martes, 18 de enero de 2011

LORO PARQUE

The park combines an exquisite biodiversity of species with modern instalations and educational spaces. All in the context of a great botanical garden, which amazes and excites the visitor. A friendly place where man connects with nature. An international refference both for its beauty as for their environmental commitment.

Since it was opened in 1972, more than 40 million visitors have passed through its doors and shared the beauty and intelligence of their animals. They have contributed to the preservation of species, especially birds.

From an original 35.000m2, the park now occupies an impressive 135.000m2. The founder and owner of Loro Parque, Mr. Wolfgang Kiessling is now an international figure with his unique collection of over 3.000 parrots which include 300 species and sub-species.

About 700 are in the park, and the rest are housed in the breeding station. 


In 1994 the whole collection was donated to Loro Parque Foundation whose aim is to preserve endangered species of parrots and their habitats, raise funds for field studies, research and conservation projects and to organise the breeding programmes aimed at reintroducing these rare parrots back into the wild.

The Foundation takes part in 18 captive breeding programmes and is directly involved in co-ordinating the Spix´s Macaw Recovery Project, the Blue-throated Macaw and the Red-browed Amazon.

It´s located in Tenerife in the north of the island in Puerto de la Cruz, It opens 365 days from 8:30 until 18:45 among its most spectacular attractions are the Orca ocean, Delphinarium, Sea lions, Planet penguin, Naturevision, Parrot show, Aquarium and much more.

The dolphins are the probably the favorite of children an adults thats why its one of the most popular shows of Loro Parque. The dolphins pool was inaugurated in 1987 and is the biggest in Europe, containing a total of 7 million litres of sea water, it´s one of the most modern in the world. The habitat created for them reproduces a Caribbean lagoon. You will be amazed by the incredible acrobatics and loops they make with jumps reaching a height of more than 6 metres. As you can see in one of the pictures in the middle of the show pick up a child so the dolphins can give him a ride around the pool. I think they will conquer your heart.



Planet penguin is the biggets replica of the Antartic continent ever constructed which is home to dozens of cute creatures who jump off ice blocks and dive into freezing water, in conditions which mimic their natural habitat there is snow, ice and it´s just as cold as you can imagine it would be in the Antartic. In these area you can see four different species of penguins: The kings, Gentoos, Chinstraps and the Rockhopper penguins. For me its one of the best atrattions of the park because you don´t always get to see a penguin, do you? Specially in the Canary Islands. I just loved it.





Loro Parque´s Aquarium was inaugurated in 1992. You can contemplate seven different themed exhibits even recreating the ecosystem of different parts of the world. One of this is a natural living coral built from original volcanic rock brought from the south of Tenerife, which was covered with living coral, both hard and soft, from Indonesia. In this incredible variety of aquatic life, you can observe all kind of colourful fishes. What you see in the video its the Shark tunnel, 18 meters long, were you can see the biggest predators on the edges of the reef. Children will love it and will be amazed.




The Orca´s ocean were incorporated into Loro Parque´s family in 2006.You will see a whole family of orca whales soar and dive in the water. It´s a wonderful show were you can see the extraordinary bond and strong relationship the trainers have with them. If you want some emotion you can sit in the first row where the orca whales will splash water on top of you. You will feel like a child, it´s an amazing show and you will love it as much as I did.

 

And that’s not all this amazing park has to offer! Mischievous sea lions show off their talents, cheeky parrots will have you in fits of giggles, beautiful birds fly freely in Katandra Treetops, a jungle reconstruction where you can traverse swinging bridges and explore walkways in search of cockatoos, emus and laughing kookaburras. And don´t forget to take your children to Kinderlandia it´s like an African village of huts in the trees where children can climb and enjoy the jungle, balancing on the hanging bridges and slithering down the snake slide. And you should try the Orca´s roller coaster it´s for the whole family!

There are more than 300 species of birds, gorillas, chimpanzees, tigers, sloths, jaguars, meerkats, giant tortoises and much more. The wonderful animals of Loro Parque will make you smile, laugh, cheer and shout. Regardless of your age you will be fascinated by this animal adventure. Are you gonna miss it?   

This really is a place to spent a special day out for every member of the family where both kids and parents can enjoy themselves.

For more information: http://www.loroparque.com/


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Romeria de Tegueste


Popular festivities are called "romerias" in the Canary Islands they are held to the exaltation of folklore and tradition of our islands. The romeria of Tegueste its a celebration held in honor of San Marcos in the village of Tegueste on the closest Sunday to April 25. It´s one of the biggest of the Island this is also because it´s opens the season of festivities in Tenerife.


The teguesteros (as local people are called) come to show their devotion to San Marcos, in trusting to protect the harvest each year. The most attractive thing of the romeria of Tegueste is the elaborate construction of the carts, which are carefully decorated with seeds and other natural products. Also outstanding is the use of boats on carts in the which they carry the offering. 





Men an women are dressed in traditional clothes called "traje de mago" and offering to the people all sorts off typical products like bananas, gofio, meat, good wine of the country and much more. People of almost the entire island and from other islands come all the way to these beautiful village to enjoy these festivity that is an explosion of colour and joy. It lasts almost a week in which the entire family including the children participate and enjoy it.
 
We enjoy sharing our joy with everyone that visit us making them feel as if they were local people. Unfortunately, when most tourists plan their trip to the Canary Islands, just think in our shores without stopping to look at our calendar of festivals and find out about our traditions, missing the opportunity to  discover an important part of our culture. 

I recommend you to come and visit us so you can enjoy this festivity, you will be surprised with the kindess and hospitality of the local people and of course you will have a great time singing, dancing, eating and driking typical products getting to know the most important part of our culture.
  
 Don´t you miss it, this party is for the whole family!


 


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Nogales beach, La Palma





 Nogalesbeach is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches of La Palma.A black sand beach in the northeast of the island, in  Puntallana


    The beach is accessed by stairs that run along the cliff, it takes almost 15 minutes  walking to arrive. Once you get there you will find a little beach, about 500 meters long. 




It´s a beautiful and peaceful beach. It is ideal for surfers but you must be careful, it is quite dangerous because of underwater currents. The beach is fully equipped, with showers and lifeguard.

   
The beach will make you feel relaxed due to it´s peaceful enviromentIt is not very busy for access and remoteness of the touristic places but worth the experience. Personally, it is my favorite beach but remember not to confide in the water.