Gran Canaria: Hotel Rural Las Longueras, Agaeta Valley
My new Gran Canaria adventure begins today. I’ve pried myself away from the beach for a weeklong hiking trek to explore different parts of the island. I’ve heard so much about how amazing the hiking is here; I would be remiss to leave and not experience it.
Today was my transition day to the Hotel Rural Las Longueras in the Agaeta Valley, I will start hiking from here tomorrow morning. Known locally as La Casa Roja (the Red House), it is a beautiful colonial mansion dating from 1895 when it was built for the Manrique de Lara family. Still owned by the same family, who now live in Madrid, yet I am told they come here twice a month. Apparently, they will be arriving here tomorrow. Hmmmm, it’s a bit of a funny feeling to already be staying in their home when they arrive.
The place is decorated with collections of photographs, paintings and antiques, many of the paintings being the work of friends and family. It’s built in the middle of 173 hectares/427 acres of land with orchards growing mangos, limes, mandarin oranges, and avocados as well as a very amazing cactus garden. I went out and explored a bit this afternoon, it’s really quite beautiful here, and “very tranquil” as everyone likes to say.
Everyone has been so gracious and kind. It started with Oscar, the Agaeta taxi driver, who everyone in town waved at as we drove through. Then Lourdes’s welcome at the reception, she checked me in, gave me a tour, and even offered to drive me back to the village of Agaeta to go explore when I asked what to do this afternoon. And Beni, the chef, who came in early and offered to make me a classic Spanish omelet to hold me over until dinner even though they don’t serve lunch AND she was already making me a special vegetarian dinner for tonight. The location is spectacular, and I can’t wait to hike across, up, and over this land.
