While Brett, Alba and I were in Alaska in July, they mentioned that they'd like to have me come with them on their next travel adventure. A few weeks later, the destination was confirmed: Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands, a Spanish possession, located off the coast of Morocco. They would visit Alba's family for Christmas and I would join them on the 27th to fly from Barcelona to Arrecife, Lanzarote.
Wednesday, December 28
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| In the dining area entryway - Santa and his surfboard |
When we woke up, I discovered we were less than 100 yards from the ocean. We were too far from the water to hear the waves, but we could see them. Brett and Alba had reserved a motorcycle for the day, so when they left to pick it up, I walked along the shore and quickly grasped the fact that lava is every-where. (Unfortunately the motorcycle was not available and they returned disappointed.)
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| The view from our room |
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| The pedestrian walkway along the shore |
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| Lava tower |
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| Lava cairns |
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| Lava wall and more lava |
Our buffet breakfasts and dinners were included in the resort charges. Food choices are extensive and available from a number of buffet stations -- cheeses, fruits, ethnic (Chinese, Greek, etc.) displays, soups, at least three proteins, and vegetables, hot and cold, plus a variety of side dishes. Breakfast beverages include water, coffee, and tea. At dinner, water, soft drinks, and wine may be purchased, but coffee and tea are not available in the dining room.
Something else to note here: It appears that Europeans, at least in the facilities where we stayed, do not use wash cloths. After requesting them from the housekeeper who had none on her cart, and from the front desk where the clerk brought out a tea towel, none were available at Barcelo. I used a sock until Alba brought back a sponge for me that she'd purchased on a shopping trip. Wash cloths were not provided at the Barcelona Airport Hotel either. I shall pack one (or more) on future international travels.
Thursday, December 29
After breakfast we picked up the rental car and drove across the island to Famara's surfing beach. Overnight the wind had come up and would remain with us, blowing 20-25 mph, all week. Although Alba told us to go explore while she surfed, Brett and I were uncomfortable leaving her, so we stayed in the car, out of the wind and blowing sand and watched her.
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| Brett, helping Alba get her board to the water |
Timanfaya National Park was next on the day's agenda. "The Montañas del Fuego (Fire Mountains) were created between 1730 and 1736 when more than 100 volcanoes, covering more than 50 square km [19 square miles], rose up and devastated this part of the island (including several villages). The last eruptions were in 1824, however due to the low rainfall (and therefore lack of erosion) this area appears much the same as it did just after the eruptions." The entry fee to the park includes a bus ride through the area, and we found the 30-minute ride informative and interesting,
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| A vent |
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| More like moonscape than landscape |
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| A bucket of water poured down a vent erupts in steam moments later |
Friday, December 30
Wind be damned, today Brett rode his bike and Alba surfed. When they returned, we headed out for a short walk and had a light lunch at Cafe Bonjour which we found on a side street. Alba had quiche. Brett and I shared a sandwich. The thin baguette was cut in half length-wise and, unlike an American sandwich filled an inch thick, was thinly layered with Spanish ham and cheese, complemented by lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise. That was accompanied by fresh-squeezed orange juice, and we finished the meal sharing a slice of home-made cake. If you go to Lanzarote, a stop here is a must.
Saturday - December 31
Off again to explore. Our first stop was Jardin du Cacti. (Garden of Cacti), a beautiful site where cacti from around the world are displayed along meandering paths.
Then it was on to Orzola where Brett and I took photos of the scenic spot while Alba surfed. The winds did not cooperate in giving her waves to ride, but Alba enjoyed being in the water.
Back at the hotel, Brett put on cycling gear and headed out. Alba and I shopped: I was looking for and finally found gifts to bring back for the family. My goal achieved, Alba returned to Orzola to surf, hoping for better conditions.
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| It's New Year's Eve - Off to the Party! |
Sunday, January 1
Brett wanted to show us the route he'd ridden on Friday, so we drove to his turnaround point, Mirador del Rio. This was once a fort and is now a tourist stop with beautiful ocean views, From here we could see the surfing beach at Famara.
And then it was on to the village of Haria where we took a walk through their quiet streets.
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| So much green we forgot how arid most of the island is |
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| There is a cross on the building, so we were curious what the figures on the roof represent |
Back in the car a short time later, we next stopped at Los Helechos, a hilltop restaurant with a view down to the ocean.
It was then on to La Santa to check surf conditions before returning to the beach at Famara where Alba felt more comfortable surfing.
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| La Santa's surf and lava-covered "beach" |
Monday, January 2
On our last full day on Lanzarote we took a hike. On Sunday's ride to/through Haria, we stopped at Los Helechos. This day we went to a marked trail (which was in reality a dirt road) in Tabayesco and followed it toward the base of the hilltop overlook. It was an easy walk and enjoyable because we were out of the wind and could walk comfortably in shirt-sleeves (or no sleeves!). We hiked to the red dot marked in the first photo and then turned back. In the second photo, taken on the trail, Los Helechos is on the point to the left of Brett's ear.
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| The plot at the bottom is being prepared for planting. Lava "gravel" is yet to be added. |
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A winery we passed as we walked along the road
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Tuesday, January 3
Checkout was at noon, so Brett and I finished packing and then took our bags to the lobby to wait for Alba's return from her last surfing opportunity. Brett went to the desk to settle the bill for beverage charges and was surprised to find an additional charge for the third person in the room which we believed was already covered according to the confirmation. Brett will dispute the charge when the credit card bill is received.
The flight back to BCN was uneventful. Brett spent the night with me at Barcelona Airport Hotel while Alba was met by her brother and taken to spend the night and next day with her family before she and Brett flew back to California on Thursday. I was glad Brett went with me to the airport on Wednesday since check-in to drop my bag took an hour. (I am unsure why the line moved so slowly since passengers appeared to already have boarding passes and just wanted to check luggage.) Once my bag was checked, Brett and I said good-bye. Within 15 minutes I had moved quickly through the TSA checkpoint and Passport Control and arrived at my gate to await boarding. The flight to JFK arrived on time, but there was a 2-hour departure delay to CLE due to a maintenance problem that had occurred on the arriving flight. (According to our stewardess, a passenger on the inbound flight to JFK had torn the headrest off a seat and it had to be repaired and paperwork done before the plane could leave!) Back in Cleveland, I was quickly picked up by the Crown Plaza's shuttle and taken to my car. Under an hour later, around 9:15 PM, I was home and unpacking.
Off again to explore. Our first stop was Jardin du Cacti. (Garden of Cacti), a beautiful site where cacti from around the world are displayed along meandering paths. 
Brett wanted to show us the route he'd ridden on Friday, so we drove to his turnaround point, Mirador del Rio. This was once a fort and is now a tourist stop with beautiful ocean views, From here we could see the surfing beach at Famara.
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