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Mogan years ago

Some pictures of Mogan,Gran Canaria taken about 50 years ago.Playa Mogan has since been transformed to an up-market resort attracting tourists from all around the world.The area is still improving and is a popular place for people to live and work.Much building has been carried out since the days of the photographs and this continues today.

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Maspalomas 1965

The first construction project in Maspalomas in 1965.The lighthouse is still the same today but not much else.Maspalomas is now a very busy holiday resort.

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LOS NARANJOS HOUSES PLAYA MOGAN VALLEY

What trying times these are right now with the recesion!!

I am just so glad i live where i do today, In the valley of Mogan, just 3 kilometres up from the beach of Playa Mogan,

in the valley of mogan in the countryside, so quiet amongst  the fruit fincas.

Really is what i call a chilling out place in the sun.

Lovely in the mornings listening to the birds twittering, and getting about doing the gardening seeing to the fruit and veg that i grow here.

Visiting the garden centre to see what they have new come in, all sorts of exotic fruit trees and plants.

Still it is still affordable for people to have a holiday where i am.

There are 8 x3 bedroom brand new houses LOS NARANJOS HOUSES , just up from the garden centre in El Cercado 3 kilometers from Playa Mogan beach.

That are up for holiday lets at only 42 euros per night for 6 persons, thats only 7 euros per night per person. (300 euros per week per house ) no matter how many are staying in it( up to six and baby on top).( That price is until the end of september this yea 2009 ). Totaly equipped with everything dishwasher, washing machine, full size ovens and 4 ring halogen hob. All cooking utensils pots and pans, fridge freezer, even a hairdryer, washing line pegs, iron ironing board. Just like a home from home. Tv, music centre , dvd even. Babys cot, and all babys bedding including baby highchair provided as well if needed. All bedding and towels also included.

All for anyone who would like to live amongst the local folkes and try THE REAL LIFE here in the countryside  yet within walking distance of the beach, at Playa Mogan.There is localy an Authentic canarian garden restuarant, and also a local fruit and veg warehouse where you can purchase the LOCALY GROWN FRUIT AND VEG AND LOCAL FREE RANGE EGGS. Until you have tasted one of these eggs believe me you have never lived.

Anyone else who wants to holiday right near to the Beach. PLAYA MOGAN (LITTLE VENICE)

There is a little complex of only 5 units complete with swimming pool, 100 yards from Playa Mogan Beach Also totaly fully equipped the same as the los Naranjos houses in the valley above.

OASIS APARTMENTS, on Calle La Puntilla ,Consists of  1x 3 bed house sleeping 6, baby on top in cot. 1x 1 bed apartment and 2 x2 bed apartments. In the 2 bed apartments one of the bedrooms has its own en suite bathroom, separately from the main bathroom. All have two terraces to each of them.

The one bed is only 39 euros per night for two people. 275 euros per week for the apartment.

OASIS APARTMENTS PLAYA MOGAN

The two bed is only 48 euros per night  for 4 people   340 euros per week for the apartment

The 3 bed house  only 57 euros per night for 6 people.  405 euros per week for the house.

Babys   cot and baby bedding and high chair provided Free.

Babies using a cot provided can be in addition to the total persons for each apartment above at no extra charge.

Above prices are until 30th September 2009.

There is only one airport in Gran canaria so sometimes it is difficult getting flights to suit the apartment booking dates you have chosen..

Some people take flights to Madrid and then a flight from there to Gran canaria.

THERE IS ANOTHER FAR CHEAPER WAY of coming here if you have problems getting your exact dates for flying here.

Tenerife has two airports and there are very many more available flights from everywhere to Tenerife than there is to Gran Canaria, and many flights are cheaper to Tenerife as well, you can island hop like that quite easily,  taking the local airline flight from Tenerife to Gran Canaria.

If you live here in Gran canaria and travel home to your roots you soon learn the easiest cheapest ways of getting to and from Gran Canaria,

Most ex pats here fly first to Tenerife and then get there flights from there to wherever they are going, and back the same way. Island hopping like that.

Most times YOU CAN fly to here a lot cheaper and get the exact dates you want coming VIA TENERIFE, then taking the local island flights that leave every hour from Tenerife to Gran Canaria. Or alternatively  taking the ferry from Tenerife to Gran Canaria. Makes for a more interesting part of your holiday.

DO NOT WORRY, about the time of night that you will be arriving. For out of hours arrivals there will be complimentary. free.Water, tea,coffee,milk,sugar and fruit juice waiting for you.

What more can i say? Have to get on now picking my tomatoes before they get too ripe.

Speak to you later.

Paul.

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Well it might surprise some people to know we have an Ikea, Makro, and  a Leroy Merlin,Here in Gran Canaria.

 (Basically Leroy Merlin is Gran Canarias answer to a B and Q,   really no difference at all)

I have to furnish two houses now, thank god these shops are all more or less in the same area, very similar to England, a just off the motorway area of well known conglomerates even complete with a McDonalds’s I can go from one to the other quite quickly comparing prices. The houses are now almost completely finished. I am amazed how reasonable the prices are for furniture here.

I really am spoilt for choices so many designs to choose from in furniture. bedding electrical appliances and so on. There are also Spanish furniture shops as well. They will also let you barter with them for buying two of everything.

For a snack there as well there is PEPI CHIRINGOS. Something different. (I think the Spanish answer to MacDonald’s.)

They serve massive plates full of thinly sliced beef, pork, chicken and sausage,(or a mix of all ) all marinated in Spanish style herbs and cooked on a griddle, it really is a job to eat it all ,the massive portions served.

Served with chips, absolutely delicious and far better value than MacDonald’s. almost half the price. At least you know what you are getting with the meat.

  They also do battered fish and chips, the fish being local caught CHERNE. which is the nearest taste to cod. (I actually like cherne better than cod.) really succulent white fish.

The canarians eat so well here with there fresh food. Out of the resorts we always check where the canarians are eating at the shopping centres. If the place is full you know the food is good, they won’t eat frozen rubbish at all, even in the resorts, evenings and weekends. It’s best to eat where you see the locals eating; you know the food is good then.

It’s been a really eventful time in the world with all the banks problems. I am so shocked at it all .Makes you feel sick reading it all in the English newspapers.

Seemingly it hasn’t affected here as much..

Thank god I cashed in England, and bought here, in an up and coming place (when I did) well we did an old wreck up.(But that is another story) sometimes frustrating, other times hilarious. I will tell all one day.

If anything sales are up, seems to me that people are now thinking that their money is far safer on a property here than in a bank now.

At least they will still have a roof over there heads when they retire to come to, with next to nothing rates to pay. 78 euro’s per year I pay on approx 120 square metres of property, and no big gas bills, and in the meantime an income from renting it out to holidaymakers to pay the mortgage on it. 

And certainly no work in their old age sifting through there rubbish daily, to put it in the correct bin, and big fines if they don’t. We have one big bin between several households, that is emptied every night seven days per week, for that we pay 30 euro’s per year.

We just put the lot in and it gets sorted elsewhere. We put our glass bottles and paper in other bins that are situated by the local shops if we want to. No actual law to do so when I’m incapable of doing that I will not get in trouble here with the bin  jobs worth’s like in England.

This buy to let business. Far safer I think now  to buy to rent in a resort with guaranteed sunshine for holidaymakers 12 months of the year,(Thank god that is the way i have chosen here)  than get stuck with people who can not afford there rents in England because they have lost there jobs. Horrors!!  I would hate to think that I had to throw someone out of there home through no fault of there own. How horrible to have to do that to people.

Far nicer lifestyle to say to people (I hope you enjoyed your holiday here, which I will be saying shortly) on my buy to let here.

Savings in the bank for your old age? very frightening now, I should think, no thanks mine is all going on property for holiday lets here.

Might as well spend your savings where you like to go for a holiday (on your own place there), So your accommodation is always sorted for every year, so no holiday company going bust can affect your holiday at all. And you can sort out the cheapest flights for yourself. And also your savings are safe as well on property.

Kill several birds with one stone.

 Holiday accommodation sorted for every year, savings safe on property that means pension safe as well if you decide to sell it on retirement to travel the world and live off it while you rent. And in the meantime regular income coming in case you lose your job.

People will always go on holidays no matter what, and people more and more are choosing (home from homes).

Homely places, with dishwashers, washing machines, ironing boards, irons. And everything that they are used to in there own homes, satellite TV, full hobs and ovens. (Cooking them selves to make holidays cheaper for themselves). It all helps these days.

All the charges. with the tour operators, to hire a toaster and kettle and so on,  not necessary at all, if you rent someone’s private home/ apartment here (its all inclusive), complete with, coffee,tea,milk,water on arrival. to make that well needed drink after all the travelling. Its instant relaxation as soon as you arrive.

I loved doing that, just walking in and putting the kettle on. HEAVEN. really could not be bothered having to chase the receptionist to hire kettle ,toaster, fan. then trundle to the nearest shops for coffee, tea, milk and water. have arguments with tour reps and so on if things were not what id paid for. Taking all the dirty washing home and dreading the thought of doing it straight after your holiday just before going back to work. And the kids camped on the settees in the lounge at night so you can’t have some peace together sipping wine in the lounge of the evenings in peace, tour operators calling a one bed apartment accommodation for 4 people.

Apart from all the stress of wondering if my holiday would be cancelled at the last minute, because the tour operator had gone bust or they had overbooked on where we had chosen.

When I first started. (doing it myself holidays) I could not believe the relief from stress I had immediately that id booked the flights and accommodation. I had no worries at all in the months leading up to my holiday I knew that it could not go wrong then.( where the tour operator is concerned anyway) I felt more in control and happy with it.

I preferred to book houses with an upstairs, so it was truly home from home, with the kids in bed. Or at least an apartment with two bedrooms.

I hated hotels always, you live in a house at home, then you go and pay a fortune to live in a bedroom for two weeks.? Then have to rush for the best seats in the dining room,(or any seats at all on the first sitting). and are tied to times to eat?

 Never ever made sense to me at all.

 To me a holiday is doing as you please all in your own time, when it suits you at your own pace, and forgetting what time is.

And choosing a different restaurant atmosphere every night. A snack in the afternoon without paying out a fortune for it.

But in the mornings having breakfast in peace and privacy, relaxing on a balcony in the sun, no rushing to get the kids presentable for the dining room breakfast times. Just like getting them ready for school.

Anyway lots to do.

Bye for now.

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Gran Canaria has a consistent average temperature throughout the year; it ranges from 18ºC in winter to 30ºC in the summer. You’ll see sun worshippers on the beaches all year round!

It’s known as the “miniature continent”. It has a fantastic diversity of climate, flora and fauna, all within a relatively small geographic area. Gran Canaria is volcanic in origin. The north of the island is a lot cooler than the sunnier south.

The south of the island draws thousands of holidaymakers each year. This is where you’ll find the world famous Playa del Ingles – the island’s most popular beach. Other attractions include the picturesque village of Puerto de Mogan, (also known as” Little Venice”) The up market resort of Gran Canaria,with its Friday market by the sea.

The island has everything; superb beaches (with fabulous transparent and clean waters), massive sand dunes with a backdrop of the stunning verdant mountains and some of the best hotels, nightclubs, bars and cafés in Europe.

See Gran Canaria picture gallery.

This week is Semana Santa (Easter Week) here in Gran Canaria and everywhere is very busy.But in a couple of weeks time comes the best time of the year for us locals (unless you own a bar) then it is very quiet for a while.

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Los Naranjos El Cercado,Mogan

MOGAN VALLEY HOUSES:    LOS NARANJOS  in EL CERCADO.

IN SPANISH   EL CERCADO means (next to)  El Cercado is the next area to Playa mogan.

If you want to have a holiday living the real life in Gran Canaria staying amongst the fruit fincas and living amongst the locals at El Cercado, but having the best of both worlds being very near to the beach at playa mogan (only 2 minutes by car), but can be walked to down the country lane past the local garden centre.

In mogan valley El Cercado just past the petrol station, there are some 3 bedroom houses you can rent direct from the owner with large terraces with distant sea views,set amongst the local fruit fincas and countryside.

They are equiped like home from home.

Full size dishwasher, washing machine, fridge freezer, iron, ironing board,microwave, full oven, halogen 4 ring hob, Everything you need  crockery wise and  cooking wise, tv, music centre, dvd, barbecue, sun loungers,(outside table chairs and sun umbrella and even washing rack and pegs.

And dont worry about enough hot water for a family, these houses are fitted with solar panel water heating with very large water tanks.

You are even provided with a hairdryer.

Just down the lane is a canarian restaurant contained in its own lovely gardens. El Tanke its called And also the local cooperative fruit and vegetable warehouse where you can buy all the local produce.

In these times having a holiday in  Playa mogan (little venice) does not have to cost the earth. when these 3 bedroom houses are available for self catering just two minutes away.You can now afford a holiday at Playa Mogan for the whole family all in one house.

Two double bedrooms both containing double beds and a third bedroom containing adult sized bunk beds.All with full depth quality ikea mattresses (Babys cots  bedding and high chair provided on request at no extra charge).  All bed linen, towels and tea towels provided.

Hall, Lounge, dining area with dining table and chairs, and totaly separate full size kitchen.

Downstairs toilet and sink.Upstairs bathroom containing bath with shower fitment over, toilet and sink.

A real inexpensive home from home holiday in the beautiful valley of mogan countryside in a very quiet and peacefull area.

With the benefit of the famous resort of Playa Mogan (little venice) only two minutes away.

www.moganholidays.com

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I am back from my visit to England and so glad to be as well. Was not too bad had 3 days of sunshine, just cant stand the rain and dull skies though, it just shows you how spoilt I am living here in Gran Canaria.

Could not wait to go down and have a cup of coffee on the beach. I really don’t know how I spent so many years of my life charging up the motorway for just a few hours view of the sea at Blackpool now and again and back again on the same day. Takes me only two minutes now to get to the sea in guaranteed sunshine, everyday if I want to.

Have to go up to Las Palmas today, I really love it there such a big city, with everything in it just like any city in England really except that everything is much cheaper than England .Gran Canaria is the only canary island with a big city on it, so I don’t miss Manchester city at all At least I can park my car without anybody coming up to me asking me for money (to mind it) even though I already have to pay for parking. I really hate that yobbos demanding money with menaces me knowing full well if I do not pay up my car will be damaged when I get back to it. Thank god I have left all that behind me, visiting England again reminds me of all the nasty things like that again. We don’t have to put up with that sort of behaviour here.

I will have a sit and coffee in Santa Catalina Square. Lovely to people watch there, all the retired folks gathering for there afternoon card games in the sun, And visitors coming off the cruise ships to shop and browse, some with fantastic designer clothes on. The contrast to the ordinary pensioners whiling there afternoons away gossiping and playing card games in the sun, amongst the visitors in all there expensive clothes all chatting together is something to behold. The canarian businessmen going about there business in suits, grabbing a quick coffee and sandwich here and there. The mix of people tourists off the cruise ships, businessmen, pensioners. all mingled together. Fantastic city Las Palmas. Keep thinking I will book into a hotel for a weekend there one day, as they say a change of scene is as good as a rest. We have 3 marks and Spencer’s stores in Las Palmas, all in different areas. It cost me 3 Euros in a taxi once each time to visit each one going from one to the other. Then I found out you can get on a yellow city tour bus pay 8 Euros and travel about Las Palmas all day, getting on and off it wherever you want to, just for the one off payment of 8 Euros. Anyway have to go now to get on my way to Las Palmas.

More later,  Mogan Lady

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Blessed with some truly exquisite natural resources, miles of sandy beaches and a perfect climate, Gran Canaria is an absolute paradise.

It’s located in the Atlantic Ocean just 130 miles of the west coast of Africa and is the surrounded by Fuerteventura and Tenerife. It has the largest population of all the Canary Islands. Las Palmas is the capital of Gran Canaria, located in the north east of the island.

The Island has in total, 236 kilometres of coastline with some of the most celebrated white sandy beaches in the world. Don’t miss the sand dune region of Maspalomas or the unspoilt Güigüi beach.

Gran Canaria has a consistent average temperature throughout the year; it ranges from 18ºC in winter to 22ºC in the summer. You’ll see sun worshippers on the beaches all year round!

It’s known as the “miniature continent”. It has a fantastic diversity of climate, flora and fauna, all within a relatively small geographic area. Gran Canaria is volcanic in origin. The north of the island is a lot cooler than the sunnier south.

The south of the island draws thousands of holidaymakers each year. This is where you’ll find the world famous Playa del Ingles – the island’s most popular beach. Other attractions include the picturesque village of Puerto de Mogan, (also known as “Little Venice”) as well as Maspalomas and Puerto Rico.

IF you want to get away from the more touristy areas, take a spin over to the west coast or through the islands interior, where the scenery and landscapes are truly spectacular.

The island has everything; superb beaches (with fabulous transparent and clean waters), massive sand dunes with a backdrop of the stunning verdant mountains and some of the best hotels, nightclubs, bars and cafés in Europe.

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