Playa de las Canteras and Playa del Inglés, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain

As promised here's are some beach photos from Gran Canaria. The first one, is from a beach in the south of the island called Playa del Inglés very near to Maspalonas (see more here).
The second one, is from from a beach on the north-east side of the city of Las Palmas (the capital of the island) called Playa de las Canteras.
Personally, I liked better the Playa del Inglés - more natural and beautiful - but rest assure that the Playa de las Canteras it's also a very nice option - since it is in the city has the advantage that you'll have no trouble finding hotel, restaurants, bars and shops.

Arucas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain

Arucas is nice small little town in the north of Gran Canaria which has several buildings distinguishably marked by the Gothic architecture - just a few kilometers away of the capital Las Palmas, Arucas it's definitely a must go place.
In the photo above is the finest example of the Gothic period in all of the island - the town's landmark - the church of Saint John the Baptist (in Spanish, la iglesia de San Juan Bautista) which the townsfolk usually call the Aruca's cathedral (in Spanish, la Catedral de Arucas).
The Gothic style of the church marks the city so much that even bars are named after it... ;)

Ingenio, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain

Also in the eastern side of Grand Canaria and very near to Agüimes is the small town of Ingenio. The city is very pleasant and it's historical center is very worthy of a visit.
Above a photo of the main plaza - La Plaza de la Candelaria - place where you can find the church with the same name - La Iglesia de la Candelaria.

Agüimes, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain

Other must see place in Gran Canaria is the small city of Agüimes. Built next to the mountains, on the eastern side of the island the city architecture's rapidly transports you to 1491 - the year of the town's foundation.
The narrow streets with the colorful houses made out and decorated with large rectangular stones (see photo above) are the trademark of the village. Don't miss it - this city is a unique place to be visited.

Puerto de Mogan, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain

Changing the scenery (after these last five posts dedicated to Brazil) it's back to the Canary Islands, more precisely to Puerto de Mogan in Gran Canaria - which is a little village just a few kilometers south of the city with the same name.
Both the road to get there and the view you have along the way are stunning. For about five kilometers you drive in a small road just beside the ocean, only way above it's level and when it ends... The view (photo above) - speaks for itself...
After this you start your descend from the elevated road and you enter the village driving along one it's channels (photo above), not Venice, but still a nice picture. One mention to the restaurants you'll find here - for those who like seafood - there are several good places to lunch.
Finally the puerto (spanish for harbor) itself, is a mixture of old and new, where side by side with a marina filled with state of the art boats, are the old port's facilities. One final note to an excursion they have there to see the bottom of the ocean - didn't had time to try it but seemed nice and the yellow sub was superb! ;)

Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain

Today, lets leave Tenerife and head on to the also spectacular Gran Canaria island, more precisely, to the area of Maspalomas. With it's dunes complex that goes on and on for at least 12 kilometers the area is fantastic. By the way, the best beach on the island (I'll return later with that theme) it's also there but for now, lets start with the dunes and admire the natural beauty of that place...
Above a photo that can give you an idea of what they look like - I would say that, apart the vegetation and excluding the fact that in a sunny day one can see a village on the other side (Playa del Inglés, to the left in the photo), one can almost feel like being in the middle of the Sahara Desert...
Just along the dunes, is a Natural Reserve called Dunas de Maspalomas - a must see place where you'll find a shallow water lagoon used by many, many birds to build their nests. The lake itself is called La Charca and the friends you can see in the photo above are just a few of the unbelievable variety you'll find there...