Lanzarote, February 2014

Good intentions were had to post during ourstay in Lanzarote.  Computer woes got in the way however and I will have to recount memories.  We have been back five days already, reuniting with family and re-settling at home.

I suppose we all have a vision of what we mean by re-settling, I just want to make sure you all know what we mean:

Okay , now is a good time to sink into beautiful memories:

We met many wonderful people and are looking forward to reuniting with them when we return next year.  This group is an international one including couples from Wales, Norway, Belgium. Germany, France, England and Holland.

Although Lanzarote is a small island, renting a car is a must in terms of convenience. The roads are beautiful, very steep at times and winding and although the traffic is fast, the roads are not busy and therefore manageable.  One drives on the right hand side which is a big plus, so the only real downside is getting used to those roundabouts and odd signage.  By next visit these will no longer be an issue for us.

Our daily routine included a morning run to the local store for fresh buns and fruit.  With help from our Welsh friends, we found the best places to purchase wine, groceries and baked goods from different towns in the area.  

They also guided us through various interesting spots on the island and listed the places we might consider when we return.

 This is Arietta, where we did our weekly grocery shopping.

There was a small restaurant on the ocean front that sold fresh calamari and baby squid.  They were a right treat, especially with a couple of large beers and a view of the ocean.

 Haria is located higher up in the mountains and next year we will have fleecies for the cooler mornings with the higher altitudes.

 One of the most famous individuals from this tiny island is an artist by the name of Cesar Manrique.  His home is now open to the public and well worth visiting.

 Every Saturday morning is an open market selling local products of food, clothing, crafts and arts.

 We found this is the best place for German baking, a nice week-end treat.

Teguise is further away from where we stayed and again, higher up and cooler.

 The Teguise Market is held every Sunday morning and is quite large compared to Haria.

 We arrived early in the morning to get a parking spot near the market and by mid-morning, the buses with tourists from the various cruise ships arrived and the place was hopping! It was quite the challenge trying to find our car, but we were lucky.

 El Golfo is nearer the northern part of the island and near the site of the famous triathlon races every May.  Athletes come here year round to train, we were lucky enough to see Team SKY.

 The landscape is lunar like and at times eerie.

 You cannot deny the beauty and the fantastic colours.

Where we stayed was and ideal location overlooking the ocean and all it has to offer.  A couple of times we were told of whale spottings which is apparently a regular occurrence around this time of year as the whales come to spawn.  The winds are always strong here but when there is a wind storm crowds thronged to view the crashing waves that easily reached heights of 60 feet.

 Our little bungle provided a comfortable safe haven from the winds as well as allowing us to experience and see everything from all angles.

Our only regret was that we did not stay longer!