A Day In Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), part 3

The free walking tour of the old town Vegueta was slated at 12:30 pm, and there was enough time to see what's across the road from the old town. It was also at this point that my friend's millennial daughter opted to go back to the ship, leaving the four of us to join the walking tour.

Steps from the old town, across the street was San Telmo Park. Around this area there are many restaurants and stores. We looked around a bit before going back to Vegueta to wait for the walking tour to commence.









There was a large group of people milling about HOHO bus stop #5 waiting for the walking tour. When the lady arrived, she spent a good amount of time individually scanning our tickets, sort of sign up sheet for the free tour.

We were a large group and so it was difficult to keep up with the guide. So I didn't. I just stayed as close as I could get, which was not close at all. Eventually I gave up any chance of following the guide and decided to just take photos, hoping that the all-knowing Mr. Google would supply the information I would need when the time to create a post comes.






The small square and hermitage of San Antonio Abad is famous because Christopher Columbus came here to pray when he stopped in Gran Canaria in 1492 before starting his journey to "discovering" America. This was also the first church in town.








Pilar Nuevo Square


Casa de Colon or Christopher Columbus house, 500+ years old and now a museum. Fabulous facade, isn't it?













Once the tour was over, we were planning on going back to the ship, but then we learned there's a market nearby. So we decided to check it out. However, we were told the market was currently closed for siesta and won't be open for another couple of hours. We didn't have the luxury of time so we scrapped that plan. Instead we chose to have a little bite before returning to the ship, just a little taste of local cuisine.


Papas arrugadas - Canarian salt boiled potatoes with two different mojo sauces - a specialty dish.


Revuelto de Morcillo de Burgos - pigs blood with scrambled eggs - another specialty.


Affable server.

Whatever was left of our allotted time in the island we spent shopping in the mall across from where our ship was docked.

Note: Of the three Canary Islands that we visited (Tenerife post coming up) this is my favorite. I like the vibe of the old town especially, although quite touristy which is understandable.