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May 4 – May 17, 2017 Arona gets tough
MBE & Brexit
Cannabis therapy
Street vending clampdown
Ambassador’s visit
The forgotten remedy
Page 16
Page 29
Pages 34 & 35
EXCLUSIVE!
Holiday rents
Businessman and political advisor Mohamed Jamil Derbah is considered one of Tenerife’s most charismatic and controversial characters. Mohamed is the former right-hand man to timeshare mogul John Palmer, has survived three assassination attempts, and built a business network that bridges the Islands with Africa. He recently allowed Canarian journalist Félix Rojas to write a book about his time in Tenerife, and invited Island Connections to interview him and discuss what readers can expect from it, and what the future holds. To discover more about the man who was so often in the headlines, see the full interview on pages eight and nine.
Let up in the law In a move that will be welcomed by many, the Canary Islands Supreme Court has decreed several of the regional rules on holiday lets to be invalid. The changes include the much disputed prohibition on private rentals within tourist areas and those of mixed residential use, a ban that was introduced two years ago by former Canarian president Paulino Rivero, causing outrage from many in the sector. Amongst others, the Spanish Federation of Tourism Rental Associations (Fevitur) and the National Commission for Market and Competition (CNMP) have fought bitterly against Decree 113/2015 which established the restrictions. Thankfully, their efforts are starting to pay off, as the Supreme Court has announced it is “absurd” that visitors can only take advantage of private lets outside of tourist areas, and that a prohibition of this kind is contrary to free competition. Another light at the end of the tunnel is within the administrative
Photo: Cabildo GC
Interview with Mohamed Jamil Derbah
Playa del Inglés is one of the tourist regions affected by the law
field, as the court stated that the number of documents which had to be submitted before starting renting was “inappropriate”. One of the greatest indictments was made about it being illegal to rent out individual rooms; that an apartment has to be let in its entirety. The court’s ruling declared that the only motive for this type
of interference in the free provision of services could be to favour hotel groups. “There is no reason why a guest who wants to book only one room should be made to pay for the whole apartment”, said the judge, “even if this means that rooms are being offered at a cheaper price than those available in hotels”. The costs of the dis-
pute must be borne by the Canary Islands’ Government as it has been seen to contravene the laws of free competition. However, the battle will not be over until said government has finished redrafting the holiday let decree, a process that is already underway.
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Continued on page two
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062
King and Queen
A right royal visit King Felipe and Queen Letizia recently made their first official visit to the Canaries, travelling to Gran Canaria on April 24 followed by Tenerife on April 25. The Spanish royals were received by Canarian president Fernando Clavijo, local politicians and excited members of the public. Huge crowds waited in warm temperatures to catch a glimpse of the King and Queen, and wherever they went the couple shook hands, addressed people directly, and even posed for the occasional selfie. Several official engagements were on the agenda. In La Vegueta, in the city of Las Palmas, the couple visited the Casa Colón as they were interested in the pre-Hispanic history at the Risco Caído site. The astronomic calendar discovered in one of the caves is a truly remarkable example. Canarian representatives have requested that it be classified as a UNESCO world cultural heritage site.
President Alonso, President Clavijo, King Felipe and Queen Letizia (L-R)
Canary Islands president Fernando Clavijo, Parliamentary president Carolina Darias, and Island president Antonio Morales accompanied the royals in Gran Canaria. They visited the Cruz Roja Africa Coordination Centre in the port of La Luz in Las Palmas, where the Spanish Red Cross and the World Food Programme
work hand in hand. They have food and supplies for disaster and crisis areas in stock so they can react on demand. Also in the capital, the King and Queen learned about the successful concept, Barrios Orquestado (orchestrated neighbourhoods). The social project offers free training on string instruments for six to 17
year olds for up to five years. In Gran Canaria and Tenerife, 260 youngsters are supported and taught every day. In honour of the royal visit, 200 students played at the Pabellón El Batán while their parents sang as a choir. They performed the Congolese song Banahan and Michael Jackson's Billie Jean.
In Tenerife, the royal couple, accompanied by the Island president Carlos Alonso, got to know the fruits of another social project, Barrios por el empleo (city suburbs for work) which is concerned with the integration of the long-term unemployed into the labour market. To this end, local social workers work very closely with various non-profit making organisations and employers to offer training and subsidised projects to those who have a poor chance of being successful in the labour market. Afterwards, the royals visited the University of La Laguna (ULL); however, this visit was not quite as harmonious. The student association AMEC protested against the visit in advance; rejecting the system of hereditary privilege and power by a right of inheritance. In addition, some students had to move their classes to alternative lecture halls so that the King
and Queen could be received in the best ones. From the students' point of view, this was an ironic representation of reality. Director Antonio Martinón Cejas was more concerned with solving key construction defects than with the organisation of a royal visit. The royal couple’s last trip to the Islands was over three years ago. In January 2014, Felipe and Letizia, then as Prince and Princess of Asturias, opened the Palmetum Palm Garden in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and in Gran Canaria they opened the Castillo de La Luz museum. Previously in 2012, they had visited El Hierro to learn more about the underwater volcanic eruption. Following his coronation, King Felipe visited the archipelago alone to attend the final of the basketball Copa del Rey at the Gran Canaria Arena and the 30th anniversary of the Canarian Astrophysics Institute. Both n took place in 2015.
Private lets
Supreme Court throws out rental ban Continued from front page
The Supreme Court also has to decide on four other issues raised by the ASCAV Canarian Holiday Lets Association, with the results expected soon. Nevertheless, the president of La Gomera, Casimiro Curbelo, released a statement saying he welcomed the verdict so far. The existing law has, he believes, placed the small western islands at a particular disadvantage. He highlighted the fact that for many families in those areas their only income is from tourist rentals and thus they’ve been forced to face working illegally since the introduction of the restrictions. He also spoke about the differences between the western islands and the bigger ones, plus the fact he is convinced all types of rentals can work together, giving
the area of Valle Gran Rey as an example of positive coexistence. "There, we have both models working directly next to each other, and well. Our small islands are not characterised by mass tourism, but by rural tourism: the type of guests that not only treat the environment respectfully, but generally spend more money within the destination as well", he noted. Paulino Rivero passed the disputed regulations shortly before the last elections, and from the beginning they attracted criticism. The expresident had, many said, given in to the demands of the hoteliers’ lobby, and at the last moment changed a previously negotiated draft in favour of the larger companies.
Hoteliers’ reactions
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Whilst some are celebrating the recent Supreme Court ruling, others are not so happy with the outcome. Representatives of Ashotel, the Hotel Association for Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro, say that more lenient rental laws will place the way tourism works in the Islands in danger. The existing rental model has, they say, been perfectly successful over the past decades, leading to general prosperity and peaceful coexistence. Over 65,000 people are currently employed in the hotel industry, all employees are paid according to trade union agreements and, especially in the last few years, new jobs in the industry have led to a reduction in the high unemployment rate. Private lettings do not, say Ashotel, create jobs.
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This argument is refuted by representatives of ASCAV. They insist that their visitors hire cars, buy goods from supermarkets and eat out in restaurants much more than hotel guests do, especially those in all-inclusive resorts. This, they say, creates and sustains employment indirectly. One aspect both sides agree on is that rental activities must be taxed, but a further worrying point for the Hotel Association is a phenomenon already noticeable in many Spanish cities, such as Madrid, and Canarian coastal towns like El Médano. Increasingly, more houses and apartments are let via platforms like Airbnb, allowing owners to make more money than on long term rentals, thus reducing numbers of available proper-
ties for ordinary city dwellers, and drastically raising rental prices overall. Evidently worried for the future, Ashotel has proposed
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the complete annulment of the 2015 holiday rental directive so negotiations for a mutually beneficial agreen ment can take place.
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.
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Corpus Christi
From disciple to missionary La Orotava’s town council recently presented the design of this year’s sand carpet which will occupy the plaza in front of the town hall during the Corpus Christi fiestas. The title is ‘Disciple to Missionary’, and it represents the image of Jesus Christ and his time on Earth. Two of his works are represented on the lateral sections, the left hand section features Jesus with the poor and the ill, and the right hand side features him with children. The centre section features the Trinity with Abraham as the first missionary, while Pope Francis is showing the road to be followed and the attitude which we should have towards others, combining a traditional and modern reference. The carpet is complemented by floral and geometric borders. The completed carpet can be admired on June 22, up to 6pm in the evening. It is also interesting to visit the site during the two weeks before that date, to see the carpet n makers creating this amazing work of art.
Son and daughter guilty
Mother left to starve to death During a trial recently held at the Santa Cruz provincial court, the judge ruled that son and daughter, José Ramón LL. and Ana Antonia LL., had knowingly let their 76 year old mother starve to death in August 2015, and killing by omission was proved. Sentencing is still pending and the prosecutor is calling for a 17 year prison term for both. Meanwhile, the defence lawyers acting on behalf of daughter-in-law María Nazareth G., who is accused of being present but doing nothing to save her mother-in-law, accepted a three year sentence. The family lived off the old woman's widow's pension of €600.
Sad prehistory
The sand carpet design for La Orotava’s Corpus Christi celebrations
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According to forensic scientists, Ana Delia AM. suffered a cruel death on August 27
between 6pm and 8pm. The woman, who shared a dwelling with her son, daughter and daughter-in-law in the capital’s district of Los Gladiolos, weighed only 25 kilogrammes and was extremely dehydrated. She was found in the foetal position in bed, and due to the rigor mortis which had set in, the prosecutor successfully revealed that the son had lied in his testimony. He claimed that his mother had just sat up and eaten prior to her death, but according to a medical report, the woman was not able to sit up and had not eaten anything for at least one full day. Her body had no fat or muscle mass at all, so to survive it attacked its own proteins. The body mass of the elderly woman was so small that it does not even feature on the World Health Organisation
Photo: Noemi MM CC A-S A 1.0 GL
4.5.2017 – 17.5.2017
The woman lived in the Los Gladiolos district of Santa Cruz with her son, daughter and daughter-in-law
(WHO) table. She had been living in terrible hygienic conditions, described by the forensic scientist as chronic. Larvae were discovered in the woman's hips and a cockroach was found in her forearm. For months neither the woman's fingernails nor toenails were cut, there were ulcers all over her body and faeces found on her legs, throat and buttocks. These circumstances led to a serious bacterial infection, which entered the bloodstream and from there attacked her organs, especially the lungs. The woman's elderly body
showed wounds on both sides of it, some of which went down to the bone, and which came about because her family didn't move her often enough. The wounds themselves were neither cleaned nor dressed. Ana Delia died a very painful death, and her children’s statements in court that they loved her deeply bore little credibility. On the day before her death, they had collected prescriptions for her but failed to tell medical staff of her dire condition, or to ask for their mother to be admitn ted to hospital.
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Promotion
Robot and I By David Miller an analyst”. The assumption On the day that Theresa May signed the Article 50 letter – seems such a long time ago now - I was in Frankfurt to attend a conference about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on investment management. The timing was perfect, as much has been said and written about this subject and now seems like the right time to get stuck into the truths, jargon, misunderstandings and false claims. What will the future hold for human influence in the world of investment? By some estimates, more than a quarter of asset and wealth management firms are already using AI somewhere in their investment processes. And we have seen the launch of a number of hedge funds using AI technology to outsmart the human trader. The founder of Emma AI hedge fund says his fund is not mere algorithmic trading, but “literally replication of
here is that machine intelligence will always beat the fallible human, but the question is whether this is true. I will try not to impose too much self-interest into what follows, but rather report what I heard at the conference, interspersed with a few judgements. To put things in perspective, manufacturing, which drove growth for 200 years, was overtaken by distribution in the 1960s and information in the 1990s. Microsoft was the big winner of this last stage. However, it’s now the customer that is leading, which is why Amazon, Google, Apple and Facebook are now so dominant. Google is the pre-eminent AI search engine. It provides us with access to the vast and growing intelligence of the internet.
First judgement Man plus machine will win against man without machine. During a highly persuasive
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062 presentation from an investment manager who uses AI to manage portfolios, I began to feel that my days were numbered. But then I rallied, as it occurred to me that what he and his colleagues had designed was a two dimensional model, far removed from three dimensional reality. The approach described only applied to quoted securities and assumed that markets will always be liquid. In addition, the value of money was measured in nominal terms, with no acknowledgement of the impact of inflation.
Second judgement Successful investment is all about generating a real return over the rate of inflation whatever the circumstances. Just because something hasn’t happened in the last 30 years doesn’t mean that it won’t in the future.
Third judgement Robo-advisers are nothing to do with AI, but instead are an efficient way of running an investment business using conventional investment models based on the recent past. Robo-advisers’ ability to with-
stand an unexpected event is questionable.
Last judgement We will have to decide whether or not to trust AI. This choice may be rational or irrational, but it is ours. Much to ponder on, but the good news from my point of view is that there is no need to give up the day job just yet. David Miller and his investment team manage the Nexus Portfolio range that is available exclusively to clients of Blacktower Financial Management. As such, he will be travelling to the Canary Islands in June where he will be a guest speaker at a seminar organised by Blacktower Financial Management (International) Limited. For more information about the seminar or the Nexus Portfolio Range, Please contact: michael.mcseveney@blacktowerfm.com. Tel: 822 047 044 / Mob: 636 933 616. Blacktower Financial Management (International) Limited is licensed in Gibraltar by the Financial Services Commission, Licence 00805B and is registered by both the DGS and n CNMV in Spain.
Nou Pops charity
Knitted squids for premature babies Carmen Acosta, the owner of the handwork shop Mercería Carisa in La Cruz Santa, Los Realejos, has integrated an international charity campaign into her business. The Nou Pops are knitted squid toys, made with a special, heat-resistant, 100 per cent cotton wool. Scientists have found that the cuddly toys have a soothing effect on premature babies and stimulate their psychomotor skills. The reason for this is that the squid’s tentacles imitate the feel of the umbilical cord which soothes the infants. Anyone interested can participate in the initiative in various ways. You can either buy the wool in the Mercería Carisa and knit the squid according to the instructions, or donate wool to the owner who then takes care of making the toys. They must be seven to nine centimetres tall and have 16 to 22 centimetre long tentacles. Carmen’s goal is that the approximately 50 premature babies born at each of the two university hospitals in Tenerife each year will get their own squid, whose tentacles will welcome them to their new life outside of the womb. Los Realejos’ mayor Manuel It doesn’t always have to be a teddy Domínguez welcomed bear, sometimes one of Carmen Acosta’s the initiative. n squids is better
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PROMOTION
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062
Accident in Las Palmas
Ferry crashes into port wall
European Championship
Body beautiful
Ana Lia Hernรกndez from Tenerife is taking part in the International Federation for Bodybuilding and Fitness European Championship, which runs until May 7 in Santa Susanna, Barcelona. Ana is the top representative for the Canaries in the Bikini Fitness Master category. The young bodybuilding champion has been taking part in contests since 2012. In 2013, she won the title of Absolute Canarian Champion in the regional Bikini Fitness Master Championship, and then won the Arnold Classic Europe in the same category one year later. In 2015 Ana became the Spanish champion. She has also won numerous other prizes and trophies over the last five years. The Canarian would love to have a place on the podium in the European Championship. n
The oil slick was dealt with from the sea and monitored by air
The ferry lost control and crashed into the port wall
A Naviera Armas ferry, the Volcรกn de Tamasite, crashed into the Nelson Mandela pier wall when leaving the port of Las Palmas for Tenerife in late April. Immediately after departure, the on-board electronic system failed and could not be restarted. The crew was able to manoeuvre the ferry for about five minutes before she crashed, piercing the wall of the pier and grinding to a halt.
On board were 155 passengers and crew members, of whom 10 were slightly injured or suffered shock. During the collision, five fuel distribution manifolds used for refuelling ships were damaged, releasing 63,000 litres of fuel into the sea and creating a slick which eventually became 400 metres wide and three kilometres long. The fuel was a volatile type that dis-
solves in time, but about half of it was removed mechanically by lifeboat crews who put it into cisterns. Island president Antonio Morales reassured the public: "A disaster like that of the Russian freighter Oleg Naydenov or the catastrophe on the beach of El Cabrรณn will not happen again". Nevertheless, the precaution of closing the beaches between San Cristรณbal and Gando was taken. Police officers, firefighters, environmentalists and over 3,000 volunteers were on duty to monitor and help the situation. At the
expense of the ferry company, the passengers were accommodated in hotels until they were able to board the next ferry to Tenerife the following morning at 8am. In the harbour, the damage to the quay wall has to be repaired and the debris removed from the seabed. On the ship itself, only slight material damage occurred which can be repaired quickly so the ferry should be ready for use again soon. Several days later and the all-clear was given. By then, 80 per cent of the oil slick had dissolved and fortunately did not move towards the coast. n
Ana Lia Hernรกndez is in top condition ahead of the European Championship
4.5.2017 – 17.5.2017
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Labour laws
Trade union wins historical judgment The SITCA trade union in Gran Canaria recently won a groundbreaking judgment before the Social Security Court number one in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, against the City Council. The Court’s decision (135/2017) raises hope for many employees who are stuck in precarious working conditions. Representatives of the City Council are now forced to contract their employees and over 200 people could benefit from this ruling and finally obtain a permanent position. The Council had an employee who was an interim employee in the town hall for many years but was then dismissed. Judges acknowledged that this man was working in a precarious and defenceless situation over a long period of time. Like many other colleagues, he kept silent for fear of losing his job. The Court has allowed him to be regarded as a permanent employee, setting a historical precedent. For SITCA, this ruling is considered a guideline in many respects. More than 200 employees who are in the same situation as the plaintiff could be given a permanent employment contract in the foreseeable future. It also strengthens the position of the trade union, which has been working against the City Council’s labour market policy for over a year. They had already exposed the transitional nature and concerns of employees. Contrary to the assertion from those responsible that most workers are permanent, many are actually in illegal working conditions and have been for years. SITCA called for compliance with labour laws and to put an end to unjust employment. Many employees are hostages to the administrative system because, for fear of losing their jobs, they would not insist on compliance with labour laws and an improvement in their situation. The union announced that it would launch further cases over the course of the year and urged the city administration to act on its own initiative to legalise the situan tion of more than 200 workers.
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DemoDay
Interesting ideas Over the course of the recent DemoDay event which took place in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 16 tourism projects and concepts were presented to the public. Creative minds have been thinking about new ideas for tourism and they presented them in the framework of a competition organised by the Gran Canaria Council. The winning idea was 'Canary on Board' which uses boats moored in a port in Gran Canaria, offering a cabin as a hotel room and enabling a whole new experience. The passenger is taken to any desired location and can experience the island from a different perspective. The website: www.omnirooms. com came second. This portal helps disabled people find a suitable hotel at their destination. More than 400 hotels with handicapped rooms in over 20 countries are registered on the website.
Interesting ideas were presented at the DemoDay event in Las Palmas
Smart bracelets designed by the team of Kontroloo took third place. With the bracelet, queuing at concerts and other events can be avoided. At the same time drinks can be paid for with it so that the
visitor does not have to carry a purse or wallet. In addition, other interesting projects included a new drink made from Canary Cactus figs, a special programme for young and senior travellers, a theme park where
the visitor can play with robots, sporting activities on holiday, and organised wedding celebrations. The competition proved that even if the topic of tourism is old, there are always new n and refreshing ideas.
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062
Interview - Mohamed Jamil Derbah
The man behind the myth Despite regular requests by the UK’s leading broadcasters and publications, such as the BBC as recently as last month, Island Connections was proud to become the first English media company to interview Mohamed Jamil Derbah: businessman, political advisor and former right-hand man to John Palmer. Ahead of the book launch for Desde las orillas de Libano a las costas de Tenerife (From the Shores of Lebanon to the Coasts of Tenerife), we met with Mohamed in his plush offices in Miraverde, South Tenerife. His life is one of intrigue and legend, which, he admits, has often been misunderstood because of “the many stories out there”. “People talk a lot, and there are many exaggerated accounts, but they simply do not know”, he said as he sat back in his leather chair to smoke from an ornate shisha water-pipe, or ‘argile’ as they are called in his native Lebanon.
Mohamed handed us a copy of the new book, being released at a formal event at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium in Los Cristianos on May 12. He was quick
to point out that it is not his highly-anticipated autobiography, a project that has been in the works for over a decade but still remains “a few years
away”. From the Shores of Lebanon to the Coasts of Tenerife is written by Canarian journalist Félix Rojas and mainly covers the three-year period between
1998 and 2001. During this time, Mohamed famously fell out with timeshare mogul John
assassination attempts (two in Tenerife and one in Paris, France), and was imprisoned
The book and promotion for its May 12 launch
by the Spanish ‘super judge’ Baltasar Garzón. Félix Rojas’ book takes an indepth look at these key events and hopes to shed some truth on the legends that continue to romanticise this period of Tenerife’s history. “I agreed to the book because I want people to understand what hap-
Despite regular offers from the UK, Mohamed recently gave his first English-language interview to Island Connections
Palmer, leading to a short-lived “street war” in the south of the island. He survived three
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Mohamed Jamil Derbah with the ambassador for Guinea-Bissau
pened. Tenerife has been my home for nearly 30 years, I don’t want any bad publicity or to hurt the island in any way – especially (the boroughs of) Arona and Adeje”, he said sincerely. The book will be released in Spanish with an English-language version available soon. Due to his many years working for John Palmer, culminating in the publicised falling out and subsequent events, Mohamed Jamil Derbah has been continually approached by UK companies for interviews and book/ film deals, especially since Palmer’s death in 2015. Until now, he has always resisted, maintaining that he has no need for either the money or to indulge the media’s fascination with the subject; however, he feels that the time is right for Félix Rojas’ book and to open up to Island Connections
Mohamed isn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves and work alongside hotel employees
remains a passion project for the millionaire businessman who speaks five languages. He admits he regularly takes walks around the gardens and even helps the workers tend to their tasks or take lunch with them, sometimes without their knowledge of who he is. “I enjoy giving them the feeling that I’m like them”, he said. “The other
Mohamed next to the flags of Lebanon, Spain and Guinea-Bissau
about its content and what the future holds.
African connections Since 2005, Mohamed has extended his business reach into Africa where he has become a strong political contact to several Central and West African nations, as well as a personal advisor to the president of Guinea-Bissau. “Africa is the future”, he asserted, and has recently set up an office in Tenerife to help entrepreneurs invest in the continent. It is an area of the world that he was already familiar with, having lived in Liberia after leaving his Lebanese homeland as a teenager. This is where he met John Palmer in 1989, shortly before joining him in the Canary Islands where Mohammed has been based ever since.
Hotel Ponderosa Mohamed’s Hotel Ponderosa complex in Costa Adeje
day I saw one of our new gardeners doing something the wrong way, so I took off my jacket and helped him out for a while.” Clearly not one to live atop an ivory tower, Mohamed admits that he enjoys all aspects of his businesses and isn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves if it means getting the job done right.
Pick up a copy of Desde las orillas de Libano a las costas de Tenerife (From the Shores of Lebanon to the Coasts of Tenerife) soon. Island Connections will announce the release of the English version as soon as it is available. Attend the book launch at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium in Los Cristianos n on May 12 at 7pm.
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062
Moving to La Gomera
Photo: Himarerme CC A-S A 4.0 IL
An immigrant’s tale
The beautiful Valle Gran Rey
By Barbara Belt children, in a valley on a small breadwinner, foreigner living years old. We quickly added a failed to go back. I probably Immigrants living in the Canaries all have stories and recently, perhaps because of all the focus on immigration, I’ve been asked to tell mine. Here’s a brief version of one woman’s experience of making a new life, with her small
island. It won’t be of much practical use, as it’s not a logical way of going about things, but there you are. It’s more of a how-not-to, than a how-to, tale. We came to live in La Gomera 30 years ago. For the first decade I was too busy adapting to life as a single parent, sole
abroad, struggling Spanish speaker and house builder to think much about anything but daily survival. I’d been a well-paid lecturer in England, but my income in La Gomera shrank to whatever I could scrape together. My daughters were six and two
small dog and later, a tetchy mare, to our household. My marriage ended while I was in La Gomera with the kids to oversee the building of a house on a tiny piece of land we’d bought. Their father announced he had a new partner back in the UK and I just
never intended to. A mixture of optimism and energy and hurt, I now see. I gave up on getting my qualifications validated to teach. A Tenerife ‘expert’ said he’d arrange everything but couldn’t so I offered private English classes instead. This built
into a reasonable income, years later, but I needed an income then. I was no entrepreneur: I had no business acumen or marketing skills, but we had to eat. The girls needed clothes, schoolbooks, toys. It was important that they felt secure and happy. Things were upside down enough for them as it was We had to live somewhere and couldn’t afford rent. The house project was a block-built shell, and work stopped when funding ran out but we moved in anyway. It had water, a makeshift kitchen, a toilet and a washbasin. We had no doors, apart from the old one we’d built the house round; no windows, just plastic across the smaller holes and an enormous three by two metre hole looking down the valley to the sea, too big to cover with plastic; we had no electricity, so we used gas lamps and candles; no bath, just a hosepipe; bare block walls inside and out and rubble for floors. A small black trickle of water appeared through the back wall whenever it rained heavily and ran down the kitchen steps out of the door. Shouts of: “Oh no, the river!” prompted comforting activities like scone-making. Feet up out of the way,
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 795
hair blowing in the wind, we’d enjoy a cream tea in our building site. My breadwinning activities at this time were varied, including taking in washing and ironing; selling my paintings; making clay figures; working in a shop and estate agents (hated it); writing articles (still at it); cleaning; giving private English classes; working double shifts every summer back in the UK at language schools and, as a last resort, selling just about everything of value I’d ever owned. When the girls were asleep, I’d do the maths, confirm impending financial doom and take the camera, ring, necklace, whatever, down to the nearest place I thought it’d sell. Seeing my finery on somebody else sometimes galled, but the relief of having money was worth it. Attempts to get the girls’ father to contribute were so demeaning that I gave up. Nobody was interested in chasing him unless I became a UK claimant. It all got easier over time as I was able to make a living teaching, but for that I needed to be known, to have enough Spanish to write and present courses and projects, and lots of self-marketing. One of my
first regular teaching jobs was in the small village of Chipude, in the back room of a bar. Everybody came, as not much happened there, and I taught children to encouraging shouts and scolding from watching parents and grandparents.
I taught in abandoned schools, parish rooms, council premises, bars and restaurants all over the island. Once I’d secured a place to teach, I’d pepper the area with posters and flyers, visit schools, talk to teachers, mayors and priests,
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plaster on the living room wall slid off as we ate dinner. It was better to save money to pay men who knew how and be their labourer. If we didn’t have the money, we did without. Debt terrified me. Throughout all this time, we had fun. It doesn’t cost money to take a picnic to the beach, to explore the island. The girls had friends, they made camps, paddled in streams and water tanks, swam in the sea, and generally had adventures and were free to play. They did well at school, went to university in
Tenerife and we’re all still here. My granddaughter Stella is two years old, speaks English and Spanish and knows who her family in England are because she’s been there and they visit. Over 30 years ago, I went to look for ‘los ingleses’ (the English) I’d heard about here. They turned out to be the descendants, still fair and with blue eyes, of an English sailor (possibly a pirate?) who stayed behind centuries ago. How many more generations after us will speak English, or know n our immigration story?
Puerto de Vueltas in Valle Gran Rey
Photo: Gomera-b CC A-S A 3.0 IL
4.5.2017 – 17.5.2017
Children often make new friends when relocated
The house we built
my poor daughters were part of the advertising team, and then turn up and try to make sure everyone had fun learning. Private classes weren’t the norm, so making kids want to keep coming was essential. The house slowly took shape. When we first had doors, we banged into them at night on the way to the bathroom. The first bath in hot water was a big event. Electricity was a luxury. There was no money for furniture, so we made it with cement. My attempts at skilled building were mostly failures. The
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Santa Cruz anniversary
Capital celebrations
During May, Santa Cruz de Tenerife celebrates in style. This is the city’s anniversary month and there will be numerous free events which will provide the best entertainment for the whole family. One of the highlights is the traditional flower, plant and craft exhibition, which is great to visit and runs until May 7 in the Parque García Sanabria. The exhibition of traditional costumes in the capital’s La Recova art hall is open daily from 11am to 1pm and from 6pm to 9pm. On May 19, the costumes will be presented in the form of a fashion show which takes place in the Plaza La Candelaria starting at 9pm. On May 12 at 9pm and May 13 at 8.30pm, there will be folkloric festivals on the same Plaza. A special highlight will be the performance by the Banda Sinfónica de Tenerife, which will be on May 25 at 6pm. On May 30, the Day of the Canary Islands will be celebrated with plenty of activities for all the family, and at 6.30pm there will be a special concert featuring the groups Chirato and the famous Los Sabandeños. A popular culinary highlight is the Wine and Guachinches Fair with typical food and tempting local tipples from May 26 to 30. It opens every evening from 6pm to midnight, except May 30 when it opens from 12pm to 9pm. The detailed programme can be found on the city’s website at: www.santacruzdetenerife.es. n
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Photo exhibition
Cuba’s best side
Cuba’s capital has a nostalgic charm
Cuban photographer Jorge Bonet has an exhibition at the Centro de Arte La Recova in Santa Cruz until May 30. Titled ‘Cual azul: La soledad nunca viene sola’ (Which blue: solitude never arrives alone) and consisting of over 30 exceptional images, the photographer presents a whole new side of his native Cuba from his personal perspective and unique vision. “We have all felt lonely at times”, Bonet said, “but there is a solitude that we choose for ourselves, and another that seeks us out. I didn’t try to obtain technical perfection with these images, but rather
A child’s innocence wonderfully captured on film
capture a sentimental or poetic point of view”. Bonet’s images of Havana, the Cuban capital, are displayed in pastel shades to invoke a nostalgic feel, commenting: “Undoubtedly, this is one of the most important and personal projects I have undertaken”.
Bonet was born in Havana and moved to Tenerife with his parents. In the Canaries he began his career as a photographer and immersed himself in the visual art form. He has worked for several websites and in the production of various short films and video clips, and also as a photogra-
phy lecturer. His extraordinary exhibition meant a return to his roots, and the collection may even be exhibited at the Fabrica de Arte in Havana in a few months. Take a trip to Santa Cruz and visit the wonderful art show at the Centro de Arte La Recova throughout n the month of May.
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062
Summer in the city
Photos: Cabildo LP
New beach for La Palma’s capital
The new beach in Santa Cruz de La Palma
Local residents now have a new way to spend free time
Maldita Sirena
Bold and daring swimwear Daring designs and the use of light transparent fabrics characterise the new collection, called Maldita Sirena, from the Maldito Sweet brand, a member of the Gran Canaria Moda Cálida collective. The new collection consolidates the work by this young creator who, despite her short career of only three years, has managed to find a niche in the island’s swimwear market, according to the island’s councillor for industry, Minerva Alonso. The designer, Nicole Mentado, chose Meloneras as the location for a presentation party for her new collection, which is available at various points of sale in the Canaries, the Balearics and Madrid, and soon also via her online store at: www.malditosweet.es. The new garments, on which a multidisciplinary team of professionals worked with renowned photographers and producers in the sector, were presented at the Cafe del Mar in Meloneras. This collection came loaded with bold and trimmed shapes, with bikinis, bathing suits and trikinis, in which the plain colours and prints are wisely combined, dressed with light transparencies that wink at corsetry, and according to the designer, are aimed at confident, sexy women. They are inspired by the light and colours of the sea floor with prints that represent corals, and this is the reason why the young designer chose the warm beaches and the marine environment of Fuerteventura for the presentation photo shoot with the model Sarah Kuhlmann.
Jewellery and beads In addition to the swimwear collection, some of which are also made in large sizes, there is an assortment of complementary costume jewellery and beads to complete the outfit, giving a careful and elegant look to the final result. Maldita Sirena is the third collection marketed by the firm Nicole Mentado, one for each year that she has participated in the Gran Canaria Moda Cálida programme. n
It is hoped that the beach will become a tourist attraction
The newly-opened beach in Santa Cruz de La Palma is situated in front of the Avenida Marítima, Casas de Los Balcones and the city’s picturesque historical area. The barrier to the site was finally removed by the council on April 20 and the beach
was opened for use. Several council technicians, councillors and the mayor, Sergio Matos, have already visited this brand new infrastructure which is a real highlight for the island of La Palma. The beach covers 69,405 square metres, of which
The first group of people to enter the beach after it was unveiled
61,780 square metres remain at high tide. It stretches over a length of 550 metres and is between 60 and 118 metres wide. The Ministry for Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and the Environment has invested over €28.2 million euros in the project, with an addi-
tional €2.1 million set aside for complementary work such as drainage. It is undoubtedly a new tourist attraction, which at the same time offers local residents a new way of spending leisure time. An official inauguration is not planned at the moment. n
Bold colours and transparencies for confident women
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Arona
Repairs to Playa del Camisón
Arona Council’s urbanisation department has given the green light to a project to repair the breakwater at El Camisón beach in Playa de Las Américas which suffered significant damage during a storm in August last year. The adverse weather led to a lot of sand being swept away from the beach by the sea, leaving bare rocks and making its use difficult for residents and holidaymakers. El Camisón is one of the most striking beaches on the island and it even has a blue flag. The repair work to bring it up to scratch will be done in five phases and will not affect pedestrians. Firstly, the structural deficiencies will be remedied then the beach will be filled with new sand. The work falls within a project to improve all the beaches in the borough, with Los Tarajales in Los Cristianos, Las Galletas, and their respective footpaths being priorities. The investment for this work, over €1 miln lion, comes from a private source.
The beach of Playa del Camisón is to undergo repair works
Local theatre
ESTA open day On May 13, from 1pm to 5pm, ESTA (English Speaking Theatrical Association) is holding an open day at the former Yeoward British School in Parque Taoro, Puerto de La Cruz. Do you enjoy going to the theatre? Perhaps you would like to act, help backstage or maybe join a theatrical group for social events? Whatever the reason, it is a great way to meet new people. ESTA is an English speaking group and they would like new members to join them. Perhaps English is not your first language, but you would have a great opportunity to speak it and maybe even improve and have fun doing so. ESTA invites you to come along and observe what they do, walk around the costume department and see their rehearsal rooms. There will be fun activities throughout the afternoon, as well as food and refreshments to purchase at rea-
ESTA would like new members to join the theatre group
sonable prices. For catering purposes please confirm your attendance where possible. This can be done through the website: www.estatenerife.
com or the Facebook page: ESTA English speaking theatre association. Also, call or message: 609 510 780 / n 651 973 511.
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Arona gets tough
Clampdown on street vending The Tourist Police in Arona, a special unit which forms part of the Local Police, have recently clamped down on illegal street vendors on the coastal paths of Playa de Las Américas and Los Cristianos. During the operation which took place over three days, police seized over 80 kilos of goods and issued 15 denuncias. Carolina Reverón, Arona's police councillor, said: "Officers from the unit have seen an increase in street sales on the beaches and promenades of Los Cristianos and Playa de Las Américas. This damages the image of the island abroad and also creates prejudices about whether these people are working illegally". Reverón pointed out that, according to Arona's regula-
tions to develop and guarantee harmonious living in the borough which were issued in 2006, it is forbidden to sell drinks, food or other goods in public places without official authorisation, and this licence must be clearly visible. In addition, it is forbidden to collaborate with illegal traders; for example, to warn them that the police are patrolling the area. During the three days of intensive monitoring, numerous inspections were carried out during which goods were seized, mostly because the traders ran away when the police arrived. The result of the initiative was positive in that all the persons checked were legally resident in Spain and had all the necessary residence permits and identification documents. Fur-
Over 80 kilos of goods were seized but none were counterfeit
thermore, no counterfeit items were discovered among the confiscated goods. The traders committed an administrative offence but no fraud, and no one was arrested. Only one of the traders had to pay a fine of €126 and recover his goods from the Local Police pound. Reverón pointed out that Article 16.2 of the municipal ordinance bans the sale of goods and the use of public space
for advertising. This not only refers to promotions for restaurants, discos, pubs or bars, but also to the providers of excursions and leisure activities or estate agency offices. Without explicit permission, such activities are banned in public spaces. Reverón announced that further checks aimed at curbing the illegal use of public places and the harassment of tourists and residents will be n made in the future.
Puerto Colón to Marina del Sur
Sailing the open seas
The first ever Puerto Colón to Marina del Sur Crossing took place in the south of Tenerife on May 1. There were 16 sailboats participating from all over Tenerife and the whole event was filmed with drones, providing incredible footage (see: www.travesiapuertocolon.com). The departure from Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje was a sight to see, with the sailboats competing for a good start and to take advantage of the favourable winds in the direction of Marina del Sur, where they circled a buoy to return to Puerto Colón and the finish line. First across the line was ‘Maeña7’, arriving after three hours. The first prize was a three night stay for two people at the Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife. In second place was ‘Soñador’, which won a helicopter ride with Helidream Helicopters. The award ceremony was held at the Pool Centre in Puerto Colón with food supplied by Restsur Catering. The trophies were awarded to the prize-winners and presented by the Adeje councillor for sports, Adolfo Alonso Ferrera, who publicly congratulated Lorena Cabrera for organising the first crossing event, and offered more council support for next n year’s highly-anticipated regatta.
The first ever Puerto Colón to Marina del Sur Crossing was a huge success
Adeje Book Fair
Brit lit! Adeje council recently held the fifteenth annual Book and Comic Fair, with various events staged between April 17 and 27 including an event for British novelists based in the Canaries that took place on April 22. Authors were present between 11am and 1pm to sign copies of their books and hold a Q&A about the pros and cons of being an English-language writer in Tenerife, the benefits and pitfalls of self-publishing over traditional publishing,
personal writing methods, and other related topics. At the top table were authors Joe Cawley, Richard and Nikki Attree, Lee Bullen, Gemma Metcalfe, Susan Dehmel, Brad Smith, and Roger and Rebecca Stone. Featured books included the new thriller Trust Me by Gemma Metcalfe, the popular More Ketchup books by Joe Cawley, Nobody’s Poodle and Somebody’s Doodle by Richard and Nikki Attree, Beset and a range of other writings
Brad Smith, Lee Bullen and Richard Attree during the Q&A
by Lee Bullen, and How to Treat a Woman by Rebecca Stone. Susan Dehmel was also there, the author of Boris & Friends, a trilingual book with all proceeds
going to the K9 animal rescue charity; and Brad Smith was present to talk about his currently-untitled upcoming debut about the road to Santiago. It was an entertaining
Seven British authors were present at the book fair to discuss their works and answer questions from the public
inclusion to the annual fair, and hopefully one that will be repeated in subsequent years. Special thanks to organiser
Clio O’Flynn and Adeje Council for staging such a fun and educational event as part of n this year’s book fair.
Letter to the editor
A winter resident of Tenerife recently wrote to the British Consulate on a very important subject and also sent a copy to Island Connections for publication. The following is an extract from the letter. Take a read and see what you think. Have you been affected by any of these issues? Is the interim proposal a good one? Can you come up with any others? Dear Sirs, I am writing to you about crime and the lack of police response in Costa del Silencio (and, I suspect, elsewhere in Tenerife). I have for many years wintered here in Tenerife. Sadly, like many other tourist destinations, the island has a long history of petty crime and pick-pocketing. I’ve learnt to minimise this by taking sensible precautions. However, I have to inform you that the situation has recently changed and not for the better. Robbery is now accompanied by violence. What normally happens is that the victim is approached from
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intended, has to jump through hoops put there by the police themselves. Why does a victim have to go to the police station to report a crime, especially when there is no bus service to it and it involves a long walk? Is it, as I suspect, to deter victims from reporting and thereby falsely keep the crime figures down? Making a victim, often suffering pain and maybe facial injuries, travel by public transport and then on foot is surely inhumane and cruel treatment. A breach of human rights, I ask myself? Why can’t the local police deal with local crime? Ah yes, the language barrier, but there is a solution. As an interim measure may I suggest that an English/Spanish crime sheet be produced and issued to each police officer. The cost would be minimal but it would enable the officer to ask questions and for the victim to reply. This could be done at the scene of the crime and a reference number issued for each and every crime. And
that’s important for accurate statistics. Tony Strafford.
Reporting a crime Photo: Cop Richard / FreeImages.com
4.5.2017 – 17.5.2017
Visitors to the island can be easy targets for thieves
behind, pushed to the ground and then robbed. The victims are invariably pensioners. The attack normally results in the victim suffering facial injuries and one or two black eyes. Whilst the cash stolen is normally only a few euros, the effects, and fear of future attacks, cannot be overstated. It is only a matter of time before someone suffers
a serious injury. I’m sure you won’t need reminding that a broken hip resulting from being thrown to the ground can cause death in an old person. The situation is further worsened by the apparent indifference of the local police. If you are not fluent in Spanish then all you get is a shrug of the shoulders. An example of this was reported in Island Connections this January when a handbag was stolen at the airport. After trying for two hours to find someone to report the theft to, the victim gave up. As far as the crime statistics are concerned, the offence never happened. If you can’t find anyone to report a crime to at an international airport that is teeming with police, what hope is there here in Costa del Silencio? A neighbour’s handbag was recently stolen and the thief escaped by car. Her husband made a quick note of the car’s registration number and a Spanish friend rang the police in Las Américas with
information, only to be told that unless the victim went to the police station to report in person, nothing would be done. Another crime that didn’t happen. And the thieves are getting bolder, or more desperate. Again in January this year a man was attacked and robbed on a busy road in Costa del Silencio - in broad daylight at 2.30pm. How many witness statements did the police take? None, once again it never happened. There is the police telephone reporting system but reporting a crime over the phone to an English speaking agent in Madrid is hardly likely to deter a thief here in Tenerife! Plus the fact it doesn’t operate at night when most attacks happen. You couldn’t make it up. It’s a paper exercise for insurance purposes only. Which brings me back to the attitude of the police: that the crime figures do not show a problem so there is no problem. To report a crime, the wounded party, no pun
Mr Strafford added that he realised it wasn’t the Consulate’s responsibility but that he would appreciate his concerns being passed on to the authorities and would be interested in any advice or opinion he could receive. The Consulate duly replied, saying they were sympathetic and the issue would be raised at their next meeting with the police. He was also informed that after reporting a crime on the phone, the statements to the police can be signed at a police station of the victim's choice. As referred to in the letter, the number to ring for reporting a crime in English is: 902 102 112, between 9am and 9pm, seven days a week. We shall keep readers informed of any further developments with this situation. Meanwhile do write to: editorial@ ic-news.com and let us know n what you think.
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Marina Bay
Sea, sangria and sunsets
A new sensation has hit Los Cristianos, and that is the Marina Bay Restaurant and Sunset Bar. An attractive white building occupying an elevated position next to the Arona Gran Hotel, just behind the Sunday market site and overlooking the sea, Marina Bay is the place to enjoy food and drinks at any time of the day or night. This venue opened on February 1 this year and is already proving to be extremely popular. No wonder, it has an enormous outside garden area bathed by the gentle onshore breezes, with attractive white furniture. Part of this area is covered with artificial grass, while the remainder has wooden flooring. There are 80 tables altogether, of which 45 are outside and enormous parasols provide plenty of shade, while windbreakers are installed to ensure comfort when needed on windy days. Additionally, there is an indoor dining room which is very useful during the winter months, on rainy days, or for those who just prefer to dine indoors.
For those who want to switch off, Marina Bay has an outdoor chillout lounge area where you can relax on a comfortable sofa, watch a beautiful sunset, listen to the gentle mesmerising sound of the tide ebbing and flowing, the ferries moving in and out of the port, and lose track of time while you sip on your favourite tipple. There is an ample cocktails list, and some alcohol free versions, all of which benefit from superb presentation. The wine list is excellent too with reds, whites and rosés ranging from young wines to the more mature crianzas, including some local Tenerife brands and a quality house wine which is available by the bottle or glass.
Children have not been forgotten, they also have their own menu of fabulous favourites to choose from. After sunset as darkness falls, the Marina Bay Restaurant and Sunset Bar takes on a completely different ambience thanks to a careful choice of coloured mood lighting which highlights various parts of the premises in different hues. There is live music on offer in the evenings, ranging from pop/rock from the 80s and 90s to chillout, appealing to most age groups and tastes. In fact, customers often sing along to the classic numbers, and sometimes get up and dance. It’s all part of the fun at Marina Bay! This is a unique venue in an idyllic location where priority is given to good customer service and quality food at reasonable prices. Why not pop in, watch an amazing sunset, and enjoy a great gastronomic experience. We are sure you n will want to return.
There are also Champagnes, sangria, 12 different liqueur coffees, not to mention tea, and the bar is fully stocked. The varied international menu provides for all tastes. There is a separate daytime snacks menu with plenty to choose from, including burgers, toasties, omelettes and jacket potatoes. During the day there are usually offers on several dishes, such as barbecued ribs, fish and chips or paella, with drinks included in the already reasonable price, as well as half price jugs of sangria.
If you are popping in for a drink and something sweet, then take a look at the extremely tempting dessert menu which con-
tains cheesecakes, brownies, wonderful ice creams, cakes and gateaux such as the chocoholic’s delight: death by chocolate. Anyone looking for a full meal won’t be disappointed as there really is something for everyone at Marina Bay. The starters list includes four classic soups,
seafood, nachos, breads and more. The gourmet burgers are homemade, or you could try sizzling Mexican fajitas. Choose from a great selection of fish and seafood, six different paellas, or a variety of tempting Italian dishes which are all lovingly created with homemade pasta. Homemade pasta really excels over the mass produced variety so we recommend it at Marina Bay.
Marina Bay Restaurant and Sunset Bar Avenida Juan Carlos I Los Cristianos, Arona Open: Every day, 10am to 10pm. 9am to 10pm on market days Reservations: 922 791 371 Facebook: Marina Bay Sunset Bar Website: www.gourmetland.es
FOOD
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 795
Recipe suggestion
Prawns in chilli chocolate
If we have such wonderfully fresh and ecologically produced prawns in the Canaries, why not bring them to the table? The following recipe is an interesting combination of prawns and chocolate, orange and chilli sauce. It is a light and yet nutritious meal, with a certain kick.
Ingredients For two people you will need about 12 prawns, the juice of an orange, a tablespoon of sherry, 15 grams of dark chocolate (at least 75 per cent cocoa), an orange chocolate could also be used, two cloves of garlic, red chilli sauce, olive oil, salt and pepper.
Preparation Heat the orange juice and the sherry in a small pot. Then melt the chocolate in the warm mixture, keeping it on a low heat. Separately, put some finely chopped garlic, ginger and chilli in a pan containing hot olive oil, briefly fry and set aside. In the same pan, fry the prawns. Add the garlic-ginger-chilli mixture and the sauce, and simmer briefly. Season with salt and pepper. This dish will be perfectly complemented by fresh crispy white bread, a tomato-avocado-rocket salad and a dry Canarn ian white wine.
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Fresh king prawns
Succulent seafood One of the highlights of the event Gran Canaria Me Gusta, an annual gastronomic get together which took place over the penultimate weekend of April, was the exquisite king prawn, either griddled or served with a sauce in a Peruvian ceviche dish. The prawns are bred by the company Langostino Real Canarias off the coast of Gran Canaria, an initiative of the Belgian Marc Indigne. The only other place in Spain where these prawns are bred is at Medina del Campo on the Spanish peninsula. The Canarian king prawn farm is about two kilometres from the coast of Ingenio on the east coast of Gran Canaria. The distance to the coast ensures that none of the prawns can escape and enter the Canarian ecosystem. The larvae of the white prawn were first brought from the Pacific to the Canaries. The 13 tanks contain about two million litres of seawater in which thousands of young creatures cavort. The aim is that enough
The best sushi quality from a Canarian breeder The taste and texture of the prawns are first-class
offspring are created to guarantee an ongoing breeding cycle, so that no more larvae need be imported. The breeding station has a capacity for 25 tons of
annual production, and this is supervised by a veterinarian and a biologist. Ecologically produced in a sustainable manner and free of
chemical additives, the prawns are brought fresh to the tables of gourmet restaurants or private consumers, as only the harvest from that very same day is served. They can also be obtained from certain gourmet stores. They are 100 per cent fresh, of the best quality and available in the sizes 18, 24 and 35 grams. At around €50 per kilo they are sold at a fair price. The mild climate, the good water quality and the selected ecological feed and algae from the Canarian Technological Institute ensure an exquisite taste and an excellent meaty texture. In fact, the prawns are even suitable for sushi production. If you would like to try the delicious Canarian king prawns prepared by connoisseurs and patrons, you can find them at the Costa Aérea restaurant in Carrizal de Ingenio or at La Marina restaurant in Las Galletas, Arona. You can find more information online at: www.langostino n real.es.
©2015 FLN
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Where to visit
Islands summary Pages 22 & 23
062
UPCOMING EVENTS
Spin news & What‘s on
Canary Islands’ attractions for tourists and residents
Page 24, 25 & 26
Gloria Gaynor
Fabulous disco queen Gloria Gaynor will be playing live in Adeje on May 26. The show is the first of this year’s Legends Live promotions, which in 2016 saw greats such as UB40 and Jethro Tull visit the island. It is also one of two concerts in the archipelago, as Gaynor will also appear at the Gran Canaria Arena on May 29. Best known for her hit singles I will Survive and Never Can Say Goodbye, the singer has enjoyed a successful career that has spanned an incredible four decades. Born in New Jersey in the US in 1949, Gaynor grew up in a musical family. Her father was a vocalist and instrumentalist with the Step ‘n’ Fetchit group and her brothers sang in a gospel choir and had their own quartet with a friend. Influenced by early recordings of Nat King Cole and Sarah Vaughan, Gaynor started putting together ballads in the 1960s, and began her profession with the Soul Satisfiers, a jazz/R&B band. However, it wasn’t until 1975 that she found wider acclaim, when
Photo: www.legendslive.es
More than surviving…
she was signed to Columbia Records. From this union came the release of the charttopping album Never Can Say Goodbye, which had only three songs on the A side, the other two being Honey Bee and Reach Out, I’ll Be There: all three being instant hits on the dance floor. Always most popular in the disco and R&B charts, her mainstream recognition came in late 1978, with the release of
her album Love Tracks, which contained her signature single I Will Survive. Still an anthem for all those suffering loss, difficulties or discrimination, the song is as popular today as it ever was, and one year ago it was inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry, which preserves soundtracks with great cultural and historic importance to the US.
Gaynor has received many awards over the years, including the coveted Legend decoration at the World Music Awards in 2002 for her contribution to the performing arts, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Award which acknowledges those who have been an inspiration within the community. Gaynor is a tireless charity worker and even recently earned a bachelor’s degree in behavioural sciences to aid her work with
at-risk youngsters and their families. The disco diva with a conscience also continues recording and performing to this day. Her latest album, Testimony, was released in 2016 and is ram packed full of inspirational songs. See Gloria Gaynor in Tenerife at the Pabellón de Deportes Las Torres de Adeje on May 26, and the Gran Canaria Arena in Las Palmas on May 29. Tickets for both shows start at €49. See:
www.legendslive.es and www. entrees.es for more information and to order online. n
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HOLIDAY GUIDE
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062
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
Benijo 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.
which is popular with European, Russian and national tourists. There are vari-
La Laguna
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
Las Gaviotas beach
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.
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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 795
Other islands Only a 45 minute ferry ride from the port of Los Cristianos, La Gomera is a small, peaceful island with amazing hiking and a prehistoric rainforest which is a UNESCO world heritage site and the only one of its kind left in the world. The ferry will take you to the capital, San Sebastián, famous for being Christopher Columbus’ last stop before crossing the Atlantic on his voyage of discovery. Valle Gran Rey, in the southwest of the island, and Playa
Photo: siulesoj
La Gomera
La Gomera laurel forest
Gran Canaria
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
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is Fuencaliente: the place to go in La Palma to see a real volcanic landscape. The western side of this borough has nice beaches and withstood the many volcanic eruptions the island has suffered, the most recent being the Teneguía volcano in1971. La Palma has a lovely variant of Carnival called Los Indianos, where everyone dresses in white and people take to the streets during the day to cover everything, including each other, in talcum powder.
like parts of North Africa than it does the other islands. The interior is mainly empty, with a few sun bleached villages and a surprising amount of goats, but the coast has some lovely towns and villages and kilometres of white sand beaches ideal for sunbathing and surfing. The capital is Puerto del Rosario, a relatively modern port town, rather sleepy and quiet despite the fact that nearly half of the island’s population live there. The two main tourist towns are at opposite ends of the island; Corralejo in the north and Morro Jable in the south.
Gran Canaria The capital, Las Palmas, is a much bigger city than Santa Cruz de Tenerife and has a nice historical quarter, a good night-life and Las Canteras - a long, yellow sand beach with areas for supervised swimming - and another beach for surfers of all levels. The main tourist areas are Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas, with its beauti-
Photo: Kai Gieseler / FreeImages.com
Photo: Sizters / FreeImages.com
green and rugged, with breathtaking sights and one of the best places in the world for star gazing, hence the location of the world’s most important astrophysical observatories on its Roque de los Muchachos.
HOLIDAY GUIDE
The capital, Santa Cruz, lies to the east of the island. It’s a pretty city of seafaring tradition, although Los Llanos de Aridane in the west is in fact the biggest city on La Palma. The towns in the north of La Palma are also very beautiful and in the south of the island
Lanzarote Lanzarote is known as the ‘Isla de los Volcanes’, with over 300 volcanic cones. Like Fuerteventura, it’s flatter than the other islands and there’s very little rain, even by Canarian standards. The whole island was
Lanzarote
ful sand-dunes and all-night bars and clubs. The island also has some spectacular archaeological sites.
Fuerteventura Flat, arid and sparsely populated, this island looks more
declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, and those who take the time to explore the island will find it’s strangely beautiful. The capital is Arrecife, to the east, and the three main tourist resorts are Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise.
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062
Imagery and pride
Calling photographers ife Golf plus a guided walk, as above. For more details, see: www.aularambladecastro.es.
Antonio González centenary
It’s time to get your cameras out if you would like to take part in one of the three photography competitions coming up in the north of the island. The first is the annual FotoNatura Los Realejos contest, which as the name suggests, has nature in all its contexts as the theme. Photos must have been taken in the borough
Tasty Tegueste Throughout May and June you can take away prizes just for shopping at the Tegueste Agricultural and Crafts Market. Buying locally is always the best approach, and now you can grab free tickets to see Iberostar Tenerife (CB Canarias) play basketball matches at the Pabellón Santiago Martín in La Laguna. Why sports for prizes? Tegueste council is promoting an all-round healthy life by encouraging the consump-
between the dates of March 1 and May 31 of this year, which is also the closing date for submitting entries. First prize is a weekend for two at the Hotel Jardín Tecina in La Gomera, with travel included, plus the choice of one guided walk with accommodation provided. Second prize is a weekend in the Hotel Vincci Tener-
The second challenge is also set in the borough of Los Realejos, this time in celebration of the centenary of an eminent scientist from the area. Antonio González was born in 1917 and lived until he was 85 years old. A pioneer in the field of organic chemistry, the researcher was nominated three times for a Nobel Prize and won many awards throughout his career, including the coveted Prince of Asturias decoration, and the Canaries Prize for Investigation. As well as working at the UK’s Cambridge University, González was a professor at La Laguna University, where he created the now world-renowned Bio-Organic Research Facility which studies the synthesis of natural substances. He was author of the very first article on the subject of organic chemistry to appear in Nature magazine, and was also involved in the creation of the Canarian Astrophysics and the Oceanographic Investigation Institutes. With flora of the Canary Islands as its theme, the photography competition is part of a series
of events organised in honour of the scientist. Prize for best image is €500, with second and third being honoured with €250 and €150 respectively. Winning photos will be incorporated into a future webpage promoting the Islands’ botanical heritage. Entries can be presented until June 15. See: www.losrealejos.es.
El Sauzal Photography Marathon Last, but not least, the first El Sauzal Photography Marathon will take place on June 18 as part of the San Pedro Apóstol celebrations. Participants will have between 11am and 8pm on the day to take a series of digital photos on the subject ‘El Sauzal: Its landscapes, heritage and people’. First prize is €250, second is €200 and a third award of €300 will be given to the best set of three images. Register beforehand to take part by filling out the form online at: www.elsauzal.es; by email: cultura@elsauzal.es (write ‘Maratón Fotográfico’ in the subject line); or on the day of the contest at the Sala de Exposiciones, opposite the town hall, between 9am and 10am. This venue will also be the meeting place for all contestants, between 10am and 11am. n
Eat well and win tion of fresh local products in conjunction with getting plenty of exercise! All you have to do is shop during the weekends between the hours of 8am and 2pm at any of the 34 stalls at the market. Participants’ names will be entered into a weekly draw, the results of which will be announced at 2pm each Sunday. See more information on the ‘Comer sano tiene premio’ campaign at: www. n tegueste.es.
Sunsplash sounds
Reggae with Rototom
A one day reggae fest will take place on May 19 in Santa Cruz with the Rototom Launch Party. Reggae fans will be able to enjoy three different stages and a whole host of top acts, including Skarra Mucci from Jamaica, Franco Verón from Argentina, Smoka Sound from Madrid and the Dancehall Crew from Tenerife. The party will provide a taster of the famous Rototom Sunsplash Festival, Europe’s biggest of its kind, which takes place every August in Benicassim, Valencia, in the Peninsula. The week-long event, awarded by various organisations such as UNESCO for its education and cultural contributions, has been going for two decades and attracts visitors from as far afield as Europe, America and Africa. Each year a mini version of the fest takes place in a chosen area of Spain to bring its sounds and ethos to a wider audience. The first time it has visited the Canary Islands, the party will take place in the Sala Cubik on Avenida Constitución. Tickets cost €10 plus booking fees and can be bought via: www.rastatickets.es. Organisers, Kingston 12 Productions, donate 25 per cent of the profits from all of their events to the Trench Town Reading Centre in Kingston, Jamaica, for the promotion of literacy. n
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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 795
Firmly fusion
Turquoise tunes Don’t miss the concert by BlueInGreen in Santa Cruz on May 11. The colourfully named band is the latest project headed by musician Morgan Hernández. Starting out as a quartet with Freddy Sanchez on drums, José Carlos Cejudo on bass and Luis Merino on guitar, the four were soon joined by Miky Delgado on piano and keyboard and Víctor Galván on percussion, forming a six-person tuneful treat with a broad range of musical influences. Hints of Jazz, funk, 70s and 80s progressive rock, and many more styles can be heard in the songs, in an original sound that defies labelling. See the show at the Teatro Guimerá, starting 9pm. Tickets cost €5 and can be purchased online at: www.tomaticket. es or from the theatre’s box office, Tuesday to Friday, 11am to 1pm and 6pm to 8pm, or two hours before the show n starts on the day.
Catacumbia confidence
Mixing melodies If you like progressive rock and are intrigued how that mixes with South American rhythms then you won’t want to miss the Catacumbia concert in Santa Cruz on May 25. Four of the best musicians on the Spanish scene have joined together to form a completely new sound: psychedelic rock fused with cumbia folk music from Colombia. The Catacumbia group is made up of José María Melo (from the Frank Wild Year and Alien Road bands) on drums, Pablo Rodríguez (Las Ratas, Boca Tuerta), playing guitar, Sergio Martín (Mala Hierba, Frank Wild Year, and Tuna de Distrito) on bass, and David Álvarez, from Gran Banda Mandinga and Frank Wild Year, also on guitar. Catacumbia adds a delightful twist to a variety of classic tunes. Audiences are kept on their toes as some of the best known contemporary numbers are treated to fascinating variations. See the band at the Teatro Guimerá starting 9pm. Tickets cost €5 and can be bought via: www.tomaticket.es or from the theatre’s box office, Tuesday to Friday, 11am to 1pm and 6pm to 8pm, or two hours before the show starts on the day. n
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Beautiful ballet
Russian pirouette The Moscow Ballet Company will be performing not once but twice in Los Cristianos, on May 9 and 10. The first of the dates will see the troupe depict the story of Swan Lake: one of the most popular ballets of all time. Based on Russian folk tales, the story follows the heartbreak of princess Odette as she deals with the lot handed out to her by an evil sorcerer. Turned into a swan thanks to a dreadful spell, the beautiful royal can only take on her human form during the hours of night time. The composer Tchaikovsky was apparently so eager to fulfil the commission for writing the score that he finished what is now recognised as a masterpiece in just 12 months. A century and a half later, his music and the moving ballet have been performed in almost every country in the world. As if that were not
enough to delight ballet fans, the following night there will be a showing of Sleeping Beauty. With music also composed by Tchaikovsky, the moving tale illustrates the fates of King and Queen Florestan XXIV and their first child, Princess Aurora. At the grand christening ceremony, six fairies are invited to bestow gifts of virtues, such as courage and sweetness, on the child. Unfortunately, the wicked fairy Carabosse arrives and, in a fit of pique at having been overlooked, curses the princess to an early death. Both of the exciting stories will be depicted on stage by some of the most graceful and nimble beings around. The Moscow Ballet, made up of some of the leading lights from Russian ballet troupes such as the Bolshoi and the Stanislavsky, was founded in 1989 by Russian choreographer and dancer
Timur Fayziev. Now one of the most influential and largest companies in the country, since its foundation it has given over a thousand performances around the globe. See the shows at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium, starting 8pm. Tickets priced at €38 can be purchased online via:
www.4tickets.es/balletdemoscu or by visiting the Los Cristianos Cultural Centre, Monday to Friday, 9am to 2pm. For groups of 12 or more the cost is €20 per person but reservations must be made via email at: info@factoriacultural.com. See www.arona.org for this and other great events. n
start. See pages eight and nine for our exclusive interview with Mohamed Jamil Derbah. n
The highly-anticipated book about Mohamed Jamil Derbah will be launched in Los Cristianos on May 12
Book launch
From the shores of Lebanon Canarian journalist Félix Rojas will release his highly-anticipated book about Mohamed Jamil Derbah at an event being held in Los Cristianos on May 12 at 7pm. Island Connections was proud to recently become the first English newspaper to interview Mohamed: the businessman, political advisor and former right-hand man to timeshare head John Palmer. Ahead of the book launch for Desde las orillas de Libano a las costas de Tenerife (From the Shores of Lebanon to the Coasts of Tenerife), Mohamed admitted that his history is one
of intrigue and legend, which he said has often been misunderstood because of “the many stories out there”. The book covers the threeyear period between 1998 and 2001, with the author taking an in-depth look at the key events during this time. The first release is in Spanish, with an English-language version available soon. Its launch takes place on May 12 at 7pm at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium in Los Cristianos, with entrance available during the two hours before the event, up until 15 minutes before the doors close for the
HOLIDAY GUIDE WHAT’S ON 2017
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MAY / JUNE
GRAN CANARIA DIARY DATES May 4 8pm: Las Palmas Philharmonic Society, ‘Recital de Canto’ (Song Recital), Paraninfo de la ULPGC, Las Palmas, €25. www.sociedadfilarmonicalaspalmas.org May 4 - 14 Maspalomas Gay Pride Festival, San Bartolomé de Tirajana. www.gaymaspalomas.com May 5 8.30pm: Gran Canaria Philharmonic Orchestra, Márquez, Dvorák and Tchaikovsky, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, from €13. www.entradas.com May 6 8.30pm: Revólver in concert, Spanish pop/rock, Teatro Auditorio, Agüimes, €20. www.entrees.es May 12 8.30pm: Concert, Agapornis: Attitude, Centro Cultural de La Caja de Canarias, Las Palmas, €15. www.generaltickets.com May 13 8.30pm: Escándalo, tribute to great Spanish singer Raphael, Auditorio Teror, €8. www. entrees.es 9pm: India Martínez, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, from €13. www.entradas.com May 18 9pm: The Rossy Vibes Quintet featuring Joshua Redman, jazz, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, €18. www.entradas.com May 19 9pm: Marlango live, concert celebrating the group’s last 10 years, Spanish pop, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, €20. www.entradas.com 9pm: El Consorcio in concert, 40 years of Spanish pop, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, €35. www.entradas.com
Until further notice Thursday to Sunday: CamBuyon Market, art, second hand, vintage and antiques, Mercado del Puerto, LPGC, Thursdays and Fridays, 7pm to 11pm; Saturdays 6pm to 11pm; Sundays 12pm to 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 to Saturday, 10am to 9pm, Sundays 10am to 2pm, www.caam.net. Also at the Casa África. www.casafrica.es
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062 9pm: Children’s theatre, La Conquista más Pirata (The most Piratical Conquest), Teatro Leal, La Laguna, from €5. www.entrees.es May 7 11.30am: Spring concert, three big bands, Alcaraván, Villa de Adeje and Las Candelas, Auditorio de Tenerife, Santa Cruz. www.auditoriodetenerife.com 8pm: Revólver in concert, pop/rock, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, from €21. www.teatroleal.es May 9 8pm: Swan Lake by the Moscow Ballet Company, Auditorio Infanta Leonor, Los Cristianos, €38; €20pp for groups of more than 12. www.4tickets.es/balletdemoscu May 10
MAY / JUNE
TENERIFE DIARY DATES May 5 8.30pm: Tenerife Symphony Orchestra, 11th winter concert, Rajmaninov, Casella and Stravinsky, cello soloist Umberto Clerici, Auditorio de Tenerife Adán Martín, Santa Cruz, from €12. www.auditoriodetenerife.com 9pm: Children’s theatre, La Conquista más Pirata (The most Piratical Conquest), Teatro Leal, La Laguna, from €5. www.entrees.es May 6 10am to 8pm, IX Feria del Saldo San Miguel (market, end of season bargains, plus children’s activities), main road through San Miguel. sanmigueldeabona.es 6.30 pm: The Little Mermaid, family theatre, Infanta Leonor Auditorium, Los Cristianos, €12. www.arona.org 8.30pm: Contemporary dance show, Agua: Chey Jurado / Shy Blue: Cía. Elías Aguirre, Auditorio de Tenerife, Santa Cruz, €5 to €10. www. auditoriodetenerife.com 8.30pm: Tenerife Symphonic Band plus various solo artists, La Danza & Música del siglo XX, selection of 20th century music and dance, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, €4 to €10. www. teatroguimera.es
8pm: Sleeping Beauty by the Moscow Ballet Company, Auditorio Infanta Leonor, Los Cristianos, €38; €20pp for groups of more than 12. www.4tickets.es/balletdemoscu May 11 8pm: Medea, film showing of a performance by the London National Theatre Live, in original language with Spanish subtitles, Yelmo Cines Meridiano, Santa Cruz. www.yelmocines.es 9pm: Concert by Blue in Green quartet, jazz, funk, rock, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, €5. www.tomaticket.es 9.30pm: Sleeping Beauty by the Moscow Ballet Company, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, €28/€38; €20pp for groups of more than 12. www.4tickets.es/balletdemoscu May 12 6pm: Sleeping Beauty by the Moscow Ballet Company, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, €28/€38; €20pp for groups of more than 12. www.4tickets. es/balletdemoscu 7pm: Book launch, Desde las orillas de Libano a las costas de Tenerife (From the Shores of Lebanon to the Coasts of Tenerife), written by Canarian journalist Félix Rojas about Mohamed Jamil Derbah and the events on Tenerife between the years 1998 and 2001, Infanta Leonor Auditorium, Los Cristianos, entrance available during the two hours before the event, up until 15 minutes before the doors close 9.30pm: Swan Lake by the Moscow Ballet Company, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, €28/€38; €20pp for groups of more than 12. www.4tickets.es/ balletdemoscu / www.teatroleal.es May 13
May 25 8pm: Amadeus, film showing of a performance by the London National Theatre Live, in original language with Spanish subtitles, Yelmo Cines Meridiano, Santa Cruz. www.yelmocines.es May 26 9pm: Gloria Gaynor in concert, Pabellón de Deportes las Torres, Adeje, from €49. www. legendslive.es / www.entrees.es 9pm: Taburiente in concert, 40th anniversary of the group, Canarian pop/folk, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, from €12. www.teatroleal.es Until May 31 FotoNatura Los Realejos, photography contest. www.aularambladecastro.es. Until June 15 Photo competition with flora of the Canary Islands as its theme, in memory of scientist Antonio González, Los Realejos. www.losrealejos.es. June 15 8pm: Santa Juana, film showing of a performance by the London National Theatre Live, in original language with Spanish subtitles, Yelmo Cines Meridiano, Santa Cruz. www.yelmocines.es Until end of June Win prizes for shopping at the Tegueste Agricultural and Crafts Market held every weekend between 8am and 2pm. Entries will be entered into a weekly draw for free tickets to see basketball team Iberostar Tenerife (C.B. Canarias) at the Pabellón Santiago Martín in La Laguna. www.tegueste.es. Until further notice Open air cinema at the Magma Centre, Adeje, from €4 for residents, many films in the original language. See: www.openaircinematenerife.es for programme and non-resident prices. Every Saturday morning Events for specific groups, families, seniors, women, etc. Activate Sports Club. www.tenerifeactivate.com
EXHIBITIONS Until June 11
6.30pm: II Festival Internacional Tacoremi, folk music and dance from Chile, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, €10. www.teatroleal.es
Paintings, El paisaje sonoro (The talking landscape) by Ildefonso Aguilar, Tenerife Espacio de Las Artes, Santa Cruz, Tuesdays to Sundays, 10am to 8pm, free entry. www.teatenerife.es
May 18
Until further notice
7.30pm: Quantum Ensemble - Aurora Boreal, chamber music, Auditorio de Tenerife, Santa Cruz, €5 to €10. www.auditoriodetenerife.com
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 to Friday, 8am to 3pm. www.granadilladeabona.org
8pm: Portuguese fado concert, Raquel Tavares, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, from €10. www.teatroleal.es May 19 9pm: Rototom Launch Party, reggae festival, three different stages, top acts, Sala Cubik, Avenida Constitución, Santa Cruz, €10. www. rastatickets.es.
For regular church, charity and recreational events, please see:
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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 795
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Brexit countdown
Tips for future-proofing your finances By Paul Montague, Partner, Blevins Franks
With less than two years left until Britain leaves the EU in 2019, now is a good time for expatriates in Spain to explore options for securing your financial future.
Avoid overexposure to UK investments While markets have proved quite resilient to Brexit news so far, we cannot predict how the UK economy will continue to react. In uncertain times like this it is more important than ever to have a well-diversified portfolio to help ride out market turbulence. An adviser can help you improve diversification over countries, asset classes, companies, sectors and currencies to reduce risk in a way that suits you and your particular circumstances.
Look for currency flexibility With the fortunes of the pound and the euro so tied up with Brexit developments, it is a good idea to reconsider the best currency mix for you. One solution is to use investment structures that allow you to hold investments in more than one currency and convert when rates are favourable, including flexibility to choose the currency of withdrawals.
Consider your approach to risk Uncertainty can bring opportunities for those willing to widen their investment horizons. Prolonged low interest rates are unwelcome when it comes to bank savings, but generally have positive effects on share markets. Although volatile markets can be unsettling, those invested for the medium to long-term in a well-diversified portfolio should have less cause for concern. Your financial adviser should undertake
Regardless of Brexit, your circumstances and objectives can change over time so you should regularly review your financial planning an objective assessment of your risk appetite so that your port- Review your pension folio offers the right balance of arrangements risk and return for your peace of mind. As things stand, Brexit should
not affect how you can withdraw or transfer UK pension funds. However, the UK’s new 25 per cent ‘overseas transfer charge’ could indicate things to come post-Brexit. Currently, expatriates in Spain avoid this tax if transferring UK pensions to eligible pension schemes in the European Economic Area (EEA), including Gibraltar. But many speculate that the UK government could use Brexit as an opportunity to recoup revenue from UK nationals abroad with further ‘exit taxes’ on pension transfers. They could also change the rules to make it harder to take advantage of today’s high transfer values for ‘defined benefit’ (final salary) pensions. Consider acting now, before Brexit closes the current window of opportunity. However, ensure you take specialist, regulated advice to avoid pension scams and establish the right solution for you.
Keep your finances in shape Regardless of Brexit, your circumstances and objec-
tives can change over time so it is important to regularly review your financial planning. There has never been a better time to talk to a locally-based financial adviser who can help you plan if and when you need to take further action so you can continue enjoying your time in Spain, whatever Brexit brings. Summarised tax information is based upon our understanding of current laws and practices which may change. This article is general in nature and should not be construed as providing any personalised taxation and/or investment advice. Individuals should 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
BUSINESS
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Promotion
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062
Flight of fancy
By Goya Abogados, Law Firm in South Tenerife We normally choose to travel by air over other means because of its speed and convenience. We pay to travel a certain distance in a specific amount of time, which means that any delay can be construed as a prejudice to the passenger. If the passenger arrives at the airport within the airline’s recommended time with all of the correct documents only to see that their flight has been delayed, consumer protection mechanisms come into play. What are the obligations airlines have towards consumers in this case? Firstly, consumers must be informed of the reason for the delay and secondly, both complaint forms and relevant information on consumer rights must be handed out. European regulations now say that consumers are entitled to assistance for delays of two hours onwards for flights covering less than 1,500 kilometres and delays of three to four hours for flights covering longer distances. Companies
Customers have the right to claim if a delay is not caused by extraordinary circumstances or not announced with sufficient notice
are obliged to offer sufficient food and refreshments to clients in relation to the waiting time. They must also offer the possibility to make phone calls, and send messages and emails. If the flight is delayed until the next day, the airline must provide accommodation at a hotel, as well as arrang-
ing transport from the airport to the accommodation. For flights delayed for five hours or more, consumers have the right to be reimbursed. This way, they will be able to decide whether to be compensated for the full price of the ticket or to take an alternative route in similar conditions and even at
a later date. What most people will want to know is whether or not they have the right to seek compensation. Despite the fact that neither the regulations nor the information sheets of most companies clearly state so, the answer is yes. After a ruling by the European Court of Justice,
The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg recently ruled on passengers’ rights regarding flight delays of three or more hours
customers will always have the right to be compensated when flights are delayed for more than three hours, if and when the delay is not caused by extraordinary circumstances or is not announced with sufficient notice. We would recommend that all consumers claim compensation in such cases, for,
although it might seem like a long shot or a forlorn hope, the common belief that claims are of no use is increasingly outdated. They are worth filing, and most importantly, they help improve consumer protection. In any case, do not hesitate to ask a specialist and seek assistance regardn ing your rights.
4.5.2017 – 17.5.2017
BUSINESS
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 795
Interchange programme
International economic cooperation
The Fuerteventura Island Council, led by president Marcial Morales, began an interchange programme with Senegal last September which includes innovation training for 15 businesswomen from the island and 15 from Senegal. This is part of an economic and environmental business exchange project between the Canaries and West Africa called Afrimac which was recently presented at the island’s Technology Park. The event was attended by President Morales; the councillor for employment and innovation, Rafael Páez; Senegal’s director for the economy and development, Seth Sall; the general secretary of Casa África, Arianne Hernández; the foreign business representative for the Fuerteventura chamber of commerce, Juan Jesús Rodríguez Marichal; the manager of the Fuerteventura Technology Park, Eduardo Pereira; and representatives from Senegal’s ministry for telecommunications and post office. As part of Afrimac, the 15 women from Fuerteventura will travel to Senegal in September, while in October, 15 Senegalese women will travel to Fuerteventura. They will be concentrating on business skills, the use and training of human resources and the targeted promotion of women in business. Joint projects are planned in the technology, communication, international trade and renewable energy fields. Economic cooperation on an international level and the linking of the two sides via working networks are intended to promote different ideas. This includes the establishment of a technological platform for the exchange of information; for example, what are the needs in Senegal, how could they be met by suppliers and what financing options are available. This platform will be created at the Fuerteventura Techn nology Park.
The Afrimac project was presented at Fuerteventura’s Technology Park
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MBE & Brexit
British Ambassador’s important visit to Canaries The British Ambassador, Simon Manley, visited Tenerife for the first time in two years recently, to present Helen Diaz de Arcaya Keating, the British Vice Consul in Tenerife, with her MBE, and to hold a seminar with Tenerife press and dignitaries on the hot topic of Brexit.
maintained a fantastic level of energy, enthusiasm and compassion”. Ms. Keating started her career at the Tenerife Consulate as an administrative officer in the early 80s, and worked her way up to become not only Vice Consul but also Deputy Head of the post.
April 25 – Vice Consul receives MBE
HMA Simon Manley presenting ‘UK and EU after Brexit: a deep and special relationship’ in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Ms. Keating recently received her medal as honorary Member of the British Empire in recognition of more than 35 years helping British citizens on the island. Ms. Keating, who is a Spanish national, was bestowed with her MBE at a ceremony held in the Real Casino de Tenerife in Santa Cruz. “I am delighted to present this award to Helen as recognition of her hard work, often out of hours and in the most distressing of circumstances, that have brought help to many hundreds of Britons”, HMA Simon Manley said. “Throughout these 35 years, she has shown an exemplary leadership and has
Helen Diaz de Arcaya Keating receiving her medal from the British Ambassador, Simon Manley
“I am incredibly proud to receive this honour”, she said. “This is a fabulous day for me, and indeed, I have the honour of working with wonderful people,” she added, pointing to the great relationships with partner associations, volunteers and local authorities. The Consulate in Tenerife is located in Santa Cruz, covering the consular district of Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. Over 2.2 million visitors from the UK travelled to Tenerife in 2016, and around 15,000 British citi-
zens are registered as living on the island.
April 26 – Brexit talk The radio station Cadena SER Canarias organised the event ‘UK and EU after Brexit: a deep and special relationship’, presented by HMA Simon Manley. Held in the Real Casino de Tenerife, with coffee and pastries available for invited members of local businesses, the civil service and media, Mr.
Manley allayed fears over the Brexit negotiations and delivered a strong message of hope and togetherness for the two European partners. Recalling the important bilateral achievements of the UK and Spain in the past, Mr. Manley was able to assure members of the audience, which included past and present Island Presidents, that we will continue to move in the right direction together, whatever n Brexit brings.
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MOTORING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062
Adeje Rally
Geared up to go! Everyone is on their marks for the upcoming Adeje Rally which will take place on May 12 and 13. The South Tenerife meet is one of the most important competitions of the Canary Islands race calendar, with points going towards three different competitions: The Spanish, Interisland and Tenerife Championships. Organised by the Escudería Villa de Adeje and sponsored by Cicar, the rally is certainly
a tough contest. The route is made up of six different legs, each of them presenting their own challenges: Fasnia to Arico, Granadilla, San Miguel, Adeje, Atogo, and Santiago del Teide to Guía de Isora. Up to date information can be seen on the webpage: www.rallyevilladeadeje. com, where you will also find links to YouTube videos where you can experience the exact roads which will be taken durn ing the race.
Driving dread
Fear at the wheel Ever felt like you could do with a little more confidence when it comes to tackling those tricky vehicle manoeuvres? If that applies to you, take heart from the latest research. According to a Kwik-Fit study, parallel parking tops the list of most commonly avoided operations, with 30 per cent of drivers admitting to giving it a miss whenever possible. Interviewers found that motorists’ dread of putting their car through particular manoeuvres is at a peak during their driving test but often never entirely leaves them, even after many years of experience. Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, said: “Few drivers like the feeling of trying to squeeze into a gap between two cars with other drivers waiting impatiently behind. Getting it wrong can lead to wheel rims and tyres getting badly damaged by the kerb so it’s well worth investing the time to perfect it.” High on the list of other everyday moves to avoid when feasible were reverse parking, emergency stops, hill starts and three-point turns. n And you thought it was just you…
In-depth classics
Photos: www.studio434.co.uk
Photo: Robert Linder / FreeImages.com
Celebrating Clyno
ness. Their heyday for production was the First World War period when the company produced a motorcycle combination with a machine gun attachment, manufactured for the Motor Cycle Gun Service, said to have been a decision taken by Winston Churchill! Clyno launched its first car at the 1922 Motor Show held at Olympia in London. Studio 434 has five Clyno cars
in total: an 11hp Coupe built in1924, a very rare 1926 10.8 hp Clyno Van, a 1927 10.8 hp Convertible, a 1929 Estate and a 1927 two-seater Tourer. As proud as he is of the Clynos, the vehicles are only a few of Dudding’s collection: he has around 330 cars and motorcycles from the early 1900’s to the present day. See: www.studio 434.co.uk for a peek. n
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cles. Yet, today, the make is relatively unknown. Dudding is a big fan of the brand, and has one of the largest collections of the unique and superbly engineered vehicles in the world. The earliest Clynos in the Studio 434 group are two of the company’s original motorcycles. Both are fine 269cc examples produced in 1921, two of the 15,000 motorcycles turned out by the busi-
aecc
Rodger Dudding, owner of the UK’s Studio 434, is passionate about maintaining the history of the British motor industry, including the almost forgotten Clyno vehicles. Clyno Engineering, originally based in Wolverhampton, was the third largest UK vehicle producer after Austin and Morris during the early part of the last century, manufacturing both cars and motorcy-
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Rural retreats
Stella Bogdanic FreeImages.com
Escapades in the countryside Casa Diama is set on a farm of 21,000m2, in a valley between the mountains of Diama and El Chupadero, in the protected area of La Geria where grapes are cultivated in lava rock. See: www.turismolanzarote. com for many more places to stay and visit.
La Graciosa As well as the seven main islands, the Canaries also has several islets, the main one of these being La Graciosa just off the northern tip of Lanzarote. Just over 700 people live on the island, and visitors can grab a ferry from Ózorla in Lanzarote (lineasromero.com) and be there in just 20 minutes. It has no roads, so is great for cycling and hiking, and only two tiny villages: Caleta de Sebo, a very traditional area, and Pedro Barba, more geared up for tourists.
Fuerteventura Just southwest of Lanzarote is the island of Fuerteventura, the
Following on from our feature on rural tourism in Tenerife last edition, we will now take a look at opportunities on the other islands. Once better known as a sun, sea and sand destination, the Canaries are an increasingly popular stopover for those wanting to enjoy nature and experience something of the local way of life. There is a wide choice of rural accommodation available, from hotels based in centuries-old Canarian buildings, to private rentals on working farms, and ‘pensiones’ which are similar to bed and breakfast lodgings. There are also various ‘paradores’ which tend to be located in grand buildings in exquisite scenery, as well as a choice of albergues. These are similar to youth hostels but open to all ages, which are often set in stunning countryside but can also be found in picturesque villages. Sleeping arrangements are basic, with shared dormitories for between two and 16 people, but there will also be communal areas, shared kitchens, terraces, wifi and more. In addition, they are very cost-effective. One of the reasons the archipelago is so attractive to visi-
Turismo Lanzarote
The rolling red hills of Lanzarote
tors is the multitude of different types of landscapes, from arid desert to subtropical splendour, and this can be fully appreciated when looking at each of the islands in detail.
Lanzarote The most eastern of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote has a unique and striking landscape, and was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1993. Mostly low-lying and arid, the rock formations come in an impressive range of colours and the island is dotted with over 300 volcanic cones. Lanzarote has benefited greatly from the influence of Canarian artist Cesar Manrique, who fought long and hard to ensure the landscape was developed in a harmonious manner and that building was kept mostly down to just two storeys. It makes for a quaint and quirky setting, and one of the first places to visit could be Manrique’s former home in Haría. Built into rocks in a lava field, the house now belongs to the foundation that continues the artist’s legacy (www.fcmanrique.org). One of the island’s main attrac-
The Islands are very popular with cyclists
tions is the centrally located Timanfaya National Park, home to the Montañas del Fuego (Fire Mountains): over 50 km² of volcanoes which were formed between 1730 and 1736 in an ongoing series of eruptions. You can take a bus or camel ride around the park and even visit a restaurant, at the summit of the Islote de Hilario volcano, where meat and fish are grill-cooked using heat from the volcano. Famara in the northwest is the place to go if you like watersports, whilst Teguise in the interior is where head to for a traditional town. Founded in
the 15th century, it was the original capital of the island and is home to some seriously handsome colonial mansions, plus the Convento de San Francisco built at the end of the 1500s, and Convento de Santo Domingo from the 17th century. Cobbled streets, a busy market on Sundays and a wealth of picturesque cafes and restaurants make it a definite stopover. There are many excellent museums and galleries around the island to peruse, including the Museo Atlantico in Playa Blanca: the first underwater art museum in Europe.
Take a trip round the fascinating landscape of Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote
Where to stay There is an endless list of rural hotels to choose from on all the islands, but here are a few to get you started. Casa Catalina (I and II) are set in buildings which are more than 200 years old in the village Los Valles. Individual rooms can be hired or a whole villa for groups of up to eight people. Finca La Bodega in La Vegueta has three houses for rent: an original winery, the former village shop and a barn conversion.
oldest and second biggest in the archipelago. A desert oasis dotted with majestic palm trees and surrounded by turquoise seas, Fuerteventura is mostly visited by beach and watersports fans but also has opportunities for rural tourism. The capital is Puerto del Rosario, a somewhat sprawling town but with a fabulous open-air sculpture park consisting of around 100 works by different artists. The two main tourist areas are Corralejo in the north and Morro Jable in the south. In between is a vast expanse of
RURAL TOURISM SPECIAL
undulating hills: The highest point in Fuerteventura is Mount Jandía at just 807m. Places to go include the craft centre at the Molino de Antigua; the Museo de la Sal (near Las Salinas del Carmen) to see how salt is extracted from the sea; and the Atalayita Archaeological Centre.
one of the many restaurants set straight into the rock. Gáldar is also a banana-growing area, as well as home to some remarkable archaeological remains, including the Cueva Pintada, a museum and park which is the result of 24 years of excavation of an original Canarian settlement. The Cenobio de Valerón, in Santa María de Guía, is a collection of 350 storage cavities: the largest pre-Hispanic collective granary known. In fact, Gran Canaria is home to some of the most exciting archaeological sites in the world, far too many to list. Check out: www.grancanaria.com for more of the island’s attractions.
In the heart of the island, in the area of Tuineje, the Casa rural Tamasite is four apartments in a 200-year-old building, with great views of the Tamasite Mountain. Casa Tarabilla is set on an organic farm in Antigua, whilst Casa de la Burra (Llanos de La Concepcion) was built at the end of the 1800s and is eco friendly. Casa rural Andresito is located in lovely gardens on the edge of Pajara village in the southwest. See: www.visitfuerteventura.es for more info on where to go and stay.
Gran Canaria Settled between Fuerteventura and Tenerife is Gran Canaria, the third largest island and the second most populous. Roughly round in shape, it has some incredible mountain massifs (the highest point is Pico de Las Nieves at around 1,950m); a verdant interior with pine forests and several fresh, clean mountain lakes; and the famous stretch of sand dunes known as Las Maspalomas. This is a 400 hectare nature reserve, one of a long list of protected areas. A third of the island is also under protection as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. The capital, Las Palmas, has a lovely historical quarter and is also home to the Museo Canario (the most important archaeology museum in the archipelago), an impressive cathedral and the Plaza del Espíritu Santo, perfect for an evening stroll. Down in the south you will find the main tourist resorts: Maspalomas, San Agustín, Playa del Inglés and Meloneras. To the west are Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán, the latter often referred to as ‘Little Venice’ on account of its many canals. More traditional towns include Arucas, where there is an impressive Neogothic temple, and a huge fertile plain where bananas are grown. Agüimes in the east has many well-preserved cave dwellings in the Guayadeque ravine, where you can even dine in
Where to stay Try Casa Rural La Asomada, set in a beautifully restored traditional cottage in Vega de
The undulating hills of Fuerteventura
Ben Johnson FreeImages.com
Where to stay
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062 Eva Serna FreeImages.com
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Hiking in Valley Gran Rey in La Gomera
San Mateo; El Palmeral del Valle in Santa Lucia; or Casa de Tío Félix in Utiaca. There are also various albergues on the island, including Del Pino in Teror and the eco-friendly Manipa in Agaete.
Where to stay
La Palma The three islands to the west of Tenerife are a different world to the desert-like conditions of the east. All of them have green and lush northern areas and a slightly drier south, with La Palma being the most verdant of them all. The small capital city, Santa Cruz, is on the east coast and has a lovely historical quarter from the XVI and XVII centuries. Los Llanos de Aridane in the west is actually the biggest town on La Palma, but rather than a heaving metropolis, it has stayed loyal to its agricultural roots and easily combines rural and urban aspects.
The main tourist destination is Puerto Naos, in Los Llanos de Aridane, but this is also a low key, relaxed resort that attracts those wishing for a little peace and quiet. Fuencaliente in the south has incredible volcanic landscapes. Interesting places to visit include the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, in the centre of the island. It is home to one of the biggest volcanic craters in the world, and the whole area is a dream for hikers of all abilities. It is also where you will find the Roque de los Muchachos astrophysical observatory, one of the most important in the world (www. iac.es). The southern part of La Palma is mostly made up of the Cumbre Vieja Natural Park, home to a volcanic ridge of the same name which was the site of the last volcanic eruption on the island, in 1971.
Check out Tres Pinos, Lina Medina and Anastasio in Villa de Mazo, three beautifully reformed farm buildings; the superb Ecofinca de Teresa in La Punta; or the exquisite Casa Los Mangos in Las Indias. Albergues include Aldea del Charco, Fuencaliente; La Casa Encantada in El Paso; and Tiguerorte in Villa de Mazo. See: www.islabonita.es for more ideas.
La Gomera
Tamadaba: One of Gran Canaria‘s beautiful mountain lakes
La Gomera, directly to the west of Tenerife, is the second smallest island. Also roughly circular, it is only around 22km in diameter and is extremely mountainous: with deep gorges
running down to the sea from the highest peak, Alto de Garajonay, at 1,487m. One of the island’s main attractions is the lush, green Garajonay National Park, with a prehistoric forest right at its heart. A UNESCO world heritage site since 1986, its laurel rain forest houses over 400 species of flora and fauna, a great many of them endemic. San Sebastián, the capital city on the east coast, is absolutely tiny but has a big history: it is famous for being Christopher Columbus’ last stopping point before crossing the Atlantic on his voyage of discovery. You can visit the well the crew took their water from in the Casa de la Aguada. Other notable historical buildings are the Torre del Conde fort and the Asunción Church. The two main tourist towns are Valle Gran Rey in the southwest, a beautiful, wide green valley that sweeps down to the coast, and Playa Santiago in the south. Interestingly, La Gomera also has a unique language. ‘Silbo’ is enunciated via whistling and was used to communicate across the island’s deep valleys and ravines. Once in serious decline, it is now taught in schools and has regained its popularity.
Where to stay The Parador in San Sebastian is set high on a hillside overlooking the Atlantic, or check out rural accommodation such as Los Manantiales in Vallehermoso, and Casa Doña Pepa in La Palmita. Find more on the island at: www.lagomera.travel, the official tourism website.
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El Hierro
La Gomera is an island of high mountains and deep valleys Javier
The smallest, youngest and most westerly of the Islands, El Hierro can be driven round in a day. It has a population of just over 10,000 people and only has three different boroughs: Valverde, Frontera and El Pinar. But don’t let that put you off, there is plenty to see and do and the island is unique in many ways. As far as towns go, pretty Valverde in the north is the only capital in the Canaries not located on the coast. Frontera is a bigger town to the west, and right down in the south is La Restinga, famous for its incredible dive sites and more recently for the volcano which erupted just off the coast at the end of 2011. El Hierro is also renowned for various other reasons, including the fact that for centuries it was the most westerly point of the known world. It is also well on its way to being the very first island that is energy self-sufficient thanks to extensive investment in renewables, and is home to various unique species, including the giant lizard (Gallotia simonyi), brought back from the edge of extinction thanks to extensive breed-
La Palma is the greenest of the islands
ing programmes. Beautifully green in the north, it becomes more arid as you travel south. The island is quite mountainous (its highest point, in Malpaso, is 1501m) but the interior contains an incredible thermophilous juniper forest, with evergreen woodlands and pines alongside. El Hierro is by far the most traditional of the islands, landscape and architecturally-wise,
and in the year 2000 it was designated as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Places to visit include a whole range of caves and volcanic galleries, such as the Cueva de Don Justo which has a collection of channels over 6km in length, and the stunning El Golfo valley.
Where to stay Torre del Conde in La Gomera
The El Hierro Parador is located right on the coast at the foot of impressive mountains in Valverde. Alternatively, check out rustic accommodation such as Poblado Jirdana, also in Valverde, Casa Rural El Roque in Taibique, or El Sitio in Frontera. See: www.elhierro.travel for more info on where to go and what to do. Sadly, we can only give you a glimpse of the wonderful attractions all of the Islands hold, but we hope it has
inspired you a little. As well as the ideas listed, don’t forget to look out for the many festivals and celebrations that take place around the Islands throughout the year. You can find more information and useful contacts on pages 22 and 23. Also, check out the following websites for plenty of rural accommodation: www.toprural.com / www.parador.es / www.reaj. com. As well as: www.hola islascanarias.com for a good look at what is on offer across n the archipelago.
HEALTH
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062
Cannabis therapy
The forgotten remedy By Mirjam Reuss
Modern history to the present day
Mirjam Reuss, a naturopath, is a medical practitioner and specialist in Chinese medicine in Puerto de La Cruz. Her practice focuses increasingly on the medicinal effects and use of hemp and cannabis.
In the middle of the twentieth century, artificial fibres, especially those made by the manufacturer Du Pont, replaced hemp in the clothing industry, driven too by Harry J. Anslinger's anti-cannabis campaign. However, the agricultural cultivation of hemp has continued to increase since its ‘rebirth’ at the beginning of the 1990s. Nevertheless, production in Europe is far behind demand. Thanks to its many properties, hemp has gained a foothold in many areas of the economy. It’s suitable for ecological house construction as well as a basis for paints, varnishes, detergents and much more. Hemp fibre is superior to cotton fibre in many respects and hemp products show very good resistance to wear, so the fibres can often be recycled.
Mirjam Reuss explains the benefits of cannabis therapy
years old and come from the Eisenberg (Germany) area. For a long time, hemp, nettle and flax were the most important fibre plants in Europe and were also used for producing fabric.
Medieval and modern times Hemp remained an important crop in Europe through the centuries. In 812, Emperor Charlemagne (Christian Emperor of the West) mentioned hemp (canava) in chapter LXII of the Capitular de villis, although he did not include it in the list of plants to be compulsorily cultivated. Many medieval weapons, such as longbows, could not have been produced
without the robust and resistant fibre from hemp, which can withstand enormous tensile forces. In the 13th century, a further application of hemp fibres found its way to Europe paper making. Producing paper from wood had not yet been mastered and hemp became the most important raw material for paper production together with rags, which often also consisted of hemp. In 1290 in Nuremberg the first paper mill was Therapies, 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. Get Space Clearing carried out for more positivity at home and in your work place
built on German soil and the famous Gutenberg Bible was printed on hemp paper in 1455. The American Declaration of Independence of 1776 is also printed on hemp paper. The first American president George Washington cultivated hemp on a grand scale. Hemp ropes and canvas made of hemp were enormously important in shipping, since the fibre is very resistant to salt water and absorbs less water than other fabrics such as cotton.
Hemp in medicine THC, the active ingredient in hemp was first isolated in 1964 and the scientific investigation of cannabis sativa for medicinal use began at that time. Further investigation has been carried out from the end of the 80s into the cannabinoid system and receptors. Since then, there have been numerous studies on possible indications for the use of cannabis, including for cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, ADHD and multiple sclerosis. Cannabis has been legalised for medical purposes in many countries in recent years after decades of being
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Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) was used in China in the earliest civilisations. Ma, as the Chinese called hemp, was harvested for its tasty and nutritious seeds. The stems, with their particularly long and almost indestructible fibres, were also appreciated. In early medical records of traditional Chinese medicine (ca.2,800 BC), one writer described how hemp could be used as a remedy against malaria, rheumatism, epilepsy and many other ailments. A container filled exclusively with highly psychoactive cannabis blossoms was discovered as part of the burial rites in a 2,700 year old tomb of the Chinese Gushi (later Jushi) period. Hemp found its way all over India, today’s Iraq and the ancient cultures, and thus around the world. In Europe the oldest finds are about 5,500
Photo: SV
Early history and ancient civilisations
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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 795
outlawed. Germany legalised it in 2011, the UK is expected to do so in the near future.
Apart from CBD oil, there are oils containing the cannabinoids CBDA, CBC, CBGA, CBN and CBCA. Often the oil is diluted with olive or hemp seed oil to improve dosage and taste.
Hash/THC/ cannabis oil Three names that usually mean the same product. Hashish oil, cannabis oil or THC oil is an oil from cannabis with a high concentration of THC. These oils have an intoxicating effect similar to alcohol, but the medical effect is becoming increasingly
Cannabis use in medicine The cannabis plant is considered to be one of the most pharmacologically effective
Hemp oil This phrase is usually used to describe hemp seed oil. The seeds of the fibre are a by-product in the production of hemp, which continues to be used in the automotive and construction industry.
Cold pressed hemp seed oil The seeds of the hemp plant can be used raw or peeled to make superb oil. This oil is known for its fine, nutty flavour and high levels of unsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6. It does not contain cannabinoids such as THC or CBD.
Medical oils CBD oil is an essential ingredient for oils that are made from hemp fibre and do not contain THC. CBD oil is a composite oil that contains cannabidiol. However, other cannabinoid varieties may also be present since hemp can have different cannabinoids in its composition.
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When talking about the medical use of cannabis, it is important to differentiate between artificial and synthetic cannabis medicines and real cannabis.
Drugs with cannabis Cannabis can be used for a large variety of medical purposes and the results have been proven in many studies. This has aroused the interest of the pharmaceutical industry for a long time, but since it’s not yet possible to patent a plant, medical cannabis has only been available for a relatively short time in the pharmaceutical industry.
cannabis medicines lack the secondary plant compounds, which are probably a large part of the high-potency effect for medical use.
The first official studies on the use of medical cannabis in cancer therapy were published in 1976. Today, there is a great deal of research going on around the world. Many studies have been published (See: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). Several laboratory studies document a positive effect of cannabis in cancer therapy. Some research has shown that cannabinoids stop the ability of cancer cells to divide and multiply and some studies have also shown
Some studies also show that there might be advantages in a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and medical use of cannabis. Cannabis is known not only for its analgesic, nausea and appetite regulating properties, but also for its stabilising effect on the human immune system. There seem to be other positive synergies from this combination. Since chemotherapies and irradiation unfortunately also attack healthy cells in the fight against cancer cells, it can easily lead to inflammatory reactions in the body. Among other effects, CBD oil has a strong anti-inflammatory and anti-viral effect and can thus help to combat these inflammatory reactions in the
that cannabinoids can cause "controlled cell death" in cancer cells. In addition, it would appear they can prevent metastases from occurring, which in practice means that the medical use of cannabis may reduce the risk that cancer spreads to other areas of the body.
body, which typically occur in many conventional cancer treatments. It can only be hoped that the ongoing studies will convince the powers-that-be that cannabis is a highly effective healing herb that should begin to be used again frequently. n
Cannabis and cancer
important. These oils and distillates can’t yet be purchased legally.
Plant Signature - Hemp / Cannabis sativa It’s believed that the hemp cannabis plant originated originally from Central Asia. Today cannabis is cultivated in large quantities all over the world both legally and illegally. The cannabis plant was and is a medicinal and useful plant and was used for millennia for the benefit of mankind. The growth cycle of the plant is a year, but it can be prolonged depending on the cultivation area. The normal height of a mature plant is 50 to 250cm high, depending on variety, but some species can reach four metres. Cannabis oil is extracted from the mature plant. There are three main botanical varieties of the genus Canna-
Photo: Wikimedia
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are two of the most famous cannabinoids that have recently received much attention as possible medical therapy. There are estimated to be more than 80 Cannabinoids in hemp and marijuana plants. The human body, like the body of other mammals, has an endo-cannabinoid system. ‘Endo’ means within. Endocannabinoids function as sensors and as signal-generators and regulate, for example, the production of hormones. Our complex immune system is partly regulated by the cannabinoid system. Science, as well as the pharmaceutical industry, has just begun to explore the effects of cannabinoids through extensive studies. For example, there are some spectacular investigations on cannabis treatments in modern cancer research.
Synthetic cannabis
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Photo: Wikimedia
Hemp secondary crops
bis, which differ in the appearance and contents: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and cannabis ruderalis. In addition, there is a relatively young hemp species, which is known as industrial hemp. It has a particularly high CBD content and contains little THC. It is this type of hemp that is typically used for the production of CBD cannabidiol oil.
HEALTH
The cannabis plant is far more valuable and helpful than previously thought The active ingredients are concentrated in the blossoms
plants in the world, while at the same time being a safe remedy without side effects or consequences. Cannabis oil has proven to have anti-inflammatory properties and has an effect on the endo-cannabinoid system, which influences our immune system, among other things. Cannabis oil can be used internally as a medicinal plant extract, oil or tincture, as well as externally, for example as massage oil or mixed with other ingredients (comfrey, calendula etc.). It’s very effective in the treatment of psoriasis, eczema, neurodermatitis, inflammatory rosacea and severe pain caused by the muscle cramps and tightening.
In the EU, there is currently only a limited supply of medical cannabis in the form of prescription products produced in the laboratory. These preparations are extremely expensive and usually used only for cancer patients as a pain-relieving and nausea-reducing drug. Other preparations, which are mainly intended for multiple sclerosis patients, contain combinations of natural and synthetic THC or cannabinol. Multiple sclerosis patients have fewer and less intense muscle cramps using this therapy. Artificially produced
Centro de Medicina Natural Canarias
La Cúpula · Puerto de La Cruz Mirjam Repa-Reuss Nursing Practitioner - Association of German Healing Practitioners Specialist Col.r 19884 Doctor of Chinese Medicine - Master of Medicine Univ.Shandong / Jinan PR China
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062
ADOPT, DON’T BUY
Animal charities’ round up Cats Welfare There are so many different colours and patterns of cats’ coats that it can be difficult to choose when adopting. But why does that happen, even within the same litter? A female may mate with many different males in one season and, as each egg is fertilised separately, every kitten can theoretically have a different father. Males obtain both colour genes from their mother so they will always be either the same colour as their mother or a different shade of their mother’s fur. If mum is multi-coloured then just one of her shades may be passed on to her son. Female kittens have a colour gene from each parent so the females in a litter will always be a combination of their mum and dads’ colours, although shades may vary. It’s only the immediate parents that affect colour so there is no chance of two tabbies producing a ginger cat, for example, and dominant colours cannot skip generations either: so a black cat must have had at least a partially black mum or dad. In addition, two longhair parents cannot have a short haired kitten. Want to help us but not sure how? We go through vast amounts of bedding each week so we always need towels, blankets, sheets, etc. Food and litter is a large part of our expenditure each month as we feed 20 large colonies of cats and also have foster carers who need them. Do you have any spare pet carriers or dog training cages? We use carriers for transportation and cages for recuperation. Charity shop Our shop is our main source of income and incredibly important for us for raising funds. Find it on San Blas in Golf del Sur (behind Hiperdino). It’s open seven days a week, 10am until 6pm, except Sat-
Forever homes
Perfect pup This gorgeous puppy was taken into the Acción del Sol refuge by the Protection Civil organisation from Granadilla. After a bath and thorough check over by the vet, he is now patiently waiting for a new home. Call Acción del Sol on: 922 77 86 30 if you would like to meet him or any of the n other wonderful dogs at the refuge.
urdays when it’s 10am until 4pm. If you don’t have transport or have large bulky items to donate please ring Mark on: 636 590 557 and he will arrange collection. Maybe you would you like to help in the shop? Contact us to arrange an informal chat. It’s a great way to meet new friends and support the local community at the same time. Kittens available We have fluffy kittens of all different colours for immediate adoption. We do not charge an adoption fee but there is a contract to sign saying you agree you will get vaccinations and neutering done when the kitten is old enough. Many people do not want black kittens as they don’t think they are ‘pretty’. To encourage adoption we arrange the vaccination, microchip and neutering of black kittens free of charge (of the first one only if two or more are adopted together). Or maybe you would like to be a foster carer? You don’t need experience; we can tell you everything you need to know. We supply food, litter, beds, and cover vet costs. If you would like to ask questions about our work or cats, ring or WhatsApp Maria on: 646 629 129, message us on Facebook or see our website: www.catswelfare-tenerife.com.
Acción del Sol We recently had a very sad day at the refuge with eight podenco dogs found abandoned in a cave in Granadilla, all in appalling conditions. They are now safely at the refuge along with the other 80 podencos we already have. They make loving pets despite the horrid treatment they receive during their hunting lives. May 14 is a date for your diary with an afternoon of fun and games for humans and dogs alike during a special foam party for children. We are always in need of tinned dog food for our older dogs, plus blankets, towels, sheets,
Cats Welfare tells us all about why cats are different colours
dog toys, and collars and leads, if you have any of the above to spare. Please call: 922 778 630 if you can help in any way, or
tle 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 388 102. Find us at: www. livearico.com, on Facebook, or join us on Twitter: twitter. com/live_arico.
K9
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 This-
to 4pm; Sunday, 10.30am to 3.30pm). Call us on: 629
Open Day The K9 wonder-dogs and cats are very excited as we are holding an Open Day on May 14 from 2pm to 4pm and they cannot wait to meet you, show you around and introduce you to all their friends. You’ll also have a chance to talk with our volunteers, buy some goodies, win some prizes and enjoy something to eat and drink. Please come along and support us and the gorgeous K9 dogs and cats. You can find our location by following the
instructions below or by visiting our website. 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 n local areas.
4.5.2017 – 17.5.2017
FARMERS MARKET
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 795
Farmer’s Markets Adeje Calle Archajara, s/n, in front of Makro Saturday/Sunday 8am – 2pm / Wednesday 3pm – 7pm Telephone: 922 775 200 Alcalá Plaza de Llano Monday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 850 100 Arafo Plaza San Juan Degollado Thursday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 511 711 Arico Porís de Abona Sunday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 676 159 034 Arona Valle San Lorenzo, Carretera General 122 Monday/Friday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 767 138 Buenavista del Norte Plaza de San Sebastián Opening times: Saturday 8.30am – 2pm Telephone: 922 129 030 Candelaria Wednesday 8am - 2pm Next to council offices Saturday 8am – 2pm. Plaza del Centro Comercial de Punta Larga Telephone: 922 505 014 El Médano Plaza Principal Wednesday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 759 966/62 El Rosario Carretera General del Norte, la Esperanza Saturday/Sunday/festivals 8am – 4pm Telephone: 922 010 160 El Sauzal Hoya de la Vida, next to the church, Ravelo Friday/Saturday/Sunday 7.30am- 2pm Telephone: 922 584 657
Güímar Plaza del Ayuntamiento Sunday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 526 105
Playa de San Juan Paseo El Bufadero Wednesday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 850 100
Icod de Los Vinos Calle Key Muñoz 5 Monday/Friday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 815 700 / 922 447 938
Puerto de la Cruz Avenida Blas Pérez González, 4 Wednesday to Saturday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 386 158
La Guancha Carretera General TFS km 49 Saturday/Sunday 8am – 3pm Telephone: 922 360 788 La Laguna Plaza del Cristo Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday 6am – 2pm Telephone: 922 601 100 / 922 253 903 La Matanza de Acentejo Ctra. General del Norte Saturday 8am – 3pm, Sunday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 577 120
San Isidro Mercado del Agricultor de Granadilla Off the roundabout leading to El Médano Saturday/Sunday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 759 966
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
Parque de la Reina – El Cho Calle Infanta Elena, 32 (before Karting on right hand side behind Titsa Depot) 8am – 3pm closed Mondays Tel 922 076544
Farmer’s Markets
Island support! 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
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
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.
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
town. They allow customers to purchase fresher, higher quality produce at cheaper prices, and the farmers receive a fair payment for their efforts. This enables them to maintain or raise the standard of their crops and uphold productivity levels – it’s a win-win situation.
Buy locally, eat healthily, pay fairly – this is one way we can all help each other. So, to show our support of local farmers we are taking this timely opportunity to publish the details of the many farmers’ markets around the island of Tenerife. Enjoy. n
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
Los Silos Plaza de la Luz, Los Silos Sunday 9am – 2pm Telephone: 922 840 004
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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
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HOROSCOPES | CLASSIFIEDS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062
Horoscope for period: May 4 to May 17 Aries 21.3 - 20.4 If you have an existing illness you’ll find it will start to improve in the near future or that you will be introduced to a new care plan which is much more suited to you. Either way, the future is looking brighter than it has for a while on that front. Taurus 21.4 - 20.5 People around you appear to be oversensitive at the moment. At least, that is your take on the matter, but could it be something else? You have a strong personality – are you sure you aren’t the one who is putting them under strain unnecessarily? Gemini 21.5 - 21.6 This should be an excellent period for you. Opportunities for learning will abound over the coming weeks. However, remember that some of the greatest lessons are painful at first, though are often the ones which help the most. Cancer 22.6 - 22.7 For singles the signs are good that love is just around the corner – all be it in an unexpected place. Those in a relationship, however, may struggle with communication problems. Nevertheless, the ultimate outlook is good if you can both talk. Leo 23.7 - 23.8 While you generally enjoy being the centre of attention, now is the time for a more low-key approach to life. One of your nearest and dearest is facing a challenge and it is your role to support them through it, not to take the limelight. Virgo 24.8 - 23.9 If you have been thinking of making a financial investment then now would be a good time to do so. Listen carefully to any advice you are given on the matter, but at the end of the day you will need to follow your own path – you know best. Libra 24.9 - 23.10 You will have to use all the charm you can muster to either talk your way out of a tricky situation or into one which you truly desire. It won’t be just a matter of fine words, however. You’ll need to make compromises to achieve your goal. Scorpio 24.10 - 22.11 An opportunity for rebooting your skills, or learning a completely new one, will present itself rather soon. It will involve a difficult decision, however. Try not to spend too long considering the possibilities though or you may find the moment has passed. Sagittarius 23.11 - 21.12 Your career and professional life is currently on hold but that doesn’t mean that you are not moving forward. Sometimes we are unaware of undercurrents, even when they are flowing in our favour. Have patience and confidence.
Contacts Cockney girl, Ana. Just what you need to get pampered. Stunning hot brunette. Let my pleasure be your pleasure. Owo, French kissing. Los Cristianos, opposite the bus station. Tel: (+34) 631 343 527. Busty and curvy. I am Keyla, 22 years old, trans, a girl with a big secret, top and bottom, threesomes, natural French. Los Cristianos. Tel: 631 522 443. Pleasure, energy, sensuality and complicity: discover a new way of perceiving your body through something that’s so much more than a massage. From the thousand year old Tantra sacred art, a ritual to awaken your senses and soul. Enjoy this experience alone or with your partner. Full naked body massages. www.sensesmassagetenerife.com. WhatsApp: 640 814 067 outcalls. Los Cristianos, I’m Julia, a beautiful Brazilian girl. I offer my services and I would like to be your perfect escort lady. I can make your holiday an unforgettable one. Start the night with a drink, have dinner, go clubbing and finish in style at your hotel or my place. I speak Portuguese, Spanish and English. You can find my photos at www.canarias69. com. Tel: 600 369 365. Saray, blonde Latin transvestite, new in Los Cristianos. Active/passive, natural French, erotic games, all types of parties, come along for a popper, beer, try on clothes, make your dreams come true, 24 hours. Tel: 631 427 422.
Los Cristianos, two girls: a well built Russian, 35 years, and a sexy mixed race girl. Natural French, Greek, 69, sado-masochism. Discreet apartment, Edificio Royal, in front of the bus station, Los Cristianos. Call first. We speak a little English. Tel: 626 712 090. Transvestite, Johana, she-male, Los Cristianos. 22 years old, super feminine, great body, beautiful booty, Natural French, expert in first timers, top and bottom. I love all parties. Total discretion. Tel: 631 440 162. You’ll love the details. Luxury erotic massages. Visit our new branch in Adeje. Tel: 674 407 827, www.edencanary.com. We are also in Playa Paraiso, Costa Adeje. Tel: 662 960 065, www. edentenerife.com. Appointments only, 10am to 10pm. Patricia, transvestite, new dark skinned Columbian in Los Cristianos. Active/passive, 24 hours, all types of services, from natural French, erotic games, relaxing massages, dominations, make your dreams come true. All types of parties. Tel: 602 042 849. Hi, I’m Gabriela and I have two more friends, we are in Playa de Las Américas (in front of the Hotel Gala). We are young and hot, massages with a happy ending, all services. We invite you for a drink. 24 hours. Tel: 642 164 285.
Gloria, new Mexican dark haired transvestite. Dominant, active/passive, ready to party 24 hours. I like threesomes, natural French, and I will make all your dreams come true. Maximum discretion, clean location in Los Cristianos. Tel: 632 411 392. Transsexual, 37 years old, beautiful, tall, blonde, long big penis, active/passive. €100 one hour, €50 half hour. Apartments Royal, in front of the bus station, Los Cristianos. SMS/ WhatsApp for info. Tel: (+34) 602 626 848. Los Cristianos, Yoana, pretty Venezuelan, 24 years old. Obliging without limits. I am available at my private apartment in the centre of Los Cristianos. Tel: 605 072 917. Los Cristianos, Meliza, blonde Venezuelan, large breasts, all services, natural French, positions, kisses, sado. I have a private apartment in Calle Ramón Pino, near to Playa Las Vistas. I can do outcalls. Tel: 602 629 191. English model, showgirl, professional striptease, quality service, general entertainment, stag nights, dominatrix, fetish, luxury conditions, 24 hour visits, escort service available. Tel: 697 227 139. PAMELA, an Afro-Brazilian, Las Chafiras. Massage service available for gentlemen only. Private apartment. HH Franciscano Street, beside the large park, Las Chafiras. Tel: 608 285 035.
Los Cristianos, young blonde, spectacular, welcoming body, natural 130cm breasts, all services. Discreet. I speak a little English. Opposite the bus station. Tel: 619 168 878.
Erotic massages and parties for singles and couples with attractive German lady or couple, also threesomes. I don’t speak English well, but I know French love very well. Tel: (+34) 664 085 213 or (+34) 602 693 392.
Los Cristianos, Sara, Latin girl. I am very affectionate and obliging, I like to do everything with no limits: sado, fetishes, kisses, positions, Greek. Private apartment in the centre of Los Cristianos. Tel: 634 753 927.
For ladies: Excursions, escorts, erotic massages and more, with Marc (German) who also speaks English and Spanish. I have an apartment and car and I also do visits. We can meet in a café before. Tel: (+34) 630 759 974.
Capricorn 22.12 - 20.1 If you are hoping for a change of residence the signs are looking good for it coming up soon. Whether it’s a new house or different country or area, the move is on its way. Are you sure you are mentally prepared for a sudden change? Aquarius 21.1 - 20.2 The emphasis at the moment is on professional issues, while domestic concerns will have to stay in the background for a while. This may be difficult for others around you but you have to stay focused if you’re to finish what you have started. Pisces 21.2 - 20.3 If you have been dreaming of having a little more excitement in your life then put on your best clothes and prepare yourself for a period of pure fun and entertainment. Be it old friends turning up or new ones inviting you out, the party is on.
Mobile welder for hire anywhere on the island Contact Jason:
683 422 304
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
Pickup Point 2nd Home Tenerife C.C. Plaza del Duque
4.5.2017 – 17.5.2017
Island connections media group s.l. www.islandconnections.eu
Island Connections Online: www.islandconnections.eu
Classifieds Deadline Next Edition The deadline for edition 796, which is published on 18th May, is 16th May. 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 795
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.
Lady Golfer, 65 years old, single, hcp 28, new resident in South Tenerife, is looking for male or female partner for many relaxed rounds. Tel: 922 741 118. Body, foot reflexology, Breuss massage, manual lymph drainage. Let yourself be pampered by Simone’s hands. Economic price. Tel: 611 277 578. www. simonehands.de. 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. Simone Hands Massage: body, manual lymph drainage, foot reflexology, sports, special massage for back problems. 20 years’ experience in wellness massage. Economic price. Tel: 631 677 833. www.simonehands.de. Torviscas. Pool heater for sale. 11 kW, in full working order. Size: 22 x 68 x 36cm, ProColorOptic-2. May be seen working prior to sale. Price €950. Tel: 922 860 787 or 677 720 804.
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.
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
Come and immerse yourself in a world of sensations. Kinesiology Centre offers all kinds of massages, Tantric, therapeutic, Thai and sports massage, in respectful and warm atmosphere. Tel: 646 023 177
Spanish and English Lawyers
Conveyancing • Inheritance & Wills Family Law • Criminal Law Civil Litigation & Personal Injury Timeshare • Tax & Commercial law
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
39
LOCKSMITH Instant response, 7 days a week call out
Call 647 92 82 23
T: E:
922 719 520
tenerife@decottalaw.net
Av. de Los Pueblos, Residencial Villaflor B-20, San Eugenio
www.decottalaw.net
40
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
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 offstreet parking. Terrace, 3rd floor, lift and communal pool. One minute walk to beach and amenities. No pets. Mature couples only. €850 per month, bills included. Tel: 637 268 337.
CLASSIFIEDS bedroom apartment in Tenerife for 4-6 weeks January/ February 2017. Our property is located on the 2nd floor overlooking the sea and the city and furnished to a very high standard. There is a Wellness and Spa on resort and underground parking. We are looking for a 2/3 bedroom apartment in Tenerife in a nice complex with heated pool and 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
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062 Apartment and Villa for rent in Tenerife south. Tel: (0034) 662 507 191. Garage to rent, double width. Victoria Court 1, Los Cristianos. Close to Sunday market. Very secure lock-up. Tel: 679 919 623.
roughly 102ms, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, living room, utility room, garden, big terrace. Spectacular views of the sea and mountain, big garage with 2 spaces, 2 closed store rooms, price €180,000, mob. 686 798 367, email eoptenerife@gmail.com www.teneriffa-fincas.net
SALEs Classifieds
For sale, Bungalow 160m2 Costa Sauzal, situated front row with guaranteed spectacular sea-views, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, living room with panoramic windows, modern kitchen, dining room connected to the terrace, including a heated 4 x 8 m pool, all on same level, garage and a marvellous tropical garden with 8 0 0m 2 lands caped with various plants and lots of fruit-trees. Private sale contact: info@ simonsananes.com. Tel.: 00 34 699 444 879 For sale Apartment Tabaiba Alta For sale, only five mins away from the German school,
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.
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
4.5.2017 – 17.5.2017
Integrated Tax Planning and Wealth Management since 1975
CLASSIFIEDS | PASTIMES
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 795
41
You are invited to
922 716 079 www.blevinsfranks.com
Mundo del Mapa Classified Agent for
Sunday 10am and Wednesday 7pm
Shopping Center Salytien Av. Rafael Puig Lluvina 37 www.clifchurch.org Pastor Mark 637 321 453
Vehicles Mundo del Mapa Calle San Felipe, 12 Puerto de la Cruz
Situations Vacant / wanted
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
To advertise please call 922 75 06 09
Car needed for long-term rental 676 378 618
(For Crossword and Sudoku solution see pag 38)
Place your advert at
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.
Across
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FITNESS
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062
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cle mass. When protein is broken down in the body it helps to fuel muscle mass, which helps metabolism. It also helps the immune sys-
cise regularly, you need a bit more protein than if you’re sedentary. There are many excellent sources of it, and each has specific pros and cons.
The Myprotein brand has grown from an emerging Sports Nutrition Brand in the UK to become the Number One in Europe. They are now expanding into the USA and other continents with the simple ambition of making Myprotein the biggest sports nutrition brand in the world by 2020. Their extensive range offers a wide variety of powders, each with its own unique set of properties. Choose from whey proteins, casein, vegan blend, and many more, as well as other products such as Active women collagen and coconut supplement. Pop in and see us at GIFT the Sport in CC Fañabé Plaza for more details on the products from Myprotein. n
here and there isn’t going to cause a huge weight gain, but when I’m looking in the fridge for something to eat I will just pick at them, quite literally mindlessly. While in this particular example I will probably eat one to two servings (each being around 15 grapes), I have still consumed between 50 and 100 extra calories. Mindless eating is the food we have ‘conveniently’ forgotten we have eaten or, for some, ashamed they have binged, actually pretended it didn’t occur. Our memories aren’t good at keeping track of our true intake and our stomachs do not count calories. Sometimes we only realise we have gained weight when our clothes no longer fit as well as they used to. It isn’t always down to snacking, however. Plate sizes play a role in this too. When your plate is larger, you will generally fill it
with food. Alarmingly, this can be as much as 45 per cent more than on a smaller dish. Most people tend to eat until their plate is empty (as this was the message engrained into us as children), rather than stopping when they are full. In a similar sense one study revealed that you are more likely to self-serve up to 37 per cent more liquid (juice/wine, etc.) into a short but wider glass over a tall skinny one, regardless of the fact they both hold the same volume. These two examples give a small sense of how we consume produce without hesitation. One of the best ways to start truly being aware of the extra intake is to begin tracking your ingestion with a food diary. For more information or questions, please contact Debbie via: www.fitnesswithdebbie. n com.
For those who really want to work hard
tem stay strong. It helps you stay feeling full, as well. Protein is the most important nutrient you need to boost athletic performance. If you exer-
Enhance fitness
Have you ever randomly eaten an entire bag of crisps even when you weren’t hungry? I can guarantee the vast majority of you probably have. This type of eating is referred to as ‘mindless eating’ and, as the name suggests, you really aren’t thinking about what you are consuming at all. Mindless eating covers quite a vast spectrum. I am quite guilty of it, as well. Especially if I have something delicious to snack on like leftover chocolate mini eggs! However, mindless snacking doesn’t just preside over unhealthy food, but over all foods. For example I am the world’s worst when it comes to having a bunch of grapes in the fridge. Seemingly small and harmless, they obviously must be good for you because they’re fruit! Yes, the odd one or two
Photo: Kelli Alf / FreeImages.com
By Debbie Gilbey
All those foods we ‘conveniently forgot’ we ate come under the term ‘mindless eating
©2016 FLN
Mindless eating
4.5.2017 – 17.5.2017
43
Badminton championship
Red Cross
Running up that hill
Photo: Evdcoldeportes
The Spanish Red Cross Mountain Race of Tegueste takes place on May 21, with the charity trail raising funds for the Red Cross cleaning and laundry service in La Cuesta for low-income families and those living in poverty. This is the sixth consecutive mountain trail organised by the Red Cross for charitable causes. Organisers will also gift two raffle tickets for the event’s Gold Draw for participants in the Mountain Trail (14 kilometres) and one ticket for those who take part in the Urban Race (5.4 kilometres). The two routes will depart from the Plaza de San Marcos. The Mountain Trail sets off at 9.30am, passing through areas such as El Naciente, El Sardán, La Degollada, La Orilla, El Nieto and El Caidero; the Urban Race starts at 10am and passes through Tequeste’s historical town centre. The event is organised in collaboration with the Tegueste Borough Council and the Tenerife Athletics Federation. The mayor of Tegueste, José Manuel Molina, said: “The most important thing about these initiatives is that, thanks to local participation and collaboration, we will be able to raise money that will help many families that, at the moment, are going through economic difficulties”. You can enrol at the Red Cross centre in La Laguna or by calling: 922 259 626 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm). For further information, visit the websites: www.carrerasolidaria n cre.blog.com / www.atletismocanario.es.
Put on your running shoes
SPORTS
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 795
Adeje’s commitment to sport The Las Torres pavilion in Adeje hosted the Spanish Senior Badminton Championship from April 29 to May 1, with over 200 athletes from 26 clubs taking part. The agerange for seniors was from 30 to 75 years old, and entry to the matches was free. At a press conference before the event, the Adeje sports councillor, Adolfo Alonso, alongside the president of the Canarian Badminton Federation, Pedro Alonso Hernández, said: “This is the first time that the Canary Islands are hosting a badminton championship at this level”. “Adeje’s commitment to sport and participating sportsmen and women is a fundamental part of our annual scheduling”, said the councillor, adding that the council didn’t simply work with local athletes but also worked to bring national and international tournaments and sporting individuals to the borough, and to encourage those from Adeje in their chosen sports. The president of the Canarian Federation thanked the council for their support. He said that Adeje had been chosen due to the high standard of facilities, the excellent hotel offer near to the sports grounds, and the climate, among other reasons. Also present were the federation secretary, Angel Castillo, and a representative from the Tenerife association of parents of children with autism (Apanate), which benefitted from a series of solidarity activities during the tournament, such as the sale of commemorative T-shirts. Up and coming sports events in Adeje include the Asphalt Spanish Rally championship circuit, the ‘final four’ in the European basketball wheelchair league and the European championships in this n discipline as well.
Adeje officials were proud to host this year’s national badminton championship Adolfo Alonso (centre-left) says that Adeje’s commitment to sport is a fundamental part of annual scheduling
44
SPORTS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062
Local Rugby
Perfect Pinolere
The recent Pinolere Trail running race attracted competitors from far and wide. There were various categories to take part in and two different distances to choose from: 11km and 27km, each of them over the arduous but wonderfully green hills of the La Orotava Valley. Overall winner of the main race was Cristofer Clemente Mora from La Gomera, who finished in just two hours, 26 minutes and 31 seconds. Pictured here we have the lovely Yahaira Afonso Domínguez from Santiago del Teide who came second in the 11km Female Junior category, after Eliana Rocha González. See: www.pinoleretrail.com to catch up on more news and n sign up for next year!
Photo: Xena Fox
Ñandú gears up for National Tournament
Canarian championships
Yahaira Afonso Domínguez from Santiago del Teide came second in the Female Junior category
Ñandú won the Bronze Cup at the Spanish National Tournament last year
Saturday April 22 did not turn out as expected and a last minute change led to an impromptu day of hard training. A visiting team from the mainland had warranted the amalgamation of Club Rugby de La Laguna and The El Médano
cel the attending medics, and contact the other two teams to advise them accordingly. We would like to apologise to Adolfo Alonso Ferrera, Adeje Sport Councillor, who kindly arrived to welcome the mainland team as we were unable to advise him of the change
Ñandú’s impromptu training day in preparation for the League Final
Boatmen to create a threeteam mini tournament, and day of fun. Unfortunately, it was not to be, with the late notice (9am on the day) coming from the visiting team that there had been some major issues and they had not, in the end, travelled to Tenerife. After the initial disappointment, panic ensued, with a quick rush to cancel the catering, inform any visiting supporters (apologies to any who were missed), try to can-
of circumstances. It was a wasted visit but an effort which was much appreciated by the Ñandú boys. In true Ñandú fashion, the day was not to be lost and was quickly adapted by the trainer, Nico Corte, to take advantage of an afternoon on the top-quality pitch at T3 in La Caleta. The result was an impromptu training day in preparation for the forthcoming League Final against La Palmas de Gran Canaria and
then the subsequent return to the National Under 18s Tournament in early May. It was a gruelling session which the boys thought was worthwhile and beneficial to their team play.
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 18s Tournament in Villajoyosa and came away with the Bronze Cup, an achievement to be very proud of considering they were up against some of the best teams in mainland Spain. Well, this year they are aiming their sites higher and are going for the Silver Cup. The boys are booked to return to the tournament on May 5 and 6, this year to be held in Valladolid, and desperately need sponsorship. If you can help in any way please let us know. Any 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 the game, or can assist with sponsorship, please contact Paul on: 664 361 058. n
4.5.2017 – 17.5.2017
FOOTBALL
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 795
45
La Liga 2
Exciting finale for CD Tenerife The blanquiazules have hit something of a barren spell recently, but they still remain well-placed in the play-off zone. This is largely due to promotion rivals also dropping points and with six games remaining there is all to play for. Levante sealed their promotion last weekend and second placed Girona could well be the team to join them in next season`s top division. With the top two direct promotion places almost confirmed, it leaves the rest to scrap out for the third promotion place via the play-offs. Tenerife has three home and three away games left to play, and it is generally thought that three wins and a draw would suffice. 23/04/2017 Numancia 1 CD Tenerife 1 This was a case of very cruel luck for Tenerife, who were denied victory by an injury time goal by Numancia defender Dani Calvo. Fans had to make an early start to
Photo: CD Tenerife
By Chris Todd
CD Tenerife has hit something of a barren spell recently
catch the kick-off as the game was being shown live on Japanese TV to coincide with their prime time audience. This was due to a deal signed between the Spanish FA and TV companies to show two CD Tenerife matches as there is huge following in Japan for Tenerife player Gaku Shibasaki. With the home side still needing a few wins to guarantee their place in next season’s second division,
the early stages of the game were tense. Things livened up in the second half and a fine Suso run and cross was met by Choco Lozano to fire Tenerife into a 0-1 lead. In the final stages of the game Numancia intensified their attacks whilst Tenerife was happy to hit the home side on the break, and they almost made it 0-2 in the final minutes. However, a silly foul outside the box led to a free-
kick and the resulting cross was headed home to level the contest at 1-1 in the 92nd minute. There was hardly time to re-start the game and the referee blew for full time. 29/04/2017 UCAM Murcia 1 CD Tenerife 0 Tenerife suffered their first away defeat in four months against a Murcia side fighting to avoid relegation. The city of Murcia in Southern Spain has
something of a mixed football scene with three clubs seeking support. Historic club Real Murcia have fallen on hard times and currently play at the third level while CAP Murcia is a new football club owned by the fans, in the style of AFC Wimbledon or FC United of Manchester. UCAM Murcia is the new kid on the block (much to the resentment of the other two) and has made huge progress since it was founded in 1999. CD Tenerife travelled to Murcia without suspended midfielder Aitor Sanz and top goalscorer Amath, who was not risked due to a slight strain. Every team at this stage of the campaign suffers with players missing but Tenerife seems to have been unluckier than most, not once since Christmas have they been able to field their ideal starting 11. The match itself saw, once again, the blanquiazules concede from a set piece, Tito scoring for the home side on 20 minutes. Tenerife did enjoy some half chances and when Choco Lozano was up ended by
the Murcia keeper it looked as if a penalty would be awarded, but the referee waved play on. The new look midfield trio of Alberto, Vitolo and Gaku was simply not working. It is a bit late in the day for ‘experiments’ but the team must adjust to adverse circumstances in the run-in if they are to achieve their promotion dream. Winter signings Rachid and Tayron were brought on in the second half and the play improved but there was little threat on the Murcia goal. In the closing stages the home side were reduced to 10 men but it had little impact on the game as Murcia sat deeper and wasted time to hold on for the 1-0 victory. Next up for Tenerife is a mustwin game against play-off chasing Lugo in Santa Cruz on May 7 with a Midday kick off. A big crowd is expected with fan zones outside the stadium and plenty happening in the capital on the day. Not one to be n missed!
Footballing fun
Sizzling summer tours By Soccer Experience trips can be found at: www. matter the talent, the most nomadsfc.com.
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 mid-July 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
Walking football arrives in Tenerife Nomads Football Club is delighted to host walking football matches at our facility in Los Cristianos. We have players in their 40s, 50s, 60s and one player is almost 70 years old! If any other potential walking football stars want join the group or start a different team, please get in touch. Nomads youth teams We are always looking for new players as we believe that, no
important aspect of starting a football team together is that they are making new friends through exercise within a team sport. We would also really like some more girls to join the Monday and Friday football sessions so we can have separate younger and older groups. Children’s parties More and more families are hosting birthday parties at our football pitch. The kids run around for two hours and then enjoy cake and snacks at the end. It is a lot easier than being contained in a restaurant’s lim-
Nomads FC is organising trips to the UK and Spanish peninsula in the summer to compete against professional academy teams
ited space. If your kids would like a football birthday party, please contact us. Contact Further details on the local football can be found at: www.
nomadsfc.com. Each team has its own webpage. Alternatively, email: info@socexp. com or call/message: +34 654 200 470. Also visit our international website: www.socexp. n com.
Sponsored by: Foreign Language News & www.windowsplus.co.uk
46
GARDENING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062
Canary Island Lavender
Photo: Imc CC BY-SA 3.0 Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Stan Shebs CC BY-SA 3.0 CreativeCommons.org
Purple paradise
Lavandula canariensis is endemic to the Canary Islands
The fern-like foliage and delicate blue-violet flowers of the Canary Island lavender
Lavandula canariensis, otherwise known as Canary Island lavender, is a species that is endemic to the archipelago. Extremely tolerant of high temperatures, this pretty plant can be a great addition to any garden, needing limited care and providing a splash of colour most of the year round. It’s a tender evergreen plant with fine, fern-like foliage and delicate blue-violet flowers. A mature specimen can reach
75cm high and have a spread of 60cm, so it’s a good size for most plots. It’s also perfect for beginner gardeners or those with little time, as it’s low maintenance and tolerant of a wide range of conditions.
Going violet Being a sun-lover, Canary Island lavender is a great choice for hot mountain gardens but is also suitable for
coastal level. Its natural environment tends to be on the dry side, with rocky or poor soil, so simulating conditions similar to these is important if you want healthy growth. Excellent drainage is an absolute must, and preferably in a neutral to alkaline sandy soil. The ideal time for sowing from fresh seed is late summer or autumn, though early spring will also suffice. Once they are ready, plant seedlings between
45cm and 60cm apart if positioning several specimens together. Alternatively, you can grow in large containers (lavender has long, deep roots), just make sure you provide plenty of that all-important drainage. Feed weekly throughout the growing season, using a highnitrogen organic feed, such as seaweed, if possible. Water well throughout summer, but reduce during winter, as one thing lavender will
not tolerate is a constantly wet soil: the roots will quickly rot and the damp will encourage fungal infections. If your plant begins to wilt and display yellowing of the leaves, this could be a sign that you are over doing it. Other than that, all they should need is a tidying prune after the main flowering season is over.
Medicinal uses Lavandula canariensis has long been used in traditional medicine around the Canary Islands and is well known for its healing properties. It is said to reduce
fevers, get rid of parasites, treat digestive problems, and be an effective skin disinfectant. It is also a relaxant, can help with muscle pain, and is an antiinflammatory. It can also be useful for calming insect bites and stings and has even been used to help cure insomnia and depression. It also makes a wonderful air freshener. Simply dry flowering stems by laying them out on open trays or hanging small bunches upside down in a dark, airy room. Place around the house in vases for a wonderful display, mix into potpourri, or n sew into mini cushions.
PROPERTY PROPERTy guide
062
Homes and properties for sale in the Canaries
Paradise property
Loving the location
Los Cristianos Starting south, you’ll find Los Cristianos, which began its life centuries ago as a tiny fishing village. Nowadays a bustling town, the harbour is a ferry port, the beach has been remodelled and had a further one, Playa de Las Vistas, added
Playa Paraíso is an up and coming area
Photo: Wusel007 GNU FDL
Experts agree that one of the most important aspects of buying a property is always its location. It isn’t just about finding the house of your dreams: you also need to ensure the area has all the amenities you wish for and suits your requirements. Luckily, in the south of Tenerife there are various residential areas to choose from, each with their own distinct characteristics and benefits. As the south is a tourist zone, all have an abundance of restaurants and leisure activities to choose from, and one thing they all have in common is the uninterrupted Atlantic Ocean backdrop - so many properties in the area have incredible views. Here we’ll have a look at some of the most popular towns.
to it. Los Cristianos has never quite lost its original charm, however, and has a pleasant and relaxed feel to it. It is the second most popular destination in the world for visitors with disabilities, one of the reasons being the beautiful seafront promenade that joins with Las Américas.
Playa de Las Américas This is a more recent town, having been developed from the 1960s onwards. Though
some of the original growth was a little uncontrolled, construction over the last couple of decades has been well thought out, with wide, palm tree-lined avenues and tasteful buildings. Property sales mirror the diversity of these two towns’ populations: choose between villas, golf properties, town houses, and apartments.
Torviscas and San Eugenio Located next to each other on the edge of Las Américas, each
of these towns has a coastal area and a section that sits in the foot hills of the Adeje Mountains. The coast is busier, whilst the upper regions have more of a village feel to them and are predominantly residential.
Playa del Duque This is one of the most luxurious and exclusive zones of the south. The area has many top hotels and, tellingly, is home to the Plaza del Duque
Commercial Centre. There is a high percentage of top of the range, luxury homes on offer in the area, thanks to various exclusive housing projects over the last 10 years or so.
Playa Paraíso Continuing along the coast, recent times have seen the addition of a number of upmarket hotels and residential complexes to this peaceful area. The seafront is also
improved and the Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife is a great attraction.
Callao Salvaje Callao Salvaje is also an up and coming area, which now has the benefit of the wonderful Playa de Ajabo beach and gardens. Property wise, you can choose from frontline apartments built right by the sea, as well as apartments, town houses and luxn ury villas.
PROPERTY GUIDE
48
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062
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
€200.000
€ 55, 000
RARE OPPORTUNITY: Busy Café / Bar Leasehold • • • • •
TRASPASO
Fully fitted bar and kitchen, new equipment throughout Captive audience on secluded complex in Golf del Sur Fantastic reputation with consistent flow of customers Residents, loyal time-share customers & annual holiday makers Est. 2006, trading under the same name +10 yrs • Trip Advisor ‘Cert. of Excellence’ 2015 & 2016 • Generous turnover, well maintained accounts
C
REALESTATE
+34 676 378 618 | icrealestate@icmedia.eu | Tenerife
SOL D
Studio apartment in Parque Tropical
• Marvelous partial sea views from the balcony and overlooking the pool area. • Fully furniture in perfect condition. • Price for the studio 145.000€. The garage is offered for 27.500€.
C
REALESTATE
Official Bc Opening Licence
+34 676 378 618 | icrealestate@icmedia.eu | Tenerife
€ 145, 000
Parque Tropical studio apartment
4.5.2017 – 17.5.2017
PROPERTY GUIDE
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 795
49
www.tenerifepropertyshop.com info@tenerifeproperyshop.com • Skype: tenerife_property_shop A Golfers dream! AMG00414
Just a short putt from the edge of the fairway, you really couldnt get much closer to the golf course. This one bedroom duplex apartment has two sunny terraces with outstanding views towards both the marina and mountains. Set in the heart of Amarilla golf with restaurants and shops just a short stroll away and pool on site. A stunning location and must view property!
Pebble Beach - Amarilla Golf
€129.000
£112,173 approx.
Spacious with fantastic sunsets!
Balcón de Los Gigantes - Puerto Santiago
OUT01059 Located in the coastal tourist town of Puerto Santiago on the West coast, very close to Los Gigantes. Spacious and modern 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a fully equipped kitchen including all modern appliances, a light and bright lounge, 2 double bedrooms, a full bathroom and shower room as well. The complex is fresh, clean with a lovely pool area. Sunny terrace with fantastic sunsets.
€195.000
£169,565 approx.
Playa Graciosa -Los Cristianos
EXCLUSIVE! GOLF01384
Spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a separate kitchen and utility room. The lounge leads on to the terrace and the master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom. The complex has an on-site restaurant, bar and bistro and is within walking distance to the San Miguel Marina and San Blas Commercial Centre.
Winter Gardens - Golf del Sur
€159.500
£138,695 approx.
3 bedroom townhouse OUT01089
3 bedroom townhouse, corner position located close to Adeje town. 4 levels including a private garage on the ground floor. On the 1stfloor is a spacious lounge, independent kitchen with dining area and rear patio and there is also a guest WC and shower. Upstairs you will find 3 bedrooms (with small balconies overlooking the lovely pool and gardens) and a full bathroom. On the upper level is a utility area and an additional converted attic space which could be used as a 4th bedroom area, plus a private solarium terrace.
Jardín Botánico - Adeje
€239.000
£207,826 approx.t
Playa San Juan Highly recommend a viewing!
Penthouse apartment with excellent views over Los Cristianos! LC00541
OUT01041
Beautifully presented 3 bedroom penthouse with excellent views! Bright and spacious lounge with dining area, leads onto a large terrace, independent fully fitted kitchen with breakfast area, master bedroom with ensuite and 2 other double bedrooms & further guest bathroom. On the upper level is a great usable area which can accommodate a sofa bed for guests or can be used as an office. From here you access a large roof terrace which is private and enjoys all day sun. Plus a storeroom and lock up garage.
Immaculately presented 2 bedroom detached villa is as close to the ocean as you will find. Fitted kitchen with walk-in larder, light and spacious lounge with dining area. 2 double bedrooms (the master has ensuite bathroom), guest bathroom with walk-in shower. The terrace and heated pool can be accessed from the lounge as well as both bedrooms. 31m2 basement. Parking is private behind your own entrance gate.
€475.000 £413,043 approx.
€699.500 £608,260 approx.
Las Americas: Puerto Colon Marina, Local 117 / Golf del Sur: Las Adelfas I, Local 83 & CC San Blas 14, Local B
Tel: +34 922 714 700 / +34 922 715 064
PROPERTY GUIDE
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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 m ) 2
Price 450,000 € (1,342,28 € per m ) 2
& 693 577 101
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062
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
4.5.2017 – 17.5.2017
PROPERTY GUIDE
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 795
51
PaulRuane Tenerife Property Specialists
If you are looking for a property on the
South-west coast, we are your
property experts
C/ Flor de Pascua, 43. Los Gigantes Tel: (+34) 922 861 313 · (+34) 922 862 233 · (+34) 607 371 666 · (+34) 647 943 721
www.tenerifepropertysales.com · info@tenerifepropertysales.com
SOL D
€ 580 ,000
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PROPERTY GUIDE
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062
4.5.2017 – 17.5.2017
PROPERTY GUIDE
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 795
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639 906 998 / 922 867 019 FOR SALE €945,000
VILLA IN EXCLUSIVE AREA ABOVE LOS GIGANTES PROPERTY DETAILS Reference: 00235 Bedrooms: 2 Bedrooms Property Type: Villa Status: Used Province: Tenerife Santiago del Teide Acantilados de los Gigantes Internal Area: 191 m² Land area: 539.32 m² Year of construction: 1999 Condo price: €1,021 Municipal Property Tax: €747
PROPERTY DESCRIPTION Exclusive location Private double garage 2 Separate wc rooms High quality property, fully furnished Pleasant office American style kitchen in top contition Covered summer kitchen All on one floor without steps Big built-in wardrobes
Filter system for drinkwater Well · Double glazing Heated pool Year of construction 1999 Panoramic sea view Very quiet location Spacious winter garden Private plot Very large storage rooms Walk-in closet Situated in an elevated position, on a quiet residential road not far from the tourist places.
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
EL MARQUÉS PALACE LOS GIGANTES
Perfect investment. Close to the beach. Large communal pool. Close to everything, restaurants, supermarkets. 1 Living room.
FOR SALE £129,000
1 open kitchen - fully equipped. 1 bedroom. 1 bathroom with shower. Living area 53 m2. Terrace of 27 m2
FRONTLINE PROPERTY WITH BEAUTIFUL SEA VIEW. LOS GIGANTES
Frontline apartment. Living space: 62 m². Terrace area 1: 16 m². Terrace area 2: 15 m². Date of construction: 1985. Bedrooms: 1. Bathrooms: 1. Guest toilets: 1. Floors: 1. Heated
FOR SALE £200,000
pool. Automatic shutters. Sea and cliff view. Frontline. 2 Terraces. 2 Store-rooms. Complete redistribution of the inside layout. Parking. Fully furnished. Kitchen: american.
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
TOP FLOOR DUPLEX WITH SEA VIEW. LOS GIGANTES
Top floor duplex apartment. Living space: 91,3 m². Terrace area: 16,3 m² Terrace 2: 6,5 m². Date of construction: 1983. Bedrooms: 2 1/2. Bathrooms: 3. Floors: 2.
FOR SALE £235,000
Community pool. Lot of light. Sun all day. Panoramic sea view. Very quiet and private position. Fully furnished. Kitchen: american
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PROPERTY GUIDE
FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062
4.5.2017 – 17.5.2017
ISLAND CONNECTIONS 795
PROPERTY GUIDE
APARTMENT IN ADEJE Cozy apartment in Adeje, practically new, in c/ Castillo, on 2nd floor with elevator, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, fitted american kitchen with all appliances, 3 built-in wardrobes, living room, 2 balconies, 2 storerooms , Private garage in outside area, highlight this floor its luminosity and good ventilation, due to its 2 balconies, and it has views of the sea and the mountains
€142,000 PENTHOUSE IN PARQUE LA REINA Few minutes from Los Cristianos and tenerife south airport. 78 sqm, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, large private terrace, parking place, storage room, pool com
€150,000
HOUSE IN LAS MARETAS Beautiful and independent house in Las Maretas, small and quiet town on the coast, one of the best places to live in Arico with 5 bedrooms, 2 kitchens, 2 toilets, big terrace and garage for 2 cars.
€230,000
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062