Saturday 4th February - A City Break

D wakes up in much better shape and we quickly resolve to implement yesterday's plan to visit Las Palmas. We note the proviso that many attractions and eateries in the city close at 2 p.m. los Sabados (Saturdays) but are confident that we can work around this. Today is sunny but noticeably less breezy as we stroll down to the bus stop.

The bus network here appears to be very efficient and well patronised. The vehicles are modern, air conditioned with decent leg room and a USB socket for every seat. There are display screens inside that provide information about upcoming stops and how to give blood.

Our ride can be divided into two sections. Firstly a crawl around Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles with stops every hundred yards and queues of elderly non Spanish tourists who clearly had done no research into how Guaguas work in this part of the world. Our driver is a very patient man who doesn't even run them down when, after seeking his advice, but then not patronising his bus, they step out into the road in front as we are leaving the stop. They weren't all Brits. Once out of the built up area and onto the motorway he changed into lead boots and off we went. Not as vertiginous as Himachal Pradesh or Madeira but very close on excitement.

Our plan is to take a look at Vegueta, the most historic part of the city. The bus stops quite close to the market and we decide to alight there. The streets are quite picturesque but the market is no nonsense commerce. Some stalls have notices suggesting that if you don't buy you aren't welcome to take photos. D is in a conciliatory frame of mind and only takes pictures where there are no notices. After our bus ride we are ready for a coffee and at the third attempt find a place with a free table.

 The coffee is served in glasses and quite fierce, requiring a modest sprinkle of sugar. Costa Rica may have spoiled us when it comes to coffee. The spot we are in describes itself as a Churreria and El Jefe (the boss) seems a bit disappointed that we don't wish to indulge in sickly sweet strips of dough. We have seen what they have done to the bloke sitting over R's shoulder.

After refreshment we wander the streets where there are some lovely buildings with fabulous wooden balconies. The main feature of this part of the city is the cathedral, which is impressive but quite difficult to get a decent picture of. A few steps down the street is a bar that R takes a shine to. We aren't driving so a beverage seems in order.

Shortly after this it gets busy. We remember that places close early today and step out to find Lonely Planet's recommended street food market. When we get there it is not open. We mooch around looking for something else and eventually find a Turkish place called Amal. We both like Middle Eastern food so we go for it. R thinks the falafel are the best that she has ever had, the filo pastry samosa thingies with the piquant  sauce, are divine and the hummus is brilliant.

It's  not often that we post a two photo lunch so next time you are in Las Palmas seek this place out. We amble back to the Estacion de Guaguas and have only a short wait for our bus. The ride home is a bit pedestrian but life cannot be continuous excitement. Home in time for a bit of Duolingo, the football results and a very nice prawn and rice supper. 

In case you were wondering the research project sampled the Saturday beer tonight. 

Verdict : Adequate but not exciting *** (out of five)