After we had brought ME back to Gran Canaria, I first flew home. On 15 May 2025 I headed back to Las Palmas – this time with my friend Thomas. We had been looking forward to this trip for a long time.
Three kilometres on foot – and a taxi back
First we had a look around the city and of course met up with Martin and Conny from the Isly again. We wandered through town with them – even though Martin is a bit of a lazybones and kept wanting to take a taxi. But we stuck it out and walked the whole three kilometres. For the way back, though, there was no persuading him – so a taxi it was. We rounded off the evening in merry fashion at the Sailors Bay.
Puerto de Mogán – a berth at the harbour wall
The next day Thomas and I sailed to Puerto de Mogán. We were very lucky: when we asked, we were allowed to moor right at the wall in the harbour – a pretty cool berth. Getting in, though, was precision work: the entrance to this berth is extremely narrow. With our big catamaran we had maybe ten centimetres to spare on each side – and then the boat had to be turned around in the narrow channel as well. Of course you have a hundred spectators: all the tourists stop and watch. When ME was finally moored safely without a single scratch, we even got a round of applause! And that evening at dinner Fernando, the restaurant owner, said he had never seen a skipper come in so calmly and confidently. Of course I was a little proud.
The berth did come with one risk, though, as it turned out afterwards: there are restaurants everywhere, and in the evenings they clean up with leaf blowers. Every now and then a cockroach gets blown on board …
The best thing about this berth: right in front of it was a restaurant whose boss, Fernando, actually brought our food on board. A little decadent – but super cool! Of course everyone stopped to stare; we were sitting there on display, so to speak. And we had loads of fun.
But never mind – the two of us had a fantastic friends’ trip. We went swimming, took the dinghy out, explored the pretty little town, ate wonderfully and met lovely people. It was simply perfect!
30 knots on the nose
After five days we headed back – up the west coast, unfortunately against the wind, and 30 knots of it. At first Thomas thought it was quite funny. But when we had to turn across the north side of Gran Canaria to get to Las Palmas, with the waves coming from the side, he found out a little of what seasickness means. But we arrived safe and sound!
Back in Las Palmas we had one more lovely dinner with Martin and Conny – and then the week was already over.
