Bob S
European
Rainbow Bear
Posts: 2,052
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Post by Bob S on Dec 16, 2012 19:58:52 GMT -7
Jaga and Kai The Canary Islands are those islands off the coast of Africa and owned by Spain. These islands are not named for a bird but for a dog, the "Canary" Columbus began his journey of discovery in Spain itself but it is from these islands that he set sail across the Atlantic Ocean. Even today these islands are used as a stopping over place for yachters before they make there trips across the Atlantic. These islands also have one of the largest telescopic arrays for European and world-wide observers.
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Post by Jaga on Dec 17, 2012 0:45:13 GMT -7
Canary Islands are famous tourist destination, but I was never there yet! Bob, have you been there? Your wife is Spanish, yes?
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Bob S
European
Rainbow Bear
Posts: 2,052
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Post by Bob S on Dec 17, 2012 5:50:17 GMT -7
Canary Islands are famous tourist destination, but I was never there yet! Bob, have you been there? Your wife is Spanish, yes? Yes, my wife iws Spanish and she is from Malaga, Spain, No, I have never visited the Canary Islands yet. I have visited the Balearic Islands and these are another Good place to visit. The people here have their own ancient language but Spanish is the common language used. In ancient days ,the people of these islands provided "Slingers" to the Roman Army. This is a very good vacation spot because of the Beaches and Night Clubs in abundence. The people here are very nice and very hospitable. The people of mainland Spain Use Palma de Mallorca for their vacations. My advice as always, try to avoid the tourist areas as much as possible, visit the WHOLE island. One great tip I have is: where ever you are in Spain, refer to yourself as a "Travelar" and not as a "Tourist". The connotation of "Travelar" raises you to a very high status and may lead to more 'considerations".
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Post by pieter on Dec 17, 2012 15:24:03 GMT -7
Canary Islands are famous tourist destination, but I was never there yet! Bob, have you been there? Your wife is Spanish, yes? Yes, my wife iws Spanish and she is from Malaga, Spain, No, I have never visited the Canary Islands yet. I have visited the Balearic Islands and these are another Good place to visit. The people here have their own ancient language but Spanish is the common language used. In ancient days ,the people of these islands provided "Slingers" to the Roman Army. This is a very good vacation spot because of the Beaches and Night Clubs in abundence. The people here are very nice and very hospitable. The people of mainland Spain Use Palma de Mallorca for their vacations. My advice as always, try to avoid the tourist areas as much as possible, visit the WHOLE island. One great tip I have is: where ever you are in Spain, refer to yourself as a "Travelar" and not as a "Tourist". The connotation of "Travelar" raises you to a very high status and may lead to more 'considerations". I have been to the wonderful Island La Gomea Bob. We stayed one night on Tenerife before we travelled further to La Gomera. Your advise to "My advice as always, try to avoid the tourist areas as much as possible, visit the WHOLE island." also counts for Tenerife. Our hotel was in the worst kind of mass tourism area's, with a lot of Londoners from the Eastend and other Brits, and masses of other Western-European tourists. Not best kind of people to say it mildly. If you want some sleep, relaxation and a quiet and wonderful time avoind those crowded places on the Spanish (mass) tourist islands. La Gomera, La Palma and other smaller Islands attract probably less tourists (mass tourism). Having a Spanish wife, you probably know where to go and avoid the masses. She or her family will know the authentic spots. I prefer area's which aren't touristic at all when I visit a foreign country. Haven't been to Spain (mainland) or Portugal (mainland) yet, have been to the Portugese Island São Miguel and the Spanish island I mentioned (La Gomera). I am very curious for Portugal and Spain. Love their climate, culture, food and culture. (Their way of living). Barcelona, Madrid, Sevilla, Lisbon, Porto and etc. Cheers, Pieter * São Miguel has a very little population and no mass tourism (back then in 2008), but in the same time had the luxery of touristic fascilitations. Nice hotels with swimming pools and good restaurants with fine Portugese food, exellent Portugese wine and very nice service (waitresses)
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Post by pieter on Dec 17, 2012 16:02:20 GMT -7
I loved La Gomera, it is a Green Island with no mass tourism like Tenerife and only nature lovers, quiet Germans (most tourists are German), spiritual types (Yoga, Reiki, Meditation), hippies (I did not know they stil existed until I came on La Gomera), and nice people from verious nationalities. I loved the Fish restaurant in Valle Gran Rey, and the "Arab stile bar and restaurant there", the little village street with a local Portugese supermarket (exellent food, exellent products, good wine, beer and everything you needed), special baker, and nice restaurants and bars further along the cost (both La Gomerese -Spanish- and German). If you have the good German tourists, they are better to bare than the British, Dutch and Swedish masses who are loud, arrogant, drunk, agressive and annoying. For some Dutch tourists like me it is a necessity to avoid masses of y own country. Nature loving, respectful, well mannered, good tourists of every country are okay, but some (Dutch, British, Swedish and the German Ballerman) tourists can spoil you holiday. Dutch mass tourism (this is what I like to avoid. I can go out in the Netherlands) www.youtube.com/user/gogojongerenreizen?v=rdbqO1_m9XUCheers, Pieter P.S.- Those Brits and Dutch come with plane loads and busloads, already drunk in their planes, because they have low budget flights.
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Bob S
European
Rainbow Bear
Posts: 2,052
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Post by Bob S on Dec 18, 2012 8:38:54 GMT -7
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Post by pieter on Dec 18, 2012 12:00:21 GMT -7
We agree! Most Dutch decent people I know avoid compatriots like that abroad. They are are interested in the culture, people and local/regional customs of the people they visit in those countries. Your advice counts in this case. Stay out of Mass tourist zones. These area's show nothing authentic of the Spanish culture in the case of Spain. I think the decent and respectful visitors are "Travelars". I am a "Travelar", because I always enjoy the local culture, cuisine, and just try to melt into the local population of little villages, nice towns or costal area's. I really loved La Gomera and the Azores. Cheers, Pieter
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