Lanzarote, the Windy Island and, apparently, the oldest of the island group. The most recent islands are in the South-West. The older ones are drifting slowly to the North-East. But the volcanoes, although really old (like 200 million years old) they aren’t as cool and dormant as they look!
The last eruption on Lanzarote took place in 1824, forming the volcanoes Tinguatón, Tao and Volcán del Fuego. The last eruption of the Timanfaya Volcano was in 1730 and lasted for more than 2000 days. And Timanfaya is where we are going today. And we were well on time this morning! Pretty early, really!
At the visitor centre there are four demonstrations of the latent power in these big hills. Firstly, an oppo digs about 50 – 100 cms into the granular lava and passes round samples of the dusty, gravelly earth. Surprisingly hot. Not scorchingly hot, but distinctly hot to the touch.
Next, some flammable brushwood was poked a bit deeper (maybe 2 -3 m) into an adjacent hole. The heat at that level.in enough to turn the brush into a bonfire!
The third demo of geothermal energy was made by the geyser geezer. He poured a small amount of water into a tube. Waited a minute or two, the chucked a bucket load in and stood back! Yellostone, eat your heart out!
The fourth demonstration was a slow BBQ!
For your average tourist arriving by car, that’s about the height of it. Four demos and maybe a visit to the loos, a swift cappuccino and a panoramic photo. Then back in the car and away. For this they pay good money and queue for up to four hours to get a space in the carpark…
… while the perishing tour buses blast pass them on the way to the very front of the queue! And then they (with us on board!) have the audacity and the privilege of being able to tour the park. Leaving the visitor centre, the private road goes past volcanic craters, lava fields, and mountains covered in volcanic ash.
The route is almost nine miles long. It took us about 30 minutes to complete. Along the way, there are several stops where we got panoramic views of the Montaña Rajada, the Corazoncillo caldera…
… and the Nuevo del Fuego volcanic vent.
Another spectacular tour. Glad we didn’t miss the bus today!
Before heading back towards Arrecife and our ship, we detoured to the village of El Golfo with its black volcanic sandy beach …
… and a climb to the mirador to get a view of El Carco Verde – the green lagoon – in the next bay.
And mighty green it was too! Algae and sunshine create an amazingly bright green colour – reminiscent of some zucchini, spinach and basil soup I made a few weeks ago which had a very similar hue! But that’s another story altogether!
The final stop.of the day was back in a wine growing area. Every single vine was partly surrounded by a low stone wall. First thoughts were that these were to retain rainwater – but it hardly ever rains here. After all, they boast of having 380 days of sunshine every year! So not water, but wind. Little, individual, mini windbreaks!
What a palaver. Hundreds of acres of this stuff. Plenty of jobs here. We did wonder what everyone living in the little white villages around here …
… did for a living. Now we know. They build little walls!..Well, the Bodega which hosted this part of the excursion got away with murder concerning the wine tasting. Two microscopic portions of (allegedly) their wines. But their loos were very helpful!
And so back to home, dinner…
… and off to Africa!
See you there!
You are visiting some very interesting places !
Lanzarote way down our list of places to visit. But enjoying your blog.