White light/white heat
Do not adjust your monitor. The sun really was that retina-burning bright on my recent visit to Guigui, Gran Canaria’s mythical beach. A tan genuinely is a more popular Christmas accompaniment on this island than turkey.
Lost in translation
Guigui, or more correctly Güigüi, owes its name to the mispronunciation of a French visitor. Prior to this tourist’s trip of the tongue, it had been known as the admittedly not dissimilar Guguy. A title which stretches all the way back to the days before Spain conquered the island’s original inhabitants, the canarii.
Go Guigui
This was my second visit to this isolated playa in the west of the island. That’s more than twice the number of times your average local, let alone tourist, has been. My first followed a commission by Condé Nast Traveller who made me rewrite my article because they found my original too much of a Boys’ Own adventure.
My blog, my rules
An old work colleague (Hi, Ed) tells a great tale about staying over at an American workmate’s flat along with a female friend. He’s somewhat distracted to awaken and find said workmate prancing around the room nude. Pointing this out, he’s hit with an immediate rebuff, “Hey, buddy, my room, my rules”. So, CNT, you’re not going to censor me a second time.
Putting in the kilometres
I’d previously travelled to Guigui from Tasartico. However, as I was spending the festive period in nearby La Aldea de Nicolás, I decided to start trekking from nearer my base. So, I followed the signpost to this elusive beach. Only to discover a signpost the other end which read: “La Aldea 12.5km”. It’s 4.5km to Tasartico. The path I chose for my return journey. Conscious of the dying light, I then hiked the main road back to La Aldea. Adding a further 5.4km.
Happy nude year
Guguy is actually two adjoining beaches: Guguy Chico and Guguy Grande. There were a grand total of 10 people, including me, on both of them by the time I got there (4.00pm). Half of us were naked. I’ll leave it to your imaginations as to which state of undress you would have found me.
on January 3, 2013 | to this post
And you absolutely deserve to play by your rules Matthew – I defy anyone that says you can’t
on March 8, 2013 | to this post
It’s more fun that way, Linda. Isn’t it?
on January 4, 2013 | to this post
Lovely to have some bright light to kick-start 2013 Matthew. Def not warm enough to take off even one item of clothing here
With you on ‘my blog, my rules’ motto!
on March 8, 2013 | to this post
Thank you, Zoë. Daylight stays bright on the west of the island more or less all year round.
on January 4, 2013 | to this post
Good for you…it should be your rules on your blog! Happy blogging!
on March 8, 2013 | to this post
Thanking you, Anita. Well, here’s hoping my blog rules in 2013.
on January 6, 2013 | to this post
It sounds like the perfect spot to launch a new year of your rules. The light is certainly blinding!
on March 8, 2013 | to this post
Thanks, Suzy. It is indeed. On both counts.
on February 3, 2013 | to this post
I’ve heard about this beach and so hope to visit it one day! I’ve not yet been to Gran Canaria (just Tenerife) but it and its beaches are high on my list of to-dos. Thanks for sharing more about this secret spot!
on March 8, 2013 | to this post
De nada, Erin. And when you do visit it, make sure you hike. Arriving is more special that way. Not that I’ve ever actually travelled there by boat.