Seeing the sights, and enjoying some well-earned, long-awaited rest and reflection in Puerto de Mogan and Taurito, Gran Canaria
Travel! It's something I don't get to do a lot of in general. In fact, I haven't had chance to leave England at all until this year, since I moved back from Tenerife in 2009 (just shy of 9 years). Therefore, this has never been a travel blog, but that doesn't mean I haven't got a bucket-list as long as my arm and serious case of wanderlust. I finally got to fly away in April this year, and my destination of choice was Mogan, Gran Canaria.
A bit of context: My Mum and Dad were/are serious holiday junkies, and this was their favourite place - and the only place they would go back to time and time again. Those of you who keep up with me on social media will know that we lost my Dad very suddenly on Christmas Day, 2017, and it knocked us all for a loop. After the month of initial shock and disbelief wore off, Mum and I texted each other randomly one night and both said the same thing at once... "Let's go to Dad's 'Little Cove'"
So this was a very personal journey for us.
Taurito
Tauro, and Playa Taurito, isn't actually a 'little cove', that's just what my parents always referred to it as. It's a beautiful little resort, a short bus or taxi ride away from Puerto de Mogan, comprised of just a couple of hotels, with a beach and a water park sandwiched in between. We stayed in the Suite Princess Hotel, which is a very peaceful, adults-only, all-inclusive affair with stunning sea views from every angle. It was exactly what we needed.
Puerto de Mogan
While, admittedly, we were limited in Taurito for exploration and adventure, one of the first items on our agenda was a day out exploring Puerto de Mogan on foot, a spot of shopping, and lunch by the marina.
Mogan is a sleepy, smaller town, almost completely plastered in whitewash, with gorgeous pops of colour around every corner. The real hub of this place is the stunning marina, with an array of boats, restaurants, and crystal clear water. While all this is beautiful enough, I was completely taken by the wide variety of cacti, palms, and flowers growing along every street. Bougainvillea as far as the eye could see!
What I Ate
Sometimes Spain can be a bit of a minefield for vegetarians and vegans but, luckily, I happen to have spent a fair few years living in the Canary Islands, and know a fair bit of Spanish, as well as the local specialities. I knew before I even took off that I would be dining almost exclusively (through choice) on Papas Arrugadas (canarian salt-shrivelled potatoes) with red Mojo sauce, huge salads, and dreamy breads. Everything was labelled for allergens so I didn't have to bug anyone at all!
The Suite Princess was fantastic, with a HUGE salad bar, fruit platters, potatoes on tap, and a range of vegetable sides that changed daily. My Mum was pescatarian for the week, and filled up on prawns, avocados, grilled fish and salads. Lunch out was equally a breeze. I simply told the waiter what I didn't want on my plate and he came back with a glorious avocado salad, fresh juice, and... yep... more Canarian potatoes.
When You're Done Exploring
As I mentioned from the off, the main aim of this trip was for Mum and I to rest, reflect, and try and process what we have been through since November last year. We spent many days just crashed out by the pool, or on the beach, reading, arguing over crosswords, drinking a lot of prosecco, and trying to heal.
Right from the off we knew my Dad was lurking in the background somewhere, just out of sight. From his favourite songs playing by the pool, to the number of cats we had come and visit us (my dad was a huge cat lover), and the beautiful rainbow that appeared over the sea on our last morning before checking out (my Dad seems to like to send us rainbows too). Don't get me wrong, I'm no spiritualist, but it seemed very spooky and significant.
We had said that this would be a one-off visit. Never to return. For Mum to say goodbye.
But, from our very first day there, we said there was no way we couldn't come back. We felt entirely at home and at peace there.
We booked this trip through TUI, as they are an operator that we trust, and Mum felt more comfortable with everything being sorted out in one place, but there are also deals to be had by booking directly with Princess Hotels and arranging your own flights and transfers. I'm already costing up my next visit. I'd thoroughly recommend the Suite Princess for an adults-only break with stunning views, fantastic food, and rooms that are everything you need and more.
Hopefully, I'll be able to incorporate more travel content into this blog now that I'm on a mission to revive it and have rediscovered my sense of wanderlust.
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