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March 23 – April 5, 2017 WESTERN SAHARA

CABLE CAR CHAOS

HEALTH

THE FINEST DINING

Peace and recognition

Hanging on a string

Restaurante Los Roques

Active with arthritis

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Page 15

Page 18

Pages 36 & 37

MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCES

Champagne for supernova centre A brand new Astronomy and Science Centre will be opening this year in San Eugenio Alto, Costa Adeje.

Well situated in the south of Tenerife, the centre will have a dedicated science theme and will be an additional attraction for the island. As the brainchild of two entrepreneurs, Aleksandra and Charles, who are responsible for the Teide by Night stargazing excursions, the project aims to explain astronomy and science in a way that everyone will be able to understand.

Aleksandra and Charles both studied medicine and were always interested in science, so they find it easy to explain things to people in simple rather than scientific language.

That’s why their team has the passion and vision to create this amazing centre which will encompass astronomy, various sciences and a wealth of related information.

© Travel Tenerife

Continued on page two

An incredible sight from Mount Teide

When loved ones go missing After Barcelona, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the Spanish province with the most recorded disappearances nationwide, with 14 ongoing missing person cases, according to data recently released by the Interior Ministry.

Since the introduction of the relevant statistics in Spain in 2010, there have been 121,118 reports filed, of which 3.4 per cent (4,164 cases) remain unsolved.

Of these, 214 are categorised as ‘at risk’, while 45 are considered ‘in grave danger’, meaning the likelihood of these individuals reappearing alive are relatively low. It is somewhat surprising that over 60 cases are currently open in the Canary Islands, hence Las Palmas de Gran Canaria being listed as the second highest national province.

Areas that follow Barcelona and Las Palmas are Málaga, the Balearic Islands, Madrid and Murcia.

Photo: www.inselteneriffa.com

STAR TREKKIN’

Athlete Víctor Teni started 2014 with a training session in the Teide National Park – what happened to him on that day remains a mystery

In the majority of cases, it’s usually young adults running away from the family home, and most of those individuals resurface shortly afterwards. Only around 9.35 per cent fall into a category of high risk. Sadly, these include seven

year old Yéremi Vargas, who disappeared without trace on March 10, 2007 in Vecindario, Gran Canaria.

The prime suspect in the case is Antonio ‘El Rubio’ Ojeda, currently in prison for a child abuse conviction from 2012, who is

choosing to remain silent. After 10 years, Yéremi’s parents dearly want a response from the suspect and to know one thing: what happened to their son.

Continued on page two

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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 059

CANARIAN CASES

Heartbreaking disappearances Continued from front page The disappearance of Sara Morales from Las Palmas is another heartbreaking scenario: the 11 year old went missing on July 30, 2006 with no news of her whereabouts or what may have happened to her.

New database Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido recently announced that a national database of missing persons will be set up to share data with relevant bodies, and praised the close collaboration with organisations such as SOS Desaparecidos, Inter SOS, QSD Global, and the Anar Foundation. Representatives from all groups met on March 15 for

The most recent case involves a Norwegian man who disappeared in Gran Canaria

the national day in honour of those who have mysteriously vanished.

Among adults, the majority of people who cannot be accounted for are aged between 36 and 50 years, making up three out of every

10 missing persons. Seniors over 65 years old account for 27 per cent, while 22 per cent are aged between 51 and 65.

In the case of seniors, they are typically people with a neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's. There are many reasons behind middle-aged adults mysteriously disappearing, including accidents during hikes or sporting activities, as well as by personal design to start a new life.

The athlete Víctor Teni is one such person who vanished while training in the Teide National Park on New Year’s Day 2014, and has not been heard from since despite a long-term search. Others fall into the Island’s many deep ravines and valleys when hiking, for example, and water

STARGAZING

Cosmic centre to open Do you know how the Hubble telescope works? A model of the telescope in the new centre will show all its interior parts, complemented by a movie which offers further detail.

What about the Voyager 1 missions? Everyone should know about them, but only a few do.

It was sent into outer space 40 years ago and is known as the 'message in a bottle' because it carries information about human culture to any beings encountered in a further realm.

The Voyager 1 room will contain a handmade model of the craft and a small theatre where documentaries will be shown along with the communications on the Golden Message Record.

The astronomy section will occupy the first floor of the building while the ground floor will be dedicated to science and technology and will house an area where young engineers, who often don’t have the chance to show their

Photo: NASA

Continued from front page

A nebula, where stars are born, captured by the Hubble telescope

work, can be promoted. The building will also be home to the biggest public telescope in Europe.

The current night-time stargazing tours are fantastic, but not everyone wishes to stand on Mount Teide in the cold at night. Hence, the new project is perfect for anyone who wants to see amazing things

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in complete comfort. Thanks to the telescope, the public will be able to study the sun and moon by day and the stars at night, and also learn about its workings and what it takes to become an amateur astronomer. There will also be a modern planetarium which uses 360 degree virtual reality glasses. In the early eveDisclaimer: Island Connections Newspaper is published and printed fortnightly by ISLAND CONNECTIONS S.L. Adverts, texts, photos or other parts of this publication are property of the publishers.

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sportspersons are sometimes taken away by the sea’s strong currents.

Reports in the Canaries Last year alone there were nine missing person reports in the Canary Islands, some of which are still unexplained and others where the individuals were later found deceased. These include: Maria Isabel M.C. (87) from Los Realejos, Remigio Manuel D. (65) from La Cuesta near La Laguna, Fernando F.Q. (73) from Agüímes, Carmelo Antonio D.P. from Adeje, Plácido Santiago S.D. (85) from Granadilla de Abona, Pedro Fidel R.P. (40) from La Palma, Juana R.M (58) from Las Palmas, who was possibly a victim of domestic violence,

José Antonio M.P. (40) from La Orotava, as well as the latest case of 70 year old Norwegian Bjorn Frantzen, who disappeared on March 11 in Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria.

Over a quarter of all cases involve foreign nationals, and 74 per cent are male. However, they all have one thing in common: those who disappeared are sorely missed by loved ones.

the unknown remains reality, the harder it is on them.

Santa Cruz mayor, José Manuel Bermúdez, called on the need for more search and rescue workers and better communication and solidarity within the community. “They need our assistance”, he said, and concluded his statement with a passage from a farewell letter written by Gabriel García Márquez dedicated to

nings, 3D science movies will be shown in many languages.

Conferences will also be held at the centre, which will have the capability for virtual attendance, as Aleksandra and Charles are very interested in the latest in hologram technology.

Construction inside the building is nearly complete, so very soon graffiti artists from all over the world will be invited to come to Tenerife and create galaxy designs inside.

The project brings something totally new and interesting to Island Village in San Eugenio Alto, where you will be able to find your own personal guide to the galaxy and learn about it in a fun and entertaining way.

The official opening will be on November 10 this year, but if all continues to go well, there will be a pre-opening in May. Sponsors are currently being sought for different parts of the project, which is bound to become a major attraction, with four packages available starting at €2,500.

For further information email: astronomyandscience@gmail. com, or see: www.asctenerife. com. Also, visit their Facebook page: astronomyandscience. centre. n

The cases of the Canarian children, Sara and Yéremi, still invoke emotion and solidarity

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Assistance needed It doesn’t matter if it’s your child, partner, parent or grandparent, when someone close to you vanishes the entire family is irrevocably affected. No one can imagine the emotional rollercoaster of family members, who swing from periods of hope to despair, all the while waiting for certainty. The longer

a missing person: “If I knew that these were the last minutes I would see you, I would say ‘I love you’ and not take it for granted that you know it.

There will always be ‘tomorrow’ and life gives us another chance to do things differently, but what if today is all we have? Then I would tell you how much I love you and that I will never forget you.”

Thought-provoking words that require no explanation. n

European Union European Regional Development Fund

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

CLOCK CHANGE

Spring forward to summer Don‘t forget the clocks go forward one hour on March 26 at 2am.

Thus heralding summer time, the change will mean it will be a little darker when the alarm clock rings but it will stay bright for longer in the evening. Perfect for a stroll after work or a barbecue with friends at the weekend. n

Don‘t forget to move your clock forward one hour

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 792

ANIMAL WELFARE

Around 300 people gathered outside the Canarian Parliament in Santa Cruz in early March to protest against the ill-treatment of animals in general and dog fighting in particular.

Several animal welfare organisations, including Adepac, whose president Yahaira Thovar had taken in many of the dogs seized during the recent police raid in Ravelo, had called for the protest. Thovar assured that, despite the arrests, there were still other dog fights taking place on the island and that they continue to be publicised on social networks. She insisted that it is an open secret and said: "Politicians must be more committed to the protection of animals. This is a social problem and we have to deal with it".

In addition, she said that the Canarian animal protection law, which is already 25 years old, urgently needs to be updated and tightened.

Amanda Luis, an activist from the party Pacma, which is also

CANARY ISLANDS

Dog fight protest

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Photos: Christine Kühberger

23.3.2017 – 5.4.2017

Candles and flowers for the dogs that died in the organised fights

against the maltreatment of animals, called for the establishment of an animal protection agency run by local authorities, a uniform approach, and publicly funded animal welfare centres on all the islands. She also wants to see an animal protection council and demanded a

ban on selling pets, commenting: "How is it possible that more and more animals are allowed to be sold while the shelters are full of animals waiting for a home?"

When the mayor of Güímar, Carmen Luisa Castro, appeared at the protest, the

tension grew tangibly. Animal protection activists accused her of having been aware of the dog fights for a long time and not doing anything about it. The mayor was far from impressed and stressed: "Güímar is against any form of animal abuse". She encour-

aged anyone who thinks they know about illegal battles to report it to the police.

The protesters, who were previously aware of the event and those who spontaneously joined in, placed flowers and candles on a makeshift tomb for the dogs that died in the fights. n

CANARY ISLANDS

SPANISH ECONOMY The Spanish economy is enjoying a robust recovery from a deep recession, with structural reforms contributing to high growth rates and a gradual decline in unemployment.

However, according to a new report from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation (OECD), further measures to promote innovative business investment and improve skills are needed to both boost productivity and ensure that the benefits of growth reach all Spaniards. The latest OECD Economic Survey of Spain says that growth will be above two per cent over the 2017-18 period.

“Despite a challenging global environment, Spain is on the right track”, Secretary General, Mr. Gurría said. “Public finances are improving and the important structural reforms implemented over the past years are bearing fruit”. Whilst

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 059

On the right track Photo: Casa Real de España

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King Felipe VI with Angel Gurría (l-r)

unemployment is declining, further reforms are necessary. The Survey points out that reducing unemployment remains a top priority. Improving skills, extending training programmes and strengthening job placement services, particularly for young people and the long-term unemployed, is criti-

cal. Better vocational education and training will also have direct impacts on job matching and productivity.

Above all, it is necessary to train young people and the long-term unemployed better and prepare them for the labour market. The number of children leaving school early is

still too high. Due to the economic crisis, the gap between rich and poor in Spain is further apart than ever and action must be taken to combat poverty. First and foremost, this includes improving education and thus human potential. Better work also means better pay and therefore a higher quality of life - a simple formula that must be implemented. Productivity is still too low and needs to improve. In addition to this, tax reforms are needed, as is lowering the state budget, a higher basic protection, especially for families with children, revision of the insolvency laws and the creation of incentives for investors and entrepreneurs from home and abroad.

Gurría emphasised in his summary: “What is important now is that Spain is making further progress and the economy is stabilising.” n

50TH ANNIVERSARY

Puerto Lions still roaring The middle of March saw the celebration of an incredible 50 years since the creation of the Puerto de La Cruz Lions Club.

The local town hall played host to the special event, which was attended by several members of the council, including local mayor, Lope Afonso. The Lions Clubs have been working on an international level for 100 years and are well known for their work with disadvantaged groups throughout the world.

Current president of the Puerto organisation, Miri Rodríguez, took the opportunity to highlight some of the work that the Lions have undertaken

Members of the local council and Puerto de La Cruz Lions Club celebrating 50 years of helping the community

in the area over the last five decades. The social contribution the club has made is wide

ranging. As well as their fundraising efforts and work with various non-profit groups, they

established the very first nursery facility, in the Paseo del Jardinero, which was handed over to the council in 1972. In 1990, the club donated a fully equipped ambulance to the Red Cross, and one of the latest initiatives is an ambitious annual road safety campaign.

The Puerto de La Cruz club was also the model on which the Los Realejos and Santa Cruz clubs were based.

Long may Puerto’s 45 members continue their good work, along with the other 1.4 million dedicated Lions across the globe, in 46,000 different clubs in 210 countries. n

HARD ROCK HOTEL TENERIFE

We all just wanna be big rock stars You may know luxury, but do you know Rock Royalty luxury?

Whether you’ve made it to the top or you just like to live that way, when you upgrade to one of Hard Rock Hotels’ Rock Royalty options, you’ll receive all of the perks and privileges of a VIP.

Nirvana Tower There are rock stars and then there are rock legends! Become a member and join the upper echelon of rock royalty when you stay at Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife. Located on the 13th, 14th and 15th floors of the Nirvana Tower, the suites at the Rock Royalty level offer exclusive amenities including private concierge services, VIP check-in, and privileged access to a stunning lounge boasting the most amazing panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Easter break Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife is ready to give you the complete rock star treatment, pampering you with a full range of top quality conveniences.

Take advantage of the Easter break and reward yourself with a memorable stay that includes VIP privileges such as free entrance to the Rock Spa thermal circuit, personal assistant services, ironing service, express luggage delivery, packing and unpacking service, Jacuzzi preparation, personal booking, exclusive robe and beach bag, and much more.

And remember: book at Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife and your kids stay and eat for free! Take this opportunity now and travel at any time, all season long. The promotion applies to Bed and Breakfast and Half Board rates and is valid for children between two and 12 years old, subject to availability.

For further information visit: www.hardrockhotels.com/ tenerife. n

Have you ever experienced Rock Royalty luxury?

SOUTHERN HOSPITAL

Arona’s mayor José Julián Mena used the town visit by the Canarian Member of Parliament Teresa Cruz Oval for a bit of political chest beating over the lack of progress on the southern hospital.

“The south needs a real hospital, a hospital deserving of the name”, he declared during a visit to the site with Cruz Oval.

The future southern hospital still looks more like a building site than a construction which is about to be completed. Mena claimed that since the departure of the former socialist health policymaker following the Coalicion Canarias/PSOE (socialist) breach in the governing pact, work has ground to a standstill.

“We are tired of paralysis and delays. There are those who don’t realise the needs of the people, especially their health needs which are not going to wait for the politicians, nor do they understand the responsibilities for each area”, he declared.

Enumerating the deficiencies, Mena underlined that the inpa-

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The northern hospital also remains at a standstill. An inpatient area for the elderly was inaugurated and some external clinics were opened but no additional outpatient services have been provided to northern residents, they were simply moved mainly from Icod and La Orotava – which had much better bus connections. There are 10 buses during weekdays to the northern hospital from Icod, two of which are very early morning for workers, and none at all after 5pm. Perhaps Cruz Oval might like to turn her attention to that too?

Meanwhile, the vice-president of the Canary Islands, Patricia Hernández Gutiérrez, recently announced that the third phase of construction at the hospital site will commence in June, with the second phase completed in May. It is expected that 49 beds will be provided with an addition 49 to be included after the construction’s third phase is underway. Additionally, five oper-

ating theatres, including one dedicated to obstetrics, are to be added with two floors dedicated to inpatient treatment.

A total of €8.9 million will be invested.

Let’s hope that the politicians’ actions are as effective as their words. We are constantly informed that one of the reasons the Canaries is popular over other destinations is because of the better health care provisions, yet it’s not only residents who have to go for any necessary treatment to Santa Cruz, but our holidaymakers too. They have to navigate a difficult journey to and from their holiday centres in a foreign country with a different language. Someone had better get their finger out soon before the competition wakes up and the golden eggs start being laid elsewhere.

Meanwhile, the political healthcare con continues and there is still a long way to go before the provisions for us are even adequate, never mind comprehensive. n

Tired of waiting Photo: Ayuntamiento Arona

23.3.2017 – 5.4.2017

Mena and Oval (l-r) inspecting the southern ‘hospital’ site

tient area was unfinished and unopened, despite a provision of €4.5 million, also the future lab remained unfinished, the area set aside for chemotherapy still hadn’t been sent to tender, the CAT scanner which has been purchased has yet to be installed due to administrative feet-dragging, and the differences of opinion over the oper-

ating rooms and labour wards are yet to be resolved.

Mena has a supporter in Cruz Oval, but how much her backing will impact on future actions remains to be seen.

She underlined a speech by the President of the Doctor’s Association just a few days earlier urging the need for a third top-rank hospital on the island.

Forgetting that as a Canarian MP she should be representing all of the Islands and all of Tenerife, the former councillor for Arico declared that this hospital should be in El Mojón. She also emphasised the need for an oncology day centre and a fast, dedicated bus service to the area to make it easily accessible to the patients.

CANARY ISLANDS

February 27 saw the 41st anniversary of the self-proclaimed declaration of the Independent Republic of the Sahara.

However, there was no big celebration because even after more than four decades, there is no peace in the former Spanish colony. When Spain pulled out in 1975, there was supposed to be joint administration between Morocco and Mauritania. Instead they went to war, with Mauritania relinquishing any rights in 1979 and Morocco eventually became the de facto ruler of the majority of the area controlling all the major cities and natural resources.

Recent skirmishes between those who demand complete independence and the Moroccan army in Guerguerat broke the agreed truce and tensions are high once more. It was against this backdrop that the Sahrawi delegation to Spain headed by its President Jira Boulahi visited Gran Canaria for a meeting with the island’s president, Antonio Morales. He reaffirmed that his government would back the self-determina-

INTERNATIONAL MEETING

In search of peace and recognition

Jira Boulahi during her visit to GC

tion of the Saharan people and support them in their demands for a free referendum to enable residents of the Western Sahara to vote on their future.

For years, the representatives of the Polisario Front have called on the UN for the liberation of the Western Sahara, recognition of the Western Sahara as an independent country, and for help in keeping Morocco within its own borders. Instead, there has been a long history of alleged human rights violations, torture and intimidation, and the exploitation of

raw materials in the occupied area continue.

More than 155,000 people have lived in a refugee camp in Tindouf on the Algerian border for decades. The provisional headquarters of the Polisario government of the Democratic Arab Republic of Sahara is also there.

Every summer, children up to 13 years of age come from the refugee camp to the Canary Islands to escape the desert heat. They receive free health care and are lodged with Canarian families. There are also var-

Sand artists from La Orotava in Malta In Tenerife, every year for Corpus Christi, the sand carpet makers (alfombristas) cover the town square in La Orotava with a giant carpet of sand collected in Las Cañadas. These genuine works of art are both transient and fascinating.

Spanish delegations, including the Canaries, one each from Mexico and Belgium, as well as three from Italy and one from Malta, all members of the international commission, created an exhibition of 10 carpets in the form of a

A sand carpet for Europe

An international meeting of sand carpet artists took place in Victoria on the island of Gozo in Malta between March 9 and 12 and was attended by the carpet makers from La Orotava.

This event united carpet makers from all over the world who all conjure up their ephemeral creations with salt, sand or natural materials.

ious solidarity projects in the Islands to help the permanent refugees who live here. "We are very grateful to the Canarian people, who have always solidly supported us. The Sahrawis are a peaceful people who have never started a war but have always defended themselves.

For a long time, we have been inviting the Moroccan side to discuss the peace process, but we have little willingness to cooperate with the representatives of the Moroccan kingdom", Boulahi explained during her visit to Gran Canaria. "We place great hope in the newly appointed Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Gutiérrez. He knows the reality and the conflict that the Sahrawis experience every day", she elucidated.

She hopes to have a strong supporter in the Spaniard at the United Nations. The Sahrawis want a referendum on their independence and respect from the Moroccans on international rights. Their goal is to live in an independent state, a recognised Democratic Arab Republic of Sahara. n

This carpet was made by the guests from La Orotava

In Malta, the artists were guests at the Conference for Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR). Around 100 carpet artists from five

petal in the World Cultural Heritage City of Victoria.

The carpet makers from La Orotava decided on a design entitled Union of Cultures, repre-

senting the union between Gozo and La Orotava. It had a background of repeated geometric shapes, representing a typical Canarian lace pattern. In the centre was a black circle with elements from the first carpet made in La Orotava in 1847 by Leonor de Castillo. The centre was occupied by Mount Teide, the volcano which represents the island, and beneath this, the dome of the La Concepción church, the symbol of La Orotava and the monument of the Bahía de San Blas from the island of Gozo, as a union of all the elements.

The carpet designed in Malta represented the European flag with the logos of conference participants. Officially inaugurated on March 10, this event was a wonderful opportunity for Tenerife's carpet makers to show the art of making sand carpets. n

CARTOON MOVIE AND STAR WARS

Fuerteventura on film

The Fuerteventura Film Commission announced at the beginning of March that it had authorised the Walt Disney Company and the Canarian production company Sur Film to shoot a feature film on Fuerteventura in the coming months.

As rumours had already been suggesting, it will be a new episode in the Star Wars saga although it is not yet clear when shooting will begin.

As soon as this commitment was made, a delegation from Gran Canaria attended a new film pitching event in Bordeaux, France, called Cartoon Movie. This is the most important European show in the field of animation and video games, with over 750 professionals from 35 countries attending.

From Bordeaux the movie ambassadors from Gran Canaria travelled to Paris. There, the Series Mania festival was celebrated from March 18 to 21. This is one of the most important European platforms, on which TV series from Europe look for co-production partners. n

TWO-WHEELED FANTASY

Girl power!

Watch out for one of the most extraordinary sights of the year on April 2.

Members of the island’s very own motorbike club for female riders, Moteras de Tenerife, will be donning fancy dress and taking to the streets for a jaunt round the north.

The ladies will be meeting at Santa Cruz’s Parque Marítimo César Manrique at 9am, and are hoping to be ready to set off on the two-wheeled tour just one hour later.

The cheeky cruisers will be decorated and draped in a myriad of bright and breezy carnival colours. You won’t miss them if they pass you by, that’s for sure.

Check out their Facebook page at: moteras.tenerife. n

Photo: Facebook / moteras.tenerife

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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 059

Photo: Cabildo GC

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Tenerife’s women’s bike club will take a colourful cruise on April 2

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 792

CARNIVAL THEME 2018

Ready for next year?

Photo: Carnavaldetenerife

Just when many are relaxing after the Santa Cruz carnival, others are already planning next year’s big event.

You also have an opportunity to make your contribution to the affair by voting for which theme you think should head the revelry in 2018.

Anyone who is interested can submit their opinion before March 31, choosing from one of the following seven options: Ice; Fantasy; New York, the city that never sleeps; Old West; The Renaissance; Ancient Greece; or The Savannah.

Votes can be cast on the carnival website at: www.carnavaldetenerife.com. Only one submission per IP address is accepted. n

As soon as it’s over, it all starts again

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ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATIONS

Thunderbirds are go!

The recent climax of a massive investigation involving 42 different countries saw 59 people arrested in Spain for crimes against the environment and animals.

On an international level, the inquiry, headed by INTERPOL and code named ‘Thunderbird’, saw owners of pet shops, social media sites, containers, warehouses, hunting shops and a range of others being investigated.

A total of 900 suspects were identified and 1,300 seizures of illicit products, worth an estimated €4.7 million, were made.

The operation was undertaken by a combination of police officers with officials from customs departments, border agencies, and wildlife, forestry and environmental sectors.

An astonishing amount of animals or their derivatives were seized, including 4,770 birds, 1,240 reptiles, 100 wild cats and 2.54 tonnes of raw and processed ivory. Almost 90 individuals have already been

Photo:s Guardia Civil

23.3.2017 – 5.4.2017

jailed for terms ranging up to seven years, the majority of them for contravention of the Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora laws (CITES).

Others found guilty can also expect prison terms, as well as fines worth 350 per cent of the goods traded.

Due to its westerly location and proximity to Africa, Spain plays an important role in the activities of illegal traders, who smuggle their goods through the country to the rest of Europe and further afield.

The Canary Islands are also used as a hub in a similar manner. The Spanish arm of

When animals are rescued alive, they are taken into professional care Numerous pieces made from prohibited ivory have been confiscated A stuffed lion was seized by authorities

the operation was headed by the Guardia Civil’s environmental agency, Seprona. Live confiscated animals included primates, eagles, toucans and turtles, whilst body parts from others such as sharks and croc-

odiles were also uncovered. In addition, a stuffed lion was removed from its owners. As well as the arrests, a further 683 people were accused of offences.

According to INTERPOL, violations of environmental laws now form the world's fourth largest illegal market after drug trafficking, document counterfeiting and human trafficking. The profits generated are estimated to be somewhere between €85 billion to €241 billion, with an annual growth rate of between five and seven per cent. n

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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 059

PROMOTION

A few hours in paradise Many people consider a visit to a spa to be a luxury, and it is, but nowadays with all the stresses and strains of modern life, it is also something that many of us need from time to time so that we can truly relax.

The Grand Hotel Callao, situated on the outskirts of Cal-

The first port of call is the thermal bath where you can take a healthy dip and allow the heat to warm your body. Quite the opposite happens at the next stop, the Polar room which, as its name suggests, is icy cold.

There is a large circular bowl in the centre of this room full of small lumps of ice which

clean. Moving on, we come to a walk over hot coals, and if you feel the need to cool down afterwards, there is the very attractive but cold tunnel. So by now you have taken your body through a world of sensations, and there's still the best to come.

The big pool, like an enormous hot tub, and the smaller circular pools with jets, whirlpool and waterfalls are comfortably warm. You can treat yourself to the sensation of the strong jets and hydromassages pummelling and toning your skin, easing away some of your aches and pains, as well as a few you didn't realise that you had.

There's no rush, and there is not a clock in sight.

Other body treatments available include depilation: of the face, bikini line, underarm, legs, arms, back and chest. You could also choose from a tempting series of body wraps, facial treatments, manicures and pedicures. Additionally, there are some special ritual treatments for the body and mind. Try the Cleopatra which is balancing, regenerating and hydrating. It consists of body peeling, wrapping with stem cell, a Jacuzzi with essential oils, and finally body moisturising.

The Cesar ritual is an antistress treatment which also drains and purifies. It uses Hammam on the body, and you will get an anti-stress facial and cranial massage. Other treatments offer anti-oxidant

TOP STUDENTS

Wingate winners Two students from Wingate School have received prestigious awards from the Cambridge International Examination Board to acknowledge their outstanding performance in the June 2015 and June 2016 examination series.

The Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards programme celebrates the success of those taking Cambridge examinations in over 40 countries around the world. Cambridge puts learners at the centre of their international education programmes and qualifications, which are inspired by the best in educational thinking.

The two Wingate students received Outstanding Award Certificates for top marks in Spain. Krish Ramchandani achieved the top mark for his AS Level Business Studies in June 2015, and Olivia Dowling achieved the same accolade for her AS Level English Language in June 2016.

Mr. Colin Macrae, Head of the school said: “These awards recognised the talent, dedication and commitment of both learners and staff. We are all very proud of Krish and Olivia, and also of the achievements of all of our students”.

Cambridge International Exam Board commented: “It is extremely rewarding to congratulate Cambridge learners and teachers at Wingate School who have worked so hard to achieve tremendous success in Cambridge International examinations.” Island Connections would like to congratulate them as well. n

The spa has a pleasing Mayan design

lao Salvaje in the south west of Tenerife, occupies 54,000 square metres and is surrounded by nature. Peaceful and tranquil, it offers various sports such as pitch and putt, tennis, padel, squash, volleyball, basketball and football, and has a fabulous heated swimming pool.

The hotel includes a spa which is thought to be one of the best in the Canary Islands. Occupying 1,800 square metres and sharing the building with the gymnasium, it has been created with a magical Mayan theme, is pleasing to the eye, and has a wonderfully comfortable atmosphere.

There is a great circuit to follow from the relaxation room where you can simply lay back and forget about the world and all your obligations and time limits. Then it is time to start on the baths, the journey towards that feeling of wellness.

The main pool can be enjoyed by anyone, even the disabled

are regularly being topped up.

Head back to the warmth in the Turkish steam bath. This room is hot and extremely therapeutic if you have any respiratory complaints, as all that steam in your lungs will help you to clear them.

We move on to the sauna, which has seating on three levels. The higher you go, the hotter it gets. The heat here increases blood circulation to the skin and encourages perspiration, eliminating toxins and leaving the skin

Grand Hotel Callao Spa, Golf and Sport Avenida El Jable s/n. Callao Salvaje, Costa Adeje Tenerife Tel: 922 740 627 Email: reservas@grandhotelcallaosport.com Website: www.grandhotelcallaosport.com

Let the water jets pummel your body into relaxation

Should you need to cool down, try the cold tunnel

You can also treat yourself to a wide range of relaxing and therapeutic massages which include chocolate, hot stone, hot candle, aromatherapy, and a relaxing back massage. It is amazing to have your back and shoulders manipulated by a professional, easing away the stiffness which is borne of bad posture and stress. Just relax and let it happen, you will feel renewed afterwards.

and regenerating properties, or are created to balance the body and mind.

Prices are very reasonable and there are always offers and special promotions at this spa.

Additionally, monthly or weekly season tickets for the spa and gymnasium are available. All you need to bring is yourself, a bathing costume and a pair of flip flops which are essential when walking around the wet spa area. Big, fluffy towels are provided.

The changing rooms are very spacious, and include lockers and a hairdryer. Alternatively, a visit to this spa would make a wonderful gift for someone special. What are you waiting for? Treat yourself to a piece of paradise soon, because it does exist. n

Krish Ramchandani achieved the top mark in Spain for his AS Level Business Studies in June 2015

Olivia Dowling achieved top mark in Spain for her AS Level English Language in June 2016

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9

CONTRACT CLAMP DOWN

Employment issues in the Canaries In the past two years, 18,548 companies have been scrutinised by work inspectors from the Canarian government's department for employment, social policies and housing.

Of these, 5,349 businesses were found to have violated employment regulations by hiring people without contracts, overworking employees beyond their stated hours, or failing to register workers for social security.

The large number of violations that have been revealed should be a deterrent. An additional consequence of the inspections was that 7,757 work contracts were adjusted to reflect the real working hours and 5,379 new employment contracts were created.

There are currently 92 inspectors and sub-inspectors in the

Canary Islands. Last year, they were also supported by 32 colleagues from the Spanish peninsula during a targeted campaign. The intensive scrutiny should already be having a preventive effect.

Penalties are imposed depending on the seriousness of the infringement. Companies with irregularities relating to employment laws or social security fraud are fined between €60 and €120 for minor violations and up to €187,515 for serious offences.

Those relating to employment security may be fined between €40 and €819,780. The illegal employment of foreigners who are not registered with the social security system can cost the employer between €300.51 and €60,101. In addition to the fines, viola-

tions of employment laws may have even more serious consequences. For example, subsidies and aid projects can be stopped or suspended, or access to them blocked, and illegally employed foreigners run the risk of being expelled from the country.

This year, officials have announced plans for 8,745 inspections of companies suspected of operating underground and failing to declare, and 4,937 inspections related to social security fraud and employment which is not declared. Although fewer inspections are planned than last year, experience has shown that unforeseen missions are always being added to the list.

Experts expect an increase in new employment contracts of 9,520 in the Canaries, which

When the inspectors come, it will be expensive if staff documents are not in order

is an increase of 9.1 per cent.

The province of Las Palmas is expected to register the most new contracts as over half of the jobs are expected to be created in the eastern province.

Throughout Spain, employment booms during Easter

period and in 2011 the barrier of 100,000 new contracts was exceeded. During the two following years, the numbers decreased but in each of the four following years they rose again. This year, 162,500 new jobs are expected to be created

in the transport, distribution, hospitality and entertainment sectors across the country, which is 7.6 per cent more than last year. Anyone who gets caught up in illegal employment runs the risk of paying for it in hindsight. n

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PROMOTION

A great vet in Las Galletas The Centro Veterinario Las Galletas has been established in the same premises since 1996, with the same two vets attending to patients for those 21 years.

Ignacio Palomés Moíño and María Rosa Rodríguez Barro look after all types of com-

Centro Veterinario Las Galletas C/La Paz 6, Ed. El Puertito Las Galletas, Arona Tel: 922 786 313 Email: cvlgvet@gmail.com Web: www.centro veterinariolasgalletas.es Open: Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pm and 4.30pm to 8pm; Saturdays, 10am to 1pm

mon pets, including dogs, cats, exotic animals, birds, reptiles, and smaller animals such as rabbits and hamsters.

They offer all the usual services, consultations, general medicine, vaccinations, micro-chipping and surgery, including traumatology, and they have all the equipment needed to do so.

They are both fully up to date with current methods, regularly attending conferences and courses, both in person and online. They also regularly update their equipment to suit current requirements and methods. The clinic houses a waiting area, consultation rooms, an operating theatre and a hospital area, although they prefer not to keep animals in for any longer than is necessary.

At this and other clinics, a check-up of most animals nowadays includes a blood pressure test for older patients, as they, like humans, could be suffering from a problem which is not initially apparent. There are special sleeves designed to fit all sizes of paws, from the tiniest creature to the biggest of dogs.

Ignacio told Island Connections that most animals are easy to deal with but cats do get stressed out very easily and it is very important to ensure that this does not happen.

For this reason, the appointment system at this clinic is designed to try to prevent cats and dogs meeting in the waiting room, and to cut down on waiting time.

The way of treating cats has changed and the vets do not

It is important to ensure that your cat does not get stressed out

want a visit to the clinic to be a bad experience. Therefore they are also training owners how to keep their cats calm on the day of a visit. Ignacio recommends a product called Feliway, which consists of pheromones similar to those which cats use to mark their territory and this makes

them feel safe and relaxed.

He often rubs a few drops of Feliway on his hands before he approaches a cat, and it is a good idea to rub a drop or two inside your pet carrier on the day. Feliway plug-ins can be purchased from your vet or most pet stores.

At the Centro Veterinario Las Galletas, Ignacio and María Rosa speak English, Spanish, German, French and Dutch.

You can make appointments by phone, email, or via their website or Facebook page.

There are also plenty of parking spaces nearby. n

Spanish royals King Felipe and Queen Letizia will embark on an official State Visit to the UK in early June, the first in over 30 years, it has recently been announced.

The Spanish King and Queen will stay at Buckingham Palace from June 6 to 8, and the full programme will be announced soon. The last State Visit was when King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia visited the UK in 1986. Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh returned with a State Visit to Spain in 1988.

Since then the Spanish and British royal families have paid a number of formal visits to each other’s countries.

In 2002, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia attended the annual Order of the Garter Ceremony at Windsor Castle, including a dinner given

by The Queen. In 2011, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall paid a three day official visit to Spain that was hosted by Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia. A few weeks later Queen Sofia, Prince Felipe

Royal reunion and Princess Letizia attended the wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton.

The British and Spanish Royal Families are directly related through the marriage of Alfonso XIII of Spain to Princess Victoria Eugenia, granddaughter of Queen Victoria, in 1906.

Victoria Eugenia is the greatgrandmother of King Felipe.

“In this Sapphire Jubilee celebration year for Her Majesty, I am delighted that King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain have accepted her invitation to visit the UK”, said the British Ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley.

“This State Visit will celebrate not only the long and deep royal and historic ties between our two countries but also our strong relationship as partners bilaterally, within Europe and on the global stage. We enjoy close connections in terms of culture, commerce, education, science and innovation. This is an opportunity to celebrate and deepen those links.” The Ambassador was speaking from Santander, where he is touring

2017 is the Queen’s Sapphire Jubilee celebration year King Felipe and Queen Letizia will embark on their first State Visit to the UK in early June

the north of Spain to promote education, tourism and investment in the UK.

Close partners Today, the UK and Spain are close partners in NATO and

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Photo: Joel Rouse/ Ministry of Defence OGL v3.0

UK STATE VISIT

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Photo: Holger Motzkau cc-by-sa-3.0

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United Nations, among numerous international organisations.

We also continue to cooperate in the EU, and once we leave the Union we want to strengthen our strong bilateral relationship with Spain.

The two countries are also

major partners in trade, with around €46 billion of trade in 2015, including British goods and services worth almost €17 billion exported to Spain, and imports from Spain to the UK worth nearly €29 billion.

Nearly 300,000 Britons are registered as residents in Spain and 18 million visitors came from the UK last year, whilst more than 132,000 Spaniards are resident in the UK and two million visited in 2015.

On top of that, we share close educational connections, with nearly 11,000 Spanish students studying at UK universities and 50,000 students attending British schools in Spain. n

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FIGHTING MASS TOURISM

Green islands threatened

By Barbara Belt Of the two Canarian provinces, the eastern Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with the islands of Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria, lying 100 kilometres off the Moroccan coast, is drier with a more African climate.

It’s further away from the Gulf Stream and its islands lack the high northern faces of their western neighbours to catch the passing northeast trade wind moisture.

The islands of the western province: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma, are greener with vegetation down to coast level and often topped by jauntily angled cloud caps. These, especially the three smaller ones of La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro, are the green islands, attracting alternative tourism.

There’s no mass tourism, few big hotels and no all-inclusive deals. This isn’t shag and vomit territory – although it’s certain that both do take place there – as visitors generally have other interests. “See you later and we’ll get f’ing rat-arsed”, was the parting shot from one, erm, lady to another as my flight into South Tenerife landed. Why do Brits and other northern Europeans do this with alcohol?

Their southern counterparts are awash with it, readily available at all times, but would be mortified to be so drunk.

But I digress. These western islands are green in various senses. Visitors come to whale watch, hike, climb, cycle and disconnect, all in very peaceful surroundings. There are no

attention to legal deeds or land registries.

This situation, at least in La Gomera, created such chaos that, despite attempts by offi-

owners often long deceased.

Older members of communities were the only reliable source of information about boundaries, while ‘legal’ land

Islands such as La Palma attract visitors who come to hike, climb, cycle and disconnect

the local community and the typewriter, drawing up private bills of sale. Public notaries and lawyers were rare and so were public deeds. It was difficult for anyone, especially foreigners, who wanted to buy.

The 100 metres I bought had only one owner, living in Tenerife, but bears only a passing resemblance to what’s registered, while the 200 metres beside it had 13 different owners, whose descendants were living in Venezuela, Cuba, Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

Foreigners have wanted to buy but are deterred by the nightmare of tracing owners who probably aren’t interested in selling anyway. A thirteenth share is negligible.

cials with serious technology, reality bears little relation to what is registered, with legal

Another unsung cement stopper is the time-honoured practice of inheritance

The islands of the western province are often topped by jauntily angled cloud caps La Gomera is so green because of the moisture from passing northeast trade winds

big shopping malls, no large cement complexes, nobody trying to entice you in, or sell you timeshare, no hype and, after a slower start than their bigger sisters, they’re doing nicely now thank you with niche markets attracted to such peace and tranquillity.

An important benefit of this green tourism is that there’s no demolition of local culture.

Fiestas are intact. Small villages aren’t overwhelmed by hordes of revellers. Crime’s on TV. The reasons that the green hasn’t disappeared under cement are varied: they’re more isolated and emigration to the Americas caused land, both

agricultural and scrub, to lay untended, passed on through the generations without much

transactions were conducted locally, with whoever had the knowledge, the confidence of

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CANARY ISLANDS

13

ing the green light to projects of questionable legality”, explained Rubén Martinez, who moves into politics after 24 years teaching, much of it as a popular lecturer in San Sebastián.

The green islands delegation was invited to Brussels by MEP Ángela Vallina from the Izquierda Unida (United Left) party. Vallina organised a press conference from the European Parliament and a programme

The Gulf Stream helps to maintain La Gomera’s green beauty

squabbling. Four out of five owners will sell, but the fifth says no on principle. This proves wonderfully effective at limiting foreign investment in cement.

Development largely depended on being well in with local and island authorities. Planning restrictions strictly forbade development in all but designated areas, which were scarce, so a grace and favour system of municipal permission (illegal, but…) existed until fairly recently. If the mayor gave you the nod, you built fast. If and when the fines arrived from Medio Ambiente, you took the notification to the town hall where it would never be seen again.

Without the illegal yes, a hefty fine arrived. Demolition was rare. Fines were stoically added to building costs. It was a chancy freefor-all and came to an end with the economic crash, just in time to save green spaces from encroaching cement.

Until now, the green islands have avoided the ill-effects of mass tourism

Rubén Martínez (centre left), Ángela Vallina (centre) and other representatives of the Sustainable Canaries Platform in Brussels

Islands such as el Hierro are ideal for nature lovers

Ángela Vallina represents the Izquierda Unida (United Left) party in Brussels and invited the Canarian contingent

That was the status quo until September 2016, when ground use laws were changed for the three green islands, permitting construction for tourism on rustic and protected areas of cultural and environmental importance, because the green islands needed more cement ‘to be able to develop adequately for tourism’!

Into the fray stepped the political left, in the form of the Izquierda Unida and relatively new Si Se Puede parties, whose rationale is that this Tourism Law 2/2016 opens the doors for the destruction of natural beauty and endangers many protected areas.

A delegation from the three islands for the Sustainable

Canaries Platform, amongst them La Gomera’s Cabildo Si Se Puede representative, lecturer Rubén Martínez, were recently in Brussels to argue their case on the negative impact of the law.

“The approved law supposes a grave danger for our islands, which have stayed on the margin of mass tourism and could have continued to opt for sustainable tourism of better quality and higher income. However, instead of

of activities which included a meeting with European Commission Environmental Head, Ion Codescu, to explain the various problems inherent in the new law and the serious lack of consensus over its approval. Another meeting with the head of the European Parliament's Committee on Petitions (PETI), Cecilia Wikström, took place with representatives from other groups, all of whom promised to “study the petition in detail.” Let’s hope they do. n

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ANAGA

That old black magic

Caught in the act of killing a cockerel Anaga enchants all its visitors

Members of the Santa Cruz police force caught three women in the act of celebrating a black magic ritual at the end of February.

The trio was surprised as they were in the process of decapitating a cockerel at the time and have been charged with animal cruelty, pollution of a nature reserve and unauthorised waste disposal.

Residents of Anaga and the neighbourhood association of La Cumbrecilla de Afur called the authorities’ attention to the occasional meetings where

black magic was performed and the incidences frightened them. In May 2015, the local mayor Manuel was found dead in a bush and a group of people dressed in white were seen in the area around the same time. The local people believed that their rituals might have had something to do with Manuel’s accident. Police have since calmed residents’ fears.

Witchcraft The mysterious Anaga forest with their special laurel-for-

est scent and hanging lichens seems to ooze magic and is an ideal setting for tales of witchcraft.

Stories of the ‘evil eye’ and other curses abound and were widely believed not a century ago. In the times of the Guanches, the aboriginal occupants of Tenerife, some of their wise men occupied a cave in Anaga.

It’s said that they warned the Guanche kings (Menceyes) before the arrival of the Spanish conquerors, but they were not believed at the time.

Canarian legends mention witchcraft and it is claimed by some that the Bailadero de Anaga on the mountain crest between San Andrés and Taganana was one of their gathering places where the witches met to dance and celebrate witches’ baptisms. Some claim

that the ‘Bailaderos’ got their name from the dancing – in Spanish, bailar. Supposedly the witches would run naked to the coast to bathe after the dance.

Later, influences of East European vampire legends became intermingled with the original tales, so the Canarian witches became blood-suckers who nightly supped on the blood of babies in their cradles.

The Canarian historian Domingo García Barbuzano tells of gatherings of blackrobed witches, who together with novices, looked out for lonely hikers to bewitch them.

There are similar stories about the Guaxas in Asturias and the Guajonas in Cantabria.

The Canarian teacher and hobby-archaeologist Luis Diego Cuscoy presumed that the peninsula names for their witches came from the Guanche Bailadero.

Another theory about the Bailaderos is that they are linked to the Guanche tradition of separating the kids from their mothers in times of drought and enclosing them in an area where their cries (balidos) were believed to encourage the gods to send rain.

Through archaeological studies it’s known that Anaga was an important place for the aborigines. They grazed their goats and performed their rituals on the green slopes of these lovely hills – rituals which were condemned by the Catholic conquerors as witchcraft, so the truth is probably a mixture of the two legends.

Whatever the case, Anaga is the perfect place for mystical tales and romance and a magical setting that you shouldn’t miss visiting. n

PLAZA MEETING POINT

Fresh look for La Orotava kiosk The Plaza de La Constitución in La Orotava is commonly known as the ‘Plaza del Kiosco’ because in the middle of the public square, beneath the pavilion, there was always a small kiosk and later a bar.

It was traditionally a popular meeting point for the local people to have a cup of coffee or a meal. Visitors also enjoyed the atmosphere under the great trees which create shade. But since the owner retired, everything has gone quiet. The bar was closed and it now urgently needs an all-round renovation in order to meet the requirements of a current bar and café licence.

Narciso Pérez, the town’s councillor for infrastructure, is currently drawing up a project that takes into account everything that needs to be repaired and updated before it can be reopened. It also includes the recovery of the original coloured glass windows. The idea is that the kiosk is to be exempt from the obligation of having a public toilet due to its special characteristics, and that guests may use the amenities at the entrance to the nearby Jardín Victoria.

Even the mayor, Francisco Linares, is interested in opening the kiosk as soon as possible. He called for technicians to work faster so that the tender for a successor could be issued during the first six months of this year. n

The kiosk in the plaza will soon be a meeting point again

DO YOU WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR COMPANY HERE 922 750 609

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SOUTH TENERIFE EVENT

Support children with cancer Plucky Claire Brown will be running the London Marathon this year in aid of Children with Cancer UK, and you have a chance to support the charity here in Tenerife on March 26.

The Terrace Bar in Amarilla Golf will be hosting a funfilled event which will include a whole host of activities.

You can check out the latest threads in the fashion show, enjoy a BBQ feast, try your luck in the raffle, watch the kids have fun on the bouncy castle, or just sit back and enjoy the entertainers.

It will be a great day out for the whole family and a wonderful opportunity to do your bit towards helping a charity that not only supports sufferers and their families, but also funds research and education, and campaigns for greater awareness of one of the biggest causes of child mortality in the UK. See: www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk for more information on the organisation, or contact Claire on: 649 786 481 for the latest news on the event. n

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HANGING ON A STRING

Teide cable car chaos For the 256 people who took an excursion to Mount Teide on March 15, it proved to be a trip they won’t forget in a hurry.

The cable car, which is the only way to reach the majestic summit of Spain's highest mountain, suddenly stopped half way up. The automatic safety system activated, halting the two cable cars, each carrying 35 people, one on the way up and the other on the way down from the summit.

It was 1.35pm and the two cabins had travelled about 400 metres. After two hours, technicians and rescue workers realised that the fault could not be repaired quickly and the decision was made to evacuate the cable cars. Another problem was that darkness would fall in about three and a half hours' time and it was not only about those trapped in the cabins, more people were waiting at the top for the ride down to the base station.

The base station is located at an altitude of 2,356 metres and the mountain station at 3,555 metres. Only a few people, a family with small children and others with health problems could be evacuated by helicopter. Numerous personnel from the fire brigade, the police forces, civil protection and the Red Cross were on hand to help.

Some walked down across Montaña Blanca, but this was a tricky trek and took about three hours. When darkness fell, their descent became even more difficult but they created a line of emergency lighting with their mobile phones. At the end of the path, helpers were waiting for them.

The rescue of people stranded in the cable cars was nothing

After a frosty night in the shelter, people were gradually flown out by helicopter

Some ambled down the mountain, using mobile phones as lights when darkness fell

less than spectacular. Personnel were there to ensure that no one panicked, and using a mountaineering rope system, one by one the passengers

were lowered some 30 metres through an escape hatch under the cabins to terra firma where an emergency team was waiting. The people from the

cabin travelling upwards then walked down to the base station where refreshments were served and the cable car operator organised buses to the south, north and to Santa Cruz to take them back to their accommodation.

Meanwhile, passengers from the other cabin walked up to the mountain station. Many of these people were not equipped or clothed for a mountain hike. After all, they were essentially on a day trip.

A total of 111 people spent the night on the mountain, divided between different buildings, to protect them from the freezing below-zero temperatures.

The mountain station accommodated 52 adults and three children. About 40 people who were not able to walk very far were taken, and some of them carried, to the Altavista refuge.

A further 16 tourists, including five minors, spent the night in the concrete hut beneath the second cable car tower. They were all served with dinner and breakfast as it was not until the next morning that the evacuation could be continued by helicopter or on foot.

The operation began at first light, and was completed by approximately 3pm without anybody being hurt. The cable car and adjacent hiking trails remained closed for three days. n

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BOOK IN TIME

Pet holidays at Tierhotel Lilly Angelika Duprée explained: "I know how difficult it is when you want to travel but also want the best for your pets.

That's why I care for all my four-legged guests as if they were mine."

At any time, the pet owners can contact the hotel if they are worried, and also they will be given a reminder photo when it’s time to pick up their pet. A customer who has been using the service for many years said: "When I leave my dogs with Angelika, I can fly away on holiday feeling very relaxed.

I know they are doing well."

Thanks to her many years of At Tierhotel Lilly the animals are treated with tender, loving care Dogs have a wonderful fenced play area to run around

Have you already planned your Easter or summer holidays, or maybe you are considering a short break on one of the other Islands for May Day? If you don't know what to do about your dog or cat during these holidays then book them into the Tierhotel Lilly where they will have a great time.

Since 2009, Angelika Duprée has been running this small but refined animal hotel in La Caleta near Garachico. It offers space for dogs of all sizes and even has a cat house with outdoor climbing facilities. The cosy wooden houses offer the four-legged guests a great holiday home. In the summer they can find shade and in the winter a place sheltered from the wind. And, of course, there is a clean food bowl and a warm bed for everyone.

During the day they get pats, strokes and cuddles. Dogs which get along well can even play together and have fun in the fenced dog playground. The hotel has now been in existence for eight years, and it has a regular clientele who place their little darlings in Angelica's care since they know they are in good hands. She is an animal lover and the owner of three dogs and a cat.

experience, Angelica also takes care of older animals which need special care or treatment.

If necessary, a veterinarian is available at any time. All fourlegged friends are taken care of so that their humans can relax and enjoy their holidays.

Anyone who needs a place in the coming spring and summer months should make their reservations in good time. n

VIVA LAS VEGAS

Los Cristianos’ carnival season begins This year the carnival of Los Cristianos will be staged with a ‘Las Vegas’ theme and over 6,000 people will participate in the 25 scheduled events all over town, beginning March 17 to 27.

Los Cristianos will be Las Vegas recreated, full of glitz and glamour, with music, dancing and so much more. Organisers of the event are pleased to present the fabulous dance group: Los Playeritos y Ritmo Sureño. They have been performing at the carnival since its launch in 1991, and the group comprises of 155 people of all ages. They have excellent drummers and local talent, and are one big extended family. The group has performed at many events in the borough of Arona, and took part in the carnival parades in Santa Cruz, Los Gigantes and Granadilla.

On February 26, Los Playeritos y Ritmo Sureño presented a wonderful carnival fantasy show at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium in Los Cristianos, created by the group’s choreographer, Ainara Ruis Cuevas Quintero, and called The Time of the Butterflies.

The popular dance act has been practicing routines and designing their extravagant costumes since September last year. Using over 6,000 feathers and 10,000 shiny gem stones to adorn their amazing outfits, the dance troupe has worked hard to be ready for the carnival period, and rehearsed tirelessly at the CEIP Pérez Valero School in Los Cristianos.

Los Playeritos y Ritmo Sureño brings out the best of the carnival and help to make the Los Cristianos event continually bigger and better. The dance group would like to thank their sponsors this year, especially Keddy’s Entertainment and Ocean Radio for all the marketing opportunities.

Be sure to look out for Los Playeritos y Ritmo Sureño or follow them on Facebook: Comparsa Ritmo Sureño.

And don’t forget to visit the Los Cristianos carnival and have a fantastic time! n

Los Playeritos y Ritmo Sureño

Tierhotel Lilly Angelika Duprée La Caleta de Interian Garachico Mobile: 697 826 738 www.tierhotel-lilly.com

The dance act has been performing at the Los Cristianos carnival since its launch in 1991

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By

Mars Potatoes pened? There are a few measly crisps at the very bottom of the bowl, but the packet that lies on the coffee table is big enough to hold a week's shopping. Airtight tinfoil packets, that’s what happened.

Hi everyone,

be the first location chosen to continue the human race, unless our eminent scientists and physicists have gone badly wrong and the sun swallows the red planet too!

Once there, those humans will need to have food, so experiments are beginning, and the potato is the first choice. Mind you, they'll have to find enough

katykennedy@telefonica.net Tf: 616 110 930

Peru, which it describes as very dry and the most Mars-like soil found on Earth. The tests could be very beneficial for faminehit countries, if and when climate change devastation is ravaging the earth. In fact, this is all extremely important in view of the famines raging at this

the conditions found on Mars.

They used the satellite because it provided a ready-made confined environment in which to conduct the experiment. Inside they placed an LED to simulate the planet's solar radiation, and have built controls for altering temperature in accordance

Photo: Constantin Jurcut/ FreeImages.com

Hi everyone, I hope you're all looking forward to family and friends visiting this Easter.

My youngest daughter Julia comes with her husband Martin, but without the kids.

Joshua is pursuing his music career with his band (did I ever mention that I taught him how to play the guitar, all by myself without anybody beside me, and all alone. Oh I did!

How many times? Well I did, so there!)

And my lovely Abigail is off with her university pals having adventures, so it will seem strange to the parents to come alone. I don't think they've ever done that before.

So you'll probably see me at The Palms Pool Bar having brunch with them. It will be brunch as I don't do mornings, of course.

Some evenings we'll go out for dinner and sometimes we'll eat in and watch telly. Julia loves crisps of every flavour when viewing. I like the salted ones or salt and vinegar, though if anyone ever invents chocolate covered crisps, I'll change my favourite in an instant.

But have you ever wondered what is happening with the packaging? Next time you buy a big family bag, pay attention to the space it takes up in your basket, then watch what happens when you get home.

Your favourite programme starts in three minutes. The wine is poured, the beer is deliciously cold, you have a big bowl ready to hold the crisps and you finally burst the bag during the adverts then empty them into the bowl, and wow, what hap-

y Kat

They seem to be upping the price to cover the cost of the new packaging of the family bag, putting a small amount of crisps in then filling the bag with air. You buy this biggie so everyone can have some, but it seems to be two thirds full of, well 'nowt crispy' that's for sure. Is there a potato famine?

However, if there ever is a true shortage of potatoes again, take heart. Scientists are experimenting with potato seeding to grow them on Mars. We all know by now that at some point in the future, mankind will have to find a new home once the sun begins its dying dance and swallows the inner planets including our Earth.

It is assumed that Mars will

Scientists are trying to see if they could grow potatoes on Mars – so they can sell half-full family crisp bags!

Do you think Mars is a bit like this?

metals there to manufacture big chip pans, I wonder if they have thought of that?

So these foresighted scientists have been trying to grow potatoes on Earth in Mars-like conditions. The early results are now in and are described as positive.

Dubbed the 'Potatoes on Mars Project', the initiative was kicked off by the International Potato Centre (CIP) last February. The CIP teamed up with NASA and grabbed soil from the Pampas de La Joya Desert in southern

17

very moment in four different countries.

To quote New Atlas, the idea is to better understand how potatoes might grow on Mars, but also, to learn whether they can thrive in extreme environments on Earth. If so, the studies could have positive ramifications for food security and world hunger brought about by that aforementioned climate change.

So, the team built a hermetically sealed container inside a Cube Satellite that replicates

with the Martian day and night cycle, as well as for regulating air pressure, oxygen and

carbon dioxide levels. If the crops can tolerate the extreme conditions, they will find out if any or which varieties of potatoes thrive, and also assess the minimum conditions needed to do so.

But those amazingly brave future colonists, if they even survive the long and hazardous journey to Mars in the first place, may find even greater danger once they land and attempt to set up a home.

In a new NASA-funded study, researchers have found that the impact of deep-space radiation on the body may heighten the risk of leukaemia in humans, brought on by changes to the health and function of vital stem cells.

We already know about the changes in the bones and even the brains of cosmonauts after a few months spent on the Space Station, but we realise that millions of years from now, advances in science will be light years away from what seems possible now. All food for thought, anyway!

Until next time, enjoy your Easter and your bags of crisps, and take good care of yourselves, especially of each other.

Call me on: +34 616 110 930, or email: katykennedy@telefonica.net. I love receiving your calls and letters. n

I need to apologise to the family and friends of Dave Simpson who died recently. I included a letter from his wife Val in edition 790 of Island Connections, and mentioned Dave’s son Ray, an entertainer here on Tenerife. When I said a personal ‘goodbye’ to Dave at the end of Val’s letter I was a bit ‘teary’ as I wrote, thinking of their heartache, and somehow inferred that Ray had died instead of Dave.

I can’t apologise enough, and didn’t even know I’d done it as I was a bit upset and didn’t even read it through as I usually do to correct any mistakes. I’m so sorry, and hope you can all forgive me. n

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RESTAURANTE LOS ROQUES All photos: ©Josh Knill

The finest dining shot-glass hors d’oeuvre of broccoli mousse with a red wine reduction sauce. Light and decidedly tasty, this was a very good start.

By Xena Fox One surprisingly balmy evening in South Tenerife, my friends and I were discussing where we should dine.

Foodies on a mission, we carefully considered the variety of establishments on offer. Dining is a national pastime in the Canaries so restaurants abound and the possibilities are wide ranging. However, we were looking for something special, and for that there could only be one choice: Restaurante Los Roques in Los Abrigos.

Opened in 2005, Los Roques has always enjoyed a welldeserved reputation for quality cuisine, with acclaimed customers including German chancellor Angela Merkel and singers Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez, no less.

However, we’d heard that since it was taken over by new owners in August of last year it was even better than before.

A tall order, maybe, but we were more than willing to try

Restaurante Los Roques Calle La Marina, 16 Los Abrigos Granadilla de Abona Tuesday – Saturday, from 6.30pm Tel: 922 749 401 Email: reservations@losroq.com Reservations are recommended. Allergies and intolerances can be catered for if booked in advance.

ground music, our starters were smoothly and unobtrusively placed before us. Goat’s cheese croquettes with aubergine cream and confit toma-

note to try to meet the chef. This was obviously someone who put his all into his work.

For main course we could have chosen delights such as Saf-

toes (€8.60), a creamy Lobster Bisque with sautéed king prawns (€11.50), Squid Roses with chick-peas, thyme and a crisp of ham (€12.60) and,

fron Risotto, Rainbow Lobster or Bourbon Fillet Steak, but when our meals arrived there were only lingering regrets of having passed these others

A perfectly prepared sesamecrusted tuna steak The Black and White Cod Fish was spectacular in more ways than one Light and crispy tempura

the experience. After a gentle stroll down the picturesque harbour area, our expectations were high as we reached our destination.

Los Roques is located towards the lower end of the port and thus enjoys fabulous views across the bay. As the evening lights twinkled in the distance, we were shown to our table on the attractive terrace which makes the most of the vista.

Perusing the menu (and the other guests’ meals as they arrived), we could see we had definitely made the right choice: Everything looked absolutely delicious. This was going to be an exceptional night, indeed.

We toyed with the idea of indulging in the five or seven course tasting menu, though decided to make our choices from the a la carte options.

As our starters were being prepared we were each brought a complimentary

ché, I know, but true nevertheless.

Impossible to resist the selection of desserts on offer, we ordered Panna Cotta with papaya, mint sauce and strawberries (€7.50), a serving of Frangipani with caramelised pears (€8.50) and – tiramisu fans take note – a brace of the very finest available on this planet (€7 each). By this time, we were seriously impressed, and even more so when we met Chef Giacomo Cignitti Proietti, the Italian gentleman responsible for these gastronomic delights. Enthusiasm shone out of his eyes as he spoke lovingly of his creations, of the importance of harmony, colour and texture, and the essence of tradition.

Having trained in his home country, he worked for two years with famous chef and “founder of modern Italian cuisine” Gualtiero Marchesi, and spent seven years as head chef in French kitchens, before moving to Tenerife just two years ago. France’s loss is definitely our gain. It was a pleasure to meet him and an even greater one to partake of his food.

In fact, the staff, who speak an array of languages, appears to be a perfect team: everyone who attended us did so efficiently and courteously and was warm and welcoming.

One of the beauties of Los Roques is that everything is made in-house, including the freshly baked breads that arrived with the butters of the Guests are invited to a complimentary hors d’oeuvre Delicious goat’s cheese croquettes with aubergine cream and confit tomatoes Delightful butters, which are different every day

day: dairy, one with a hint of broccoli, and a third which was a delightfully tangy mix of butter and almogrote (a delicious goats’ cheese spread from La Gomera).

As we sipped our white wine (a rather good Traminer) and enjoyed the pleasant back-

my choice, the intriguingly named Black and White Cod Fish (€11.50) – possibly the most exquisite piece of fish I have ever eaten.

Each of the dishes was a feast for the eyes, flawlessly presented, cooked to perfection, and thoroughly appreciated. I made a

by. Jonwilliam was delighted with his Beef and Black Truffle Ravioli (€22.40), whilst Francis and Josh waxed lyrically about their Coloured Tempura with its hammer jack fish, king prawns and vegetables (€18.00). I, meanwhile, could not have wished for a lighter, more perfectly prepared Sesame-crusted Tuna Steak with green salad and dried tomatoes (€22.00). Marinated for 12 hours before being gently grilled, the tuna simply melted in the mouth. A cli-

The atmosphere is nicely informal and the surroundings both comfortable and pleasant. Added to the aforementioned delights, you will find children’s options, a range of cocktails, dishes to suit every palate, and a seriously impressive wine list that includes fine Tuscan and French examples as well as a range of top wines from Tenerife.

Los Roques is truly in a league of its own. If you enjoy a certain quality of cuisine, then don’t hesitate to visit. n

23.3.2017 – 5.4.2017

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 792

19

THE REEF

Definitely the Plaice to be The Reef Fish and Chip Shop is a family run business which opened last December on Golf del Sur and is already very popular.

It is much more than a fish and chip shop, it is light and bright inside with a spacious dining area and terrace. You can pop in for your favourite fish and chip shop dish, or sit down and enjoy a full three course meal.

At this restaurant, which is also the only fish and chip shop in the area, customers can eat in, takeaway, or have their delicious food delivered to their door, six evenings a week. If you are dining at the restaurant, you can enjoy one of The Reef's very special starters: fresh seasonal soup with oven baked bread and butter, beer battered prawns with Bloody Mary sauce and chilli lime mayo, buffalo chicken wings, deep fried cheese and potato ‘bombitas’ with sweet chilli jam, or share a mixed platter for two.

The Reef uses the best possible produce, including linecaught Atlantic cod and haddock, as well as prawns, all of which are cooked in the Reef's own secret beer batter recipe and served with double cooked chips, mushy or minty peas, house tartar sauce and a lemon wedge.

Also on the menu is a selection of scrumptious pies: steak and kidney, chicken and mushroom, and the Reef cottage pie, served with rich onion gravy or liqueur and a side dish of your choice; and three suppers: haggis, white or black pudding, or battered

sausage. There is a large selection of side dishes too, including fritters or scallops, jumbo battered sausage, saveloy, chip shop curry sauce, the Reef slaw, battered gher-

an 8-10oz prime dry aged ribeye steak, or sausages with creamy mash and rich onion gravy, all served with appropriate garnishes. Delicious salads will also be introduced in the

The delicious Reef Beef Burger for big appetites The Reef mixed pudding dinner

Enormous king prawns served with a garnish and a hot chilli and lime dip Even haddock and chips with mushy peas is beautifully presented

the food at the Reef is excellently cooked and presented, and service is always offered with a smile.

To round off your meal, just ask your waiter or check the board for the list of delicious daily desserts. Sadly, we had no space left but we could have been tempted by a sticky toffee sponge and custard, banana fritters and ice cream, or a hot apple pie and custard. There is something to suit everyone at The Reef, and we guarantee that if you visit once, you'll want to return.

The Reef is a fully licensed restaurant serving a wide range of draught and bottled beers, ciders, and of course a selection of red, rosé and white wines and an array of spirits and soft drinks are also available.

The Reef Fish and Chip Shop serves quality meals in a great atmosphere, and cod and chips such as you probably haven't had in years! We recommend that you visit this restaurant soon. n

The Reef Fish and Chip Shop

kins, pickled eggs or onions, or oven baked bread, so you'll certainly never leave the Reef hungry!

Alternatively, you could always try something different from the menu, such as a hearty steamed all steak pudding with rich onion gravy, the Reef beef burger, southern fried chicken,

summer. There is a specials board which is changed every two days, with dishes such as deep fried whitebait, small battered pollock, cod pieces, or a mixed pudding supper.

When we visited the Reef, we chose a starter of four huge king prawns sprinkled with lemon grass and served with

a chilli lime mayo dip and garnish. This is a wonderfully light starter with perfectly cooked prawns which were complemented by the delicious hot and tangy dip. Luckily, a finger bowl was provided!

For main course we tried the Reef Beef Burger, with lettuce, melted cheese, the Reef burger

sauce, spicy battered onion rings and a battered gherkin.

This is a half pound 100 per cent beef burger, flavourful and tender, and served with chips. The smoky Reef burger sauce has a certain kick to it and the result is a wonderful combination, suitable only for those with a big appetite! All

166 Calle JM Galvan Bello Golf Park, Golf del Sur San Miguel de Abona Tel: 922 691 599 Open: Tuesday to Saturday, 5pm to 12am; Sundays, 5pm to 10pm; Closed Mondays.

Facebook: The Reef Fish and Chip Shop Twitter: @TheReefChipShop

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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 059

TERRAZAS DEL SAUZAL

Perfect posh nosh and brought cold drinks. Soon, a menu was brought, and we spent some time appreciating the offers. Nothing could be called cheap here, and I wondered what the prices would be in the restaurant proper.

with green leaves, no matter how many variations are put on to the plate. In the end, both were a triumph of artistry over substance, that is to say a triumph for the chef and rather the opposite for my wallet!

Prices fit within that bracket, with, for example, local Cherne with papas bonitas, carrot and potato purée, and garlic sprouts with pepper oil at €17.90, and Bull Tail Cannelloni with parmentier potatoes and raspberry and orange sweets for €19.40.

I did think about it but my inquisitiveness deserted me.

A list of six desserts included Uruguay Powders with Dulce de Leche for €5.90 and I wish I had been brave enough to ask what those Uruguay Powders are. All desserts were around the €6 mark.

Try Brunch on Saturday or Sunday from 10am to 12.30pm starting at €12.90, but I would suggest that you make a prior reservation – and bring your swimming costume. And

Because the day was very hot, we chose a cold bottle of local white wine to go with a couple of salads: the Ensalada de Tempo charged at €8.90 and the other, the Ensalada Tibia, at €13.90. I think that it has to be an exceptional salad for that latter price. My wife told me that it was wonderfully tasty, but to my eye it was rather small for the money. There is only so much that you can do

Regardless, the terrace menu is extensive and could accurately be called fine dining.

should you be planning a wedding then look no further for the perfect setting. n

By John This venue really must have the best view of the northern coastline of Tenerife.

It is situated on the outskirts of the pretty cliff-top village of El Sauzal, and not the easiest of places to find so you might be best to take a space in the village car park and walk for a few minutes to get there.

Nevertheless, the venue itself is extensive. It comprises a main house, from where you could have the most delight-

Terrazas del Sauzal Pasaje Sierva de Dios, 9 El Sauzal, Tenerife Tel: 922 571 491 Open: Wednesday to Sunday, 12.30pm to 10.30pm. Closed on Monday and Tuesday Loo Score: 9/10

ful wedding, communion or other mass get-together, coupled with a cocktail and light menu terrace, and a proper full blown restaurant down the slope below.

An attractive swimming pool graces the grounds, and what could be better than a dip in the pool, drowning in admi-

ration at that coastal view whilst awaiting your sumptuous repast? Hedonistic or what?

We turned up at 12.55pm, five minutes before the waiter said that the terrace bar opened for lunch (though the sign did say 12.30pm). Nevertheless, we were kindly welcomed, seated under a large parasol,

059

Canary Islands’ attractions for tourists and residents WHERE TO VISIT

GENERAL INFORMATION

UPCOMING EVENTS

WHAT’S ON

Islands summary

Useful contacts

Spin news

Cultural guide

Pages 22 & 23

Pages 24 & 25

Page 26

Page 28

INTERNATIONAL ISRAELI

Yes to Noa An inordinately talented singer and composer will be playing in Tenerife on April 1 and in Gran Canaria the following evening.

Noa is Israel’s top international concert and recording artist, as well as a leading voice on integration and human rights.

Born in Tel Aviv in 1969, she relocated with her family to New York at the age of two.

Fifteen years later, she moved back to Israel to live on her own, but those formative years abroad have greatly influenced her musical career. Her strongest influences are singer-songwriters of the 1960s, such as Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen, though her music includes an impressive range of genres.

When taking the decision to return to her roots at such a tender age, Noa was aware she would have to serve the compulsory two years in the Israeli Army, and thus agreed to spend the time in the military enter-

For daily news, updates and event information

visit

tainment unit. Once that period was over, she went on to study music at the Rimon School – where she met her musical partner and collaborator Gil Dor. The mix of Noa’s Yemenite family history with Dor’s grounding in jazz, classical and rock music has created a thoroughly unique sound. The pair has performed across the globe and shared the stage with names such as Sting and Quincy Jones.

Noa also has a well-developed social conscience and is widely known for her support of various organisations such as the Arava Environmental and Academic Institute which promotes racial harmony, as well as a wealth of others that work for the rights of children and society at large. A committed peace activist, she made the headlines in 2014 when she refused an award from the ACUM recording artists’ organisation due to another of the recipients being 70 year old performer Zilber, renowned for

his far-right views and support of an exclusively Jewish Israel.

Politics aside, Noa is simply a great musician. As well as her distinctive vocal talent, she also plays percussion, guitar and piano. Catch the show, which is part of the

Love Medicine tour for her first studio album since 2009, at Tenerife’s Teatro Guimerá from 9pm onwards. Tickets, priced between €28 and €47 are available online via: www. tomaticket.es or from the theatre’s box office, Tuesday to Fri-

day, 11am to 1pm and 6pm to 8pm or two hours before the show starts on the day. The concert is the first of this year’s offering from the Mar Abierto Festival, of which more will be announced at a later date. Also see her on April 2 at the Audi-

torio Alfredo Kraus in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria at 8pm.

Tickets start at €28 and can be bought online from: www. entradas.com.

Find more information and listen to tracks at: www.noas music.com. n

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

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

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

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

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

See: www.telefericoteide.com.

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

Los Gigantes

El Duque beach

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.

El Teide National Park

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.

Las Gaviotas beach

23.3.2017 – 5.4.2017

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

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

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

HOLIDAY GUIDE

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.

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 792

Gran Canaria Garajonay National Park, La Gomera

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

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

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

Los Indianos, La Palma

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

Elder museum, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

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

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

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

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

declared a Biosphere Reserve

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

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General information for visitors

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

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

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

Can I drink the water?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Do not leave anything in sight.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Consulates British Consulate services across the Islands: (0034) 928 26 25 08 Indian consulate: (0034) 922 241 416 Irish Consulate: (0034) 922 245 671 Consulates no longer issue passports. They can, however, give information about medical care, education and legal matters, give assistance to people under arrest, under

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

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

They are on sale in any of the TITSA bus stations and also in a number of kiosks and small establishments (often newsagents), identified with a green sticker on the window. If your Bonobus has insufficient credit to purchase your last journey, the difference can be made up in cash on the bus, but not with another Bonobus card.

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

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

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

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

Tel: (0034) 922 274 224.

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

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

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 792

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

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

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

Call to make a reservation.

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

Tel: (0034) 922 797 668

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

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

Taxis: (0034) 922 715 407

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

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

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

Tel: (0034) 922 75 00 68

Radiotaxi La Laguna (0034) 922 255 555.

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

Tel: (0034) 922 386 000.

Centro de Información Turística, C/ Puerto Viejo.

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

Taxis: (0034) 922 378 999.

Loro Parque, Avda. Loro Parque s/n Tel: (0034) 922 373 841 Open every day from 8.30am to 6.45pm www.loroparque.com Lago Martiánez Avda. De Cristóbal Colón, 1 Tel: (0034) 922 385 955 Taxis: Servitaxi (0034) 922 378 999 La Orotava Tourist Office C/ Calvario, 4 Tel: (0034) 922 323 041

Taxis: (0034) 922 747 511 Tourist Office Costa Adeje Avda. Litoral Playa Fañabé Tel: (0034) 922 716 539 Jungle Park: Urb. Las Águilas del Teide, s/n Tel: (0034) 922 729 806. www.aguilasjunglepark.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tel: (0034) 928 765 242.

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

Tel: (0034) 922 315 265.

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

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

La Gomera

Gran Canaria

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

There is plenty to celebrate when holidaying on the Islands

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

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

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

Taxis Valley Gran Rey: (0034) 922 805 058

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

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

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

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

Taxis: (0034) 922 895 698

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

Fuerteventura Puerto del Rosario Tourist Office Avda. De la Constitución, 5 Tel: (0034) 928 530 844

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

Taxis: (0034) 928 850 059 / 928 850 216

Lanzarote

Taxis: (0034) 928 866 108

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

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

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

25

Corralejo Tourist Office Plaza Grande de Corralejo Tel. (0034) 928 866 235

Taxis: (0034) 928 541 257

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

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

Please confirm before travelling.

26

PUERTO RICAN REGGAETON

HOLIDAY GUIDE SPIN NEWS

Sultry star

Reggaeton star Nicky Jam will be swinging his hips and strutting his stuff on April 8 in Santa Cruz.

The Puerto Rican singer-songwriter is best known for his hit songs El Perdón and Hasta el Amanecer, not to mention his rough and ready appearance that belies a soft and romantic centre.

Jam’s career in the spotlight began when he was seen performing by a music executive who signed him up immediately. His first album, Distinto a Los Demás, which he released at the tender age of 14, wasn’t a huge hit but brought the youngster to the notice of various producers and musicians.

One of these was Daddy Yankee, with whom he regularly

gigged under the joint name of Los Cangris. The duo had various hit singles and one album before separating in 2004.

Since then, Jam has had a successful solo career. He has played with various big names from the South American music circuit and won a string of accolades, including a Latin Grammy Award in 2015.

Described as a “sultry, sexy, smoothie”, Jam is particularly popular with female fans. Now on his Fenix Tour, his Tenerife concert will take place in the Recinto Portuario in the capital city, with the doors of the outside venue opening at 5pm.

Prices start at €36 and you can snap them up online at: www.entrees.es. n

FOLK AND FUN

FREE CONCERTS

Beautiful boleros Sacred music

March 31 will see two Canarian bands take to the stage in Los Cristianos.

Los Huaracheros, known as the ‘Fathers of Canarian Song’, were founded in the 1940s. Though new members are incorporated as the decades pass, the dedication to Canarian music remains the same: songs about the legends, culture and people of the Islands, played on traditional instruments such as the timple, and accompanying strident male voices. The Los Que No Escarmientan

band was formed in 2006 by various well known musicians and singers from around the Islands. The two groups together will please audiences with their De la Isa al Bolero concert at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium from 8.30pm.

Grab your tickets, for just €8, from the town’s cultural centre from Monday to Friday, 9am to 2pm, or during the two hours before the show, up until 15 minutes before the doors close for start.

See: www.arona.org for more information. n

Adeje will be hosting a series of concerts of religious music in the period leading up to Easter.

The EMMA Municipal School of Music and Movement along with the Municipal Band will be hosting the spiritual shows, which will take place in the Santa Úrsula church in the town centre.

See them on March 24 at 7pm, when the EMMA Chamber Music Orchestra will also be present.

The first of two concerts the following day will start at

12.30pm and will also feature the EMMA junior choir.

At 7pm there will be a performance of the Regina Coeli for soprano.

There is a slight change for the last event in the cycle, which will take place on April 1 at 7pm in the Convento de San Francisco, with the Adeje Patron Municipal Band. This will be followed by the inauguration of an exhibition and the presentation of the Easter Week poster and other related programmes.

See: www.adeje.es for these and other activities. n

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 059

ARICO

World bread fair Head to Arico on April 23 for a tasty trip around the world.

Lauded as the cereal centre of the south, Arico holds a bread fair every year to celebrate that status. An amazing selection of different types of bread from all over the world are prepared and available to try and buy, along with other local specialities such as tomatoes, cheese, honey, jams, almogrote and of course wine!

The event is held in the lovely old historical part of town in the confusingly named Arico Nuevo. Starting around 5pm, it’s expected that there will be a small craft fair too, although that is yet to be confirmed. Get there early if you want to be able to park! n

Try and buy

CLASSICAL CONCERT

More Mozart The Tenerife Symphonic Band will offer a varied repertoire for the evening’s Mozart Requiem in Santa Cruz on April 8 The orchestra will be supported by the Reyes Bartlet, La Laguna University, and Polifónica Tenerife choirs, as well as soprano Candelaria González, tenor Badel Albelo, mezzosoprano Silvia Zorita, and baritone Augusto Brito.

The concert starts at 7.30pm at the Teatro Guimerá.

Tickets cost between €4 and €10 and can be purchased online at: 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. n

23.3.2017 – 5.4.2017

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 792

PROMOTION

27

HOLIDAY GUIDE WHATS ON 2017

28

MARCH / APRIL

GRAN CANARIA DIARY DATES

Until further notice 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.

EXHIBITIONS Until June 4 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

MARCH / APRIL

TENERIFE DIARY DATES March 23 March 24 9pm: Concert, Carmen Souza Trio, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, from €15. www. auditorioteatrolaspalmasgc.es

4pm to 10pm: Arona Folk Fest, Canarian folk music, dance, crafts and gastronomic event, Plaza de La Pescadora, Los Cristianos, free entry. www.arona.org

8.30pm - 9.30pm: Earth Hour. Join councils, business and home owners across the Islands and world as they turn their lights and equipment off for one hour. www.earthhour.org

8.30pm: Gran Canaria Big Band, jazz, CICCA, Las Palmas, €15. www.generaltickets.com April 1 8.30pm: Juan Perro in concert, Auditorio Teror, Teror, €12. www.entrees.es 9pm: Bole Rock and Roll, Centro Cívico Carrizal, Ingenio, €15. www.entrées.es April 2 8pm: Israeli singer Noa, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, from €28. www.entradas. com.

April 6 8.30pm: VTR Black acoustic, Teatro Guiniguada, Las Palmas, €10. www.entrees.es April 8 8.30pm: Pitingo in concert, soul and bulería, Teatro Auditorio Agüimes, €18. www.entrees.es

8pm: Theatre show, La batalla (The battle) by Burka Teatro, Espacio Cultural La Pirámide, El Sauzal, €9 general or €5 reduced rate. www. elsauzal.es 8pm: Concert by Esencias, traditional Canarian music, Auditorio Juan Carlos I, Arafo, €5. www.arafo.es 9pm: Concert, David Bustamante, Amor de los Dos tour, Spanish Pop/Rock, Auditorio de Tenerife, Santa Cruz, from €21. www.auditoriodetenerife.com

9pm: Concert, Virginia Guantanamera, Cuban fusion, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, €5. www. tomaticket.es March 24 7pm: EMMA Municipal School of Music and Movement, Adeje Municipal Band and EMMA Chamber Music Orchestra, free concert, Iglesia Santa Úrsula, Adeje. www.adeje.es 8pm: Burning of ‘El Lucas’, Proyecto Enluk, music, food stalls and dancing, Plaza de Garachico, opposite the cultural centre, Guía de Isora, free entry. www.guiadeisora.org March 24 - 26 Tenerife LAN Party Weekend: Gaming, workshops, stalls, virtual reality, e-sports, music, competitions, and much more. Open to all ages, Pabellón Basilio Labrador, Los Realejos. Register at: tlp.world/losrealejos March 25 12.30pm: EMMA Municipal School of Music and Movement, Adeje Municipal Band and EMMA junior choir, religious music, free entry, Iglesia Santa Úrsula, Adeje. www.adeje.es 7pm: EMMA Municipal School of Music and Movement, Adeje Municipal Band, Regina Coeli for soprano, free entry, Iglesia Santa Úrsula, Adeje. www.adeje.es

6pm: Nicky Jam, Reggaeton, Recinto Portuario, Santa Cruz, from €36. www.entrees.es.

7.30pm: Mozart Requiem, Tenerife Symphonic Band with the Reyes Bartlet, La Laguna University, and Polifónica Tenerife choirs, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, €4 - €10. www. tomaticket.es.

April 9 6pm: Charity circus show in aid of children’s organisations, organised by Rotary Tenerife Sur, Auditorio Infanta Leonor, Los Cristianos, €10. www.arona.org 8.30pm: Pitingo in concert, soul and bulería, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, from €18. www.entrees. es / www.teatroleal.com April 13 10am - 2pm: Food collection for families in need, Plaza de la Concepción, La Laguna. www. aytolalaguna.com

March 26

Until further notice

12pm: Concert, Orquesta Sinfonietta de Canarias, religious repertoire, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, €8-€12. www.musicareligiosacanarias. com

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.

8.30pm: Pianist Richard Clayderman, Romantique tour, Auditorio de Tenerife Adán Martín, Santa Cruz, from €32. www.auditoriodetenerife.com March 30

8.30pm: Los Huaracheros and Los Que No Escarmientan, ‘De la Isa al Bolero’, Canarian folk music, Auditorio Infanta Leonor, Los Cristianos, €8. www.arona.org

Until March 27

8pm: Bjazz concert, San Martín Centro de Cultura Contemporánea, Las Palmas, €5. www. sanmartincontemporaneo.com

7pm – 12am: Gastronomic event, III Noche de Tapas y Vino, snacks at €1 and €2, glass of wine €1, music, Avenida del Emigrante, Playa de San Juan, Guía de Isora. www.guiadeisora.org

March 31

8.30pm: Opera, La Favorite, Teatro Pérez Galdós, Las Palmas, from €15. www.operalaspalmas.org

March 31

8.30pm - 9.30pm: Earth Hour, many local councils and businesses will be joining the worldwide event by turning their lights and equipment off for one hour, and by hosting events. Join in from home by also reducing your energy use, or eliminating it altogether, during the time slot. www.earthhour.org

8.30pm: Concert, Reyes Bartlet Choir, Religious Music Festival, Iglesia de Las Clarisas, La Laguna, free entry. www.musicareligiosacanarias.com

March 25

Bear Carnival, Gay friendly, Maspalomas, San Bartolomé de Tirajana. www.bearcarnival.com

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 059

8.30pm: Sara Águeda Trio, Religious Music Festival, Iglesia Santo Domingo, La Laguna, free entry. www.musicareligiosacanarias.com April 1 7pm: EMMA Municipal School of Music and Movement and Patron Municipal Band, religious music, Convento de San Francisco, Adeje, free entry. www.adeje.es

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

EXHIBITIONS Until April 2 ‘Diferentes’, collection of water colours by various artists, Sala de Exposiciones, Plaza del Príncipe, El Sauzal, Wednesday to Friday 5pm - 8pm, Free entry. www.elsauzal.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

9pm: Israeli singer Noa in concert, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, from €28. www. tomaticket.es April 4 8.30pm: Reyes Bartlet Choir, Religious Music Festival, Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol, Güímar, free entry. www.musicareligiosacanarias.com April 6 8.30pm: Ensemble Canarias Galante, Religious Music Festival, Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol, Plaza de San Pedro, El Sauzal, free entry. www. musicareligiosacanarias.com April 8 10.30am: Walk in aid of breast cancer charities, in conjunction with the Walk For Life, 3.5km, €5 entry. Sign up before March 31 at the Arico Town Hall or the Pink Room, Calle Beneharo s/n, Las Nieves, Adeje, Wednesdays 3pm - 8pm, or call: 674 352 002

For regular church, charity and recreational events, please see:

23.3.2017 – 5.4.2017

BLEVINS FRANKS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 792

29

MODELO 720

New challenge from Brussels

By Paul Montague, Partner, Blevins Franks

In the latest challenge to Modelo 720, the European Commission (EC) is disputing the severity of penalties for Spanish residents who fail to declare their overseas assets correctly or on time.

On February 15, the EC gave the Spanish government a two month ultimatum to make Modelo 720 penalties fairer. Sanctions under Modelo 720 law include, among others, a minimum €10,000 charge on incorrect declarations and an additional 150 per cent penalty on unpaid capital gains.

With penalties being so disproportionate to those imposed for other defaults (such as late submission of Spanish income and wealth tax returns), the EC claims it is discriminatory and in conflict with EU freedoms.

While we need to wait and see how the case unfolds, it is highly likely that the authorities will maintain the Modelo 720 system What happens in two months?

If there is no satisfactory response from the Spanish Hacienda within the deadline, the EC will bring the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) to further their challenge.

While sources from the Spanish government claim they are willing to defend Modelo 720, they have also hinted they may potentially soften some sanctions, such as capping the fine for errors in completing the form. They also suggested a possible reduction in penalties for failing to declare assets

based in EU countries or in states that have signed automatic exchange of information agreements with Spain.

What does this mean for Spanish taxpayers?

Nothing has changed in terms of the obligations to declare cor-

rectly and on time. That means Spanish residents with overseas assets totalling over €50,000 still need to submit Modelo 720 or face existing penalties.

While we need to wait and see how the case unfolds, it is highly likely that the authorities will maintain the Modelo 720 system. After all, it is not the process of declaring overseas assets itself that is under question, but the penalties that are imposed.

It is possible, however, that the Hacienda may revise their approach to reduce the threat of such punishing fines for errors or late submissions.

If this affects you, make sure you are ready to meet the upcoming March 31 deadline for your 2016 declarations. If you have previously submitted a Modelo 720 form, you only need to declare assets if they have grown by more than €20,000 or you have sold or closed them. If in any doubt, seek guidance to ensure you meet your obligations. This is also a good opportunity to

assess whether you are holding your assets in the most tax-efficient vehicles for Spain. If you have investments which were set up with UK taxation in mind, you may be paying more tax in Spain than you need to.

To get the best results, contact Blevins Franks for personalised advice on compliant tax-efficient arrangements in Spain.

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

Blevins Franks provides 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

30

BUSINESS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 059

LEGAL MATTERS

Recording conversations

By Goya Abogados, Law Firm in South Tenerife Can I legally record conversations? The simple answer is yes, you can legally record the exchanges in which you take part, even without the other person's knowledge.

Your participation in a talk allows you to record it. And the opposite is true; if you are not part of the conversation, recording is prohibited. In what could be called the ‘gossiping ban’, in the legal world being recorded by a third party is understood as a violation of the right to privacy of the people being recorded. Paragraph three of article 18 of the Spanish Constitution specifically ensures the secrecy of communications and the violation of this right can have serious legal implications.

However, when someone becomes part of the conver-

sation, things change. Whenever a person takes part in a conversation they should take care of what they say and how they say it. The moment they say something in conversation, they are resigning a part of their privacy.

A part because, although recording is permitted, use of that

Using a device to record conversations is legal, depending on its use

recording is restricted. So be very careful if you record a conversation because the act of recording is one thing and how it is used

is another.

To begin with, just the fact that you have in your possession the medium on which the recording is made makes you legally responsible for it. Any disclosure of the contents would

be an illegal act, but there are exceptions.

We can use the recording for private use. Listen at home as many times as you want.

Another more practical use is for it to be presented as evidence in a legal case.

We can play a recording before a court of law to prove that a conversation really took place or what was discussed. This can be very useful in court cases that deal with verbal contracts.

In some cases it may be the only way to prove that a person is being threatened or insulted. Recording is a lawful means of proof. It is an extra opportunity to obtain evidence that could turn the tide in many cases that might otherwise be dismissed, or be found lacking in proof.

In conclusion, we can record and be recorded, so be careful what you say because words are free but how you use them can cost you dearly. n

PROMOTION

New to Tenerife?

Sponsored by the Free Advice Centre Tenerife (FACT)

If you have recently taken the step of moving to Tenerife, or are just choosing to spend more time here, the administration can seem like a minefield.

Add into the mix the language problems, and the fact that things change on a regular basis, and it’s almost enough to make you change your mind.

Part of the problem of course is that if you are new to the area, so who do you listen to? Does Jack in the bar really know the latest requirements for an NIE when he got his over 10 years ago? But maybe you don’t need to pay for legal assistance for some of the more basic paperwork.

It’s certainly true that things have much improved, in that many of the town halls and utility companies now offer their websites in English. In addition, there are a number of very good DIY websites that will point you in the right direction and give you some advice, if you are the sort of person who will ‘have a go’.

However, don’t be surprised if many of the employees in the official offices either don’t or won’t speak English – they are probably concerned about any liability in the event of a misunderstanding, particularly in the medical or legal fields.

There is logic to most procedures (you just have to find it). For example, Spain’s social security is a contribution based system – if you haven’t paid into the system in Spain or a country with an agreement with Spain, you won’t get anything out, including medical care. You will need to prove that you have the right by means of documentation from the UK, as well as other supporting documentation.

And where you are required to produce birth or marriage certificates they will need to have an apostille stamp to prove that they are genuine documents registered in the country of issue.

It all makes sense, but if you need some help or a free referral to someone more official, call in to the Free Advice Centre Tenerife (FACT) at Wheeler Dealer in Las Chafiras, or call: (+34) 922 738 500. n

23.3.2017 – 5.4.2017

BUSINESS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 792

31

PROFIT AND JOBS

Marvellously Mercadona in Valencia. The couple quickly expanded to eight shops. Their son and current company president, Juan Roig, bought them out and assumed the role of CEO in 1981. Since then the company has expanded nationwide. In the 1990s, Juan Roig oversaw a series of sweeping changes and revealed the new façade of Mercadona which was able to compete with its major competitors, such as Carrefour.

The supermarket chain was ranked the ninth most reputable company in the world by the Reputation Institute as listed in Forbes magazine. n

Photo: Er nun wieder CC A-S A 3.0 UL

Juan Roig has been the company’s president since 1981 Mercadona regularly introduces new products and looks to improve existing ones

improvements made to 350 existing items. Freshly prepared sushi is currently under trial at 17 branches.

Mercadona was founded by Francisco Roig Ballester and his wife, Trinidad Alfonso Mocholi, in 1977, and began life as a small butchers’ shop

Photo: Lobo CC0 1.0 UPDD

providing at four major logistics centres since 2001: another example of Mercadona’s fantastic staff ethos.

Expansion is another philosophy Mercadona holds dear, with profits often reinvested in the business. That is why 50 new stores opened last year and 35 were renovated and modernised.

There are currently 1,614 Mercadona supermarkets throughout Spain, with more to open during 2017. Customers benefit from this too, as new products are being introduced on a regular basis, always meeting the market’s ever growing and changing demands. Last year, more than 300 new products were introduced, along with

There are currently 1,614 Mercadona supermarkets throughout Spain, with more to open in 2017

Photo: Junta Informa CC A-S A 2.0 UL

The Spanish supermarket chain Mercadona experienced a profit increase of four per cent last year while offering thousands of new work contracts.

After recently announcing a net profit of €636 million for 2016, the company also created 4,000 new jobs during the year, bringing their total workforce to over 79,000 employees.

The chain sold over 11,071 million kilos and litres of goods while contributing €1,468 million to the Spanish treasury in 2016: €693 million by social security payments, €250 million in taxes, and €525 million in IVA (VAT) and IRPF (Income tax). A significant contribution to Spanish society.

The supermarket giant not only made a large profit, but also created many jobs last year, with 4,000 permanent contracts offered to new staff members. The company motto is “The happier the staff, the happier the boss”, and with 79,000 people on fixed contracts, the employment conditions are very good indeed.

The company also exercises excellent work packages for women; allowing reduced or flexible working hours for family needs and granting a four month maternity leave period. Approximately five per cent of the female workforce gave birth in 2016, with 2,552 new mums taking their generous family leave.

A further 17,800 workers are enjoying reduced-hour timetables and many take their young children to the education centres that the company has been

32

CANARY ISLANDS’ TRAGEDY

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 059

IN REMEMBRANCE

Los Rodeos crash anniversary On March 27, 1977, 583 people lost their lives in a crash between two jumbo jets belonging to KLM and Pan Am at Los Rodeos airport.

Coming up to the 40th anniversary, we were contacted by Jeff Kriendler, the Pan Am PR specialist at the time of the crash, with permission to reprint this abridged version of an article by him that first appeared recently in Airways magazine.

March 26, 1977

Photo: Pan Am Historical Foundation

Family and friends of the victims, Mesa Mota 2007

Photo: Pan Am Historical Foundation

Forty years ago, commercial air travel suffered its worst disaster when two Boeing 747s crashed on a runway in Tenerife.

In the early morning of March 26, 1977, Dorothy Kelly began a long journey which would forever change her life.

The Pan Am Purser was living in New Hampshire when she drove to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to report for a Boeing 747 charter flight to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. The flight was to carry 16 crew and 380 passengers from California and the Midwest who were en route to Las Palmas to embark on a 12 day cruise off the Mediterranean aboard the Golden Odyssey.

The former Dorothy Dawson had shown a flair for lan-

Archive images of the accident

guages at an early age and had studied at university in Geneva, Switzerland, earning a combined degree in teach-

ing and languages and developing a yearning for travel that had been piqued after visiting the World’s Fair in New York in

1965. After two years of teaching, she jumped at the opportunity of a job with Pan Am as a Stewardess.

The charter flight had originated in Los Angeles and briefly stopped in Chicago to embark cruise-makers before

proceeding on to New York, where the cockpit crew and flight attendants would be rotated.

Pursers switch At the crew briefing at JFK, Dorothy greeted her fellow Purser and friend, Francoise Colbert de Beaulieu Greenbaum. Francoise was senior to her and thus had the privilege of choosing the section of the aircraft on which she was to work on the JFKLas Palmas sector. Before the briefing began, Francoise approached Dorothy and asked: “Would you mind working up front this evening and making the announcements? I’m so self-conscious about my thick French accent”. Dorothy responded: “Of course I will”, knowing that the return trip would have been on a

23.3.2017 – 5.4.2017

CANARY ISLANDS’ TRAGEDY

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 792

33 At about 5pm, the tower gave KLM permission to taxi on runway 30, and hold for clearance to take off. The Pan Am aircraft was given the go ahead to move in front of The Rhine on the sole runway and then turn off on the third inner taxiway, thus clearing the runway for the KLM flight to take off.

The impact

of so many lives—and shocking the world with the horrible carnage.

When word was received that Las Palmas had reopened, the KLM aircraft, the first in line

“As we were slowly taxiing on the runway, the KLM Captain, Veldhuyzen van Zanten, started his takeoff roll, speeding straight towards us”, Dorothy recalled. “Realising the gravity of what was about to occur, our crew attempted to desperately turn off the runway but the massive machine could not respond to avoid the calamity.

“Finally seeing the Pan Am plane, the KLM pilot had only one option and that was to rotate ahead, praying that he had enough speed to lift off. The blue and white 747 rose only enough to peel off the top of our aircraft, just like you would a pop-top can. Unable to clear our aircraft, The Rhine crashed and burned behind us.

“At the time of the impact, I was standing at the right forward door talking to Stewardess Carla Johnson, and I remember suddenly everything seemed to be flying around in slow motion. I was struck on the head and must have fallen unconscious into the cargo compartment. When I regained consciousness I

for takeoff clearance, prepared to complete its journey to Las Palmas. The plane had fuelled in Tenerife to shorten the turnaround time in Las Palmas.

couldn’t figure out where I was or how much time I had been in this non-responsive state. It was dark and everything was distorted; yet, while

Full official turnout for the cameras, Mesa Mota 2007

707 charter from Paris, a less daunting test of Francoise’s language proficiency.

This small gesture of friendship saved Dorothy her life, but unfortunately cost Francoise hers. She died along with 582 other passengers and crew members of two jumbo jets, the victims of the worst air disaster in the annals of aviation history, a catastrophe that indelibly marked Tenerife in the lexicon of flight tragedies.

Diversion to Tenerife After an uneventful nocturnal southern-Atlantic crossing, Captain Grubbs called Dorothy to the cockpit in the morning and advised her that, because of the (Canarian separatist) terrorist bombing of a flower shop at Las Palmas Airport, the Pan Am charter was being diverted to Los Rodeos Airport. They landed there in the early afternoon of Sunday, March 27, parking next to the first aircraft that had been diverted to Tenerife, a KLM 747 named Rijn - The Rhine.

The Rhine was carrying 240 passengers on a charter flight from Amsterdam; sun-starved northern Europeans escaping

the last days of winter in the Netherlands and set to enjoy a blissful week on the island’s sunny beaches.

In Tenerife, Dorothy noticed the KLM 747 being fuelled.

She also saw that several other aircraft had arrived after hers, causing severe congestion at the small terminal and block-

ing the taxiway parallel to the lone runway.

“We sat in our parked position for about three hours”, Dorothy told Airways. “Our Flight Engineer conducted a ‘walk around’ and determined that it was impossible to circumnavigate the KLM aircraft, and we then began serving our hungry pas-

sengers, many of whom were milling around but remained on board.

“Just another diversion and interrupted flight schedule”, thought Dorothy. An inconven-

THIRD EDITION

Catastrophe ‘77 To coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Los Rodeos disaster, the worst in commercial aviation’s history, Canarian author Juanca Romero Hasmen has released the third edition of his book, Catástrofe 77: Tragedia en Los Rodeos (Catastrophe ‘77: Tragedy in Los Rodeos).

Chronicling the events leading up to the crash, as well as detailing the aftermath and interviewing survivors and members of the rescue and medical teams involved, the book is a comprehensive account of that fateful day in March 1977.

The book is published by Editorial Cursiva and available in all good bookstores on the Islands as well as: www. amazon.es.

Dorothy Kelly and Karen Tafuri

ience, perhaps. No one could have had the premonition that, within a few minutes, these two aircraft would collide on the ground, causing the loss

I was crawling around, I saw some light above and slowly climbed towards it, losing my shoes in the process. I felt as though I had just awakened in the middle of a Fellini film confused, disturbed and very frightened. When I reached the top, I squeezed into what was left of the upper deck, searching for an opening to escape the conflagration.

“I came upon a few stunned passengers and ordered them to follow me when I came to an opening and ordered them to jump – some 6.5m to the ground, I was later told. There was lots of fuel and an active fire with small explosions, and I implored the passengers to jump off the aircraft wreckage and pushed those who were reluctant – later jumping myself and breaking my arm on impact. There was debris all around, yet we survived. People were milling around close to the plane. ‘Get away, run far away’ I shouted, as I tried to understand where we were. My vision was blurred with blood from a head wound. People were screaming and banging on the windows, but there was no way we could get to them, a memory which haunts me to this day. I had nightmares for many years. And, for the longest time, I could not look at a fireplace or a fire as I saw people burning”.

Heroic response “Something white caught my attention under the front of the aircraft”, Dorothy continued, “and while moving towards it, I noticed that the left inboard engine was starting to spin out of control. What I had seen was the white shirt of Captain Grubbs and I said to him: ‘We’ve got to get out of here now!’ Turning him over on his back, I grabbed him under his arms and dragged him backwards.

It was at this time that an engine blew up, sending white hot metal flying through the air, which we were able to dodge and I placed the captain safely on the grass”.

CANARY ISLANDS’ TRAGEDY

and four hour boat voyage to Tenerife. This was the pre-CNN era and communications were somewhat limited. However, the terrible accident in Tenerife commanded front page coverage around the world.

Nothing could prepare me for the carnage I saw when we arrived at the airport of Tenerife. The charred remains of the two giant 747s littered the runway and were still smouldering 24 hours after the crash. There was a terrible stench of burnt human remains even though the 583 bodies had been moved into an airport hangar.

Survivors’ guilt

No cameras? No authorities’ flowers

adrenaline was flowing - I guess that’s how people get through war and similar crises. There’s a job to do and you must go about tackling it”.

In the hospital, Dorothy was told that it was vitally important to start labelling people.

Some of them were dying and the staff did not know how to identify them. She was given a roll of tape, scissors and a pen and asked to: “Please identify as many as you can and put names on them. If they’re dead, see if they have any possessions which might

identify them. If you can talk to them, find out anything you can about their medical condition, medications or allergies”.

Oblivious to her injuries, Dorothy went back to her very difficult task. She was later kept in hospital overnight herself for observation.

Advised of disaster Jeff Kriendler takes up the story: It was at this time that I learned of the accident whilst in New York City. I vividly remember

Helping at the hospital The first hospital was full and they carried on to the one in Santa Cruz. When they arrived Dorothy kept yelling: “I am a Stewardess, I can help”. A doctor came and took her to a room with multiple burn victims. “Get their clothes off”, he said handing her scissors. “We have to remove their burned skin”. Dorothy continued: “It was really gruesome but my

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 059

Victor, Jan and Martin with the monument

walking into my nephew’s seventh birthday party and being met by my sister, who had been contacted by Pan Am’s System Control at JFK minutes earlier with the devastating news.

As I was in the public relations department at Pan Am and the duty officer that day, I rushed home to pack for a special Pan Am 707 relief charter flight to the Canary Islands, which would depart that evening as part of the ‘go-team’ for Pan Am. I headed to the airport, jetting off on the seven hour crossing to Las Palmas

Photo: Pan Am Historical Foundation

34

Dorothy in her early Pan Am days

Dorothy never felt that her actions had been heroic. “I knew what I had to do. It was my job”, she said. After two years - having finally been cleared by doctors to return to flight - Dorothy took to the air again. “I do admit that I was alert to every unusual smell or noise the aircraft made and was sensitive to the tiniest turbulent movements, which never had bothered me before”, she said.

Perhaps because of her personal experience, she is more aware than anyone else about the real job of flight attendants.

“It’s not about when you are going to get a glass of champagne or what you are going to be fed, their main task is to get you on and off the plane and to your destination as safely as possible, something that is never stressed enough”.

23.3.2017 – 5.4.2017

Monument Jan Groenewoud lost seven family members in the crash.

In January 2002, with the help of Victor Depous and Martin Noordzij, whose only connection to the accident is their long-time friendship with Jan, they formed the Foundation for the Relatives of Victims of the Tenerife disaster, a forum for families and friends of the deceased to meet together and grieve and honour their loved ones. The first commemoration, the 25th anniversary, was held the same year in Amsterdam with almost 1,000 people taking part. From that day the idea grew to place a permanent monument in Tenerife to the victims and all those who worked in the rescue teams, medical teams, etc. They felt it was needed by everyone involved. All three men have since been knighted by their country in recognition of their work in setting up and running the foundation and the impact that their efforts have had for thousands of people, not only in Holland, but in the United States and Tenerife.

In 2007 a memorial service was organised by the foundation. A monument designed

by Rudi van de Wint and paid for by the foundation was unveiled: a spiral staircase winding into the sky, a symbol of infinity.

Jan and the only representative present for the American victims, Karen Tafuri, who lost her mother, both spoke at the emotive services in the Auditorium and later at the monument site in Mesa Mota.

It became clear from the beginning that the monument wasn’t only for friends and family, but at least as far as the Netherlands is concerned, for a whole nation. No one survived from the KLM flight. At the unveiling ceremony we met a Dutch lady who was over on holiday with her family, had read about the event and wanted to be part of it. Ana told us: “This is very important for us. I had no one on the flight, but I remember it well. The whole of Holland cried”.

CANARY ISLANDS’ TRAGEDY

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 792 centre. From the beginning there were problems with signposting and the access road which was badly pitted. Promises were made that the problems would be resolved.

Despite several meetings over the years, not only have they not been solved, they’ve got worse! The first few years there was a 24 hour security detail looking after the building, then the crisis set in and it was withdrawn, since which the building has been severely vandalised and gutted of anything of value. Apart from a brief spell as the home for a pigeon shooting club, it hasn’t been used, but what the heck? It’s only public money. The road is now really badly potholed and there has been no change in the signposting. Landscaping is semi-abandoned and pathways are broken.

A decade ago the monument was unveiled with attendance by the international, national and local authorities. It’s doubtful if any of them have

The building is abandoned, vandalised and bricked up

The first commemoration in Amsterdam, 2002

Out of sight, out of mind The airport itself might have been the more obvious site for the monument, but the Foundation was persuaded that Mesa Mota was an ideal space for it - set in natural surroundings, overlooking the airport and next to a modern building which was supposed to be an educational/research

35

Spiralling into infinity

been to pay their respects since, they certainly haven’t bothered to send a floral tribute for any of the anniversaries, we know, because we have. It

Plaque at the monument site

would seem as far as they’re concerned, no cameras - no flowers.

Over the years, access to the site has been cut off without

notice several times whilst repairs to the picnic area and shoring up of the now defunct building have been carried out. Those who have

travelled to Tenerife to see the monument were denied access. Requests to meet with authorities in 2015 to discuss this were “regretfully” denied

– of course it was an election year. Jan said: "This is the spiritual resting place of many of our loved ones and is therefore very meaningful to us". At a meeting last year with the authorities here, he asked if they were going to take responsibility for the 40th anniversary commemoration. The reply was ambiguous, but given the state of the area as of the first week in March, it’s doubtful.

What the authorities’ attitudes add up to, sadly, is that of a bunch of hypocrites who only ‘care’ when there’s someone around to record it on camera. It’s a disgrace and shows a total lack of respect to all those who lost their lives and their families and friends. n

HEALTH

36

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 059

DAILY LIVING AIDS

Photo: Blont / FreeImages.com

Active with arthritis Arthritis in the hands can be especially complicated. Think of the thousand and one tasks we undertake with our hands everyday – from brushing hair to opening a door, from phoning friends to tying shoelaces and making a cup of tea.

With hands that are painful and/or weak and deformed, everything can be a challenge.

Medication can often reduce symptoms and pain, and thankfully there are many specially designed products that can help make life a little easier.

Though some find it difficult to adapt to the changes their body is now demanding, if one

under any existing legs. They come in a range of diameters and heights to suit all needs.

Plug pulls can be fitted to appliances to make removing them from a socket a doddle.

No more trying to take hold of them with just the end of your fingers, most of them have grips meant to be used with the whole hand. They can either be fixed onto a standard plug or a new unit with an integral handle used to replace an existing one. There is also a wide range of covers for door knobs to make gripping them easier, as well as wide handles that fit round keys.

Dycem sells a range of products made from slightly sticky rubber that are useful for a myriad of activities

Life can be difficult if you’re one of the estimated 350 million people worldwide who suffer from one of the 100 and more ailments that are collectively known as arthritis.

One of the most common types of this condition is osteoarthritis – often called ‘wear and tear’ of the joints. In this degenerative disorder, the mechanical aspect of one or more articulations is in some way damaged: often the cartilage that covers the ends of bones. This slightly

Using aids can help arthritis sufferers live a full life Severe rheumatoid arthritis can eventually deform hands

slippery substance helps surfaces move smoothly over each other, but with time, injury or excessive wear, it can become thin, uneven or torn. This in itself can mean that joints no longer work correctly, but the bones can also grow in a misshapen manner as the body tries to compensate, further impairing the working of the joint. Osteoarthritis most often

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Photo: Jonathan Natiuk / FreeImages.com

Make taking hold of those elusive items easier by using a Reacher

By Xena Fox

Photo: mobilitycentre.co.nz

can accept that help is needed there is a wealth of aids and gadgets on the market that can drastically improve quality of life.

The key is to make daily tasks as easy as they can be and to place as little extra stress on the joints as possible.

Around the house affects the major weight bearing areas such as knees and hips, but can also develop in fine joints such as the base of the thumb and big toe, as well as any area along the spine.

Rheumatoid arthritis is also very common. This is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s protective processes unnecessarily attack joints, causing inflammation and, often, degeneration. As well as the bone and cartilage, it can affect the surrounding tendons, ligaments and tissues, and can be extremely debilitating. The hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, ankles, feet, jaw and neck are the most common areas to be stricken. Though

more common in older women, as opposed to men, anyone of any age or sex can develop the condition, either over time or quite suddenly. The inflamed joints become stiff and difficult to use, and the ailment may also be accompanied by other symptoms such as general fatigue, depression and flu-like fevers.

People can be only mildly affected by one of the arthritic conditions with, say, one knee that is a little uncomfortable, or it can be so incapacitating that it greatly affects their quality of life, often to the point of making everyday simple jobs horribly difficult.

Reachers are perfect for picking up small items off the floor or from the back of cupboards or high shelves. The lightweight poles have pincers on the end which are easily operated via a hand grip that usually requires only minimal finger flexion and grip. A set of sturdy steps will also help with reaching top shelves, especially if you choose ones that come with perfectly placed handrails for extra safety.

Fitting casters on furniture can make house cleaning a lot simpler, just make sure they come with brakes so items can’t slip.

If getting up out of chairs is difficult then risers can be placed

To help with getting around the house, grab rails can be strategically positioned to help in difficult to manoeuvre areas such as hallways, stairs, bathrooms and bedrooms.

Stairs can pose a particular problem for those with mobility difficulties, but there are several items which may help. If your front door or other access area has one or two steps leading up to it, consider a ramp or placing a ‘half step’ low rise platform in front of the lowest one to aid with that tricky initial upwards movement. These are either moulded into a fixed shape or with adjustable feet for uneven surfaces, and can also be used at the bottom of interior stairs. As far as these go, solutions can be on the expensive side but are certainly more economical than moving house and more fun than being confined to one area of your abode. An electric stair lift is sometimes the obvious choice, but it may also be possible to fit extensions.

For these, a complete new set

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 792

of stairs is installed or built over the original ones, with a lower rise and wide steps.

small loop at one end for placing a foot in, allowing you to raise the leg easily. A long handled shoe horn can also help with foot apparel, whilst elastic laces come with easy grip fasteners, ending the days of tying bows.

Combs, toothbrushes and hair brushes can all come with extra-long or broad handles, or chunky rubber grips can be fitted around existing ones.

If you are taking several different types of medication, a tablet organiser may be the key

Smart self-care

Rubber grippers that fit around lids can make the job easier, as can belts that are placed around the side of a lid and

Photo: A. Carlos Herrera FreeImages.com

Photo: Man9 / FreeImages.com

If you are unsteady on your feet then bathrooms can be one big slip hazard. Shower chairs mean you can take a seat whilst under the spray, and you don’t have to buy a specially designed one - simply use any plastic chair with rubber feet added so it doesn’t slide around. If you only have

ply load it up once every seven days and your tablets will be waiting for you every time you need them.

Stiff hands can make undertaking simple everyday tasks difficult or impossible An ordinary chair with rubber feet fitted can make showering much easier Photo: Petr0 / FreeImages.com

Stairs with a low rise and wide steps are easier to use for people with mobility problems

a bath then a fitted seat can make getting into and out of the tub much easier, as you don’t have to lower yourself down so far or need as much strength to lift your whole body weight out. A raised toilet seat can also make a trip to the smallest room more comfortable.

To make getting dressed as easy as possible, choose clothes without fasteners such as zips and buttons, though if you do have them there is a selection of pullers and handles which grab onto the fiddly bits, leaving a large handgrip for holding.

For socks, stockings and tights, try one of the clever poles with a small frame on the end. Place the footwear item over the end, then just slip your foot in and pull the sock or other item up without having to reach down.

Alternatively, leg lifters have a

Photo: J. Henning Buchholz / FreeImages.com

Take the confusion out of medication by investing in a pill organiser

to avoiding mix ups. The plastic containers have different sections for each part of the day, such as morning, lunch, teatime and night, usually covering a period of a week. SimTherapies, Spiritual hypnosis, Past life regression Come, unleash your internal power and heal your mind, body and soul completely through energy healing, hypnosis and past life regression.

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In the kitchen Opening jars and tins can be hard work at the best of times, let alone with arthritic hands.

tightened using a thumb wheel.

Multi-openers have adaptations that can remove bottle caps, the top of a tin, or twist a lid off. If you have very little grip, consider an electric can opener.

Spring action scissors are selfopening so need less strength and fine motor movement than normal ones and can be very useful around the kitchen.

Mounted table top scissors which have just an upper handle that needs pushing down are also available.

Dycem mats are wonderful aids that can be utilised in a myriad of ways. A flexible rubber product with a slightly sticky feel, it comes in preformed shapes and sizes or on a roll so you can cut it to length as needed. Use it as a non-slip mat on tables or work tops to provide stabil-

HEALTH

37

ity for items such as glasses and cups, place underneath a plate to stop it moving while you eat, or under a chopping board while you work. Amongst its many other uses, you can even position it on the floor to help avoid falls.

For those whose hands are very weak or stiff, there are knives, forks and spoons with chunky and/or angled handles that are much easier to eat with than the ordinary kind. There is also a variety of items such as cups and bowls that come with easygrip or double handles, or have specially shaped sides to aid with loading cutlery or accessing liquids.

using a seat slide, swivel disc or side bar to assist with getting in and out of a vehicle, or try any of the range of gadgets which help with fastening and undoing seatbelts.

For chatting with friends try a large button phone as they are much easier to operate with stiff fingers. Remote controls are also available with bigger keys, as are watches and clocks, which can also come in voice activated versions.

Gardeners may benefit from using a kneeling platform, and card players may enjoy card holders rather than using their hands, some of which can be simply placed on the surface in front of you.

For writing lists, letters or that novel you’ve always meant to get round to, try a pen with a wide handle, clip that goes over one finger, whole hand support, or a rubber frame that allows you to write whilst balancing your hand on a surface for greater stability. There are similar adaptations for computer users.

Harmless hobbies Having limited mobility can severely impinge on your social life, but there are several items to help you keep enjoying your hobbies.

For getting out and about, lightweight, and often foldable, trekking poles can be very useful if you find walking on une-

Photo: Debbie Schiel / FreeImages.com

23.3.2017 – 5.4.2017

People often only appreciate how vital healthy joints are once they start to deteriorate

ven surfaces difficult or want to be a little more adventurous in the outdoors. Fit a wide handle and enjoy the balance that comes with having two sticks rather than one. Car journeys can be made less stressful by

These are just a few of the products that can make your life easier. Have a look at websites such as: www.focuson disability.org.uk and www. dycem-ns.com for items you can order online. n

PETS

38

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 059

ADOPT, DON’T BUY

Animal charities’ round up

FOREVER HOMES

Looking for love This adorable pup is just one of many at the Acción del Sol refuge who would love you to take them home or even visit and help prepare them for spring.

Call: 922 778 630 if you can help in any way, or email: teneriffa@aktiontier.org. n

disposable gloves and washing your hands. The risk of toxoplasmosis is actually greater from improper handling of raw meat. Speak to your vet for more information.

2. Preparation Major changes can be confusing. Prepare cats by starting the nursery early and gradually so they can get comfortable with baby equipment being around. Start wearing baby powder and lotion to help them become familiar with the scent. Ask friends with babies to visit.

The lovely Ruby has found a happy new home in South Wales in the UK Cats and kids can live together peacefully: It’s all in the preparation and education

K9 It was love at first sight for K9 beauty Ruby and holidaymaker Cath Davies when she visited the refuge at the start of the year. Cath decided there and then to do whatever she could to get the sweet-natured Ruby home to Wales. Cath started a Just Giving page to help raise the money needed for the expensive flight, and with generous donations and sponsorship for a 100 mile cycle ride in the Welsh hills, the £570 (around €655) target was soon met.

Ruby flew to Gatwick where Cath and fiancé Wayne anxiously awaited. Ruby took it all in her stride and has settled in very well with her lovely new family. She loves the outdoor lifestyle and, while it’s slightly colder than here, she has a choice of cosy jackets

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and coats to keep her warm!

Cath says “K9 is an amazing place, with all the hard work the people do to give the animals the best chance at life as possible. We fell in love with Ruby on our holiday but never thought it would be possible to get her home to Wales, but we managed it with the help of K9 and the generosity of people who donated. We’ll give her a life of cuddles, long walks and a soft bed to call her own.”

Aren’t happy endings lovely!

Car boot sale Don’t miss our next boot sale on March 26 at the Los Gigantes bus station, from 9am to 12pm. Remember, every cent raised goes towards the care of our animals.

Adoptions We have many dogs waiting for their forever homes. You can see them on our website: www. k9tenerife.com. Or visit the Refuge on Calle Chimbesque, between Las Chafiras and Las Zocas, any day between 10am and 2pm. Alternatively, call us on: 667 638 468 or email: info@k9tenerife.com.

You will also find stories of our dogs’ antics on Facebook at: Diary of a K9 Tenerife Dogwalker or K9 Tenerife.

Visit our shop at Alcalá Plaza, every day from 10am to 2pm.

Donations of quality household goods are very welcome. Call: 646 561 035 to arrange collection of larger items from all local areas.

3. Create escapes Cats need kid-free zones when the baby becomes mobile, preferably an elevated area. If they can watch the household activity without being the centre of it, they’ll feel much less stress.

Cats Welfare

4. Supervision Babies and young children should be supervised with cats.

Even the most tolerant may react defensively if he feels under attack or is yanked or grabbed. A cat may naturally find cots a cosy place to nap, so make sure the nursery door remains closed.

Cats and children: Things every parent should know For many parents, the idea of kids and cats together is absolutely natural. For others, it’s a scary thought. The key is to prepare in advance.

1. Use common sense Many expectant parents panic about litter trays and toxoplasmosis. If you’re pregnant and must clean the litter tray, practice good hygiene by wearing

5. Health It’s easy to forget that kitty didn’t get flea protection or nails trimmed, so write notes to remind yourself. Animals in

pain are more likely to react defensively when touched.

6. Routine Avoid causing extra stress.

Kitty is an important family member and deserves continued care and attention. Introduce puzzle feeders to incorporate extra playtime when you’re busy.

7. Teaching Take time to show how animals should be handled and how to read body language so kids know when a cat should be left alone. Teach compassion, that animals aren’t toys, and that they have feelings and can experience pain and fear.

Charity shop and adoptions Pop into our shop at San Blas, Golf del Sur (Behind Hiperdino), Sunday to Friday, 10am until 6pm, Saturdays 10am to 4pm. We can also pick up large and bulky donations; ring Mark on: 636 590 557. See: www. cats-welfare-tenerife.com for adoptions, or call or WhatsApp Maria on: 646629129 (seven days a week 9am to 6pm).

Acción del Sol With spring around the corner we have so many dogs at the refuge that desperately need brushing now they’re starting to lose their winter coats. If you have any spare time please do come and visit, it will be greatly appreciated.

We still 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.

Please do call: 922 778 630 if you can help in any way, or visit us 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, just after the El Médano junction. Head for the windmills on the coast and we’re the buildings on the right hand side. Alternatively, email us on: teneriffa@aktiontier.org or visit our Facebook page: Action tier Acción 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). Call us on: 629 388 102. Find us at: www. livearico.com, on Facebook, or join us on Twitter: twitter.com/ live_arico. n

FARMERS MARKET

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 792

Farmer’s Markets 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

Photo: Kelvin Yu FreeImages

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

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

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

Island support!

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

Photo: by Frank C. Muller

Adeje Calle Archajara, s/n, in front of Makro Saturday/Sunday 8am – 2pm / Wednesday 3pm – 7pm Telephone: 922 775 200

39

FARMER’S MARKETS

Photo: Carlos Paes FreeImages

23.3.2017 – 5.4.2017

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 the Islands. Products range from tropical fruits, such as mangoes, to worldwide staples like lentils, potatoes and onions.

According to the agricultural group COAG-Canarias, prices of fresh fruits and vegetables differ greatly between the amount the farmers receive and the sale price in the supermarkets. For instance, towards the end of last year, small marrows, which the farmers were paid just €0.07/kilo for, retailed at €0.84, and leeks sold at €0.36 were passed onto the consumer for around €2.23 a kilo. Many of the prices don’t even seem to cover the cost of production - and this is when

subsidies became necessary to keep farms from disappearing, which, like the hiked prices, also come out of our pockets.

Enter the farmers markets, where the grower can sell directly to the customer without an intermediary. They are dotted all over the Islands, with at least one in almost every town. They allow customers to purchase fresher, higher quality produce at cheaper prices, and the farmers receive a fair payment for their efforts. This enables them to maintain or raise the standard of their crops and uphold productivity levels – it’s a win-win situation.

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

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

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

40

HOROSCOPES | CLASSIFIEDS

Horoscope for period: March 23 to April 5 Aries 21.3 - 20.4 Creating your own future can be a scary prospect, but everything is configured in your favour. This is your chance to launch new ventures and make a change for yourself. You may meet someone useful at a community event.

Taurus 21.4 - 20.5 Don’t let family concerns stop you from reaching your goals, nor let your career wishes be detrimental to your loved ones. It’s a tough juggling act but one that most people have to deal with at one time or another. Try to give equally.

Gemini 21.5 - 21.6 Your communication skills are at the forefront: you will find that you can convince management or loved ones that your current ideas are worth following up. It is also a good time for any in-depth conversations you need to have.

Cancer 22.6 - 22.7 Listening carefully to your intuition during the next few weeks may save you from making a decision that will have trying consequences.

If your inner voice is screaming ‘No’ then it is for a reason. Ignore it at your peril. Act on it and thrive.

Leo 23.7 - 23.8 Plodding along may not be the best attitude for Leos, but you need to stay dedicated to one chosen path right now. Your usual approach of many irons in the fire will not work. However, be loyal to your duties or dreams and all will work out.

Virgo 24.8 - 23.9 You’ll have to make a modification to your finances quite soon.

However, it may be as simple as prioritising your expenditure and making cuts in areas you hadn’t thought of tackling before. You’ll be surprised at just how much you save.

Libra 24.9 - 23.10 Those who are looking for employment may find success over the coming weeks, whilst others who already have a job could find a change coming up.

Don’t worry if it doesn’t seem to fit into place straight away – a call out of the blue will surprise.

Scorpio 24.10 - 22.11 Ceaseless worrying will not help your present situation: You need to revise your way of working out what’s important. Take the time to do it now or you may find that life insists on giving you a period that requires intense self-reflection.

Sagittarius 23.11 - 21.12 Now is a good time to have a long, hard think about what you would like to do in your future. Be it career objectives or personal or spiritual goals it is all the same: You need to work out what you want and take positive steps towards it.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 059

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 Cockney girl, Ana. Just what to 10pm. you need to get pampered.

Stunning hot brunette. Let Los Cristianos, new. Beaumy pleasure be your pleas- tiful Latin girl. Completely ure, owo, French kissing. without limits, I will welLos Cristianos, opposite come you in my private the bus station. Tel: (0034) apartment in Calle Ramón 631 564 875. Busty curvy. Pino, behind Avenida Suecia, or I do outcalls to Erotic private massages hotels. Tel: 602 502 300. and parties for singles and couples with German Busty hot Canarian female, couple. Also quickies and brunette, pretty, slim, sexy, threesomes. Without rush. curvy, 100 per cent fun, Also visits to your home or passionate and intimate. hotel. English speaking. Tel: Toys. In/outcalls. A real girl(0034) 619 614 380 and friend experience. Tantric (0034) 648 245 425. massage OWO, Los CrisOutcall south and north: tianos. Tel: 631 343 527.

Contacts

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: 0034 640 814 067. Also by WhatsApp.

Aquarius 21.1 - 20.2 A little time to concentrate on yourself will not go amiss. You are prone to always thinking of others first. Though not a bad thing, now is more the time to treat yourself and really enjoy spending time alone. It will pay off in the long run.

LOCKSMITH

Pisces 21.2 - 20.3 Professional commitments will preside over domestic matters and you may find yourself embroiled in someone else’s argument. Make it very clear that you will not take sides and you will garner the respect of everyone concerned. Be strong.

Call 647 92 82 23

Instant response, 7 days a week call out

English model, showgirl, professional striptease, quality service, general entertainment, stag nights, dominatrix, fetish, luxury conditions, visits 24 hours, 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.

Tel: 608 285 035.

Los Cristianos, new, Aracely, Spanish blonde. All services. I can do hotel visits, or I will welcome you in my private apartment. Tel: 664 099 043.

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.

For ladies: Excursions, I speak English well. Tel: escorts, erotic massages and more, with Marc (Ger- (0034) 664 085 213. man) who also speaks English and Spanish. I have South, young Latin girl, an apartment and car and pretty, obliging, affectionate.

I also do visits. We can meet Come and see me for good in a café before. Tel: (0034) company and to have a good time. Tel: 642 615 094.

630 759 974.

Capricorn 22.12 - 20.1 Family is more important than your career at the moment so you need to keep both of them in perspective. You give 100 per cent of yourself in work situations but can neglect those closest to you at times. It’s an unbalanced approach.

Los Cristianos, Meliza, blonde Venezuelan, large breasts, all services, natural French, positions, kisses, sado. I have a private apartment in Calle Ramón Pino, near Playa Las Vistas.

I can do outcalls. Tel: 602 629 191.

To advertise your services with us, please call

922 75 06 09

23.3.2017 – 5.4.2017

ISLAND CONNECTIONS MEDIA GROUP S.L. www.islandconnections.eu

Island Connections Online: www.islandconnections.eu

CLASSIFIEDS DEADLINE NEXT EDITION The deadline for edition 793, which is published on 6th April, is 4th April.

No classifieds will be taken after this date.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rates: * LINEAGE CLASSIFIEDS: From €16 * SMALL & LONG TERM: Ask for long term advertising (3, 6, 12 months) and our special discounts. * FURTHER OPTIONS: color / boxed adverts.

TO PLACE YOUR ADVERT CALL: 922 75 06 09 You are welcome to come to our offices in Las Chafiras to place small ads. Card payment facilities are available.

CLASSIFIEDS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 792

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

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

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

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

Masonic Lodge - Ave Fenix No.73. New meetings starting in October 2016 on the fourth Tuesday of the month. If interested, all visitors are welcome to come down. For further information, lodge secretary John Donaldson is available to contact on Tel: (+34) 922 178 091 or Email: ave.fenix73@gmail.com You’re invited!!! FREE BEAUTY SESSION. This is your time to relax with friends or on your own, share the excitement of trying new products, learn about the latest techniques and trends and of course, earn fabulous rewards. More info: 642 601 553 Maggie.

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.

41

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.

Professional massage therapy, available at the client’s home/apartment. Certified and experienced masseur for remedial, deep tissue, Swedish, sports and relaxing massage. Mobile/WhatsApp: (+34) 683 141 129.

Las Américas, Cassandra. I know all the techniques of massage well. If you want to have an unforgettable experience, come to me. Waiting for you - wine, beer, tea, cof-

Spanish and English Lawyers

Conveyancing • Inheritance & Wills Family Law • Criminal Law Civil Litigation & Personal Injury Timeshare • Tax & Commercial law fee, disposable toiletries, nice music and a guarantee of complete relaxation to each guest.

The Express programme of 30 minutes includes erotic massage and back massage. Call and I will tell you everything.

Tel: 667 035 203.

Las Américas, Cassandra. I know all the techniques of massage well. If you want to have an unforgettable experience, come to me. Waiting for you - wine, beer, tea, coffee, disposable toiletries, nice music and a guarantee of complete relaxation to each guest.

The Express programme of 30 minutes includes erotic massage and back massage. Call and I will tell you everything.

Tel: 667 035 203.

We sell furniture suitable for bar/restaurant (tables, chairs, kitchen accessories, decoration etc.) in excellent condition. Price negotiable.

Tel: 922 717 613 or 671 912 301

T: E:

922 719 520

tenerife@decottalaw.net

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

www.decottalaw.net

42

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

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

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

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 Apartment and Villa for rent in Tenerife south. Tel: (0034) 662 507 191.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 059 Garage to rent, double width.

Victoria Court 1, Los Cristianos.

Close to Sunday market. Very secure lock-up. Tel: 679 919 623.

SALES Classifieds For sale, Bungalow 160m 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 2

www.teneriffa-fincas.net 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 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.

Mobile welder for hire anywhere on the island Contact Jason:

683 422 304

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.

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 News: Los Abrigos Auction Room www.second-hand-tenerife.com

Situations Vacant / wanted

Suncare Central are hiring 2 Supervisors to join their expanding team in Tenerife: 1 must speak a Scandinavian language.

The successful applicants should have a minimum of 1 year experience supervising a team preferably in a customer service/sales environment. Spanish contract, company car and benefits.

Please email your CV to jobs@suncarecentral. com or call Louise on 651 170 660.

CLASSIFIEDS | PASTIMES

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 792

43

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.

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.

You are invited to (For Crossword and Sudoku solution see pag 40)

23.3.2017 – 5.4.2017

Sunday 10am and Wednesday 7pm

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

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 Wanted: Massage/Beauty Therapist. We are a spa located in a hotel in Los Gigantes, looking for a massage/beauty therapist to join our small but professional team of therapists. Must have experience of manicures and pedicures. Send CV to stilspas@gmail.com or Tel: 648 060 880.

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

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.

SO

LD

FOR SALE

Across

1 - net (anag) (3) 3 - perceive (3) 5 - ask for (5) 8 - tiny amount (4) 9 - walking supports (8) 11 - animation (10) 13 - mental infirmity (6) 14 - induce (6)

Opel 1.7 eco flex

D L O S

ITV 2018. recent service.

New tyres. Great condition inside and out.

117,000 km · €6,900 Tel. 616 460 728

17 - flat wood with rollers (10) 21 - changing shape (8) 22 - young female (4) 23 - message (5) 24 - fix together (3) 25 - sense of self (3)

Down

1 - tone (5) 2 - birth of Jesus (8) 4 - trip (6) 5 - courses (5) 6 - reflect sound (4) 7 - make inactive (7) 10 - garden pest (4) 12 - perfume stabilizer (8)

13 - dedicates (7) 15 - young child (4) 16 - aches (6) 18 - money pot (5) 19 - dance hall (5) 20 - ballpoint pen (4)

FITNESS & WELLBEING

44

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 059

DYING FOR A DRINK?

Photo: Mark Webb / FreeImages.com

Liquid sugar

Drinks can hold shocking amounts of sugar

As the incidence of obesity and diabetes continues to rise on a global level, sugary drinks have been highlighted as one of the main contributors.

Would anyone sit down and ladle spoon after spoon of sugar into their mouths? It’s highly

unlikely, but it’s all too easy to knock back one or more drinks without even thinking about what we are really ingesting.

An ordinary 330ml can of coke (rather than the diet kind) has 139 calories and a whopping 35g of sugar – equivalent to

eight or nine teaspoons. But it isn’t only artificially sweetened drinks that are the problem.

Unfortunately, as far as weight gain and general health goes, fruit juices are not always a better option. A 330ml glass of freshly squeezed orange juice

has around 156 calories and 29 grams of sugar - so even though it’s more nutritious and full of fibre, fruit juices still have some of the same disadvantages as fizzy pop.

Unfortunately, fluids don’t provide the same feeling of full-

ENHANCE FITNESS

Posture problems

Bad posture is becoming increasingly visible among the general population

Posture, more specifically bad posture, is becoming increasingly visible among the general population.

Bad backs, neck stiffness and shoulder pain are becoming all too common. A few generations back, when you were at school you would permanently be sat straight at your desk (or probably hit with a cane if you didn’t) which in turn created a generation of people with good posture and few muscular or skeletal problems. Nowadays most people adjust themselves when a teacher walks into the room and then resume to a more comfortable slouch. This affects you in later life when simple movements such as sitting up straight and holding your shoulders back become difficult movements and positions to maintain.

dent who had horrific posture and while her goal was to lose body fat, what truly needed assessing first was how she moved and carried herself.

Simple tasks like being able to stand up from the floor unaided were virtually impossible for her, and at just 17 years old she needed some form of intervention to increase her range of movement and basic strength.

This in turn aided her to finally be able to stand up unassisted which subsequently led to body fat loss as a by-product.

When you think about the way you stand up from a lying position, do you have to contort or twist your body into different angles to hoist yourself up or can you just simply get to your feet? Think about when this actually happened and how long it has been since

horizontal position. In another five to 20 years from now that manner will have morphed into a much more complex and possibly agonising procedure.

A different older, larger lady I worked with reported that she could suddenly turn her neck a lot more easily without any stiffness or pain and that getting dressed was a lot less of a chore. There are many of us that don’t realise the way in which we awkwardly wriggle into a pair of jeans or how we now need to sit down or lift a leg just to tie a shoelace.

Instead many people have taken the technically less efficient yet more complicated version of doing something that has become your ‘new normal’.

For any questions or advice please contact Debbie via www. fitnesswithdebbie.com. n

Photo: Adam Kurzok/ FreeImages.com

By Debbie Gilbey I recently worked with a stu- you struggled to get up from a

ness or satisfaction as eating a meal, as the body doesn’t recognise liquid calories in the same way as energy from solid food. In addition, people may be more likely to limit their intake of obviously sugary foods such as chocolate, cakes and biscuits than they would drinks.

In combination with the fact that much of the sugar in fizzy drinks comes from highfructose corn syrup, found to inhibit the body’s signals that tell us we are full, it’s no wonder that many people are consuming far more calories than they need.

Obesity is only one of the problems, however. Endless studies have confirmed the links between diet and disease, with several conditions being dubbed ‘modern maladies’ due to their prevalence in industrialised nations.

Type 2 diabetes is one of these.

When food or drink contains high levels of sugar (particularly fructose), blood glucose levels rise suddenly, which normally leads to frantic insulin secretion (known as an insulin spike) in order for the cells to be able absorb the blood

sugars for energy use or storage. Enough ‘spikes’ over the years and cells may be unable to respond as well to insulin (causing ‘resistance’), or the pancreas may no longer be able to produce enough of it.

And suddenly you find yourself with type 2 diabetes and all its possible complications, including heart failure, nerve damage, atherosclerosis, vision loss and kidney disease, or one of the other conditions that have been linked to excessive consumption of sugary drinks, such as metabolic syndrome and fatty liver disease.

The World Health Organisation recommends that a normalweight adult should intake only five per cent (or less) of their daily calories in sugar. That’s around 25g, or six teaspoons, a day. We have already seen that 330ml of coca cola has 35g. Old Jamaica ginger beer has 52, Club Orange has 47, lemonade has approximately 26, and even some supposedly healthy alternatives such as elderflower spritz have 37g.

And don’t forget that 29g in the freshly squeezed orange juice. Just one drink and you are already over the limit. n

MID-SEASON BREAK

Liverpool set for Tenerife return

Photo: Paul Robinson CC A-S A 2.0 GL

Manager Jürgen Klopp is arranging for the Liverpool squad to jet into Tenerife for another warm-weather training camp as part of their mid-season break later this month.

Liverpool is looking to repeat last year’s trip to the island with the club’s youngsters likely to be given a chance to impress. Players who aren’t on international duty will travel to Tenerife during the next round of World Cup qualifier matches which take place over the final weekend in March.

Liverpool recently spent five days in La Manga on the Spanish peninsula when they were without a game for 16 days following their early exit from the FA Cup. In March 2016, players such as Alberto Moreno, Roberto Firmino, Lucas Leiva and Jon Flanagan were among those to fly out to the Canary Islands as Klopp looked to strengthen the bond within his group while many of his first-team stars embarked on international duty.

The coach described last year’s experience as “close to perfect”. “The main reason we’re here is so that we can train in a different circumstance,” he said. “It’s a long year, a long season for all the players, and so they need the change a little bit. The biggest opportunity we could get from our owners is they said we could bring our families here. It’s a great atmosphere, we work hard, and then we have time for our family in a really nice place.” n

Jürgen Klopp is a fan of Tenerife

SPORTS

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MIZUNO RUNNING SHOES

High-mileage trainers that pack a punch

By GIFT the Sport Mizuno is a Japanese sportswear company founded in 1906 by Rihachi Mizuno and the company’s running shoes are considered among the best on the market.

Mizuno Wave Technology provides a responsive ride like no other, producing top running shoes that their loyal clients come back for time and again.

When running, an athlete continuously receives an impact several times the body's weight upon landing and therefore requires soft cushioned shoes. However, too much cushioning sacrifices stability, causing interference with movements such as jumping, planting, and turning. Keeping their shoes soft but stable is Mizuno’s priority.

The company’s Wave Technology provides the right amount of cushioning and stability that your body needs and blends those elements, creating a unique sporting experience that allows you to go higher and further, more freely.

One of the newest models is the Mizuno Wave Rider 20, which is a high-mileage trainer that packs a lot of features into a fairly lightweight offering.

Even on long runs, supreme comfort meets lightweight performance, making Mizuno best for neutral runners who like a faster paced shoe. The midsole compounds deliver the most cushioned, light and fast feel on the market. Thanks to their SmoothRide Engineering, the combination of the mesh and

One of the newest models is the Mizuno Wave Rider 20 Keeping their shoes soft but stable is Mizuno’s priority

the Dynamotion Fit construction provides a superb fit.

Today, Mizuno is a global business which makes a wide variety of sports equipment and sportswear for a range of activities and disciplines. You can find in our store a wide range of Mizuno trainers for running, trail, tennis and padel.

For more information visit GIFT the Sport in CC Fañabé Plaza: a fully-comprehensive sports shop offering products by all the top brands. Alternatively, call them on: 922 724 035 and visit their Facebook page: www.facebook. com/GIFTtheSPORT. n

The exterior of GIFT the Sport, situated on the front line of CC Fañabé Plaza, Costa Adeje

©2016 FLN

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LOCAL RUGBY

Ñandú needs sponsorship 12/03/2017 Ñandú v La Laguna Rugby Club March 12 saw the visit of La Laguna Rugby Club to the El Galeón sports centre for the match against Ñandú.

The conditions were hot and windy, promising a physical test for all involved. The match kicked off with a high tempo from both sides, though early exchanges between the forwards saw Ñandú start to dominate and achieve early quality possession.

From this platform, the backs moved the ball quickly to fullback Fran Ferreyra who, showing great feet, jinked through the La Laguna defence for the first try of the game. Ñandú kept on pressing, with wing Thiago Groba flying down the side for another Ñandú try.

Converted by Gabri Trujillo, Ñandú were off to a great start.

The next home try came from the ever-adaptable Ryan Cox, starting his first game as second row. Showing good strength with two hand-offs, he powered over the line.

The forwards were too strong for the opposition, and with only

lajoyosa in Alicante and came away with the Bronze Cup, an achievement to be very proud of considering they were up against some of the best teams on the Spanish peninsula. Well, this year they are aiming their sights higher and are going for the Silver Cup. With a bit of help from fans and friends, the boys are planning to return to the tournament on May 5 and 6 this year, to be held in Valladolid.

In order to achieve this, the club need some sponsorship so if you can help in any way, please let us know. Companies will be promoted on a Ñandú tournament banner, and can sponsor the travelling shirts.

All assistance, large or small, is greatly appreciated in order to help the boys show off their prowess.

If you would like further information regarding the club or can assist with sponsorship, please contact Paul on: 664 361 058. n Ñandú will play in the National Under 18 Tournament in Valladolid on May 5 and 6

a few minutes left of the first half, it was the other second row Chino (Axel Moran Bragado) who went over for a great score.

Unfortunately, this was followed by an injury to one of the La Laguna forwards which brought a halt to play. After lengthy treatment on the pitch, it was decided to suspend the match to be replayed in the near future. All at Ñandú wish

Ñandú Rugby Club needs sponsorship to attend the national tournament

the player a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him again soon.

Appeal for Sponsorship Those of you who are familiar with Ñandú Rugby Club may remember their amazing achievement last year when they attended the National Under 18 Tournament in Vil-

23.3.2017 – 5.4.2017

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LA LIGA 2

Tenerife fights on despite first home defeat

By Chris Todd ing fifth placed Real Oviedo to CD Tenerife remains high up in the play-off zone but their unbeaten 27-game home record came to an end against a stubborn CF Reus side in the Heliodoro Stadium.

After the heroics of the previous week’s last gasp draw at Getafe, the blanquiazules were fully expected to keep up their excellent form but it was not to be. The debut of Japanese player Gaku Shibasaki created great interest in his home country (the day after his signing for CD Tenerife the club gained 10,000 new Twitter followers, the majority from Japan) and his first 20 minutes in the blue and white can be described as positive, but he is still finding his feet.

The blanquiazules, despite the knock back, are still in the promotion race and currently sit fourth in the league where they have a three point cushion in the play-off zone.

The next two games are crucial as they play away to third placed Cádiz before welcom-

flank and it was game on. At 1-1 the match appeared to be petering out into a draw but Getafe took the lead in the closing stages with a scrappy goal before, with practically the last kick of the encounter, Cristo Gonzalez equalised again for Tenerife to make the final score 2-2.

The draw, in a way, felt like a win for Tenerife as they heartily celebrated with their 300 strong blue and white army in the freezing Madrid suburb of Getafe.

the island on April 2. What a game that will be!

12/03/2017 Getafe 2 CD Tenerife 2 After the initial ‘sparring’ between the two teams, the game came to life on 20 minutes when Getafe were awarded the softest penalty you are likely to see all season. The penalty was duly converted to put the home side ahead but the referee still had a few more favours to hand out to Getafe.

Tenerife fought back, attacking with speed. Amath broke the offside trap only to be hauled down close to the halfway line by a Getafe defender already with a yellow card to his name, but despite the referee blowing up for the obvious foul he incredibly let the defender remain on the pitch. The Tenerife players surrounded the official but he was unwavering in his decision.

The second half proved to be even spicier with the tackles flying in, especially from the aggressive home side. However,

Gaku Shibasaki enjoys a cult following in his native Japan where fans are already wearing Tenerife shirts with pride

Tenerife scored a deserved equaliser on 58 minutes

through Choco Lozano after a smart move down the right

19/03/2017 CD Tenerife 0 CF Reus 1 Catalan outfit CF Reus travelled to the island for the first time since 1971, and against all predictions they came away with all three points to break Tenerife`s unbeaten home record that stretched back to January 2016.

In fact, before the game Tenerife were the only unbeaten team in the top two Spanish leagues this year, but against Reus they were simply off the pace. The visitors surprised the

home fans with an early goal before setting up their team to suffocate and thwart any Tenerife attack.

The Catalan minnows don’t have the second best defensive record in the league for nothing. Tenerife’s status as a promotion candidate did not intimidate Reus in the slightest. It was another poor refereeing performance (Tenerife had lost their six previous matches with referee Pablo Fuertes) which made the game a frustrating stop-start affair, but the blanquiazules almost equalised on 35 minutes when Choco hit the post.

The second half saw more of the same, Reus defended well and Tenerife lacked much creation. It just was not their day. Cristo came off the bench and squandered a one-on-one chance, but there was no way through.

Gaku’s debut was the highlight of the closing stages and he looked good but he lacks match rhythm. The result was disappointing but Tenerife is still flying high. n

FOOTBALLING FUN

Sizzling summer tours

By Soccer Experience

different team, please get in touch.

The trip to the south of Spain is almost full but we are still looking for a few players of a decent level to participate in our UK Academy tour.

Nomads’ youth teams and friends will be organising football, cultural and fun trips to Granada, Málaga and Costa del Sol in midJuly 2017, and the following week we head to the UK to participate in a competition against professional academy teams.

We still need a few under 12s players for the UK trip and several for the under 14s and 16s sides. More information on the trips can be found at: www. nomadsfc.com.

Nomads youth teams We are always looking for new players as we believe that, no matter the talent, the most important aspect of starting a

Sponsored by: Foreign Language News & www.windowsplus.co.uk

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.

Walking football arrives in Tenerife Nomads Football Club was delighted to host our first ever walking football match

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 restaurant’s limited space. If your kids would like a football birthday party, please contact us.

Contact

Nomads FC is organising trips to the UK and Spanish peninsula in the summer to compete against professional academy teams

at our facility in Los Cristianos. We had players in their 40s, 50s, 60s and one player was almost 70 years old! If any other potential walking football stars want to join the group or start a

Children’s parties

Nomads FC on a visit to Old Trafford last year

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.socexp.com. n

GARDENING

Whilst many plants will be able to soldier on for an age without sufficient nutrients, properly fertilised they will be healthier and more able to resist disease and pest attacks.

Bearing in mind that a third of all rubbish discarded in the Canary Islands is organic material, principally foodstuffs and garden cuttings, and a further quarter is paper or cardboard, compost is definitely worth a consideration, as almost all organic material, and many paper products, can be made into cheap and environmentally friendly fertiliser.

Creating compost is the most natural recycling there is.

Waste organic material is transformed into quality feed that enriches the land and provides nutrients for plants, which in turn feed us and other animals, in an ongoing mutually beneficial cycle. It is also free, saves on transport and energy used in industrial production, and stops waste taking up precious space in landfill sites.

Even if you only have a small garden or patio, you have plenty of space for a compost bin. It has the added bonus of being a complete unit that keeps any potentially unpleasant smells to a minimum, ensures animals cannot interfere with the maturing mix, and also protects the compost from any effects from adverse weather.

Where there’s muck…

Creating compost is the most natural recycling there is

Most bins have a large opening on the top, plenty of ventilation holes in the sides, and doors in the bottom area for easy extraction of the compost when it is ready. They should be placed in the shade in a well-ventilated area, preferably with a space next to them for mixing

the compost and accumulating materials ready for adding to the pile.

What can be composted?

First of all, it’s important to use a variety of materials that include both those that decom-

pose quickly and others that break down more slowly.

Materials that decompose quickly include fresh leaves and grass, young hedge and plant clippings, and kitchen waste, including coffee and tea dregs. Paper, card or serviettes which don’t contain inks make good dry material.

Those that break down slowly include dry leaves, straw, wood cuttings and sawdust (from untreated wood only), nut and egg shells and fruit pips. Ash of an organic origin can be used, but never coal or coke ash.

Do not add any synthetic materials to your bin, nor fats or oils

(including foods cooked with them), treated wood, dairy products, magazines or newspapers (as they contain dyes and heavy metals), meat or fish as they attract undesirable visitors, cigarette filters, vacuum cleaner waste, charcoal or coal ash, human or animal waste (except manure from farm animals such as horses, chickens and goats), weeds with seeds, diseased or insect-infested plants, or disinfectants and solvents.

Add only small amounts of citrus fruits and pine, due to their acidity, as well as bread or herbivore pet bedding such as from hamsters and rabbits.

Compost must be turned regularly and given time to mature sufficiently. As micro-organisms multiply, the pile’s temperature should reach at least 55 degrees Celsius, which is necessary to kill the pathogenic organisms. The heap should then be left to cool and mature over a period of weeks or months. Generally speaking, your first compost will be ready for taking out of the bin after a minimum of six weeks. It is ready when it has a uniform dark brown colour and an earthy smell. n

Photo: Gokhan Okur / FreeImages.com

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Transform waste organic material into quality feed for plants, which in turn feed us and other animals

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Homes and properties for sale in the Canaries

TIPS FOR PEACE OF MIND

Buying a home in the Canaries 1. Have the right of ownership of your contract partner (seller) proven by submitting a notarised purchase agreement (Escritura Pública de Compraventa) with the registration of the land registry (Registro de la Propiedad) or by a ‘fresh’ land register extract. This also includes the land registry reference (referencia catastral).

2. Before agreeing to a purchase in writing or verbally (even verbal contracts may be valid under Spanish law), make sure you are aware of the property you are considering, in particular: • Is the proprietor alone entitled to sell or is the spouse’s consent required (or anybody else’s) to uphold the validity of the contract? If the seller is

not the owner, the power of attorney should be examined.

• Outstanding charges and monthly costs • Quality of the building land • Common building plans • Existence of rental and leasing contracts with respect to the property • Tax liability for the property.

In particular, proof of payment of the real estate tax for the last five years should be submitted. In this way, you will also learn the approximate amount of land tax to be paid in the future.

• Levy rebate, insofar as the property is subject to the property ownership law (certificate of the owner association) • Verification of land size and boundaries • If you are buying land with a house, you should make sure that the house is also registered in the land register and that you will be able to make sure that there will be no problems with the water and electricity supply by accessing proof of payment on the latest water and electricity bills

example, risk assessment for volcanic action may be necessary before building, and can be expensive.

Photo: Anna Piątkowska/freeimages.com

As an EU citizen, you enjoy the same rights as a Spanish national - that is, there are no restrictions on the purchase of a property in the Canary Islands. However, so that everything goes smoothly, you should keep the following tips in mind.

7. Find out about the taxes and costs associated with the purchase of the property. As a rough guide, it can be said that the costs of real estate acquisition (notary, land registry and lawyer or ‘gestoría’ (agency that undertakes administrative work) amount to approximately 10 per cent of the notarised purchase price.

Make sure you get everything in writing when buying a property

3. Formal contracts are easy to prepare, but they sometimes have their problems. Therefore, before signing, consider which additional clauses you would like to include and discuss them with your contract partner.

4. As a buyer, insist on the conclusion of a notarised purchase contract (Escritura Pública de Compraventa) and your registration as owner in the land register, even if instalments have been agreed.

5. If a property under construction, which has not yet been completed, has been purchased by the developer on an instalment plan, the seller must provide evidence that an insurance or bank guarantee has been concluded with regard to instalment payments.

6. In the case of building sites, care must be taken that they have building land quality guarantees and meet the minimum size for a future development. In the Canaries for

8. You should be aware that all homeowners in the Canary Islands are obliged to submit a tax return once a year. If your Spanish isn’t up to it, it will probably be easier to employ a ‘gestor’, or make an appointment to go along with a translator to the tax office where they will help you free of charge.

9. Even in the case of seemingly simple cases, it’s advisable to consult a competent adviser before signing the contract. This could be, for example, a translator with the corresponding qualifications or knowledge. n

Jamie Lee Armstrong Email: sales@icmedia.eu Tel: 616 460 728

Sabine Virgin Email: sabine.virgin@icmedia.eu Tel: 676 347 935

Gillian Sibbald Email: gillian@icmedia.eu Tel: 660 026 849

Sabine Bohl Email: sabine.bohl@icmedia.eu Tel: 690 278 959

€ 580 ,000

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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 m ) 2

& 693 577 101

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 059

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

30€/month

Tel 629 244 958 € 155,000

Playa Honda

Las Américas

One bedroom apartment, tiled throughout, American-style kitchen, separate bedroom and terrace. Located in the center of Las Americas within 3 minutes walk from the beach.

€ 122,000 ALAN: 634 098 838

British Style Bar

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

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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

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

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

TRASPASO

€200.000

€ 59,0 RE 00 PRIDCEUCED

C

REALESTATE

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

Leasehold. Just reduced for quick sale

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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

S

D L O

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.

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