Part of the Canary Islands, in the Atlantic ocean, Las Palmas is the capital city of Gran Canaria and co-capital of the autonomous province of the islands. The aboriginal tribes inhabiting the islands were conquered in the 15th century by the Castillian troops who founded the city. Christopher Columbus made a stop in in the Canary Islands on his way to discover America. Actually, there is still Casa Colon, in Las Palmas, open to the curious tourists.
Two hundred kilometres from the coasts of Africa, Las Palmas is still a very cosmopolitan but European city. A great place for trade, Las Palmas permanently attracts thousands of tourists every year, most of them eager to take advantage the popular sunny beaches. However, it’s worth making the effort of visiting the main Museum in Las Palmas, Museo Canario that prides with the most comprehensive collection of Cro-Magnon skulls in the world and several mummies.
So, maybe you’re just on a tourist guide, yet you have the chance to learn a few more things on the evolution of mankind. Museo Canario also provides a detailed overview of the first inhabitants of the island, who were the fair-haired, light-skinned Guacho people. Then, you may move on to Pueblo Canario, a daring sight with a great perspective. It was the project meant to idealize the image of a traditional village in the Canary Islands.
This Pueblo Village consists of a building-surrounded square where various live shows of traditional folk music and dances are organized on Sunday mornings. The Pueblo also houses the Nestor Museum where you may admire modernist paintings belonging to Nestor Martin Fernandez de la Torre, who also conceived and designed the Village. Like all respectable “establishment” there is a local bar serving traditional food and drink.
Do you like reptiles? Or are you at least curious to see some very unique ones? Well, there is Reptilandia, a very nice tourist sight, that sends you off the beaten track, but it is worth the effort. Situated to the northwest of the island, it is the home of an impressive collection of tortoises, snakes, lizards and turtles. There is the well-known Komodo Dragon, that is said to be the largest reptile in the world. Tourists may also see various species of spiders and monkeys as well.
Now, let’s see what fun is out there for you. You may choose from golf playing, camel riding, safaris, boating, fishing and some others that are for you to discover. You may very well take golf courses, as Gran Canaria housed the Spanish Open in 2002, and it is very well-reputed for its classes. Check with the local golf clubs to check what your options are and see if you want to try the sport of business men.
A ride on the back of the camel is one very exotic pastime in the Canary Islands. There are the Maspalomas Dunes that you can cross in half an hour on the back of a camel, and, trust me, this will make one experience to remember. If you don’t want to ride alone on the camel, there is room for two people on its back, plus these animals are highly docile and go side by side, close to each other. So you’ll be together with your friends on the back of the camels.