"Las Dunas de Maspalomas, " Spanish translation... The Dunes of Maspalomas. I came to know these dunes more than 10 years ago during my first trip to the Canary Islands. Breathtaking, jaw-dropping, magical are a few words that come to mind when describing the dunes. What's so fascinating about the enormous piles of sand is how far the golden grainshave travelled. Let's go back to the beginning shall we? . The Canary Islands were conquered by Spaniards between 1402 and 1496. In fact, before the Spanish conquistadors made their way to Cuba and Puerto Rico. Their first stop was the Canary Islands. Truth be known, the volcanic chain of islands were part of the African continent. In fact, the islands are closer to Africa and Morocco than Spain. So how did these enormous mounds of sand end up across the Atlantic. Well the sand comes from the Sahara Desert in Africa. During the divide, the sand drifted with the islands.
Ona recent January day, my sister and I made a trek back to the Dunes. We passed several Scandinavian families with children. Each of them running, falling , laughing , playing. Maybe it's a throwback to one's childhood obsession with playing in dirt or building things in a sandbox. Whatever it maybe, the dunes have a way ofbringing a smile to one's face and awakening a sense of wonder and appreciation for this big world. The dunes stand as reminder of this big bouncing ball that connects us all.
The second visit was quite a workout. Even more challenging this time around, part of my mission was to take a few yoga shots from atop the beautiful golden sand. Not an easy task, balance was incredibly hard. We managed to do it. My humble and charming production staff that is.. That would be my sister/photographer and myself. What I learned this time around was a bit disheartening about the dunes. The fact of the matter is the massive beauties are shrinking. As man would have it, visitors flocking tothem have left their mark. Instead of venturing off to the ocean, to release shall I say their business. Tourists are instead leaving their lasting imprint. That mark without getting to graphic ( acidicbodily fluid resembling apple juice) is killing the plants. Vegetation slows the erosion process. Scientists estimate the dunes loseup to 40,000 cubic meters of sand per year. They say the highest dunes have shrunk
from 15 meters in the 1970s to 6 meters today. Perhaps, the bigger reason for the diminishing dunes, well blame development. Huge buildings and hotels have interfered with the sand cyclecreating the dunes. Before resorts sprung up, theMaspalomas area was wild and open to the wind. Sand that blew off the dunes was replaced by new sand blowing in from the ocean. So the cycle sustained the dunes. Tall hotels and man-made structures have interfered with the flow ofthe new sand. Now instead of the sandblowing in a circle , it blows out into the ocean in deep water. Scientists say the dunes are losing more sand than they gain each year. So if you are planning a trip to this natural wonder, put in on the calendar sometime in the next 30 years. That's how much longer the dunes are predicted to last until they become a stony plain. Sorry not sharing all this to bumyou out. Just a reminder of the importance to be respectful to our planet, what we do today has long term consequences for generations to come.
A day trip to the beautiful dunes does not disappoint. It's dreamy, exotic , beautiful.. well worth the trip. Even just as magnificent is Playa de Ingles whichis right below them. So after trekking across what seems like sand plus infinity, the pay off is no doubt taking a dip in the ocean. Las Dunas de Maspalomas is a site to see. A natural wonder on this amazing planet!!