friends celebrated the 20th Anniversary of this event with three days of great sportsmanship at Golf Las Américas.

The scoring format is Stableford with Match Play incorporated as well, with different partners for each day. Handicaps are adjusted after each round which always makes it close for the final day.

Going into the final day, the only player of the original four still competing was Dave Corbett, who held a three shot advantage over Ged Roberts, the first round leader.

With Match Play, any one of five players could have won, including Ged and his wife Lily. In the end, Ged took the trophy, narrowly defeating his wife – who took second place – by one hole.

In the main Challenge event, Dave Corbett held a six shot lead over Marco Roberts, who had flown in from Exeter where he is spending his final year at university. The trip proved to be worthwhile as he shot a fantastic one over par gross 73 off a handicap of five, scoring 40 points and winning by three shots.

The trophies and prizes were presented at a lunch with friends and partners at the Coeur de Filet restaurant in n Costa Adeje.

Ged Roberts receiving the Match Play trophy

Marco Roberts, winner of the Tenerife Challenge 2017 trophy

23.2.2017 – 8.3.2017

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 790

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La Liga 2

Dream continues as Tenerife breaks records

By Chris Todd stead if they manage to reach 12/02/2017 Valladolid 0 CD Tenerife 0 Promotion hopefuls Valladolid were enjoying some good form coming into the match but they came up against a determined blanquiazul side that has become away day draw specialists. This was not a classic, most of the play centred in midfield and few chances were created. This suited Tenerife as they looked to hit the home side on the break but neither team really looked like scoring on the day.

During the second half, Valladolid, perhaps with more pressure on them to make things happen being the home team, upped the ante but when they did manage an effort on the Tenerife goal Dani Hernandez stood firm. The blanquiazul keeper has simply been superb this season. On the 77th minute mark Valladolid were reduced to 10 men but it did not affect the play too much. The last quarter was

Photos: CD Tenerife Twitter

the play-offs come June.

The blanquiazules maintained their good run of form with two more positive results, firstly a good battling away draw followed by a win in the Heliodoro Stadium which was a fifth straight victory on home soil.

The statistics speak for themselves: only one defeat in the last 15 matches, 573 minutes without conceding a single goal and an amazing unbeaten home record stretching back to January 4, 2016.

The total of 25 home games unbeaten equals the previous best set in 1976. Thoughts spring back to the magical end of the 2009 season, the last time that CD Tenerife made it into the top flight. How would that team compare to this one? It is hard to say, the promotion team of that year played better football, scored more goals and the results were more commanding, however, there really is something about this current side that makes them hard to beat. Drawing away and winning at home could stand them in very good

These are good times at the Canarian club

Raul Camera scored his first ever goal for CD Tenerife

marked by constant fouls, time wasting and substitutions, but in a way the final 0-0 scoreline suited both teams.

18/02/2017 CD Tenerife 1 Almería 0 They are already having ‘I was there when Raul Camera scored’ T-shirts made in these

parts, as the 32 year old full back scored his first ever goal for CD Tenerife. Only seven minutes had passed when Raul Camera found himself in the box, he kept his focus well before zooming towards goal where he scored from a wide angle. His face really was a picture but it was all he deserved

after some negative press at times over the past few years.

It was a dream start for the blanquiazules against a dogged, dirty Almería side fighting for survival near the bottom of the table. With key man Alberto missing and both his natural replacements injured, the game was a test of character for the blanquiazules.

The early goal settled the nerves somewhat and the crowd of 12,134 started to get into the party mood. These are good times with the local team riding high in the league but the rest of the game did not quite live up to expectations, it has to be said. The visitors grew in confidence and came more and more into the match.

Tenerife always looked danger-

ous on the break but Almeria did force a few corners and free kicks on the edge of the box.

Choco Lozano should have sealed the game with a point blank header and Amath once again impressed with some exciting play, but when playmaker Aaron Ñíguez retired with a thigh tweak late on, manager Luis Marti opted to bolster the midfield to hold on for the win. It worked this time but these narrow victories are risky.

Next up for Tenerife is a trip to Mallorca on February 25 before receiving Mirandes at home on March 3 at 8pm, right bang in the middle of the carnival celebrations. It should be a fun atmosphere in the Heliodoro n Stadium that night!

Footballing fun

Walking football arrives in Tenerife

By Soccer Experience Nomads Football Club was delighted to host our first ever walking football match at our facility in Los Cristianos. We had players in their 40s, 50s, 60s and one player was almost 70 years old!

A few younger friends came along to help the first session but the fact that it was walking only made it a level playing field for everyone. Sure there were a few aches and pains after the game but they are already planning the next game and cannot wait! If any other potential walking football stars want join the group or start a different team, please get in touch.

Nomads youth teams Our Nomads teams are a great help to any expat families arriv-

We are always looking for new players as we believe that, no matter the talent, the most important aspect of starting a football team together is that they are making new friends through exercise within a team sport.

We would also really like some more girls to join the Monday and Friday football sessions so we can have separate younger and older groups. At the moment we mix the girls together from eight years to 14 years old.

Men’s 6s

Nomads FC’s first walking football group having great fun

ing on the island, and we are delighted to have so many different countries represented in our club. We have Italians, Swedish, British, Irish, Dan-

ish, Russian, Hungarian, Icelandic, Spanish, Lithuanian, Polish and many more different nationalities. It is great fun for the kids and families alike.

Our Men’s 6s league side is presently looking for new teams for the new 2017 season, so if you and some friends want exercise and enjoy playing football during the summer, simply form a team to play every week in Los Cristianos.

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Children’s parties More and more families are hosting birthday parties at our football pitch. The kids run around for two hours and then enjoy cake and snacks at the end. It is a lot easier than being contained in a restaurants limited space. If your kids would like a football birthday party, please contact us.

Summer football camps Nomads’ youth teams and friends will be organising football, cultural and fun trips to Granada, Malaga and Costa del Sol in midJuly 2017, and the following week we head to the UK to participate in a UK competition against professional academy teams. These trips

are an amazing opportunity for young players and provide them with excellent experience that they will remember for a lifetime.

We still need a few players for the under 10s and 12s teams for the Spain and UK trip and several for the under 14s and 16s sides for the UK football camp. More information on the trips can be found at: www. nomadsfc.com.

Contact Further details on the local football can be found at: www.nomadsfc.com. Each team has its own webpage.

Alternatively, email: info@ socexp.com or call/message: +34 654 200 470. Also visit our international website: www. n socexp.com.

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