GRAN CANARIA - THROAT CHAKRA
GRAN CANARIA - THROAT CHAKRA (5th center)
Our ability to communicate
LOCATION: Throat
GLAND OR HORMONE CENTER: Thyroid
EMOTIONAL ISSUES: Communication, self-expression, expression of inner truth
IF THIS CHAKRA IS BALANCED: We are able to speak, listen, and express ourselves from a higher form of communication, authentic expression
IF THIS CHAKRA IS IMBALANCED WE MAY EXPERIENCE: Insecurity, timidity, and introversion, telling lies, not being able to listen to others, not being able to keep secrets or to keep your word, lack of connection with a vocation or purpose in life
IF THIS CHAKRA IS OVERACTIVE: Gossiping, non-stop talking, or being verbally aggressive or mean
PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS: Throat, thyroid, jaw, mouth, tongue, neck, and shoulder area
HEALING EXERCISE:
Singing, chanting, humming
Yoga: camel pose, bridge pose, shoulder stand, and plow
HEALING FOODS:
Juices and teas e.g. coconut water, herbal teas, raw honey, and lemon
Fruits that grow on trees: apples, peaches, pears, plums
For more info on the chakras, please visit:
I visited Gran Canaria last out of the seven main islands because I had heard it was the busiest and most touristy, and I wanted to avoid the crowds. Eventually, I flew from Lanzarote and booked a week’s stay in early December. By this time of year, the weather was cooler, and I had to wear jeans and a jacket, which left me feeling a bit disappointed. I know it’s still great to walk outside without a winter coat under the sunny sky, but I missed wearing my summer dresses and slippers. The sun had spoiled me over the past few months on the other islands.
In Gran Canaria, I chose to stay in Las Palmas, the capital, with the idea of taking local buses to quieter, nature-filled parts of the island. From the central bus station, I found plenty of buses heading south, but most of them were going to the more tourist-heavy areas. Once there, I saw mountainsides lined with apartment complexes and rows of buffets and bars along the beach. Instead of discovering peaceful, soulful spots to connect with nature, I kept finding myself in one crowded place after another.
The south of the islands is usually warmer, but when I visited, it was very windy. I struggled to find a dune where I could rest peacefully without being pelted by sand grains whipped up by the wind. Unfortunately, all the larger dunes had already been claimed, so I had no choice but to lie down near one of the smaller ones. I wrapped my towel tightly around my legs and pulled my hood over my head, trying to shield myself from the wind as best as I could.
In that moment, I tried to minimize the wind’s sting and just enjoy the warmth of the sun on my face. I closed my eyes, sinking into my inner world. But when I opened them, I was startled to find a young man standing at my feet, fully naked, with a gym-toned body and caramel skin. He was just standing there, looking down at me—completely exposed. And yes, I had a front-row view of his penis. I was appalled! Without saying a word or even acknowledging him with a glance, I quickly got up and left, fuming inside.
Later, I wondered if I had overreacted. Why had I been so triggered? What exactly in me sparked such a strong reaction? But then again, what respectful man just stands naked in front of a woman like that on a public beach? Is that ever acceptable? Looking back now, I can laugh at the situation, but at the time, I felt anything but amused. The immediate anger I felt likely carried layers of frustration and perhaps deeper emotions beyond just that moment. Part of me now thinks I should’ve pushed him into the sand!
Watch Tracee Ellis Ross's TED speech on women's fury and where it comes from. Masterpiece!
It was at Playa del Ingles where I faced yet another frustration: they charged a fee for using the toilets on the beach. This felt unusual, as on the other islands, even Tenerife, the beachside toilets had been free. I found this small detail frustrating, but it also mirrored a deeper feeling I was carrying. The charm of Gran Canaria's mass tourism was lost on me, and my sense of loneliness, which had started to surface on Lanzarote, only intensified. I couldn’t find a spot where I felt at peace or truly comfortable being myself.
Eventually, I realized it wasn’t just about being in crowded places; it was the overwhelming energy of mass tourism that I was trying to escape. The environment felt indifferent and somewhat insensitive, and it affected me deeply. After that experience, I stopped taking risks with more bus trips. Instead of continuing to search for a peaceful corner, I accepted that Gran Canaria wasn’t the soulful, connecting place I had hoped for.
SURF BEACH, LAS PALMAS
I went on two trips, and both were similar experiences. The bus ticket was around €20 for each destination, meaning I spent approximately €80 for round trips to both places. This was far too much for what ended up being negative experiences, so I decided to spend most of my time in the capital instead. I sat alone on one of the benches by the beach, with a warm tea in my hands, watching the surfers.
To give you an idea of the price differences: on El Hierro, a one-way bus ride across the whole island costs €1.14. On Tenerife, the trip from my accommodation in the north (Boca Cangrejo) to Tenerife South Airport was just under €10. Meanwhile, on Gran Canaria, the journey from the capital to the south (Maspalomas) costed €20.
PHOTOS AROUND LAS PALMAS AND THE SOUTH BEACHES
ROQUE NUBLO
A local chica, Monica, whom I met on El Hierro and have stayed in touch with, drove me up to Roque Nublo, where I felt like I was on top of the world. As we left the city behind and ascended the steep, curvy road higher up the mountain, my soul started to feel freer and more at peace. I could clearly sense a shift in energy, and I began to feel much more like my life-loving self again.
I didn’t like the noise, traffic, and crowds of people in the city. I even struggled to sleep because my accommodation was next to a petrol station with loud neighbors. There was also a constant mechanical noise coming from the roof, which irritated me. My room had no windows, and it was dark and smelly. On Airbnb, the place looked charming with character, but in reality, it felt more like a prison cell. I sensed a lot of sadness and emotional pain in that space, and I found myself crying every day during my stay. Perhaps something sad had happened there in the past that I was picking up on, or maybe something was going on with my twin? I couldn’t tell, but the emotions didn’t feel like my own.
Roque Nublo (= Clouded Rock, Rock in the Clouds) is a volcanic rock that was formed by a volcanic eruption around 4.5 million years ago. It is 67 m (220 ft) tall, and its top is 1,813 m (5,948 ft) above sea level.
Wow! The energies, lights, and views were simply breathtaking—so beautiful that I won’t even try to put it into words. I’ll let the photos and video speak for themselves. Thank you, Monica, for bringing me up here! It was wonderful to do a little hike, climb the cliffs, and watch the sunset from above the clouds. And a special thanks for bringing that extra jumper for me—it came in handy when the sun set and the temperature dropped."
GALLERY
My spiritual experience
I believe that because Gran Canaria has a lot of business, advertising, and tourism activity, which all require communication, it makes sense that this island is considered the Throat chakra, or the communication center.
In a spiritual context, the Throat chakra (5th chakra) is the first of the three spiritual chakras. When the 5th chakra is open and aligned, we are able to speak, listen, and express ourselves from a higher form of communication. I have screenshots of some insightful words about the Throat chakra saved on my phone, so I'll upload them for you to read. Unfortunately, I don’t have the original website link saved, but if you search 'Throat chakra' on Google, you can find many insightful articles and studies on this chakra and others.
I reached out to my twin on the phone, and I was able to express from the heart what I felt was the block between us at that time. However, he didn’t validate my feelings and didn’t meet me with authentic expression. His cold reaction broke me at first, but then I suddenly gained a new perspective and rose above that 'beaten down' feeling. This shift empowered me greatly, and I stopped crying. I had cried every single day before that conversation, but after expressing my feelings, I no longer felt the need to cry. It was as if my stomach had grown stronger, or something within me had healed. The stomach is connected to the Solar Plexus chakra.
Later, I discovered Candace van Dell’s video about the connection between 'Highly Sensitive People and the Solar Plexus,' which helped me understand what could have happened within me. She explained, "Highly sensitive people almost always have a solar plexus imbalance... The only way to heal is by getting real about how we feel. Feel what you truly feel and honor it."
I realized I had managed to express my truth, and I’m sure the energies of the island played a part in helping me do so. 😉
See Candace van Dell's video below:
I want to emphasize that, despite my personal experience at this time in my life not being very positive on Gran Canaria, that shouldn’t discourage you from visiting the island and exploring it. At the time, I was very limited financially and couldn’t discover most parts of the island, including the lush green mountainsides where I might have felt happier and more emotionally connected. The city has its charms too; I simply wasn't ready to be part of it again so soon.
Thank you for reading! ♡
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