Lanzarote Please!

You just thought you were going to Lanzarote for Christmas but the world conspired against you and decided that Bristol might be a better place than sunny warm beautiful island in the Atlantic.

33 hours in the airport, so what do you do? Look for Sally's book, found it, not much else to do! Great book by the way

Then one minor "incident" airplane taxing off runway, getting stuck in the mud, administration and 24 hours later we are at a beautifully expense B&B out in the middle of nowhere Winfred. How we got there was one uber ride to downtown Bristol to a hotel that was in the middle of downscale Bristol that did not look to be operational as there was construction and locked door. Thank goodness the Uber driver did not leave us there. We sorted out another B&B and off we went. This time the Uber driver looked at us and asked if he wanted him to stay until we checked it out but all looked in order, so off he went and we settled into out 90£ hotel for the night.

Hopefully our flight is not cancelled and we can get out of here Saturday. Saga continues will keep you posted.

The flight was first posted to leave the following morning at 6:30. So up at 4, then it was posted to leave at 9:30, a little better. We got to the airport at 6:30 and then the 5 coupon was sent out from Ryanair, now this got to be a bad sign. Every time a coupon was sent then you were notified that the airplane would be delayed again. And 5 pounds would not buy you anything at the airport. This was the trend until finally we got a boarding gate. Then there were not enough attendants so another delay. Then the fog rolled in as we sat on the runway for another 55 minutes. What's 55 minutes after 33 hours. Yes we took off, everyone cheered. Now we just hoped they got the right island. Ryan air has landed at the wrong island before.

We made it, 70 degrees, ATM to get Euros, first minute taxi , trade winds and a beautiful sunset. Found our ocean side home and settled in. We are staying in the mother in law part of a large home. Tomas Tapa bar close by for dinner and life was set to rights again.

Evening view from our Lanzarote flat patio.

Long flight but worth it!

Sunrise has to be my favourite time. We are located on top of the lava rocks right that reach out to the sea. Tide pools everywhere. As the darkness slips away the tide pools look like flying over the Swiss Alps and seeing the snow covered mountains then slowly seems to look like islands dotting the ocean below. As the sun peaks out you get a green flash and life is renewed. The sparkles on the ocean return, all is well.

As we rest a day to recover from the travel adventure we enjoy the beautiful balcony view and take a walk into the town center of Costa Teguise. The lava beaches and turquoise water is stunning. Tapas bars everywhere and a boardwalk encircling the coast from one end of town to the other. It was quite surprising that there was not many people, no crowds at all, no lines, this must be haven. This has always been my mantra, keep getting in line until you get what you want, inline at the airport to get to destination, inline at University until you find the line with diplomas, in line at the bus stop, endless.... but here..... no lines. Must of died and gone to heaven, no lines and average temperature 70 degrees;)

Jameos de Aqua was on our list so we checked out the local transport and caught the bus to the lava tubes. It took about 45 minutes to ride from Arrcife on a clean large comfy bus. The inner island looked much like a moon scape if there was one on earth. The island was made of volcanoes so not to surprising. You descend into a lava stairway to a cool tropical paradise in the lava tubes of the island. There is a very large pool that follows to the sea that twinkles with the rays of sunlight that filter through the lava above reflecting all the blues you can think of. The walk along the pool is magical if you disregard all the Germans, English and Spaniards. Yes there were lines here but no Chinese they have not discovered this island yet. There are coffee and lounge areas through out the cave ending with a huge auditorium at the end. You ascend the stairs to a view of the island with the turquoise ocean in the distance.

Inside a volcano tube.

Kirk at the top of the volcano tube.

Christmas was a quite affair. Sunrise, coffee on the terrace and a day at the beach. Could not have been better.

Lanzarote Christmas Tree

Merry Christmas from the Arndt's!

Arricife here we come, well maybe here we come. We seem to be on the last stop of the bus to get to Arricife and they do not stop if they are full. We waited through 2 buses , one every twenty minutes, that did not stop then thought to get on going other direction to make sure we had a seat on the way back. Crazy but it just might work. The next one came going the right direction and we did not need to try it the other way.

The Museum Enrique is built from an old castle. Very interesting collection including a deck that overlooked the harbor with statues in the water below., that appeared as the tide went out.

The bathrooms had million dollar view of the harbor, right up there with the Amsterdam bath tubs;) We strolled the boardwalk to town and enjoyed the walk along the harbor.

Happy New Year from Lanzarote. We spent on the roof top of our Air B&B host cheering in the New Year with a glass of bubbly, I will brought my soda water. We were surrounded by fire works from the middle of the island and every hotel and large village, so we had the best view.

The Spanish cheer in the New Year by eating 12 grapes for every second that you count down to the new year, so by the time you get to the New Year you were grape kissing everyone. Funny tradition but fun.

We went sailing to bring in the New Year on a catamaran around La Gracious Island just north of Lanzarote. It was a full service tour and no yelling;) They picked us up at hotel and we went to Orzola to catch a ferry to La Graciosa. There we boarded a catamaran and set sail for the beach coves. It was very windy and large waves but the sun was out in full force to keep you warm rafter the spray hit you. We drank champagne and sailed with 30 other people to the cove and went snorkelling and swimming. Lunch was served then a short siesta and we sailed back to port dancing to the Macarena. Can not think of a better way to start the year than dancing, snorkeling, kayaking, and sailing!

Next adventure to the top of the volcano.

Rainbow in the land of no rain.

We toured Manriques home and it was stunning . It wrapped around a lava tube and had wonderful art.

We spent the last twos days enjoying swimming in the lagoon and dinning at Tomas Cafe wishing we did not have to leave. The morning came and we both silently watched the sunrise drinking hot lemon water and coffee. We were greeted with a green flash, what a gift! I really never thought they existed but now I saw it, how wonderful .