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Well for the second time in the same year we
visit the Canaries under a deep gloomy cloud. Staying
at the Jable/Bermudas Apartments in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote,
all we wanted was a rest in the hot sun but alas it was not
to be. Undeterred we decided to go on an excursion to explore
the island. Amongst the highlights was the Timanfya National
Park, (Parque Nacional de Timanfaya) 50 sq miles of over 100
volcanoes. The Montañas del Fuego (Fire Mountains) were created
between 1730 and 1736.The moonlike landscape, which appears
much the same as it did just after the last eruptions in 1824
due to the low rainfall (and therefore lack of erosion), is
cut through only by the narrow road, very dramatic!! Its scary
to think that scientists are predicting the next eruption
on the island will destroy it. Don't be too hasty in getting
a time-share over here! While in the park we were shown experiments
displaying how hot the land is even now, including being given
some souvenir rocks that were shovelled from just under the
surface that were to hot to handle! and how do you take a
picture round a corner?!
On the way back to our resort, on the western side of Lanzarote,
we visited El Golfo,
a semi-circular Volcanic Crater (half of it has been
eroded by the sea) which is filled with sea-water that has
filtered through the black sand that seperates the lagoon
from the sea.This green lagoon (the colour is caused by
algae living in the water) contrasts with a black sand beach
and wierd looking rock formations caused by the erosion.
El Golfo is just one of a series of extinct volcanoes that
line the shore where the natural black beach sparkles with
the semi precious stone peridot, know locally as olivinas...Well
I just had to have some for my stone collection didn't I?
(cost me a Euro!)
At Aria, we also vistied Los Jameos del Agua, underground volacnic caves on the
egde of the sea which was developed in 1968, by César Manrique (the famous artist and architect) for public
viewing. As the visitor enters, they first enter a roofless
"jameo" - Jameo Grande - 100 meters long and 30
meters wide and then into the main garden area, complete
with swimming pool a scene reminiscent of a Bond movie set.
Built into the sides of the jameo are a dance floor and
two bars and at the end of the Jameo grande is an auditorium,
again a cave, that seats 600 people, a popular venue for
all types of performances. Within the Main cave is an underground
lake which is the only place on earth that contains the
famous 'Jameito', tiny blind albino crabs.
The highlight of the day though was the camel ride. Neither
of us had been on one before and were quite surprised how
comfy it was (once the initial swaying and nausea had subsided!).
The sandbags placed on Lisa's side of the camel to help
balance things up were far too heavy in my opinion!
After the busy day we took rest in the best ever Mexican
restaurant, El Charro, shame its such a long way away. Still
its a thin excuse to get away as the food is fabulous and
so so tasty. Then a few final glasses of Veltins
and a few ridiculously OTT cocktails in some fab bar, I
can't remember the name of, relaxing to the smooth late
night jazz in a candle lit atmosphere.. perfect.
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