Gran Canaria 2024, based in Amadores, part three.

 

PART THREE -

EXPLORING THE INTERIOR.

To go to this island (and many others) and just lie on a beach is a travesty! The interior is so starkly beautiful and has so much history, you really MUST go and explore.

The roads are in pretty good condition, but being old roads, they are quite winding. I imagine they could be a little intimidating to some people, but me? I LOVE driving them!

There are many examples of cave house on the island, some very basic, some look quite luxurious.

One of the villages we passed through was Molino de Viento. Viento suggests windy, and there's the remains of a windmill here. I have read you can go in it, when it's open, but it was closed up when we were there.

These coloured rocks were something 

I remembered from our first visit to the island back in 2018. I really wanted to see them again, and here they were.

Google says; 

The spectacular jade green outcrops and ochre and reddish tones laid bare by erosion are the result of the explosive meeting between fire and water as the island was formed. The canvas is provided by the walls of the westerly cliffs on the Inagua massif.

You can park nearby and walk up to the rocks.

'The long and winding road' - looking back from above some of the hairpin bands we'd negotiated.

Another thing I remembered was a little shack at the roadside that did drinks, fruits and snacks. We decided to try a smoothie, and it was delicious! The seating on the patio overlooks the stunning landscape.

They even sell prickly pears (minus the spikes). I've never tasted one, but I suppose I should? It's just, they are EVERYWHERE up here, and if they tasted that good, they would be picked and sold en masse!

We set off again, making our way towards our first real goal - the Mirador del Balcon. This place is really breathtaking. The story too is of brave shepherds, who would risk their lives clambering along these cliffs to collect a special lichen used for dye. 

In other words, they were prepared to die for dye 😀

This is looking south from the Mirador.

The mirador is on the west coast, reached by a long, winding road. As you can see though, it's well worth the diversion!

This is looking north.

They've built a 'walk of faith' platform recently. Those of faint heart wouldn't like this - but we were STRAIGHT onto it!

The sweep view from the mirador, down to the sea. These cliffs would be the place the fishermen looked for the lichen.

After we set off from the Mirador to make our way to Roque Nublo, we found the remains of another windmill, unfortunately it's nothing more than a toilet, judging by the smell!

Great views down the valley to one of the reservoirs up here in the hills, looking worryingly low just now.

Next stop on our way to Roque Nublo was the small but perfect village of Tejeda. We hadn't really planned to stop here, but fancied a coffee and a comfort break.

That's quite a precisely cut metal sign.

Our first stop was the cemetery. It was a beautiful and peaceful place.

Then we noticed these. We're told this is a regular thing on the islands, but had never seen it before. Cement structures where the remains of the deceased are placed. The 'hole' is then sealed with a plate. Despite looking, I couldn't find much information on this sort of cemetery. A guy told us that the relatives of the deceased can either pay a lump sum, or pay monthly, but if they default, the remains are removed!!! 

I don't know if this grisly fact is true - but it makes a good story :-)

The main street (if that's what you can call it) of Tejeda is just too perfect for words! It's pretty, flowery, and has just the BEST views and architecture

We love bottle brush plants, and they abound here.

A great place, if you're not wanting sea with your holiday.

Strangely though, we thought about eating here, but almost all the restaurants and bars seemed to close at five o'clock?

We found the only cafe that was open, but the only fare on offer was sweet stuff - LOADS of cakes and pastries, but nothing savoury?? We decided on just a coffee, which was surprisingly good, and to my surprise, only cost €1:20!

All around, views to die for!

Roque Nublo and Bentyga.

Looking out from the balcony of Tejeda village.

Bentyga - lording it over the surroundings.

Bentyga is a very holy place to the original peoples of Gran Canaria.

They would take the remains of dead leaders up to the rock and place them in the volcanic bubble holes on the sheer face of the rock. I wonder, is this where the idea of the cemetery in Tejeda comes from?

Our goal - Roque Nublo, from where Gran Canaria is supposed to have been born. Lava spewed from that stack, and formed the land mass we know today.

Peeping out of the clouds - Mount Teide on Tenerife.

Time was moving on, and we had a long way to go to get back, so we decided to delay visiting Roque Nublo.

Watch this space.

Click HERE for next part.