motto from the trip
2020
When I decided to go on this trip, there was no turning back, I mean there was but I didn’t take it into account. After all, I could always say I wasn’t going and cancel it all with the click of a computer. However, that did not happen. The adventure of a lifetime and the first fully self-organized trip awaited me. I decided it would be a birthday present – from me to me.
On New Year’s Eve, I poured a 0.33cl bottle of champagne from somewhere in my fridge and with subsequent explosions of firecrackers, I decided to open it and, before falling asleep at 00:05, solemnly celebrate my birthday – then the 23rd. mess, it causes me to have this mess in my head all the time, and as an organized beast, I couldn’t let that happen.
The flight was scheduled for early in the morning. Around 7:00. I woke up half asleep (when they shoot firecrackers a week before and after the new year, you feel like at war, not like at a party) and I went to the airport – I’ve never seen such emptiness on the roads in my life – my birthday is January 1, it will be fun they said. Everyone was already asleep or just going to sleep, and I, a lonely traveler, was just setting off 4000 km from home, on my own birthday and in addition without knowing if I would be back.
Lanzarote
Holy shit it’s 12:00! So I set out with Google Maps on a trip – the first task was to find the place I booked through Airbnb. It turned out that I was too early, so I had no choice but to wait. The gentleman who lived in the building next door and was the manager did not speak a tooth in English and I did not speak a tooth in Spanish. It will be fun I thought. There were 4 rooms inside, I got the one downstairs with a view of one of the volcanoes. A beautiful place, just one warning – in the winter you will take thermoactive underwear because the locals do not have heaters. If you are staying in a hotel, don’t worry.
Day two woke me up at 7:30. There’s a time difference of an hour and 10 years here. Joke. The Canary Islands are located within the meridians the Canary Islands are located within the 0 degrees meridian, which means that they have the same time here as in London. So when going on vacation, we have an hour more to explore – because who will forbid the rich?
Lanzarote’s roads are wonderful, often without a shoulder and with thousands of various volcanic formations on both sides. El Golfo was the first to appear in the crosshairs. The colour of this unusual lake is due to the specific phytoplankton found in it. It has a depth of 8-10 meters and is filled with seawater. It was formed when sea water entered the crater of the volcano. In addition, it is probably saltier than the Dead Sea. The stone wall above it is the only part of the El Golfo volcano, the rest was swallowed by the sea. At the end of the day, I went to several places where you can enjoy beautiful views. These places are Los Hervideros, Caldera Blanca, enchadero de los camellos. And tomorrow it’s time to learn the secrets of Timanfaya.
Mornings on this island are magical, why? Because it’s so quiet here, especially on January 3, 2020, when I decided to check out a historic place – Timnfaya National Park. The moon-like landscape that delights tourists is the result of volcanic eruptions just 300 years ago. Lava and magma have created a scenery straight from science fiction movies, in which, despite the harshness, life is gradually spreading. The park opens at 9:00 – and it’s better to be there at 8:45. There were a few tourists with me, but within an hour the whole park was buzzing with life. A bus tour is an excellent option to see the park “from the inside”. Then you can see how active you can make a barbecue or a steam fountain on the volcano.
The point that cannot be missed is the amazing Salinas de Janubio salt fields. That is why the island is called the land of salt. Their area is 440,000 m2, and an average of 2,000 tons of salt are mined here annually. In addition to its aesthetic values, Salinas de Janubio is primarily a place where 100% natural sea salt, free of preservatives and additives, is mined. Ocean water is used for its production, which, after being evaporated by the sun, is collected and then subjected to cleaning and other production processes. My goal was the southern end of the island, Faro de Pechiguera. This is an active lighthouse located on the southwest end of the island. It was opened in 1866. An ocean and waves are crashing against the rocks. This noise calms down and the salt creates amazing images on the walls of stones.
Next stop: Costa de Papagayo, in other words we pay 2 euros and drive through a paved road for quite a sporty section. It must be wonderfully quiet here at night. I arrived at the beach. Amazing view, especially from the upper cliffs. I wanted to sit and watch. Unfortunately, the January aura is so windy that I was wearing shorts – a tourist. So I went to the other side of the cliffs and there are mountains and valleys, beautiful hills and narrow passages – a place for hiking enthusiasts.
Lanzarote
On day 4 I decided to see the northern part of the island. I packed a few clothes for a change (volcanoes were also planned, so I took a jacket just in case) and set off in my wonderful Fiat500.
The first stop is Santa Barbara Castle. The historic stronghold is located on Mount Benacantil, which dominates the entire city. The history of the castle dates back to the 9th century, and its name probably derives from the characteristic shape of the hill, which the Arabs referred to as Banu-lQatil, or auricle. The stronghold is surrounded by olive trees. One of the courtyards can be accessed by a special elevator from the city level.
The view from the castle is a view of Teguise, a small town located at the foot of the castle. It is one of the first towns founded in the Canary Islands. Already after walking through the streets, you can notice great attention to detail and the architecture of this place makes us move back in time to the times of the pirates – there is also a Museum of Piracy here. A market is also held here.
On my way north I came across an interesting place: Parque Eolico. A wind farm located on the ridges of smaller volcanoes. An incredibly quiet place and worth seeing, because the views are stunning. So that there are not enough views, we will now move to Mirrador Rincon de Haria. The January sunset is a relief for the eyes and the sound of the waves as music. A perfect place to end the day, just not mine haha.
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At the beginning of the fifth day, I went here and there – this island is magic in a nutshell – there is everything you could want from a luxury holiday: palm trees, banana trees, luxury hotels, beaches and volcanoes.
The cherry on the cake of the day is Jardin de Cactus. It is an artistically developed round crater, a hole in the ground, where we can admire over 1,400 species of cacti. This is the last great work of Cesar Manrique. Some are really tiny, because they measure only 2 centimeters, but there are also those over 20 meters high, which probably make a great impression on most tourists. They are planted at different heights on stone terraces that climb upwards. Their different shapes, colors and spikes make it hard to take your eyes off each one.
Finally, a riddle: Is there a Mercedes that is always parked and is white? Yes! It is a church that is located near the Jardin de Cactus. I managed to catch 2 Mercedes in one photo.
Lanzarote
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Passing it, we reach another bar, where between rock tables and stairs we climb to another attraction of this place, i.e. to an exotic garden with a swimming pool. The first thing that comes out of the mouth of most tourists after seeing it is a big “wow”. All in stunning white. The pool itself impresses with its azure, also distinguished by the whiteness of its edge. Palm trees, boulders, and other exotic plants make you not want to leave this place.
Day seven is a time to relax. I came from Arrecife a bit, but one of my passions is aeroplanes. Here, I also recommend Mirador de Acercamiento to all fans of aviation. During sunbathing, you can hear the sound of incoming planes here – right over your head!!!
I hope your trip to the island of the sun of salt and volcanoes will be unforgettable, and that you will return to this place on the next flight!
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Pros
1. Climate: Sunny and mild:
Lanzarote has a pleasant subtropical climate with mild winters and warm summers, ideal for all year round.
2. Nature and Landscape:
Unique volcanic landscapes: The island is known for its volcanic landscapes, such as in the Timanfaya National Park.
Beautiful beaches: White sandy beaches and clear water, ideal for relaxation and water sports.
3. Peace and Space:
Little mass tourism: Compared to other Canary Islands, it is quieter, which creates a relaxed atmosphere.
Undeveloped nature: Strict building regulations preserve the natural beauty of the island.
4. Cultural attractions:
César Manrique: The work of this artist and architect can be seen all over the island, with unique buildings and works of art that fit perfectly into nature.
5. Sustainability:
• Sustainable tourism: Lanzarote is known for its commitment to sustainable tourism and environmental protection.
Cons:
1. Limited amenities:
Small island: Fewer shopping and entertainment options than larger islands or the mainland.
Healthcare: Limited medical facilities outside of major cities.
2. Wind:
Constant wind: The island is often windy, which can sometimes be a nuisance, especially during certain seasons.
3. Water quality:
Limited drinking water sources: The drinking water on the island is usually desalinated seawater, which can sometimes have a different taste.
4. Employment:
Limited job market: Mostly dependent on tourism, which can cause seasonal uncertainty.
5. Transportation:
Dependence on car: Public transportation is limited, so a car is often necessary to properly explore the island.