El Hierro, In The Canary Islands, Set To Become The Worlds First Self Sufficient Land Mass

At the moment, the project that will transform the future of El Hierro doesn't look like much more than a hole in the ground. Or two, to be exact: one on top of a mountain, another smaller one down below, and in between, a long stretch of pipeline tinted the same color as the scrub that grows so abundantly on this volcanic island. But when this innovative wind-power system goes online at the end of 2011, it will turn El Hierro, the easternmost of Spain's Canary Islands, into the first inhabited landmass in the world to become completely energy self-sufficient. And that's just the first step in a plan that may make the island the most sustainable place on Earth.

Sound ambitious? Consider the source. El Hierro is located over 750 miles (1,200 km) from the Spanish mainland, and its stark, volcanic landscape harbors no coal or fossil fuels. Fresh water is scarce, and for electricity, its population of 10,000 has long depended on the diesel brought in weekly by tanker. Which is why, some 25 years ago, the islanders began thinking about ways to convert to renewable energy, using the two resources that they actually have a lot of: wind and water. Now, with oil supplies dwindling worldwide and the Fukushima disaster offering an all-too-present reminder of the perils of nuclear energy, El Hierro's hydro-eolic plant looks positively prescient.

"At first, it was simply an issue of becoming more self-sufficient," says Tomas Padrón, president of the Island Council, whose role is similar to that of a mayor's. "We were completely dependent on outside deliveries and could be cut off at a moment's notice. But then with the global-energy crisis, and climate change, and everything else that's happened, we've realized it has a lot more value."

El Hierro is pushing ahead faster than its larger neighbours, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Palma and La Gomera who all have theira green agendas, Fuerteventura was recently awarded UNESCO Bio Sphere recognition.

The future power station is at once a marvel of engineering and remarkably simple in its design. Five windmills on the northeastern end of the island will power a pumping station that, when the wind is blowing, will drive water 2,300 feet uphill, from a small, 5 million-cubic-foot (150,000-cu-m) reservoir down by the shore to a larger, 19 million-cubic-foot (550,000-cu-m) reservoir snuggled into one of the island's volcanic craters. When the wind abates, water from the top depository will be released, along 1.8 miles (3 km) of mostly camouflaged pipes, into the bottom one, and the pressure of that falling water will drive six hydraulic turbines. In other words, El Hierro will combine the two resources in which it abounds to deliver a continuous supply of electricity, no matter the weather. "If we don't want to depend on fossil fuel, we have to have steady input and output," says Gonzalo Piernavieja, director of research and development for the Technological Institute of the Canaries, which designed the plant. "And the only way to do that is through massive storage. In this case, we're using nature's gifts, wind and sea water, for storage."

The plant is expected to produce 48 GW/h (gigawatt hours), enabling El Hierro to conserve some 6,000 tons of diesel per year, and to meet 100% of its energy needs by 2015. And by that time, the island will be well into its next sustainability projects. One of them, already underway, is a plan convert all 4,500 of El Hierro's cars to electric; the same municipal company, Gorona del Viento, that is building the new hydroeolic station will supply car batteries powered by excess energy from the plant. "The whole system will be integrated," says Javier Morales, El Hierro's councilman for sustainability. "It's beyond green. When the power plant and the car system interact, it will be like galaxies colliding."

And that's not all that will be integrated. Unlike most of the other islands in the Canaries archipelago, which have staked their economies on mass tourism, El Hierro remains largely agricultural (pineapples and mangos are its primary exports). Its farmers too are looking ahead: all of the island's agricultural cooperatives have signed on to a plan that will convert their fields to organic production in the next eight years. And those farms, in turn, will be connected to a "biodigester" that converts sewage into both methane (which can then be used as fuel) and fertilizer.

How did a place so small that it lacks a movie theater and so culturally conservative that it still frowns upon unaccompanied women in bars come up with such a revolutionary plan for the future? Thank geography, says Island Council president Padrón. "We've always been doubly isolated, first from mainland Spain, and then from the rest of the Canaries," he says. "And we've always had problems with drought and with supplying ourselves. It makes us look harder for solutions."

But if El Hierro's problems are particular, its solutions don't have to be, say officials. "Absolutely this technology can be applied elsewhere," says Morales about the power station, whose upper reservoir is currently being lined with massive sheets of PVC in preparation for the first water pumping. "Hawaii, for example. We're already advising them." That's something that another volcanic archipelago, notably larger but perhaps newly aware of the limits of conventional energy, might want to look into


Source: Time

http://www.buyin-fuerteventura.com

Sting Tour Date To Gran Canaria Confirmed

The confirmation came yesterday from the Gran Canaria Tourist Board, which announced details of its financial contribution of 60,000 euros to bring the British singer to the island, where he will perform with the Philharmonic Orchestra at the football stadium. Board chief Roberto Moreno said he was convinced the gig, part of Sting's Symphonicity world tour, was a great investment to raise the Canaries profile on the international music scene. The Board is already in talks with tour operators to organise special Sting Concert holidays in the first half of July to enable people to attend the show. http://www.buyin-fuerteventura.com

New Huelva-Canary Islands Ferry Service Commences

New Huelva-Canary Islands Ferry Service Commences. Today is the start of the new ferry service between Huelva and the Canary Islands, a journey which takes 28 hours. The first ship left the port of La Luz in Las Palmas on Gran Canaria at 08:00 and will stop in Santa Cruz on Tenerife on her voyage to Huelva on mainland Spain. The ferry is the Volcán del Teide and is operated by the company Naviera Armas and has recreational areas, viewpoints, Videocine, meeting rooms, buffet, bars, pool, gym, games room and playground for children, 124 cabins with 478 beds, 500 reclining seats reclining seats and a VIP room. Crossings are every Thursday from the Canaries, arriving Friday in Huelva, and every Saturday from Huelva, arriving Sunday in the Canary Islands. On the first crossing are 320 passengers and 120 vehicles. A one way crossing with reclining seat and a car is about 210 Euros. The ferry crossing will be an important addition to travel to and from the Canarian Islands especially for people with property who may want to transport large personal items to their villa or apartment. Source Naviera Armas and Nerja News

Tourism To Canaries Rises After Egypt, Tunisia Unrest

The number of foreign visitors to Spain's Canary Islands soared in February according to official data, as sunseekers shunned rival resorts in Egypt and Tunisia because of anti-government uprisings there. But the increas in numbers cannot be totallyput down to the middle east unrest. The President of the Canary Islands’ Parliament said the prospects for the summer season were looking positive and added that bookings for holidays were up by 14 per cent which was an honest reflection of the hard work that has been put in by local authorities to promote what the Islands had to offer.


According to the latest figures nearly three million people went through Canary Islands’ airports, which is an impressive leap of 13.1% on last year. Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote are all holding their own in the popularity stakes but it is Fuerteventura that has seen the biggest increase with passenger numbers up a staggering 32.9%. This figure has beaten South Tenerife and Gran Canaria who both nevertheless, saw satisfying increases of 12.2% and 10.8%. It is also wise to remember that this is very early on in the tourism season so if figures are this high at this time of year it looks as though it could be a bumper summer for the Canarian Islands.


http://www.buyin-fuerteventura.com

Focus On Jandia And Morro Jable

Morro Jable in the south of Fuerteventura used to be a sleepy fishing village until it was discovered by German tourists and now the towns of Morro Jable and Jandia have grown so much that it is difficult to discern where one ends and the other begins. Together they form one of the largest and most popular tourist resorts on the island.
Morro Jable is the older part of the resort with narrow streets that run down to the beaches and the harbour and this is where you can find many smaller restaurants that specialise in the catch caught by the local fishing fleet. A promenade winds along the beach front and round the headland to take you to Jandia. A ferry connecting Fuerteventura to Gran Canaria operates from the harbour where there is also popular yacht marina.
Jandia is the newer part of the resort with its hotels, bars, shops and restaurants stretching the length of the white sandy beach with a palm tree lined promenade. The beaches are kept very clean and have “Blue Flag” status providing safe waters for the swimmers and water sport enthusiasts alike.

This area of the islands coast is known as Costa Calma, as it is for the most part protected from the prominent northerly winds, and has some of the best beaches in the world to the north and south of the town. The stunning Cofete beach lies to the south, but the road that leads to it is unmade and so an off road type of car is preferable, though once there you will have miles of golden sand virtually to yourself. If you prefer a bit more action from your beach try Sotovento beach to the north famous for the annual world wind surfing championships held there. If you are not a wind surfing champion don’t worry there is a school for the novices.

In the evening the resort lights up and there is an amazing selection of bars and restaurants to either relax after an exhausting day on some of the best beaches in the Canary Islands or provide entertainment well into the small hours .

More information on Fuerteventura can be found on http://www.buyin-fuerteventura.com

Article taken from the magazine Buyin Fuerteventura

Spanish And Canary Island Property Continues to Regain Popularity in 2011

The number of searches for Spanish property in January this year was 37.05% higher than last year according to overseas property portal Homesgofast.

According to the portal the trend that has been noted since the Spanish property market imploded; namely the dominance of the Balearics and Canary Islands, property market not only continued in January but became even more pronounced. One third of all enquiries into Spanish properties were for those islands according to the portal.

"It's interesting to see how Spain despite the bad press is still very attractive to overseas buyers considering retiring or buying a second home abroad," said Nick Marr, director of the portal.

"The change towards the Balearic and Canary Islands property may be a result of the bad press that the Spanish property market has received," he continued. "People looking to get away from the UK winters still see Spain as a great place to holiday. The Canary Islands offer winter sun and a housing market that has not received the negative press that mainland Spain has endured."

"House values in Spain are at an all time low and the increase searches may be a result of both buyers and sellers researching the market."

Nick is right about the British aspect. According to the Association of British Travel Agents, Spain is still the number one holiday destination for Brits, with over 11 million British visitors gracing the shores every year.

This combined with the fact that Brits bought more overseas property per head of population than any other nationality during the boom and you can easily see why the Spanish property market's boom was one of the biggest in the world.

According to many overseas agents, Brits are now being outnumbered by Eastern Europeans, and this is likely at least a part of the reason why the Spanish islands are more popular, because they have traditionally been favoured by Eastern European buyers, according to real estate agents.

This is simply the latest in a succession of reports that Spanish property is regaining popularity with overseas property buyers -- starting from as early as the first quarter of last year. During the last 12-18 months almost all of the UK's top property portals have revealed growth in the popularity of Spanish property, with many of them featuring the country in first or second place on one or more occasions.

The aforementioned ABTA data was in an interview aimed at promoting Turkey, and the fact that British tourism to Turkey is growing at about 20% per year for the last few years, while Spain is stagnating.

However, stagnating is not falling, and with Turkey currently receiving 2 million British visitors per year (German is dominant market), it will be some time before Spain is knocked off the top spot. With Spanish property prices at between 20 and 40 percent below boom levels, and now thought to have bottomed, one must expect its popularity with foreign buyers (especially Brits) to see continued growth this year. .

The Canary Islands consist of Tenerife, Las Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and several smaller islands.

Source Homesgofast

http://www.buyin-fuerteventura.com

Where To Find Winter Sun Less Than 6 Hours From The UK

Skyscanner, the fight search web site came up with these suggestions to the following questions BUT though mentioning the Canaries they forgot to mention the other islands besides Lanzarote of Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife and La Palma

Dear Skyscanner

With all this snow, I feel the need for a warm escape more than ever. Where are the best and closest places to go for a warm winter break?

Lauren, Derby


Dear Lauren,

At this time of year, it’s hard to imagine that those of us scraping ice off our cars and donning woolly hats could be on a sun lounger within six hours.

But it is possible – and in some cases, reasonable – as long as you avoid the peak travel days (those leading up to Christmas and straight before or after the New Year).



Canary Islands
The first place that most sun-starved Europeans head at this time of year is the Canary Islands, around three and a half hours away from London by plane.

So much is said, and written, about these put-upon islands that does them a huge disservice. Yes, there are sprawling all-inclusive resorts that offer good value holidays and salsa by the pool, but there’s also so much more.



Lanzarote
Take Lanzarote, with its boutique hotels, vineyards and quiet villages – not the image many of us have of the island.

Like its neighbour, Tenerife, the island has a volcanic interior of black sand and lava rock that in places feels like a moonscape, quite other-worldly in fact. It’s great walking country, especially as the temperature in December and January stays at around 15 degrees C, so it’s warm but not too hot if you’re exerting yourself.

If you’re pushing the boat out consider Finca de Las Salinas in Yaiza, an 18th century vineyard property with a pool and spa. The atmosphere is relaxed with colourful, airy rooms and wicker furniture, and as there are only 19 rooms, it never feels busy. There’s tennis, a gym, and mountain biking nearby and the beaches of Papagayo are a short drive away. The restaurant prides itself on using local produce matched with fine Spanish wines, and you should save room for dessert – I hear they’re a knock-out.

If your budget doesn’t stretch to that, try Casa El Morro, self-catering suites that cost from E107 a night. The property is an 18th century mansion in a breathtaking spot between three national parks and close to the vineyards of la Geria.

It’s split into six suites around a central courtyard, each with their own kitchen. It’s another good spot for adventurers – with excellent hiking, mountain biking and windsurfing nearby. Or you can just relax on a day bed with a good book. Find cheap flights to Lanzarote here.



Madeira
Another island that’s much-maligned is Madeira. Long considered a hotspot for retirees and timeshares, this Atlantic island is actually rather charming, and even has nightlife and culture for the young (and young at heart).

The temperature around the turn of the year is in the low teens, which means you made need a sweater, and even an umbrella at times, but at least you won’t be digging out the snow shovel! One of the coolest hotels on the island is Estalagem da Ponta do Sol on the south coast, only 25 minutes’ drive from Funchal, the capital. It’s a member of the trendy Design Hotels group and has a spa, pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, and fabulous modern décor, as you’d expect.

There’s a chance for birdwatching, hiking, golf and surfing, among the many other activities available, so no excuse not to work up a hunger for the fine dining in front of the fire in the evening. Rooms cost from £45 a night for a five-night stay and the flight to Madeira from London takes three and a half hours.



Cape Verde
My final suggestion is a little further away, but for six hours flying time you’ll get Caribbean-style sandy beaches, no malaria, unlike the Gambia, a popular winter sun spot about the same distance away, and no crowds.

I’m talking about is the Cape Verde islands – you may not have heard of them, but in a few years’ time, I expect they will be very much on our winter sun radar. They are a group of ten islands off the coast of Senegal. Like Madeira, they inhabitants speak Portuguese, but unlike Madeira, they’re an even more toasty 25 C year-round.

There are direct flights to Sal from the UK, the most developed of the islands. If it’s idyllic beaches you’re after, head to Boa Vista, either by flying direct or getting a transfer from Sal. The Parque das Dunas hotel is a good option on Boa Vista overlooking Chaves beach. It has a pool and rooms are split across 28 villas, with prices starting from E63 a night half-board.

If it’s culture you’re after, the island of Santiago offers a dip into African music and food, with some fascinating wildlife in the lush interior. The quality of accommodation is not exceptional on the island, but it’s comfortable.

One of the more popular hotels is Quinta da Montanha, a three-star lodge in the Rui Vaz Mountains, about 15 minutes from the capital, Praia. There’s wonderful walking around the lodge, as you’d expect, and you can book a guided walk with the hotel if you want to learn more about the area and wildlife.

The restaurant offers hearty traditional food, much of it coming from the hotel’s organic garden. Rooms cost from E40 a night, and it’s a great option if you want greenery and mountains from your winter sun, rather than the beaches you’ll find elsewhere on Cape Verde. Either way, the umbrella will be gathering dust and the sunglasses will see the light of day.



Answer by Ginny Light – TimesOnline travel editor

Corralejo, Fuerteventura In Top 10 Winter Sun Destinations

Corralejo on the Canarian Island of Fuerteventua has appeared at number 2 in the top ten of winter destinations in a table published by Yahoo Travel and Expedia. Another Canary Island, Gran Canaria was top of the list of holiday destinations proving the popularity of the Canaries with tourists and property purchasers.

The two islands were join in the table by Cancun, Mexico; Hurghada, Egypt; Goa, India; Gambia, Africa; Jamaica; Nile Cruises, Egypt; Dominium Republic and Mauritius.

Read the full article with descriptions of each destination. Book a holiday to Corralejo, Fuerteventura.

Origional article by Laura Tait

http://www.buyin-fuerteventura.com/

Focus On Gran Tarajal

Gran Tarajal is situated on the South East coast of Fuerteventura in the municipality of Tuineje, and is just a 30 minute drive from the airport in Puerto Rosario. This typical Spanish town is surrounded by hills on three sides giving shelter from the almost constant cooling trade winds for both the tourist enjoying the large safe beach and to the sailors moored in the brand new Gran Tarajal marina.

The town provides all the facilities you would expect for a bustling community that is still mainly residential, but the potential of Gran Tarajal as a tourist resort is now being realised and a huge amount of investment is being brought into the area. The new marina is now complete and provides berths for yachtsmen and the local fishing fleet and the harbour also provides a new ferry service to Las Palmas in Gran Canaria.

As you would expect in a coastal town fishing plays a big part in community life and this is reflected in the number of great restaurants that provide mouth watering seafood meals and is guaranteed to be fresh. Many of these restaurants are to be found along the promenade which runs along the “Blue Flag” beach. Every September an international deep sea fishing competition is held over a week long period with fishermen and their boats arriving from all the Canarian Islands.

Gran Tarajal is the centre for the islands tomato growing industry with the harbour once being the main port for the export of the produce, now the majority is shipped overseas through Puerto del Rosario.

This part of the coast is known as Costa Calma because of the shelter it affords from the near constant northerly winds making the many beautiful beaches and the sea close to the town very safe. Just to the east of the town is the village of Las Playitas and this part of the coast is the closest point of the Canaries to the African continent.

Each year a festival takes place on the Gran Tarajal beach with a re-enactment of the local population defeating the invasion of English Pirates, known as the Battle of Timasite, which occurred in 1740. Many visitors to the island only see the tourist resorts but Gran Tarajal is well worth a visit. The town is seeing some development for new homes and businesses and property for sale in the town can be found on GoldAcre Estates

More informatinon on Canary Island Marinas can be found on World Marine Guide

http://www.buyin-fuerteventura.com

Cunards Queen Elizabeth Liner Arrives In The Canary Islands

Cunards brand new cruise liner The Queen Elizabeth has arrived in the Canary Islands on her maiden voyage.
The Queen Elizabeth will call into the ports of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Santa Cruz de La Palma on Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th.

The Queen Elizabeth is not the largest ship in the fleet but at 90,000 tonnes, 294 metres long and 31 metres wide is still an inpressive sight.

The Queen Elizabeth came into Tenerife around 7-30 in the morning, from the port of Las Palmas, with 2,000 cruise passengers and 960 crew. She will remain in the harbour until six in the afternoon, when she will leave to go to the port of Santa Cruz de La Palma.

She began her maiden voyage on October 12, a day after being christened by the Queen of England, Elizabeth II, in the port of Southampton. This trip consists of a 14-day cruise which takes in Vigo, Lisbon, Las Palmas, Tenerife, La Palma and Funchal.

New Queen Elizabeth Cruise Liner To Visit The Canaries On Her Maiden Voyage

The Queen is to officially name Cunards new £400m Queen Elizabeth cruise liner in Southampton on 11th October 2010 before the ship sails on its maiden voyage, to the Canary Islands, the next day. The Queen Elizabeth's maiden voyage is a 13-night cruise to the Canaries, with fares ranging from £1,489 to £15,799 per person.

The Queen will attend the ceremony in Southampton on 11 October, The QE is seen as the successor to the QE2 which ended its life as an ocean liner in 2008 and was sold to Dubai-based property developers Nakheel. The new ship means that Cunard's fleet will again have three Queens, along with the Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria.

The Queen named the QE2 on the Clyde in 1967 and was at Southampton in 2004 to name the Queen Mary 2. Her Majesty was also present in 1938 when her mother, then Queen Elizabeth, launched the first Queen Elizabeth liner, also on the Clyde.

Peter Shanks, Cunard president and managing director, said: "We are both honoured and proud that Her Majesty will name our new liner Queen Elizabeth."

The 90,000-tonne vessel has been built at the Fincantieri shipyard near Trieste in Italy.

Queen Elizabeth - or just QE as the ship is already being called - is one foot longer and one foot wider than the QE2. But with 16 decks, it is much taller, view the BBC news clip of the new ship.

The Canary Islands Jazz Festival

Five of the Canary Islands including Gran Canaria & Fuerteventura will stage both free and ticketed concerts this July thanks to the ‘Festival Canarias Jazz & Mas Heineken’. This is the 19th event which originated in Gran Canaria and has now expanded to include other islands.
The billing is headed by Marcus Miller featuring a number of pieces from the Miles Davis album ‘Tutu’ and Dee Dee Bridgewater presenting a tribute to the Philadelphia born artist Billie Holiday. Other artists include Angelike Kidjo, Miguel Zenon, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Frank Gambale G-Force Band and others. The festival takes place from the 9th to 18th July featuring over 38 events across five islands including Gran Canaria, La Palma, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. As usual, one night will be dedicated to African Jazz, plus there will be appearances from numerous Canarian groups throughout the event.
Each island has its own auditoriums and theaters plus numerous open plazas used for musical events throughout the year so expect a multitude of venues being used. ‘Sharrie Williams and the Wiseguys’ will be performing in Puerto del Rosario, and Dee Dee Bridgewater in Gran Canaria’s Teatro Cuvas. Fuerteventura’s Cabildo is also hosting a free weekend musical event on the beaches of El Cotillo on the 2nd and 3rd of July, so whatever your musical fancy this July promises to be a busy one!

For more information on events http://www.last.fm/festival/1529615+Canarias+Jazz+And+Mas+2010

Source GoldAcre Estates http://www.goldacre-estates.com