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Gran Canaria
THE ISLAND’S STUNNING
INTERIOR IS AS MUCH OF A
DRAW AS ITS SANDY BEACHES
before he returned it to the reservoir – much
to the bewilderment of locals, who are used to
catching edible sea life and are amazed at Carp
Gran Canaria’s catch-and-release philosophy.
Though locals would never think of eating carp,
David points out that it is eaten in eastern Europe.
Would he ever tuck in, I ask? David pulls a
mock-offended face and replies: “I couldn’t!
That would be like eating family.”
All the alarms keep turning out to be false
and our family falls into the unfortunate 25 per
cent bracket who don’t catch a thing. But the
luck of the Irish seems to be on our companion
Dave’s side, who nets a pair of 11.34kg mirror
carps, named after their shimmering scales.
Dani and Alex are thrilled to get their hands
on one – though it takes both their efforts to lift
it – fascinated by the whiskers which resemble a
Fu Manchu moustache.
As the sun starts set on our day’s adventures,
we make our way back to our hotel to continue our
family holiday, but not before stopping off in the
whitewashed village of Santa Lucía de Tirajana,
where I’m encouraged to try the local boozy
70 THOMAS COOK TRAVEL
GO
Thomas Cook flies to Gran Canaria
year-round from select UK airports.
For more information, visit your
local Thomas Cook store, call +44 (0)
844 412 5966 to visit thomascook.
com. For hassle-free travel to
Gatwick, visit gatwickexpress.
beverage, a brew going by the name of mejunje.
A potent mix of white rum, honey, brown sugar,
lemon, lemongrass, cinnamon and coffee, this is
the sort of cocktail that my old student union bar
used to specialise in. It’s more quaffable than it
sounds, though. An acquired taste, you might say.
A bit like carp fishing. Once you fall for it, you fall
hook, line, and sinker.
Be there … Thomas Cook offers a one-day
fishing excursion to Presa de Chira with Carp
Gran Canaria, including a two-rod set-up
and bait, plus transport to the reservoir, a
light lunch and soft drinks. Speak to your
representative to find out more.
STAY
If you’re travelling without kids and
want an adults-only affair, try the
Iberostar Costa Canaria (thomascook.
com). Set in beautifully manicured
gardens, it boasts a Thai Zen spa,
two large swimming pools and live
music and dancing six nights a week.
4places
for family
fun on the island
join the club
For a sophisticated family day out,
why not head to the Amadores
Beach Club (Playa de Amadores,
Mogán, amadoresbeachclub)?
It’s perfect for poolside posers
in training, with a special kids’
pool and playground, as well as
a children’s menu in its gourmet
restaurant – posh hot dogs, anyone?
splash out
Make a splash at Aqualand
Maspalomas (Ctra. Palmitos Park,
KM 3, aqualand.es), a 10-minute
drive from the resort of the same
name. While the kids try swimming
with sea lions, you can test your
nerve against the twists and turns
of the Anaconda slide.
birds of a feather
See pretty birds at Palmitos Park
(Barranco de Los Palmitos S/N,
palmitospark.es). This aviary
spreads over 20 hectares and
features shows from feathered
friends like parrots. A two-park
ticket allows you to visit nearby
sister park Aqualand Maspalomas.
giddy up
Explore the Wild West at Sioux City
(Barranco de Aguila S/N, siouxcity.
es), a short drive from the resort
of San Agustín. Take a ride on
horseback or sit back and enjoy
one of the shows that recreate
bank hold-ups and shoot-outs.
KNOW THIS
The lake fishes well year-round due
to the island’s fantastic climate,
so don’t let going in the winter
months (December to March) put you
off. David tells us that a German
couple caught 15 carp in just two
and half hours in March this year.