Deserted Day in Gran Canaria, on medium format film

Travel essay shot on film during my road-trip around Gran Canaria of the Canary Islands. These islands are located in the most south of Europe, next to Africa continent. It's deserted, remote and one of a kind. Myth was the sand dunes on Gran Canaria were brought by the wind from Sahara thousands of years ago across the Atlantic ocean. Desperately romantic.

Shot on medium format film. Pentax 645n + Fuji 400H

Gran Canaria of the Canary Islands, on medium format film

Mysterious black mountains, Gran Canaria

Valley hidden in the clouds at Roque Nublo, Gran Canaria

Dolphin-watching in Gran Canaria of the Canary islands

We stayed at different parts of the island throughout the trip, but one of the most memorable stays was Fataga, a tiny village located in the middle of the island in the mountains. Fataga can trace its origin back for more than 2000 years when the area was inhabited by the Guanche natives. It's also a starting point of several popular hikes.

Our accommodation right in the middle of the valley. Fataga, Gran Canaria

Taking the short cut through the jungle to get brunch in town. Fataga, Gran Canaria

Volcanic textures at Pico de Bandama, Gran Canaria

Stopping at a small fishing town Puerto de las Nieves for lunch. Witnessed the clouds rolling in and creating this breathtaking view over the black mountains and black rocky beach.

Fisherman in Puerto de las Nieves, Gran Canaria

Faraway storm in Gran Canaria, the Canary islands

Following the mountain roads, we reached Mirador de Pinos de Galdar viewpoint for the sunset. Named after the century-old canary pine trees here, we had impressive panoramic views of the whole of the north and west of Gran Canaria.

click on image to enlarge / Panoramic view at Pino de Galdar viewpoint, of the whole north of Gran Canaria — ***click on image to enlarge*** / Panoramic view at Pino de Galdar viewpoint, of the whole north of Gran Canaria

Mountain Negro / Pinos de Galdar viewpoint in Gran Canaria

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Mirador de Pinos de Galdar, Gran Canaria

click on image to enlarge / Roque Nublo of the canary islands in the clouds — ***click on image to enlarge*** / Roque Nublo of the canary islands in the clouds

Having seen Roque Nublo (image above) peeking through so mysteriously, we had to see it up close. Just as misty as the day before, it was pure luck that we were able to reach the summit on time before it disappeared in the clouds again. The view up there was impactable, and the clouds framed the valley ever so perfectly.

Winding road leading up to Roque Nublo in Gran Canaria

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Shadow of Roque Nublo casting on the village in the valley. Gran Canaria

The clouds rolled in. Roque Nublo in the Canary islands

Another day we went to stay on a small beach called Tasarte, which was completely off the tourists’ radar and we had the beach totally to ourselves. Though it's not as convenient as nearby Puerto De Mogan - the base for diving and whale-watching trips, Tasarte was so quiet and peaceful that felt like it belonged to us.

We did find a nice dolphin-watching tour at Puerto De Mogan. Dolphin and whale watching is one of the best activities in Gran Canaria all year round, around 30 species call it home here.

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Groups of dolpins chasing the waves. Gran Canaria

Oh and the sand dunes in Playa del Inglés in Maspalomas.

Hard to explain, but there is something with that soft golden light filling in the sky and going done the dunes. Myth was these dunes were brought by the wind from Sahara thousands of years ago across the Atlantic ocean. Desperately romantic.