The Magazine 74

activities

Fun ways to get fi tgreenliving

Give your home a green makeover

74

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escape

Asian Restaurants

top5

Stress

body&soul

discover

Pork

food&drink

Alluring Las Palmas

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PublisherandProprietorTina Straub, Joe Schacher

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FeaturesWritersSarah Negrín, Sheila Collis, Clio O’Flynn.

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Bienvenidos…

Is it just me or do you have real problems accepting the fact that we are in March already?

March! I mean, spring is almost upon us. The New Year’s resolutions are, for the most

part, ancient history or are being given a last-ditch attempt in the form of Lent (except

my resolution to drink more wine, which I am sticking to just fine, thank you) and after

a surprisingly cold snap that saw even me dig around in storage for some boots and

jumpers I’ve hardly touched since moving to this gorgeous island two years ago, the days

are warming up and the nights are getting lighter. Happy days indeed.

So another month, another great excuse to party! It seems cosmic forces are at work

to keep us at our bubbly, sociable best – last month it was Carnaval, this month it’s St

Patrick’s Day. That’s the great thing about festivals – no-one cares whether you’re Spanish

or Irish or even Catholic, anyone is welcome to join the party.

In the spirit of St Patrick’s Day, our Escape article this month had to be Dublin (p45)

– if you think the Irish know how to party here in Tenerife (which they do), you cannot

imagine the kind of show they put on in the gorgeous Emerald Isle. You can also discover

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (p10), an easier option for a mini escapade.

Sushi lovers listen up: yes, we moan about the wide gaping hole here that only a Yo!

Sushi could fill, but there are some amazing places to eat on Tenerife – turn to our Top 5

Asian Restaurants to find out more (p23).

And on a more serious note, we investigate the main causes and effects of stress (p39).

In a world as hectic as this one, it’s essential we recognise the warning signs when we’re

heading for burnout, and learn how to find our inner calm.

So start relaxing now: grab a coffee and enjoy reading! High quality publicationiCMEDiA

In cooperation with

august 2011Iwelcome

Welcome to the March edition of The Magazine!

Sarah Negrín, Editor

contentsImarch 2012

10

What’s inside this month...

31

27

29

19

39

23

15

45

06 What’s on discover

10 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria food&drink

15 Pork19 Stuffed Iberian Secret competition

20 Win fl ights to Dublin! culture

21 Money Art top5

23 Asian Restaurants activities

27 Fun ways to get fi t tried&tested

29 M.B at Abama Golf & Spa Resort greenliving

31 A green home makeover property

35 Property of the Month37 Renovation Tips body&soul

39 Stress escape

45 Dublin directory

51 Business Guide

37

fever

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carnaval 2012Inews

Laughing in the face of the crisis and the doom-mongers, the public took to the streets and partied hard in February. The costumes were more spectacular than ever, and the decision by Santa Cruz to stage a Sunday day-time Carnaval in addition to the late-night revelry proved a massive hit with over 150,000 people donning their fancy dresses to invade the city centre for the event.Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz, La Palma and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria held hugely successful

carnivals, and now it’s the turn of smaller towns like Los Cristianos to get out the glad rags. The international press was also on hand to cover the events this year, and the US newspapers, The Huffington Post and the Wall Street Journal carried reports of the Santa Cruz event in their digital versions. “Tenerife carnival queen dazzles”, ran the The Huffington Post headline, while the Wall Street Journal carried images of the Gala Queen event in one of their blog pages given over to photo-journalism. All great news for Tenerife!

Phot

os:I

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Isla

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Carn

aval

Col

lage

The day time Carnaval in Santa Cruz was a huge success.

Carmen Gil González, Carnival Queen, Santa Cruz Virginia Molina Marrero, Puerto de la Cruz Carnival Queen.

Children’s parade in Las Palmas. Crisis? What crisis? Revellers in full swing.

fever carnaval

�Imarch 2012

newsIwhat’s on

If you’ve missed the first two, the third installment of the 2012 Delicatesen Tenerife experience looks set to be the most entertaining yet. Called Garachico: Between Stories of Lava and Sea, this is a theatrical route that takes place in and around the streets of one of Tenerife’s most historical quarters, that of Garachico. Six actors will portray the village’s time-long struggle against adversity – mainly lava flowing down from Teide and the ocean. Discover the magic of Garachico on this three-hour, low-intensity walk through its streets, churches,

castles and town squares. And after you have worked up an appetite, indulge in some lip-smackingly good Chocolate Pine Cones – a crunchy chocolate biscuit combination from the expert patisserie El Aderno. Price is €25 for adults, €18 for the under 12s. Meeting point is the jetty at 10am. Reserve online at www.elcardon.com or call 922 127 938. The tour will be conducted in Spanish, with other languages available. If you‘d like a tour in English, call and enquire.

Delicatesen Tenerife: Garachico 17 March

Los Cristianos Carnaval

For those of you that didn’t manage

to get to Santa Cruz, or that did but

still have plenty of the carnival spirit

left, Los Cristianos Carnaval 2012

looks set to be a cracker. This year’s

theme is The West, so grab your

cowboy hat or your Indian costume

and get yourself down to one of

these main events, which promise to

be great fun:

7March Senior Citizen Dance

6.30pm, for those of you who still

want to teach the young a thing or

two!8March Gala to select the Infant

Carnival Queen 2012 8.30pm. Expect

cute kids, pushy parents and great

fun.9March Adult Carnival Queen

Gala 9.30pm. Who will follow in

Carmen Gil Gonzalez’s footsteps and

take the crown in Los Cristianos?

10March Drag Queen Gala from

8.30pm. Sky-high heels and OTT

are the name of the day here. Well

worth watching. 11March Classic Car Exhibition

10.30 am.All of these events will take place in the

Los Cristianos showground area right by

the Valdes Center.

11March Gran Coso parade – main

carnival procession. Huge fun,

starts at 5pm from Paloma Beach

apartments, working its way up the

main Avenida Juan Carlos 1 to the

Valdes Center.12March Sardine Burial. Follow

the giant sardine as it sets off from

the cultural centre around 8pm and

is carried through the town down

to the beach, where it is set on fire.

Expect fireworks, fake tears and a

great atmosphere, that marks the

end of the carnival celebrations.

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what’s onInews

Now incredibly over 70 years old, The Wizard of Oz

continues to captivate both young and old alike with

its magical tale. Here you have the chance to relive the

magic, and introduce your children or grandchildren

to the wonderful wizard of Oz, too, with this energetic,

entertaining homage to Lyman Frank Baum’s novel. The

performance will take place in Spanish, with some of

the more famous songs such as Somewhere Over The

Rainbow sung in English. A fabulous experience for the

while family.

Performancetimes:Friday 16 March 7pmSaturday 17 March 6pmSunday 18 March 12pm & 5pmTickets cost €11.50-€15.50 depending on seats, children under 14 years €9.50, and are available through www.generaltickets.com.

The Original Glenn Miller OrchestraAuditorioAdánMartín,SantaCruz

19March,8pm

The Original Glenn Miller Orchestra is without doubt one of the most popular Big Bands in the world. Formed in 1938 by Glenn MIller himself, it was reconstructed following Miller’s death and given a huge boost in popularity by the 1953 Hollywood movie The Glenn Miller Story. Since then the band has toured the world countless times, treating audiences to Glenn Miller’s music and the best sounds in jazz. The stage formation has remained faithful to the original line up, with

five saxophones, four trumpets, four trombones and three percussionists. Add to this a male and female

vocalist and you have all the ingredients necessary for a trip back to the golden era of Swing music.With a repertoire of more than 200 songs, expect to be wowed by classics such as In the Mood, Moonlight Serenade, American Patrol and Chattanooga Choo Choo. The concert in the Sala Sinfónica at Tenerife’s Auditorium will take place on Monday 19 March at 8pm. Tickets are priced at €60, €50 & €40 and are on sale through http://entradas.auditoriodetenerife.com/.

What looks sets to be an electrifying spectacular kicks off its European tour here in the Canaries. In a musical extravaganza that comprises over 30 artists from 14 countries, you are invited to take a journey through the history of music, from classical musicians such as Beethoven, Bach, Puccini and Strauss to more modern day phenomenon like Michael Jackson, Abba, Queen, Shakira or U2. Timeless greats The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and Pink Floyd also feature, as do some of the best loved Broadway musicals like Phantom of the Opera and Sister Act. Prepare to be wowed by a spectacular audiovisual production like no other, with singers, dancers and even acrobats making an unforgettable night out. History will be at Teatro Guimerá on 10 March at 8.30pm and 11 March at 6pm. Prices are €29, €24 & €19, available through www.generaltickets.com

History: The History of Music TeatroGuimerá,SantaCruzdeTenerife10&11March

The Wizard of Oz TeatroGuimerá,SantaCruz

16-18March

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las palmas de gran canariaIdiscover

“Las Palmas holds a heavyweight trump card:

Las Canteras beach”

discoverIlas palmas de gran canaria

11Imarch 2012

expectationsGreat

InsearchofsomeadventureoffTenerife,weescapedtotheGranCanariancapital,LasPalmas,andexploredwhatithadtooffer…

To be brutally frank, but politically correct, on first arriving in Las Palmas, you would be forgiven for thinking something along the lines of “what an aesthetically challenged city” (read:ugly). At least, I did, on my recent escape to the “other” capital city of the autonomous community of the Canary Islands. So just to warn you in advance: yes, it can be a bit of a pain. Long and narrow, it spans over ten kilometres in length, and to grossly oversimplify matters, there are some beautiful places of interest either end (from the Castillo de La Luz to Vegueta), a couple of points of interest in the middle and some less attractive parts best avoided, pretty much like any other city really. But this was one occasion when first impressions really should be forgotten – the more you see, the more the city grows on you. >

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But Las Palmas holds a heavyweight trump card: Las Canteras beach, and, like any normal person only too aware of his or her strong points, they work it well to their advantage. The wide promenade has been well designed and sweeps the entire length of the six-kilometre beach, along which you’ll find a plethora of bars and restaurants and some incredibly good examples of street art. For years this urban beach – considered one of the best in Europe – was the main tourist attraction, and it was used to full advantage. Today it could be considered both the lungs and backbone of the city. A leisurely stroll along the beach is a must when in Las Palmas. Sit down for a time along your route and enjoy the panoramic views across the bay and engage in some very people watching: the beach and its promenade

is something of a mecca for sports enthusiasts of all domains, from surfers and beach volleyballers to joggers and rollerblade fanatics, which makes people watching even more enjoyable thanks to the above average quota of extremely fit, athletic specimens!At the far end of the beach you’ll find the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, named after the city’s famous tenor, and Las Arenas shopping centre. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, thanks to which I can urge you to do the walk in completely the opposite order to me, who started at Las Arenas, and then, three hours later and laden down with bags (Las Arenas is home to a very substantial Primark, by the way), proceeded to walk the length of the beach (naturally stopping a few times in between

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Britishinfluence

From the Elder Dempster shipping company (now the Elder Museum), which was vital for the development of the port and therefore the prestige of Gran Canaria, to the foundation of the Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas in 1891 – the fi rst golf course in the whole of Spain – Brits have had a huge infl uence on the development of this city, evident by the British cemetery at the Holy Trinity church.

Gettingthere

From Tenerife your options are boat or plane. Fred Olsen runs a service from Santa Cruz to Agaete, and Naviera Armas goes directly to Las Palmas city. If you chose not to take your car, Fred Olsen operates a complimentary bus service to Las Palmas, so basically it comes down to budget (Fred Olsen is more expensive), timetables and how much you like being on a boat – Armas takes around 3 hours, compared to the 50-minute crossing followed by a 45-minute bus ride on Fred Olsen.

Didyouknow?

On Thursday nights, Vegueta is the place to be. “Caña y Tapa” is now a well established event in almost all the bars in the area, where a beer or glass of wine and a tapa costs just €2.

“A walk around Vegueta is to step back in time”

Clockwise from top left: The Town Hall in Plaza Santa Ana; the distinctive picket fence painting that marks the Gothic quarter of Vegueta; the delicious yogurt parlour and one of the many beautiful buildings on Calle Triana (think Krispy Kreme in this case, it was a doughnut café).

discoverlas palmas de gran canaria

13 march 2012

for obligatory refreshments (beer, ice cream, etc). The shops and auditorium are definitely best after the walk, then a €4 taxi fare should bring you quickly back to your accommodation.Gran Canaria is actually pretty fascinating, and has a colourful, surprising history that is unknown to many people, even those living in the city. Starting from its establishment 500 years ago, the place to head for to really get a feel for the city is the quaint quarter of Vegueta. I enlisted the help of the lovely Bruno Knudsen, who, with his company Trip Gran Canaria and his extraordinary knowledge, gave me an incredibly insightful walking tour of the region. It was here that in 1478, under the leadership of Juan Rejón, the reconquest battle started in Gran Canaria. Along with 600 soldiers he set up his camp in Vegueta, thanks to a vision of the Virgin Mary (see box out on religion). At this time Gran Canaria was the most heavily populated of the islands, and had an aboriginal population of around 30,000. But the Canarii (natives of Gran Canaria) were not the kind to give up easily and put up a fight that lasted five years. Hence the name: Grande Canarii: Grande, thanks to both the large population and the length of the battle (ever since the 13th century people had been trying to gain Gran Canaria) and Canaria from the Canarii indigenous population (Tenerife, in comparison took just two years to fall). The influence of Christopher Columbus is apparent, nowhere more so than Vegueta. Ironic, really, as he never planned on stopping in Gran Canaria: it was en route to La Gomera, a preferred stopover on almost all of his crossings to America (and rumored home of a lover) that La Pinta, the boat he was on board, suffered problems and began taking on water near Lanzarote, >

Museums

Casa de Colón (Columbus’s House) is perhaps the most noteworthy. The Casa de Colón museum is a fascinating insight into the Genovan’s crossings, including a look into the conditions within the ships and the mapped out stars that accompanied the men on their journeys. Open daily, admission is free. Others include the CAAM (Atlantic Centre of Modern Art), worth a visit for the stunning design of the museum itself, contrasting an old façade and ultra-modern interior. Open daily, admission free. Kids in particular will love Museo Elder, a science and technology museum with an interactive planetarium and genuine Iberia cockpit. You can’t miss the bright green building situated opposite the Centro Comercial El Muelle. Museo Néstor in Pueblo Canario is also a great place to head to, particularly on a Sunday morning when there is a free show of traditional Canarian music and dancing from 11am.

Las Palmas offers some wonderful buildings and places of interest, including the cute little church in Vegueta (top), the lovely Parque Doramas (middle) and the iconic Lady Harimaguada sculpture.


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and was forced to make a stop in Gran Canaria. Reparations took over a month, during which time Columbus stayed with the then governor. A walk around Vegueta is to step back in time. Many of the original features remain, including quaint cobbled streets and huge towering wooden doors, with keyholes that make you wonder how anyone would ever have lifted the keys! If you’re in the neighbourhood, Restaurante Casa Montesdeoca is well worth a visit. Much, much more reasonable than you would imagine for the enchanting environment it offers, it’s the King’s favourite when he’s in town and boasts the fascinating history of the first Jewish family that fled from the mainland to the Canaries, and converted (willingly or not) to Catholicism. The streets itself in this area are narrow and winding, which served both as protection against the wind and as a defence mechanism – it’s easier to get the better of approaching enemies when you know where you’re going and they don’t. In stark contrast to Vegueta, the pedestrianised Calle Triana is a hub of commercial activity, packed with shops, bars and places to eat – there is even a Danone Yogurteria (which, incidentally,

was delicious). This is the area to head to after dark too, the narrow streets off Triana either side are home to some great little bars and tapas restaurants. If you continue waking to the end of Calle Triana, you’ll end up in Parque San Telmo, a lovely place to sit and enjoy a coffee – don’t forget to admire the gorgeous, ornate pavilion, surely the prettiest kiosk in the world. A great way to travel around this sprawling city is to hop on the bright red city sightseeing bus. Just as in Santa Cruz, you can listen to interesting information in eight languages as you go around, and get on and off the bus as you please during the course of the day. Parque Doramas, situated pretty much in the middle of the city, is an oasis of calm and serenity. It is named in honour of the valiant 15th-Century Canarii warrior, Doramas, who fought bravely against the Spanish until his death in the battle of Arucas. And towards the centre of the city, it is worth taking a stroll down Avenida de José Mesa y López, the Fifth Avenue equivalent, with a huge range of shops and boutiques. You’ll end up at de Plaza España, complete with its curious sculpture depicting traditional Canarian trades such as trading, fishing, welding, etc. And Parque Santa Catalina is a great place to sit and enjoy some refreshment. This is where the city and the island vibrates for two weeks in February to the sound of Carnaval. They are probably still recovering! sn

“The Canarii were not the kind to give up easily and put up a fight that lasted five years”

Didyouknow?

If you notice the picket-fence design of the paint on the walls around you in Vegueta, these actually indicate the Gothic area.

Religion

So it turns out that Santa Ana was responsible for the success of the reconquest. Apparently, Juan Rejón had planned to establish his fortress nearer to the Castillo de la Luz, where there would have been insufficient drinking water and shade for the 60 men, until an apparition of Santa Ana told him to instead base himself in Vegueta. Hence the basilica and plaza dedicated to her.

Las Palmas offers great sailing, stunning street art and the most elegant little coffee kiosk ever in Parque San Telmo.

food&drinkIpork

15Imarch 2012

RareistheSpaniardwhoisn’tpassionateabouthispork!Hereisourguidetothedifferentcutsavailable,andwhateachisbestusedfor.

Pigging out

The Canarian black pig is a specialty here in the islands, and is definitely worth trying.

porkIfood&drink

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Pig breeders and fans often boast that nothing goes to waste on these animals and Spanish traditional cookery makes the most of every part of them. It is often said that whilst other meats only have one flavour, the various cuts that can be found on the pig have 50, an exaggeration no doubt, but the saying indicates clearly the marvellous variety of flavours available from this domesticated beast and the goodness and sustenance to be obtained therein. Doctor Marañón, a famous Spanish pioneering physician and endocrinologist called pork “the penicillin of the poor”.Most families in rural areas of Spain would have kept a pig at one time, the meat – salted, cured, smoked, pickled or processed into sausages, chorizos etc. and laid down in lard in large pottery jars – would have lasted for most of the year and the killing of the beast would be a cause for family celebration and full of rituals around which legends and myths have grown through the centuries. The favoured day for the pig slaughter is San Martín, November 11, which very fortunately also coincides with the availability of that

season’s wine. All over Spain on that day there are local fiestas featuring pork dishes and specialities which are only normally available during the ‘matanza’ such as sangre frita – fried blood, usually blended with onions.Fresh pork should have a pearly pink colour, be firm and fine with no sign of dampness and with dense milky white fat. Iberian pork should be a little darker.

Maincutsavailable

1. Cabeza – head, also known as careta although the careta is actually the cheeks. You can also buy the orejas – ears, sesos – brains, morro – snout, lengua – tongue and papada – jowl.

2. Aguja – neck end or blade, good for chops.3. Papada – lower jowl, very little meat but lots of tasty

fat which is good in potages and stews.4. Chuletas - corresponds to the fore loin of the UK

butchers and where the cinta is cut and de-boned.5. Paleta – known as hand or shoulder, but here sold

without the lower part of the leg or spring.

Delicious chunks of seasoned pork are available at most butchers, and just need to be fried or oven roasted.

“The Canarian black pig has a particularly succulent, moist texture”

food&drinkIpork

1�Imarch 2012

8

7

6

4

5

2

1 3

9

10

6. Panceta – belly pork.7. Lomo or solomillo – hind loin where the pork fillet is

located.8. Jamón – leg of pork, used whole here for roasting

or sliced into steaks and cut into chunks for dishes such as carne fiesta

9. Codillo – spring, between the jamón and the manos, sold on the bone and usually boiled.

10.Manos – trotters, you will find them prepared in a variety of ways – chopped into stews or boiled, de-boned, stuffed, battered and fried.

Tocino is the name given to the overall covering of skin and fat, which we use to make pork scratchings, known here as corteza or chicharrones. It can also be used to render down for lard for storing chorizos, etc or added to soups and stews.

Flavour

The flavour will not only depend on the cut, but also on the age of the animal or the variety of pig and its diet. There are two age ranges of suckling pig in Spain, the cochinillo or lechazo which is a male or female piglet of just a few weeks’ old that has only been fed its mother’s milk and weighs less than four kilos or the lechón which is a male piglet, still on mother’s milk which weighs about twice that much. Cochinillo, popular during the

Christmas and New Year holidays, is a traditional dish in Castilla y León and in particular in Segovia where one of the most famous of its cochinillo restaurants, Mesón de Candido, is tucked under its landmark Roman aqueduct. There, the maître cuts the suckling piglet into portions using a china plate, which is then smashed to prove its authenticity to the diners.Meat from a standard pig or cerdo is from an adult animal, around 10 months old and weighing between 100 and 150 kilos. Pig breeders claim that the most tender meat comes from a female pig just after it has weaned its young. Cerdo Ibérico, the Iberian breed of pig, comes in three forms: Iberíco de pienso – fed on cuttings, weeds and pellets until it reaches 80 kilos and thereafter only on pellets until it gets to 170 kilos; Ibérico de recebo, which eats pellets, cuttings and weeds until 80 kilos, thereafter pasture and acorns until 120 kilos and finally just pellets until 170 kilos and the Ibérico de bellota, which eats pellets, cuttings and weeds for the first 80 kilos and thereafter only pasture and acorns until it reaches 160-180 kilos. Iberian pigs are bred in pastures with oak trees known as dehesas. The best of the pastures have four different varieties of oak to provide an acorn crop from September to April. You need a full hectare of dehesa, for each Iberian pig.In the Canaries we have a further choice with the cochino Canario, the Canarian autonomous black pig, which has been bred by the islanders since the days >

porkIfood&drink

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of the original aborigine settlers, the Guanches. The Canarian pig is a slow grower and the fat becomes layered within the meat rather than just on the outside. This gives it a particularly succulent, moist texture, much appreciated by gastronomes.

Whichpiecetochoose?

Roast:solomillo, cinta, jamón, paletilla, costillar (complete) y careta.Fryorgrill:Slices or escalopes of cinta, solomillo, chops cut for the palo and aguja, costillas and panceta.Stews,hotpotsandricedishes: costillas, codillo, aguja and manos.Boileddishes(cocidos):oreja, morro or careta, codillo, jamón and manos.

Lacón

The paleta, salted, is a very popular typical dish in Galicia, boiled with grelos (turnip tops) and potatoes.

SecretoIbérico

Is a cut of meat found in the tocino of the Iberian pig. The fat accumulates, marbled through the meat which gives it an exceptional texture and flavour.

Pinchosmoruños

These kebabs originated in the Arab cuisine, specifically from Morocco, and would once have been made from lamb or chicken – anything but pork. However the texture of pork and in particular its fat make it perfect for this dish where chunks of pork are sprinkled with diced garlic and a mixture of spices for which the recipes differ but which would generally include paprika, cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon, ground chilli peppers, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, peppercorns, and turmeric. After being left to soak up the flavours the chunks of meat are then spiked onto a kebab, interspersed with pieces of onions and peppers and chargrilled. You will find them in fiestas all over the country. sc

“The flavour depends on the cut, the age of the animal, the variety of pig and its diet”

Pinchos moruños are delicious flame grilled kebabs. Below: the cinta of pork is fabulous for roasting.

food&drinkIrecipe

iberian secret

StuffedIberianSecret

Whilst this sumptuous cut of meat is excellent simply flash fried either side, try our exquisite recipe for a true gourmet experience. We bought our secreto ibérico from Alcampo. Expect to pay around €16 a kilo.

Ingredients

Olive oil4 large slices (around 200g each) of secreto ibérico100g sultanas200g Serrano hamTorta de Casar cheeseA glass of portSalt and pepper

Preparation

Soak the sultanas overnight in the port. Fry the meat on one side only and cool. Spread the cooked side with a layer of the

cheese, cover with the Serrano ham and fill with the sultanas.

Roll up and seal in cling film parcels and steam for 20 minutes.

Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and brown the unwrapped parcels, retire from heat.

Add the juice from the soaked sultanas to the pan and caramelise it, pour over the meat.

Serve hot or cold.

Variations

A handful of chopped walnuts blends well with the mix and if the budget won’t run to secreto ibérico, try a thinly sliced filleted chicken breast (which doesn’t need to be fried beforehand).

¡Que aproveche!

19Imarch 2012

the magazineI20

We have a cracking competition for you this month. If, after reading our article on Dublin (p45) you have a desire to get to know this fabulous city better, you are in luck – we have return flights for two people with Aer Lingus up for grabs in this month’s competition. Aer Lingus is the flag carrier of the Republic of Ireland. The company was formed in 1936 and last year celebrated 75 years in the air. Aer Lingus operates

a fleet of Airbus aircraft serving Europe, North America and North Africa, with flights up to four times weekly connecting Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura with Dublin, Cork and Belfast. On 26 March last year, to mark its 75th anniversary, the company presented its latest aircraft which was painted in the 1960s livery and the crew was wearing a selection of the historical uniforms. Aer Lingus has an excellent record in

customer care on-board and continues to be the airline of choice for many thousands, who rate the friendly charm of the airline and ground staff as among the best in the world.

Terms&ConditionsThe prize is two return flights from Tenerife Reina Sofia Airport to Dublin. Only one entry per person will be accepted. The winner’s name will be drawn on Friday 30 March 2012. The competition is open to members of the public, excluding staff of IC Media. The dates of travel will be negotiated between the winner and Aer Lingus. Aer Lingus has the right to exclude certain dates e.g bank holidays. Entrants must be aged 18 and over. The editor’s decision is final.

Question

Which Dublin statue is known as The Tart with the Cart?

The Magazine has two return flights to Dublin from Tenerife with Aer Lingus to give away to a lucky reader. To enter all you have to do is answer the following question. Like The Magazine on Facebook and leave your answer on our wall or send an email to [email protected]. Good luck!

Win!

Return fl ights to Dublin with Aer Lingus!!

aer lingus flightsIcompetition

culture art

Most of us deciding to collect coins make do with keeping them in a piggy bank, a large empty bottle or similar recipient. Nothing too creative in that, it has to be said, after all we can’t see or use the coins. And we normally shove them to the back of a cupboard somewhere, never to be seen again.

At the extreme opposite end of the “what-to-do-with-old-coins” scale, you find Fernando Sánchez Alexanco, who decided to make a four-and-a-half metre high replica of Picasso’s world famous Guernica painting, using only old 50, 25, 5 and 1 peseta coins emblazoned with Franco’s image. Half the size of the original masterpiece, Fernando’s 451-kilo Guernica took five long years to complete, and earned him a place in Guinness World Records as the only work of art in the world made from coins. But I had to ask, what inspired him to do it?“The first time I saw the Guernica (1982) I really analised it and came to the conclusion that Picasso had not included one symbol or effigy either of Franco nor the military in the entire piece,” explains Fernando. “So I decided to reproduce it, entirely from coins with Franco on – not as any kind of tribute to him or any other soldier, simply because Guernica represents the horror of war, and Picasso carried out the painting during the Spanish Civil War – a war that gave rise to Franco.”For the last few months this spectacular piece of art has been situated inside Casa de los Capitanes in La Laguna, where it typically received around two thousand visitors per day. It was removed at the end of February, and talks are currently ongoing between several interested municipalities as to where it will next be installed, with Granadilla and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria among the front runners. But what does Fernando see in the future for the piece?“I’d ideally like to sell it to a museum,” he comments (the work has been valued at €300,000), “in order for people to keep visiting and contemplating it.”

So what next for Fernando, who is clearly not a man keen on the idea of resting? A magnificent map of the entire European Union, that’s what, created using the pre-euro currency of each of the current 27 member states. The project has already been registered >

ThereisaGuinnessWorldRecordholderamongus

hereinTenerife,andyou’llneverbelievewhatfor…

Fernando Sánchez Alexanco with La Laguna Mayor, Fernando Clavijo.

21Imarch 2012

Money talks

the magazineI22

artIculture

“Half the size of the original masterpiece, Fernando‘s 451-kilo Guernica took five years to complete”

under the name (translated from Spanish) Monument to Pay Homage to the Disappeared Currency and the European Unification of the Euro. Where did he get the inspiration for this one from?“In 2002 some members of the European Union accepted to take on the euro in exchange for their own currencies, currencies which for many years had been circulating as representation of their different countries. Normally when there is such a relevant event take place in history, a special work of art has been commissioned – be it a statue, painting, sculpture, etc. This way the story of what happens passes on and future generations can also witness them, forming part of the history of the people. There has never been anything done for all these lost currencies.”

The homage to the lost currencies piece will, he estimates, take around two years to complete, after which he envisages being able to take the picture on a tour through the 27 member states of today’s EU. Fernando’s vision is of a giant coin, seven metres in diameter. On one side there will be a map of all the countries that make up the EU – each country will be taken up by the coins that were in circulation before the euro so Britain will obviously be the Penny, Spain the

Peseta, France the Franc, Portugal the Escudo, Germany the Deutschemark, etc. On the other side there will be the image of the euro itself, along with the European Union flag. Now he’s on the search for a corporate sponsor for his project – and with all the coins he has to collect, it’s obvious that a bank would be the ideal candidate.

Fernando, clearly impassioned by what he is explaining, sees it almost as the duty of those of us who have born witness to this monetary transition to the euro to embody this change in art. “The future generations will thank us for it,” he says. And he‘s right, surely? After talking to Fernando I returned home with an overwhelming desire to hunt out my collection of coins, leftover change from past foreign travels, which, of course, I couldn’t find. And I have to hand it to the guy, it would be a beautiful tribute to see these historical monies immortalised in a unique piece of art. He can have mine for a start – when I find them… sn

For more information go to www.arteconmonedas.com.

As soon as Fernando has finalised where his Guernica will be

situated next we will let you know.

Fernando believes future generations will appreciate his efforts. These school kids certainly did.

His next ambitious project is a double-sided

homage to the disappeared

currencies, the unification of the EU and the euro.

top5Iasian/indian

23Imarch 2012

asian restaurants in tenerife

KazanDiscreet, unassuming, and very understated, you could walk right past Kazan in Santa Cruz and not even realise it was there. But don’t walk past, walk into this beautifully designed restaurant; you’re in for a real gastronomic treat. With traditional and fusion Japanese cuisine on offer, Kazan stands out for the unpretentiousness of its decoration, the pleasantness of its staff and the fabulous

quality of its ingredients, which is never more apparent than in the incredible selection of sushi on offer. Subtle, simple, but intense flavours dominate, that leave you with a remarkably clean palate. The Tuna and Quail’s Egg maki are exquisite and the Spicy Tuna Tartar is delicious. Carnivores will love the Nigiri with Pluma Ibérica (pork) and the pak choi with top-class Iberian meat. To accompany try some fabulous Sake.

Monday – Saturday 13.30-16.00, 20.30-23-30. Closed Sunday & Monday evenings.

from €25 per head

restaurantekazan.com

922 24 55 98

the magazineI24

asian/indianItop5asian/indian

Goodbye, Teppanyaki in CC Safari, Playa de las Américas, and hello to the new, fabulously revamped Imperial Tai Pan! While still under the same management, Imperial Tai Pan embraces the 20-plus years of experience brought forward from Teppanyaki’s roots with the original Slow Boat family, but now boasts a much more extensive menu, which includes 70 delicious new dishes that have been added across the Teppanyaki, Chinese and Sushi menus. There is also an entirely new section called Chef’s Imperial Dishes, offering creations such as Braised Lobster in a house Armagnac and Yellow Bean sauce with fried garlic, Tempura coated Sea Bass in a rich spicy Black

Bean sauce served on a bed of rice and Fillet steak in Red Wine & Black Pepper Peking sauce. Sushi lovers will be very happy with the new menu, too, and as always there are the Teppanyaki set menus available, mixing seafood and meat or just one or the other, for a really entertaining, different and delicious dinner experience.

Imperial Tai Pan

Monday to Saturday 13:30-23:30, Sunday 17:00-23:00Reservation essential.

From €25 per head

imperialtaipanrestaurant.com

922 �9 53 95

Kamakura at Sheraton La Caleta

Peacefully nestled in Sheraton la Caleta, Kamakura teleports you to a serene corner of Japan. The restaurant has been tastefully designed and decorated, evoking a fully authentic experience. And the food is sublime. Choose from Teppanyaki grill or sushi bar – or combine them both. If you’re less familiar with Japanese cuisine, the tasting menu is a great option. For €50 a head you can sample a

selection of dishes, from sushi to seaweed salad, mixed tempura and teppanyaki of fillet steak and king prawns. The exclusive atmosphere and intimate nature of the restaurant makes eating here a really special experience – the sushi and sashimi are especially good. Wash it down with a wine from the extensive list, or better still a selection of Japanese beer and Sake.

Wednesday to Sunday 18:30-22:30. Reservation needed.

From €35 per head

sheratonlacaleta.com/kamakura

922 16 20 00

top5Iasian/indian

25Imarch 2012

18:30pm-22:30 pm. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.Reservation needed.

from €35 per head

hotelbotanico.com

902 080 000

Opened in 1996 by Queen Sirikit of Thailand herself, The Oriental has, for the second year running, been awarded by the Thai Ministery for Agriculture the prize for Best Restaurant in Spain in reference to the superb quality of its Thai ingredients. The Oriental offers you the chance to enjoy some top-class cuisine from destinations such as Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Japan in sumptuous, elegant surroundings. Indulge yourself in taste sensations such as Prawn Botanico; delicious deep-fried breaded prawns with a sweet and

Kabuki at Abama Golf & Spa Resort

Dinner at Kabuki is a very special experience. From its location in Abama Golf & Spa Resort to its modern, stylish decoration, Kabuki makes an impression before you’ve even taken a look at the menu. The food itself is sublime; diners can opt for a more traditional Japanese menu or Kabuki’s fusion creations. Whatever you choose, you can be sure it will be spectacular, made from the highest quality ingredients and presented beautifully. Everything on the menu looks and sounds wonderful, we know from experience that the Sashimi de Otoño is well worth trying, as is

the Ramen with Secreto Ibérico and the Tuna Tartar Estrellado – delicious chunks of tuna with fried egg and black Canarian potatoes, mixed with a touch of wasabi. For dessert we highly recommend the Green Tea Panna Cotta, but whatever you choose will be amazing. For Japanese food lovers, Kabuki will head to the top of your list of favourite restaurants.

19:00-23:00, closed Tuesdays. Reservation recommended.

Around €50 per head

abamahotelresort.com

922 12 60 00

The Oriental at Hotel Botánico

sour sauce, or Salad of Crispy Duck with a plum dressing. For a truly unforgettable meal go for the Lobster in Yellow Curry or the house specialty, Glazed Duck (needs to be pre-ordered the day before). If you still have room, the Sticky Rice with Mango and Coconut makes a great dessert.

www.polercisetenerife.com

Due to high demand now available in 5 fabulous locations!Tenerife: Playa de Las Américas, Santa Cruz & Las Chafiras (at Xtreme Fitness): Tel 673 257 089 Los Gigantes: Tel 617 160 405Gran Canaria: Tel 678 857 836

Pole, Fitness & Dance Studio’s

In our 3,000 square metre centre you will find the best selection of lamps of all styles on offer, with

over 5,000 different models available, all at

FACTORY PRICES

Lamp Factory

Buy during your holidaysWe deliver to your home country Ctra. General C-820, Travesía la Panadería, 1

38440 Santo Domingo (La Guancha)Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Tel / Fax: 922 130 301

OPENING HOURS:Monday to Saturday 9am to 2pm & 4pm to 9pm

WE SPEAK ENGLISH ·GERMAN · SPANISH ·FRENCH · ITALIAN

Puerto Colón, Jetty 2 · Costa AdejeSailings 10:30 · 13:30 · 16:30

Reservations: +34 822 106 871 · +34 670 817 766www.maxifunsailing.com · [email protected]

KosamuiSailing

DOLPHINS& WHALESWATCHING

PRIVATE CHARTER

EXCURSIONS

The ideal candidates should speak fluent English and Spanish (some German is also an advantage), and know the island of Tenerife well. You should also hold a clean driving licence.

While commercial experience is not essential, some knowledge of the market will work in your favour.

You will receive in-house training and the support of a vibrant and committed team.Flexibility and initiative are essential.

Interested parties should send a current Curriculum Vitae to the Managing Director, Miguel González, [email protected]

The team at Island Connections is growing, and we arelooking for new sales staff to join our busy publication.

activitiesIfun ways to get fit

Most of us like the idea of engaging in sport of some sort, but recoil as soon as the word “gym” is mentioned. Because when it comes down to it, if we can tear ourselves away from screaming kids, a pile of dishes or mean looking paperwork for an hour or two (not to mention a comfy leather sofa), well, we also want to enjoy ourselves, don’t we? The idea of going for a jog or brisk walk is all well and good, you’re out in this lovely fresh air, after all, but it does require huge amounts of self-discipline – if no-one knows you were meant to be going or is waiting for you, who cares if you go tomorrow instead, right? But there are some ways of keeping yourselves in shape that provide the perfect mix of not taking ourselves too seriously, with some moderate fat-burning exercise, that can also be seen as a social gathering, too. And these are precisely the types of activity that you are most likely to stick to – the ones you enjoy the most. So what to go for?

Poledancing

Whatever your misguided notions may be when pole dancing lessons are mentioned, stop them right now: far from being exclusively an activity for young nubile girls in discreet gentlemen’s clubs, pole dancing actually provides a fun workout of your entire body.Suitable for all shapes, sizes and ages, regardless of your level of fitness, Stefania Roberto at Polercise

Gettingintoshapeshouldbefun–ifnothingelse,thatwayyou’remorelikelytosticktoit.Takealookatsomemoreentertainingalternativestothetreadmillatthegym.

Let’s get physical!

Tenerife has seen it all in her classes. “We’ve had hundreds of girls come through the door over the five years we’ve been doing classes, from 12 to 60 and sizes six to 20 and over! We’ve had people who were so unfit they couldn’t even complete the first class who now are pole fitness instructors themselves.”All you need for the classes are comfortable, loose fitting clothes and plenty of enthusiasm. But what about the benefits? You’d be surprised. Pole dancing tones and strengthens muscles and burns calories. Think about it: you are lifting your entire body weight with every movement. “It literally changes the whole shape of the body,” continues Stefania, “but it is such fun, lots of people say they’ve never seen girls laugh so much >

Stefania runs several pole dancing classes,

which she promises are great fun.

2� march 2012

fun ways to get fitIactivities

the magazineI28

doing exercise. But then you ache the next day, so you know it’s working.” For more information go to www.polercisetenerife.com.

Zumba

Taking the world by storm, one country at a time is Zumba – the sexy Latin dance way to get yourself fit. Created by Colombian dancer and choreographer Alberto “Beto” Perez in Colombia during the 1990s, allegedly when he forgot his usual tape for an aerobic class and instead had to improvise with his own music tape from his car, Zumba now has an army of over seven million adoring fans around the world. Zumba combines dance and aerobics, embracing everything from hip-hop to salsa, mambo to martial arts and everything in between. Those that have tried it love it. The benefits of Zumba are that of an aerobic class, you burn fat and get into shape, toning your whole body. The difference is in the more fun side of the classes, there is almost guaranteed laughter in a Zumba class, and it really does make you feel good about yourself – lifting your spirit as well as your bum! There are several Zumba classes available in Tenerife. Ask in your local gym, as they often run classes. Ritmania in los Cristianos also offers classes.

Rollerblading/Rollerskating

The preferred pastime of the tanned, toned and beautiful in Los Angeles, Tenerife boasts some fantastic beach promenades that are just begging to be skated up and down. Can you think of a nicer way to spend a couple of hours than gliding along the gorgeous

beaches, watching surfers and people happily going about their day, with the fresh breeze cooling you down. Stop off for some refreshment when you get tired and keep going – all the way from la Caleta to Los Cristianos if you feel like it. You may be shocked to learn that skating is on a par with cycling and even jogging when it comes to burning those calories, and a far more graceful way to do it, too. If you prefer to keep your skating efforts more clandestine and indoors, why not head to Skate world in Los Olivos, Adeje (behind Lidl). For a flat rate of €5 you can skate until your legs drop off – or you fracture your ankle (just kidding!). Get those 1980s legwarmers out from the back of your closet and get your skates on!

Cycling

No, I am not talking about sitting on a stationary bike in a gym, staring at a wall. In a place like Tenerife, where weather is almost always on our side, get on a real bike and take to the road. This is a great activity to do with the whole family, to encourage kids to prize themselves away from their Playstation, and it provides a good workout, especially when it comes to toning your legs. If you plan your route in advance, you can make a point of stopping half way somewhere nice for lunch and a rest. There are several more challenging routes inland, but if you’re after some pleasant, low-intensity exercise, think about cycling along the back roads to somewhere like El Médano or Alcalá (unless you live too far away), enjoying a picnic or café lunch, even a swim, and back again. Go to http://www.webtenerifeuk.co.uk and look under activities-bike for some fab route ideas. Spanish speakers should also check out www.tusrutasysenderos.com. sn

“ If no-one knows you were meant to be going or is waiting for you, who cares if you go tomorrow instead, right?”

Cycling is a great family activity, and the perfect way to discover lesser-known areas of the island.

Skating provides a fabulous workout

for your thighs, and is perfect to do with

friends or your partner.

29Imarch 2012

It’sfairtosaythatwhenyouaregiventheopportunitytodineintheonlyMichelin-starredrestaurantintheCanaryIslands,levelsofanticipationskyrocket–especiallyif,likeus,youhavenevereateninaMichelin-starredrestaurantbefore.WewentalongtoTenerife’spremierrestaurant,M.BatAbamaGolf&SpaResort,withalltheexcitementofchildrenonChristmasEve.

TheserviceNot surprisingly in a restaurant of this calibre, the team of waiting staff offered a truly first-class service. There was an almost effortless harmony between them all that meant the diner was thoroughly spoilt, both in the professionalism of the service itself to the knowledge of the menu and recommendations.

ThefoodWe very happily entrusted our night into the hands of head chef Erlanz Gorostiza and his very capable team, and were treated to the tasting menu. What followed were 10 exquisite dishes. In fact, our palates had a thorough workout of countless tastes and textures, some combinations were so unlikely that we really did meet the dish with apprehension. But here if nowhere else you really have to trust that the unstoppable genius

of Martin Berasategui and his team do, in fact, know what they are doing, however bizarre it may sound – not for nothing does Martin currently hold the most Michelin Stars in Spain – an impressive seven. We started with a selection of sublime breads (heaven for a carb queen like me) with a variety of flavoured butters. The dried fruit and nut bread was out of this world, but the papas con mojo bread – (traditional Canarian potatoes with spicy sauce) was something else. Over the next hour or so we had the pleasure of sampling creations such as: tartar of tuna that literally melted on contact with the mouth and came with a wasabi jelly, spiced asparagus and salmon caviar; a warm lobster salad with tropical flowers; crème of foie (which looked like a pretty manicured garden); translucent gazpacho – an almost tooth-achingly cold, crisp, salty, sweet combination with tomato hearts and salted anchovies. There was also a succulent, meaty flame-grilled cod fillet with saffron caviar, that was accompanied by an Iberian ham stock; a black truffle ravioli; a false risotto of kuretake mushrooms with a chestnut emulsion (false because there was no rice); a beautiful onion and cheese soup, with gnocchis and a red onion jelly and fillet of deer on a fig jam with chestnut mousse. And just when we were debating undoing the top button of the trousers, the word desserts – plural – was mentioned. Naturally >

tried&tested M.B

TRIED & TESTED

iCMEDiA

The decoration of M.B is elegant

and tasteful, with immense attention

to detail.

M.B

we found room in our dessert stomach, and just as well – first up was a divine coconut ice cream on a bed of crushed ice rum with a beetroot sauce. Best ice cream ever eaten, by a mile. Next, and finally, came perhaps the most interesting dish of the night. Now, normally, being honest, if someone suggested liquorice ice cream, on a bed of black olive sand, with a vanilla and pumpkin cream, well, we’d maybe decline the offer, and begin to doubt their mental health. This is just one of the reasons that we don’t have any Michelin stars I imagine, because it was strangely spectacular. Alone, the ice cream was a bit strong perhaps, but the combination of the elements when eaten together was incredible. Coffee and some divine little petit-fours rounded off our night, along with a quick tour of the tardis-like kitchens. The wine list was by far the most extensive we’ve ever seen, and we were exceptionally grateful for the expertise of the waiting staff to point us in the right direction, which for us was Viñatigo Gual – a D.O Ycoden Daute Isora from the north of Tenerife, that is unique in the fact that the grape contains whisky lactone, which gives is a wonderful woody flavour, as if it had been kept in a barrel.

OverallIn a word: unforgettable. From its beautiful location and tasteful decoration to the highly professional manner of its staff, M.B was already a winner before we even sampled the food. M.B is the epitome of classy, elegant dining with a selection of dishes so creative, so beautiful and so delicious that pretty much all your senses are seduced on every level possible. On a less chilly evening (seriously, it was freezing), we would have loved to enjoy our meal from the gorgeous tables on the terrace, gazing across the sea to La Gomera. But now we have the perfect excuse to go back, so every cloud…. sn

M.B tried&tested

the magazine30

Light, exotic and utterly delicious:

the warm Lobster Salad .

The gloriously presented Cream of Foie looked like the Garden of Eden.

Flame-grilled cod fillet with saffron

caviar and Iberian ham stock.

We felt a bit guilty destroying the work of art that is the Onion soup with gnocchis and red onion jelly.

Liquorice ice cream, vanilla and pumpkin

cream and black olive ‘sand’. Don’t ask us

how it works, but believe us that it does!

31Imarch 2012

greenlivingIgreen house makeover

Being green starts at home – or is that charity? Well, it fits equally well with the idea of caring more about our planet, too: after all, we spend a lot of time at home, and it is here where we could benefit most from a green makeover. Firstly, it’s better for your health, and secondly, green alternatives are almost always better for your pocket. Here are some tips to give a green makeover to some of the most popular rooms around the house. There are many small changes we can make and things we can do to do our part in reducing landfill waste, cleaning the air we breathe and consuming as little as possible of the earth’s resources.

Bedroom

First of all you need to take a long hard look at everything that doesn’t need to be there. More than any room in the house, the bedroom should be a relaxing haven, not a general dumping ground. Some quick, easy steps include:

De-clutter: remove any boxes, exercise equipment, televisions, computers and general junk from the room.

Get cleaning: take your eco cleaning products and give the room a thorough spring clean. How long has it been since you wiped down your walls? Washed the windows? Pulled out the furniture and cleaned behind? The bedroom often gets overlooked because it’s the room we don’t have to worry about visitors seeing. >

Green hometipsThere are many little

things we can do around our home that are of

benefit to you, the planet and your pocket.

green house makeoverIgreenliving

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“Toilets are responsible for around 30 per cent of water used in the average household”

Take down those dust-filled curtains, pick up the rug and give them a damn good wash. Curtains and rugs are very bad news for any asthma or allergy sufferers, and not good for the rest of us, either. They harbour dirt, pollen, dust and all manner of other nasty things, and they hardly ever get washed. Replace curtains with natural bamboo or wooden blinds that are easily cleaned with a damp cloth.

Treat yourself to some divine eco-bedding. You don’t have to replace your mattress with a green one, but do go for some bamboo sheets or some soft organic cotton ones. By far the most important things in your life to switch for greener options are those that go in and on your body. We tend to spend a lot of time in bed, therefore sheets, duvet covers and pillows are good examples of the kind of things we should swap. Shop around; once only available in exclusive boutiques, bamboo sheets and organic cotton bedding products are now available in several outlets such as El Corte Inglés and Zara Home.

For small children and babies, make sure they also have organic cotton bedding and furniture that is easy to keep clean (no fabrics). Get rid of curtains, or make sure they are washed regularly, and beware soft cuddly toys on beds and shelves…they are magnets for dust mites!

Bathroom

You might be surprised to learn that bathrooms are actually one of the most energy consuming rooms of the house. Think about it: baths filled with lovely hot water, countless flushes of the toilet and then there’s the constant running of taps. Making sure that your bathroom is as energy efficient as possible will greatly reduce your carbon footprint and save you money. Toilets, believe it or not, are responsible for around 30 per cent of water used in the average household! So when it comes to giving the bathroom a green makeover, it is nearly all related to saving water:

Firstly, change any leaky taps. If you don’t have one, get a dual flush toilet with the

half-flush option for liquid waste. Make taking a bath a treat reserved for once every

month maximum. Set a goal for yourself to try and keep showers to five

minutes. Talking of the shower, check the type of head you

have. Some of the more modern, multi-headed power shower systems can actually use more water than a bath. Fit a water-saving shower head, which will mimimise water waste without compromising on the pressure. >

Treat your skin to some luxurious bamboo towels.

Blinds made from natural materials are

much more hygenic than curtains.

You really don’t want to know what’s lurking in your carpet. Get it cleaned, or, even better, get rid of it!

33Imarch 2012

greenlivingIgreen house makeover

Don’t leave the tap running when brushing your teeth.

Don’t make your toilet into an ad-hoc waste disposal for leftover food.

Use recycled toilet paper and either bamboo or organic cotton bath towels.

Buy natural, organic soaps, shampoos and shower gels. This way, not only are you making sure that you aren’t absorbing any dodgy chemicals through your skin, you’re also not pouring anything suspicious down the plughole and into our water supply.

If you’re choosing a new bath, go for a narrower model or a P-shaped variety. Both require less water to fill.

Livingroom/Office

Our living space is where we are most guilty of leaving appliances plugged in or switched on when we are not using them. That goes for the lights, too – we have a huge amount of natural light here in Tenerife, and often it is habit, not necessity that has us reaching for the light switch. Here are some things worth thinking about:

Firstly, get rid of your carpet or rug. Not only is it a magnet for dirt, dust, toxins and creatures great and small, it is also more than likely made from nylon or

some other synthetic material. Replace with a rug made from natural fibres that is stitched – not glued – together.

Make sure you turn off your computer and all its accessories (speakers, printer, etc) completely at night.

Pay as many bills as possible online. Sign up to some good eco-friendly websites and

newsletters. The Daily Green is a good place to start. Don’t just throw away scrap paper – reuse it. Print on

two sides, or let your children use it for colouring. Replace curtains with easy-to-clean blinds made from

natural materials. Don’t reach for the lights as soon as you get in or

wake up. Open your shutters and curtains, and let as much natural light as possible flood your home.

Kitchen

A green kitchen makeover doesn’t mean you have to rip out your existing kitchen and start all over again; there are lots of little changes that you can make to your kitchen to improve its green credentials, from little changes up to a whole new eco-friendly kitchen. So, no matter what your budget is, there will be something that you can do. >

“Curtains and rugs are very bad news for any asthma or allergy sufferers”

Your shower head could be wasting

thousands of gallons of water

each year.

Turning your washing machine down to 30

degrees makes a huge difference.

Living in a place as sunny as we do, who

needs to use a tumble drier?

green house makeoverIgreenliving

the magazineI34

If the current appliances are still in good working order the most environmentally-friendly option is to keep them and not throw them into a landfill. But if new ones are needed, make sure you purchase those with the highest energy efficiency rating possible. These handy tips will save money, energy and the planet:

Use biodegradable cleaning products. These are available from the larger supermarkets such as Carrefour. Or, try making your own cleaning products from safe household products such as vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.

Stop buying disposable dishcloths. Use ones that can be washed and used again, or try microfibre cloths, which only need water, not cleaning products.

Stop buying kitchen roll. Use cloth napkins instead. If you really must buy it, at least make sure it’s a recycled variety.

Stop buying bottled water. Spend just 10 minutes watching The Story of Bottled Water, and invest in a filter for your tap water.

Cover your pots and pans while cooking – you will save lots of energy. And make sure the ring you cook on matches the size of your pan.

Make double the quantity when cooking and freeze leftovers. Not only will you save energy, you’ll always have tasty meals in your freezer.

Make more one-pot meals. Stir-fries, stews and casseroles save both energy and washing-up!

Don’t put uncovered liquids or hot food into the fridge – these make the fridge work much harder than necessary, using more energy.

Don’t keep opening and closing the fridge. Decide what you want to take out of the fridge before opening the door. Likewise, when putting shopping away, collect all the chilled items together and put them all in the fridge at the same time.

Only put your dishwasher on when you have a full load. And remember washing by hand uses both more energy and more water!

Reuse glass jars to store food – always opt for glass, ceramic or aluminium instead of plastic.

Choose a cold water cycle on your washing machine. Dry your clothes outside on a line – tumble dryers

use a huge amount of energy. And above all, remember the Three Rs: Reduce, Recycleand Reuse. Make this your home’s mantra. sn

Don’t forget to switch off or unplug appliances when they are not in use.

Make sure the ring is the same size at the pan you are using.

Using cloth napkins instead of paper is a small change we

can all make.

One-pot cooking saves washing up and energy.

A win-win situation!

35Imarch 2012

propertyIof the month

Enjoying a spectacular location in El Duque, overlooking the beautiful Costa Adeje and over to La Gomera, the stunning Baobab Domains raises the bar for quality. And it is here amid this selection of 40 different styles of properties that we find our property of the month. Las Aguas 0.3 is a luxurious ground-floor level three-bedroom apartment in this exclusive region of Fañabe. This high-end property boasts a total of 157 square metres of interior living space, all designed and furnished to the highest possible standard. There is

a spacious living room and open-plan kitchen, which comes with all the latest electrical appliances (Siemens &Novy). Three beautifully appointed bedrooms boast built-in wardrobes, and there are two ultra-modern bathrooms, one with a bathtub and the other offering a walk-in shower. A utility room and separate guest toilet complete the inside of the property. But as sublime as the interior of this apartment (and indeed the entire complex) is, the real ‘wow’ factor and its trump card is the outdoor area. After all, in a >

of the monthIproperty

the magazineI36

Contactdetails

For further information or to arrange a viewing of a show home email [email protected] or call 620 217 108. For general information go to www.baobabdomains.com.

destination as sunny year round as Tenerife, who wants to be inside more than necessary? With a generous 102-square-metre terrace that is just perfect for al-fresco dining, soaking up the fabulous sea views, and a glorious 28-square-metre private swimming pool, you may suddenly find yourself swamped with friends inviting themselves around, but who could blame them? All the latest building materials have been used in construction; each apartment boasts double glazing and is completely soundproofed (insulation in walls and ceilings). The resort itself offers a reception, two gorgeous communal pools, a pool bar, a kids’ corner and a restaurant. And a professional team will be in charge of the optional rental of your property, offering you the chance to earn an extra profit on your investment – music to an investor’s ear! This stunning home is available off-plan for €795,000.

AllthepropertiesthatmakeupBaobabDomainsboastthehighestqualityconstructionandinteriordesign,withseaviewstodiefor.

3�Imarch 2012

If there was one area when it comes to property where we often lose our head it’s renovating. When it comes to either buying or selling a home, most of us sit down, take notes, and make the decision very carefully, weighing up the pros and cons, costs involved, etc. We recognize the life-altering nature of the choices we’re taking, and afford them due respect. But renovating? Anyone can do that, right? Well, yes, anyone can do it – badly. But a successful renovation job takes time, effort and dedication to achieve, not to mention knowing what you’re doing. Back in the UK I fully blame the plethora of house makeover television shows, which basically inspires everyone to the point of insanity, thinking that

we all have a Handy Andy residing in us somewhere, and that all we need is a chance (and an hour) to let him or her shine. Here in the Canaries it could be for many reasons: maybe you’ve bagged a bargain property that

needs a lot of work doing to it, maybe you neither understand nor trust local tradesmen, or perhaps you’re doing it as an exercise in cost reduction.But take note: a renovation can cost thousands of euros, which, if not carefully controlled, could mean you not only lose

your money but also devalue your property, costing you yet more. Here is a list of points to consider if you are thinking about renovating any part or all of your property: >

propertyIrenovation tips

Whendonecorrectly,arenovationprojectcanhaveanalmostmiraculouseffectonaproperty.Whendonebadly,it’sadisaster.Hereareourtips…

“being able to assemble some Ikea furniture does not make you a carpenter”

Even just a lick of paint can work wonders in giving

a room a new lease of life.

the magazineI38

“spend time mapping out your budget and stick to it – but have an extra 20% stashed away for the inevitable rainy day”

Make a list of absolutely everything that you want to do, be it in one room or in several.

When once you have this list, put all the jobs in order of priority as to what has to be done first. See which ones you could reasonably do yourself (painting walls, for example) to keep costs down. Being able to put together some Ikea furniture does not make you a carpenter: know when you need the professionals to help.

Calculate, recalculate and calculate again how much you are going to have to spend – when once you have your total, make sure you keep an extra 20-30% back as a contingency plan. Everyone always overspends their budget on renovation. Always.

Get a list together of the materials you are going to need, and start shopping around to find out the difference in quality and price, and from different suppliers.

The same goes for workmen. A minimum of three quotes is essential to get a fair idea of what price to expect.

If your workmen quote you for labour and materials, ask for a separate quote for materials only, so you can see if you can do better by sourcing them yourself.

When it comes to hiring a professional tradesman or company, word of mouth is a great place to start – both to find a good workman, and to know which to avoid!

Don’t sign any contract with a tradesman without

reading it carefully – for example, never agree to pay all the money upfront, at least not if you want them to finish the job. Agree to pay in stages, and keep the last payment back until you are fully happy with the end result.

From your list of things needed to buy, decide where you could save money and where you shouldn’t. Items that you are going to look at for a long time, for example, are worth spending more on. Shelling out €2,000 on a new bathroom suite and then buying the cheapest €10 shower head is a bit silly. The same goes for kitchen cupboard handles or plug sockets.

Avoid at all costs changing your original project half way through. You will drive the tradesmen insane, and your budget won’t last until the end. Spend all the time in the world thinking through every possible configuration of your new open plan kitchen/dining room before work starts, but not after.

Simplyput:the bad news is that, badly carried out (imagine pulled down walls, workmen nowhere to be seen and no running water) a renovation project can put an enormous strain on your health, your relationship (it’s always their fault), your bank balance and your sanity. But follow our tips and you can enjoy it for what it is – the opportunity to breathe new life in to your home, yourself and your family, and a unique opportunity to really put your stamp on your property. Good luck! sn

renovation tipsIproperty

39march 2012

body&soul stress

According to the Oxford Dictionary, stress is ‘a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances’. These days, the word stress is bandied around and overused somewhat, which often means that due importance is not given to those really suffering from the condition. Or, worse still, we simply have come to accept it as part and parcel of today’s living – a necessary side effect of being in the rat race of modern Western society. What many people don’t realise, however, is that stress is often caused by perception, which might not accurately reflect the reality of the situation. If you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. We often worry that we need to possess certain gadgets, a certain car, the latest technology, or look a certain way, when in actual fact we don’t at all. Or we jump to the wrong conclusions over someone’s behavior, without getting the facts. This way of perceiving something adds even more to our already full plate, and it isn’t even true. We really are our own worst enemies at times! >

Stresshasbecomeanacceptedpartofmodernlife,andaffectsmostofusatsomepoint.Butthestressitselfisn’tthemostimportantthing;it’showyoudealwithitthatmatters.

the magazineI40

Whatcausesit?

Stress can come from several different sources, and of course it’s all about how we perceive things, too: what is stressful for one person may not cause any stress whatsoever to another. There are four main sources of stress: life events, physical, internal and lifestyle.

Life events – certain life events do place huge demands on us and our ability to adapt. The most commonly used scale is that of psychologists Holmes and Rahe (see box out). When several of the most stressful life events happen within a close period of time (say 1-2 years) there is a higher risk of you developing stress-related illnesses.

Physical – Pain (whether short or long term), disease, surgery, infections, etc. are definitely stressful.

Internal – Our thoughts, feelings, beliefs and memories have the possibility of causing us major stress, especially if we let them. This is one area where we really do have control. Typical causes of stress include negative thinking, bottling up emotions, past emotional upset we refuse to let go of, low self-esteem, resentment, perfectionism, and so on.

Lifestyle – This is another area where we really do have control. Our lifestyles are directly related to the amount of stress we have, typical causes include poor diet, not enough sleep, drinking too much, overspending, working too much, poor time management, etc.

AcutevsChronicstress

Stress is basically our body's reaction to the demands of the world. Stressors are the events or conditions in our surroundings that may trigger stress. The way our body reacts to stressors depends on whether the stressor is new — acute stress — or whether it has been around for some time — chronic stress.The chances are, if you were to sit down and make a list of all the things that are causing you stress right now, they would all be chronic stressors. Hardly any of you, in fact probably no-one would have an acute stressor on their list because if you were really in an acutely stressful situation (about to be eaten by a lion, say), you’d be too worried about saving your life to be writing anything down. Acute stress is very short-lived, and can even be beneficial to us in creating motivation (last minute cramming for an exam, or meeting a deadline for example). The stress disappears as soon as the situation is resolved. Very few of us suffer from acute stress. Chronic stress, on the other hand, affects most of us at some point. It arises when a situation is ongoing, not resolved, such as an illness, stormy relationship, close family relative in some sort of trouble, unemployment, etc. This long-term stress can cause additional health problems such as stomach ulcers, irritable bowel disease or even heart disease. >

stressIbody&soul

Illness, death and the chaotic nature of our day – always rushing around, all play a part in making us feel like we cannot cope.

body&soul stress

41Imarch 2012

“If there is no solution to the problem then don’t waste time worrying about it. If there is a solution to the problem then

don’t waste time worrying about it.”The Dalai Lama

Whathappenswhenwearestressed?

As soon as we are faced with any danger – which can be real or imagined – a complex chain reaction of events is triggered in our bodies. This stress response was designed to save our lives – quite an important function, really! Back when our main concern was finding something to eat, acute physical stress generated the well-known flight-or-flight response. During this time our heart rate increases, our blood pressure also goes up and our blood is pushed from our digestive system to our limbs, getting us ready to fight or run. Sensory awareness usually improves, too, ready to identify new threats. Adrenaline and other hormones are also released into our blood to give us the energy we need to deal with the situation.The stress itself was usually short lived, after which we were either dead or (and preferably) our parasympathetic nervous system took over, bringing us back to a state of relaxation. But this is all well and good in situations of acute stress. What effect does chronic stress have on our bodies?? Not a good one. If you find yourself in situations – for example money problems, unhappy relationship, difficulties at work, etc, on a physiological level your body responds in pretty much the same way as if you were in mortal danger. But if the worry is not short lived, and you are in a prolonged state of angst, your poor sympathetic nervous system goes into overdrive, which is bad news for your body. >

HolmesandRaheStressScale

Life event Life change units

Death of a spouse 100 Divorce 73 Marital separation 65 Imprisonment 63 Death of a close family member 63 Personal injury or illness 53 Marriage 50 Dismissal from work 47 Marital reconciliation 45 Retirement 45 Change in health of family member 44 Pregnancy 40 Sexual diffi culties 39 Gain a new family member 39 Business readjustment 39 Change in fi nancial state 38 Death of a close friend 37 Change to different line of work 36 Change in frequency of arguments 35 Major mortgage 32 Foreclosure of mortgage or loan 30 Change in responsibilities at work 29 Child leaving home 29 Trouble with in-laws 29 Outstanding personal achievement 28 Spouse starts or stops work 26 Begin or end school 26 Change in living conditions 25 Revision of personal habits 24 Trouble with boss 23 Change in working hours or conditions 20 Change in residence 20 Change in schools 20 Change in recreation 19 Change in church activities 19 Change in social activities 18 Minor mortgage or loan 17 Change in sleeping habits 16 Change in number of family reunions 15 Change in eating habits 15 Vacation 13 Christmas 12 Minor violation of law 11

Score of 300+: At risk of illness.Score of 150-299+: Risk of illness is moderate (reduced by 30% from the above risk).Score 150-: Only have a slight risk of illness.

Add up your points total of

stressful events that have taken

place in your life over the last one

to two years, and see what your score is!

the magazineI42

stressIbody&soul

“The problem with the rate race is that even if you win, you’re still a rat.” Lily Tomlin

43Imarch 2012

Effectsonyourbody,moodandbehaviourinclude:

Highbloodpressure Headache Muscle tension Chest pain Decreased sex drive Stomach upset (poor digestion) Sleep problems Fatigue

Anxiety Restlessness Lack of motivation or focus Irritability or anger Sadness or depression

Overeatingorundereating Angry outbursts Drug or alcohol abuse Tobacco use Social withdrawal

Howcanyoureducestress?

The bad news is that you are almost certain to suffer from stress at some point – it’s part and parcel of the

hectic, modern world we love in. The good news is that because such a high proportion of the stress we suffer from tends to be either emotional or psychological, training ourselves to simply think differently about our problems can help greatly to reduce stress. Firstly, you need to identify the sources of your stress and see which ones you can eliminate from your life. Understanding the types and sources of your stress is a vital part of stress management. So what stresses you out? Think carefully about internal stressors, such as unrealistic expectations as well as external stressors, such as work demands or family pressures. Then look for ways to help you cope with stress, which could be exercise, socialising with a good friend, music, etc. If you feel the need to talk to a professional there are plenty on hand to help, such as Yerami Roque Cordovi, an English-speaking psychologist at New European Clinic. The most important change you can make is to train yourself to think more rationally and more positively. The calmer you are in any situation, and the more you believe in your own ability to cope with whatever comes your way, the more empowered you will feel and the less stressful the situation will become. It’s an oversimplification perhaps but it really does come down to some serious PMA – Positive Mental Attitude. Can you handle stress? Yes, you can! sn

It’s all about learning to be calm and weather the storm you find yourself in.

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Today’s society is

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body&soulIstress

alternative health expertIbody&soul

AboutEugeniEvsikov

Known here in Tenerife as The Man with Magic Hands, was born in Russia, and studied massage, non traditional and herbal treatments at university. He then studied in Munich, where he graduated from Medical College as a Qualifi ed Therapist for Traditional Chinese Medicine. In Munich he created his own system, „Energy Cure Massage“, based on old Russian methods, Chinese refl exology and the Ying-Yang theory. Many of his clients are from Germany, England, Ireland, France, Luxemburg, Norway, Finland and Spain. Since 2002 Eugeni Evsikov has lived in Tenerife, and works from his clinic in the Hotel „Bitacora“ in Playa De Las Americas. His book, Good Health, is available in hard copy or digital. Contact 699 156 147 or email [email protected]. NEXT MONTH: Back problems. Email your questions to [email protected].

Eugeni answers your questions

the magazineI44

Dear Eugeni,My partner and I took a huge gamble a couple of years ago when we decided to set up a business. But now, like so many other companies, we are really struggling with the crisis, and after taking out two loans, are now at the point when we might have to close it. We have given ourselves six more months, after which time, we’ll have to shut. The financial worry, the uncertainty over what’s going to happen and the helplessness I feel has had a huge impact on my health, but the worst part is not being able to sleep properly. I wake up a few times every night, sometimes I am awake for two hours in the night, and I’m constantly tired. I’ve tried sleeping pills, but they don’t seem to help. What can I do? DT, Los Cristianos.

Sorry for the difficulties you are having with your business, it must be very hard. In the case of insomnia, it is very important that before you go to bed you try as much as possible to get your worries off of your mind. One or more of these healthy remedies may help: Listen to relaxing music, drink a mug of warm milk with honey before going to bed, avoid caffeine, alcohol and tobacco in the hour before going to bed, steep in a well-ventilated room, sleep on a comfortable bed, get some physical exercise during the day and keep regular bedtime hours. If you still cannot sleep, try getting up earlier in the morning, in which case you will be even more tired by night time. Keep your bed as a place for sleep only, avoid naps during the day, avoid illuminated bedroom clocks and try to sleep with your head to the north. Using aromatherapy: put dry basil or geranium somewhere near your bed. Put dry herbs such as hop, mint and chamomile, mint with rose or laurel leaves into a small bag and put this bag under your pillow at night. Herbal teas:Mix together half a spoonful each of the following herbs: hop, mint, oregano and cumin. Place into half a glass of hot, boiled water. Leave for two hours then filter and drink half a glass before retiring. Or, place one large spoonful of chamomile into half a litre of hot, boiled water, leave for one hour and drink one hour before going to bed. I hope this helps!

Dear EugeniMy mother died recently, she was only 58 and it was very sudden. Since then, I have found it hard to get a grip on myself. She lived very near and we were really close, she helped me with my children almost every day. And now I seem to have a huge hole, which is the time I used to spend with her, but I can’t seem to focus on getting anything done. I’m impatient with the kids, my husband and I argue a lot and I don’t really want to see anyone. All I can think about is how much I miss her but also the amount of things (practical matters regarding her house, estate, etc) I have to do. I don’t know where to start.RC, Playa Paraiso

Stress almost always follows a loss in our life of people dear to us. Anxiety can cause many conditions, including headaches, heartache, tremor of the hands, indigestion, depression and other diseases. It’s a spiral effect that destroys positive emotions; therefore the immune system shuts down, making the body weaker. A good thing for you to do would be to start taking regular exercise. You do not have to go to the gym to exercise; this can be done within the house and only need to last for a few minutes every day. Taking time to exercise on a regular basis is one great thing you can do to cure stress fast and naturally. This is one of the best natural ways to eliminate stress. Exercise can help in improving health. When you exercise, your body releases ‘feel good’ hormones as well, which help to alleviate the stress that you are dealing with so you can cure stress naturally. Another thing to try is to massage the feet using olive or sunflower oil, put tennis or other balls on the floor and roll them about for three to five minutes twice a day. Try as much as possible to eat a well-balanced diet,which should comprise carbohydrate, fats and oil, protein, vitamins, minerals and water. Your eating habits play a vital role in you living a longer, healthier and happier life. Use all these recommendations and you make your immune system stonger, which will help you to feel less overwhelmed. Best of luck.

escape dublin

45 march 2012

The FairCity

March is the month whenIrish people the world over let their hair down and party hard in honour of St Patrick, and the rest of us wish we were Irish, too. So what better month to get better acquainted with beautiful Dublin?

The captivating River Liffey was vital in

Dublin’s development.

March is the month whenIrish people the world over Irish people the world over let their hair down and party hard in honour of St Patrick,

dublinIescape

Dublin really can be heaven, and when the sun is shining and there’s a light breeze playing across the pond in Stephens Green, with kids feeding the ducks and couples and strollers taking their time to wander into the city, you really do feel that there is possibly no nicer place in the world to be at that particular moment.Unlike many of Europe’s other capital cities, Dublin is extremely user-friendly. The city is big enough to fascinate and has a myriad of cultural, social and historical flash points, but is also small enough to explore and feel at home in, in just a matter of days. Personally, bigger metropolises like London or Madrid, while amazing in terms of architecture and, for instance, the number of shops or art houses to visit, are perhaps just too big to feel at ease in or a part of in a short space of time. On the other hand Dublin can feel like your city within hours.

Now that I now longer live in the city of my birth, I delight in playing the tourist when I go home, and certainly there is a host of things to see and do for the short-term or long-term visitor, and cheap ways to get around. >

StPatrick’sDay

Obviously if you are travelling to Dublin or any part of Ireland in the first half of this month you are likely to be ‘wearing the green’ at some stage in celebration of St Patrick – the country’s national saint, whose feast day is celebrated on March 17th. But what better place to really get into spirit of Ireland than in the country’s capital, Dublin’s fair city, where the girls really are so pretty, the celebrations take many forms over many days.

The emblematic Halfpenny Bridge is a definite photo opportunity.

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4�Imarch 2012

escapeIdublin

“Unlike many of Europe’s other capital cities, Dublin is extremely user-friendly”

Gettingthere

Today getting there from the Canaries is easier than it ever was before with direct flights to and from Dublin (and Cork), with excellent offers all year and a flying time of just over four hours. I have to admit a love of Aer Lingus, and do fly with them when I can – the planes are comfortable, the in-flight service good and the staff do really seem to be chosen to promote the best in Irish-ness, and from experience I can highly recommend them if you are travelling with small children. The other plus these days with Aer Lingus is that you get to fly in and out of the new Dublin airport terminal, Terminal 2, which is very well laid out with a fast check-in and good choice of restaurants, bars and shops. If you have landed in Dublin and are not being met by anyone, a taxi to the city centre will also be an option, or take the Dulbin Airport Bus which travels through to the city stopping at designated zones and major hotels.

Whattodo

Assuming you have arrived safely and have accommodation sorted out, there are a few excellent ways to get an instant feel for the city. For fun and some delightfully delivered information thrown in why

not climb aboard one of the amphibian vehicles you will see around the south of the city and take part in Viking Splash. The tours begin at St Stephen’s Green and take place in what were US army vehicles, so our guide informed us, but take inspiration from the Viking ships that sailed up the Liffey so many years ago and settled in what was to become Dublin. All passengers are giving horned helmets to wear and asked to roar at pedestrians as they pass by – and the bus will take to the water near the Canal basin. Good fun and a learning experience into the bargain. For more on the Viking establishment of Dublin there is also an excellent Viking Exhibition in the National Museum on Kildare Street, just beside the Irish Parliament building, which will fill in the knowledge gaps, and the same museum has a few fascinating examples of recently discovered bog bodies from centuries ago!Staying in the area a visit to Dublin Castle is another excellent idea. Tours in a variety of languages are scheduled throughout the day, and you will combine an interesting lesson in Irish (and British) history while taking in some delightful architectural snips. And the history lesson can take you right up to the present day as this is where Queen Elizabeth dined during her historic first-ever visit to Ireland last year. Another tourism attraction well worth the shilling >

Grafton Street is one of Dublin’s

busiest pedestrian zones and is home

to some great shops.

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dublinIescape

“For Dublin can be heavenWith coffee at elevenAnd a stroll in Stephen’s GreenThere’s no need to hurryThere’s no need to worryYou’re a King and the lady’s a Queen”

escape dublin

49 march 2012

is the recently relocated National Wax Museum, just off Dame Street – look for the stocks outside, in fact slip into the stocks and take a photo – we’ve done it! The museum is not on the scale of Madam Tussauds but will take you on a number of different historical and literary tours of Ireland, introduce you to all sorts of figures from the country’s past, real and mythical, as well as allowing you a nodding acquaintance with some of the stars of today and tomorrow. And staying in the tourist vein, you are only a stone’s throw from Trinity College, a city landmark and home to the quite amazing Book of Kells, a handwritten manuscript from the seventh Century, designed and religiously (literally) detailed by the monks of the day. The book is kept under glass with a page turned every day.Even if you are not a big drinker, a visit to the Guinness factory and hop store is highly recommended. The success of the Guinness brew is part and parcel of the city with the employment the factory provided to countless families over the years contributing to the development of parts of the city. But of course it is the black stuff itself that makes all the headlines, and it really does taste different (and of course much better!) when drunk in its native city.

Outandabout

How to spend your leisure time in Dublin of course depends on you. The weather will no doubt determine how much time you spend outdoors, but if you have kids in tow St Stephen’s Green, just at the top of Grafton Street, is an excellent place to break the day. Take a picnic and feed yourself or bring breadcrumbs and feed the swans, ducks and greedy sea-gulls. The park also homes an excellent children’s playground which caters for a range of ages and has benches inside and out for watchful parents. Dublin Zoo in the Phoenix Park is another option, and has improved hugely in recent years. There are also a range of special children’s days/events – go online to www.dublinzoo.ie to find out more.Again, weather permitting, travel a bit further afield, outside the city walls so to speak, and take the Dart (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) either northwards to Howth or South to Killiney or Bray, to enjoy some fresh sea air, some excellent restaurants and lovely coastal walks. There are swimming spots open all year round (only for the very brave or foolhardy), and in the summer some good family beach spots. The light rail tram, the Luas, will also connect you with urban parts of city quickly and relatively cheaply. >

Top: Typical Dublin doors.Middle: The Royal Hospital Kilmainham, home

of the IMMA (Irish Museum of Modern Art).Above: The Tart with the Cart, aka Molly

Malone.

“Music venues and night life are part and parcel of the Dublin experience”

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the magazineI50

dublinIescape

Dubliners generally love their city and want you to love it, too. As we are cast from Viking stock, influenced by our years of living in The Pale (what Dublin was known as during the years of British occupation) and proud of the many millions of sons of emigrants in the US, Europe and further afield who claim to be Irish, we are eager to welcome visitors at any time of the year. Not for nothing do thousands of Spanish parents chose Dublin as their first choice location to send their teenagers year after year to learn English.

Afterdark

If you are young and in search of fun and the famous Irish ‘craic’ you will, no doubt, want to spend time in Temple Bar. Once a web of unremarkable back streets just off Dame Street, the Temple Bar experience began to develop about 20 years ago and today is the fun and cultural quarter of the city. Temple Bar has been the draw for stag and hen parties from the UK for years now, not perhaps a development planned for or desired, but has also developed its theatrical and artistic side, with the excellent Irish Film Institute, Meeting House Square, small cafes and bistros, pedestrian areas, great second-hand clothes, book and record stores, and backed by the Clarence Hotel, owned by U2. It also links visitors to the River Liffey and the emblematic Halfpenny Bridge, a part of any album of the city. However the fun-seeking visitor should venture beyond the confines of Temple Bar. Despite the economic gloom and Ireland’s bail-out status, this is still a happening and very young city with a selection of bars of every shade and hue around just about every corner.Music venues and night life are part and parcel of the Dublin experience, from big concert venues to small pub gigs happening on every other street corner. Don’t forget, Dublin is the home of U2, Imelda May, the Dubliners (who just celebrated 50 years of music), and, dare we mention, Jedward!

GettingAround

Be prepared might be the motto of the girl guides but it is also excellent advice when travelling, particularly if

Awaywithwords

Irish people and Dubliners in particular love to poke fun at themselves and others. Few statues or monuments last more than a few days without receiving a street-name, a Dublin moniker. The statue of that heroine of the ballad Molly Malone was very quickly renamed The Tart with the Cart. A supposedly elegant statue in O’Connell Street depicting the personified River Liffey, Anna Livia, was known as The Floozie in the Jacuzzi. That statue was removed to make way for the Spire of Dublin, now called the Stiletto in the Ghetto or The Stiffey at the Liffey, among other names. A bronze sculpture by the Halfpenny Bridge of two women talking, their shopping beside them, was quickly renamed The Hags with the Bags, and in Merrion Square there is a statue of Oscar Wilde which has been nicknamed The Quare (Queer in Dublinese) in the Square.

“Even if you are not a big drinker, a visit to the Guinness factory is highly recommended”

you are on a mini-break or traveling with kids and want to fit as much in as possible and with an acceptable level of comfort. If you are going to stay in or around the city, I would suggest that a hire-car is not the best option as public service transport is fairly user-friendly, and there is never a shortage of taxis. Dublin Bus (www.dublinbus.ie) is a good place to start if you are going to rely on public transport. They have a number of different travel card options which come with discounts to host of tourist attractions. There is also a good hop-on hop-off open top bus tour of the city which is a popular option for your first days in the city. cf

St Stephen’s Green is an essential part of Dublin life, and is a great place to take the kids or enjoy a picnic.

51Imarch 2012

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oul

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922 788 328

DENTALCLINIC

Medical ImplantSpecialists in quality Swiss prostheses and implants using the

latest conscious sedation techniques for extremely nervous patients. High standard clinic adapted for the handicapped.

Avenida Los Abrigos, 21Los AbrigosGranadilla de Abona

Monday to Friday 8.30am – 7.30pm

[email protected]

922 749 742

lifes

tyleEXCLUSIVECLOTHING

Carin’s BoutiqueLarge ranges of Joseph Ribkoff, Gerry Weber & exclusive

stockists of Pause Café - All in sizes 10 - 20. Something special for any occasion & personal service guaranteed.

C.C. El Camison, Loc 28Playa de las Americas

Monday to Saturday 10am – 2pm & 5pm – 9pm

[email protected]

922 752 902

new spring and summer

arrivals now available

PERFUMERY

XazzperfumeriaExcellent brands and outstanding quality. Cosmetics: Leading

Beauty Farms, Clinica Ivo Pitanguy, Bakel, Ingrid Millet, Sensai. Perfumes: Bond No. 9, Creed, Serge Lutens, Etro etc.

VisitourOnline-Shopwww.xazzperfumeria.com

Calle Perez Zamora 28(close to Plaza del Charco)Puerto de la Cruz

Monday to Friday10am - 1pmand 6pm - 8.30pm

922 372 937

BRITISHRESTAURANT&CARVERY

James’ Brasserie & BarAll your favourite traditional British dishes including Fish

& Chips, Sausage n Mash, and many more served in relaxing surroundings. Do not miss the famous Sunday Carvery!

Island Village Phase 3San Eugenio Alto, Adeje

Daily 9am – 10pm Carvery from 3pm Sundays

[email protected]

922 716 306

rest

aura

nts

business guideIdirectory

Tel. 922 732 508Edif. Las Gaviotas · Costa del Silencio

Lynda Jayne

HAIR & BEAUTYSALON

FOR ALL THE FAMILY

Established over 17 years

www.tantric-massage-tenerife.com

K undalini

TantricM assage

693 979 153

rest

aura

nts AMERICANRESTAURANT&COCKTAILBAR

Harley’sAmerican themed international menu. Fantastic atmosphere, flair bar tenders, cocktails & live rock bands most nights. American Breakfasts served all day on the terrace!

Club FlamingoSan Eugenio, Adeje

Daily 10am – 2am

harleystenerife.com

922 712 290

El Ancla 21, Calle El JableCallao Salvaje

Midday – 11pmClosed Wednesdays

922 741 518

SPANISH&CANARIANRESTAURANT

La RománticaMediterranean cuisine in the seaside village of Callao Salvaje. Excellent kitchen, stylish service, flambéed crêpes a house speciality. Open daily from midday.

cool jazzy grooves from over 100 countries

tenerife sur 94.3 fm - worldwide in digital stereo www.qmusica.com

JOB OPPORTUNITY

NEW YEAR,NEW START WITH A NEW ROLE ATGC RESORTS!Do you thrive in a high-energy, fast paced environment? Then we have a fantastic opportunity for you to come and work in our successful, rapidly expanding company based in the South of Tenerife.

Weekly pay, excellent commissions. Sales experience preferred but not essential as full training will be given to successful applicants.

Contact John Ryan on 922 710 032 or 673 478 920email: [email protected] · website: www.gc-resorts.com

GRAN CANARIAR E S O R T S

C.C. Muelles de Génova - Palm-Mar

Tel: 922 748 317www.islandinteriordesigns.com

Domestic and commercial luxury vinyl flooring which replicates all the beauty of

natural flooring. Choose from our extensive range of stylish flooring in wood,

ceramic, tile, slate and mosaic designs.Easily installed over existing floors!

The possibilities are endless!

Come and see our new 2012collection of lights, fans and flooring!

Your space. Your needs. Your style.

L I G H T I N G C E N T R E

Cafeteria · Juice Bar · Sandwiches · Rolls

Open 8am until late

All Day Breakfasts8am-9pm from €3

Fresh Juices & MilkshakesSpeciality Coffees

Sirloin Steak, chips, salad, pepper sauce, drink

€9.99

P A A

Pilates trainer

Physiotherapist

Tel. 699 521 [email protected]

English Upholsterer677 806 800

sofas, chairs, diners, sun-beds,loose covers, bar seating

www.StyleTenerife.com

before after

www.toldoscordobaobelisco.comwww.toldoscordobaobelisco.com

AnneHobsonInsurance Services

Exclusive AgentsNº C0467X02232165S

For all yourinsurance needs

Cars • Vans • Boats • House Office • Medical • Life Pensions • Golf • Travel

Vista Hermosa 1, Portal 3, Bajo ACarretera Los Cristianos a Guaza 38650 Los Cristianos

Tel/Fax 922 793 866 • Mob 679 727 315Email: [email protected]

Professional Service with a Personal Touch

TODO COLORBeauty Supply S.L.

TODO COLORBeauty Supply S.L.

For all your beautyrequirements

C/ Barranquillo 4, local 1(Beside the Church)38650 Los CristianosTel: 922 797 281Fax & Tel: 922 796 [email protected]

If we don’t have it,you don’t need it

iCMEDiA

If you are looking hereadvertising works

For Sales call Alan on

638 045 251

aeccJoin us and combat cancer

DO MORETHAN HOPEFOR THE BEST902 886 226 www.todocancer.org

The Suiza Medical Implant dental clinic meets the highest needs andstandards in the area of health and cosmetic dental surgery. It is theonly clinic in Spain which has passed all the controls to quality for theTÜV certificate. Swiss, Germany, Italian and Spanish specialisttogether bring that quality with precision and scientific standardsseen only in the best European clinics. Specialising in implants anddental prosthesis, the clinic has its own prosthetic laboratory. Freetransport to those patients who require it is also part of the service.The clinic is an innovator in odontological technologies and only usesthe best and top brand implants.

Swiss Implant We speak

Medical Implant is the only TÜV-SÜDcertified dental clinic in Spain

Do you demand high quality in your dental health?

Dental ClinicMedical ImplantScience and Technology Dentistry

922 749 742Av. LosAbrigos, 21 - LosAbrigos - Granadilla deAbona

(5 minutes away from the SouthAirport)Mo - Fr: 9 - 19:00 Sa: 9:00 - 13:00

www.dentalturismo.es [email protected]

clínica dental medical implant medical.implant.tenerife

The Magazine 74

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