80b480 Bucket List Blog - 80b480

B79: (De)Laying in the sun - Lanzarote (Spain) Feb2002 & Sept2006

31/5/2022

Down through the years I’ve been really lucky with my holiday trips. The vast majority of the time I’ve avoided travel delays, illness, pickpockets…..but this week’s blog covers two trips where things didn’t run so smoothly. Coincidentally they were both trips to Lanzarote in the Canary Islands…..though I hasten to add there was nothing wrong with the destination itself….just lots of mishaps getting to – and – fro.

Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote - Feb2002

The first time there, I had the bright idea to bring my Mam, Peggy, on a winter break to the sun in February 2002 - twenty years ago! We rocked up to Dublin airport on Sunday 3 Feb 2002 all excited to be heading to Lanzarote. Our excitement was short-lived as that day there was a major incident when high winds caused a Delta Airlines plane from Atlanta to be blown off the runway after landing (read here). Fortunately, none of the 181 people on-board were injured….but dozens of flights were diverted and delayed…and we were told that we would instead be bussed to Shannon Airport to get our flight - almost 170 miles away!

Peggy when she finally got to Lanzarote - 4 to 10 Feb 2002

This took almost 4 hours because of the heavy traffic…and we got no food. (Ever since I come prepared with snacks!) Worse still, Peggy was frozen as I had convinced her to take off her winter vest and she ended up catching the flu. Shannon was chaotic and ill-prepared for all of the diverted flights and all the staff were busy. Still though security wasn’t too busy to confiscate my tweezers from my toilet bag! As I stood there contemplating whether I should query the likelihood of my hijacking the plane by me threatening to pluck the pilot’s eyebrows (😜), I decided to zip it in the interests of world peace and goodwill to all men – even over-zealous airport security men.

Peggy in our room at Hotel Fariones - Feb2002

Eventually, as evening turned to night we boarded our Canary-bound plane. Ten minutes into the flight, the pilot announced that as Arrecife (Lanzarote) airport closed at midnight…we would be flying to Reina Sofia (Tenerife) where we would stay until a flight transfer to Lanzarote the following day, Monday. In the wee hours of Monday morning, we queued up to check in to a new never-used-before hotel in Tenerife by inexperienced staff. Finally got a room at 2:30am and told we could get breakfast at 6am as we would fly at 9am. 6am came and there was no one at reception, we got breakfast and awaiting our bus to the airport that never turned up. Phone calls to the local agent went unanswered as the office was closed on Mondays. To cut a long story short we eventually flew to Lanzarote at midday arriving 24 hours later than originally planned…..and Peggy with a dose of flu.

Me in Lanzarote - Feb 2002

Peggy and I were staying in Room 412 at Hotel Fariones in Puerto del Carmen. The hotel setting on the beach is pure relaxation with continuous views of the sea from pretty much everywhere. The staff were absolutely excellent and provided an excellent service and that is all of the staff. The management of this hotel were clearly doing a great job as you could see that it was a happy place to work which creates a lovely happy atmosphere.

On our balcony at Hotel Fariones - Feb 2002

The food was exceptional from the morning buffet breakfast served by very pleasant waiters who immediately poured fresh juice or cava for you...... to the evening buffet which I thought was super…each of the five nights we ate in the restaurant there was a special starter or main course again served by very pleasant chefs and very friendly and professional waiting staff.

Peggy ready for breakfast - Hotel Fariones Feb2002

Unfortunately, Peggy having caught the flu didn’t feel much like eating the first night. I spent a lot of the holiday going up and down to the Pharmacia. She spent a lot of time lying on the bed but when she felt up to it we went walking on the beach and in the gardens which are botanical with nice quiet relaxing music piped out making this so relaxing and of course direct access to a lovely beach…not sure what more one could want.

View from our room at Hotel Fariones - Feb2002

Towards the end of the week we did a trip to see Timanfaya National Park. We started with a hotel pickup, and then headed straight to the park, as admission was included. The trip revealed the Route of the Volcanoes, the wine region of La Geria and beautiful viewpoints such as the cliffs of Los Hervideros and the El Golfo volcano.

In Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote - Feb2002

In Timanfaya National Park, we appreciated three demonstrations of the high temperatures that are still recorded at shallow depths due to the geothermal anomalies of the area. We saw how the heat of the earth is used for cooking and enjoyed free time to have a coffee and the views from the windows of El Diablo Restaurant, designed by César Manrique.

At the geothermal demo - Timanfaya, Lanzarote - Feb2002

Me at Timanfaya, Lanzarote - Feb2002

The Route of the Volcanoes, is the most protected area of the national park. This place can only be visited by minibus or bus, cars are not allowed. It is not allowed to get off the vehicle but we made stops to take photos from inside the vehicle. This panoramic tour lasted about 30 minutes.

We also stopped for an optional Timanfaya National Park Camel Ride. We stopped for 30 minutes to give everyone the opportunity to take a typical camel ride. Peggy and I were not interested in doing this. I have a suspicion of camels ever since one spat at me at Fossett’s Circus in Carrick’s Fair Green as a child 😂🐪🐫.

Camel Rides, Lanzarote - Feb2002

A short distance along the southwest coastline from the exciting Los Hervideros we saw another natural example of the power of Mother Nature. El Golfo is a half-submerged cone of a volcano, which over time has been eroded by the sea, leaving behind only the striated wall of the crater displaying a myriad of red and russet colours. At the foot of the crater wall is Lago Verde, a half-moon-shaped striking green lagoon filled with volcanic minerals and micro-organisms that are believed to be unique in this lake.

A beach of black volcanic pebbles, where you can look for specimens of the semi-precious olivine, superficially separates the sharply contrasting lagoon from the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, but in reality they are connected through underground passageways. Coming from the south, the road leads you to a small car park, from where you can approach El Golfo by foot, following signs for a short walk around the headland.

Me at Lago Verde, Lanzarote - Feb2002

Because of the lost day, the holiday flew by. It was memorable unfortunately for all the wrong reasons…..and Peggy never wanted to hear the word Lanzarote ever again. (As a footnote, my Benetton hard-shell suitcase got smashed on the flight home….and I got no compensation as the airline blamed the handling staff and Dublin blamed Lanzarote!!)

Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote - Sept2006

So five years later, I decided to try Lanzarote again but this time with Charlie. This time we stayed in the Suite Hotel Fariones (the apartments with hotel service) nextdoor to where I had stayed with Peggy. This stay did not disappoint. Met with cava on arrival and our room was ready. Lovely room #537 with a fabulous view of the pool and beach.

View from our room at Suite Hotel Fariones, Lanzarote - 7 to 14 Sept2006

Breakfast was plentiful with lots of variety. The on-site supermarket was perfect for bits and pieces. Staff were helpful and friendly.

The local area has many shops, bars and restaurants to enjoy. The harbour is a short walk away with more places to eat. We ate at El Tomate and Tomatissimo.

Charlie enjoying a meal - Lanzarote Sept 2006

We spent our days in the sun or in the pool. Me usually in the sun; Charlie usually in the pool.

The evenings, we headed out to eat and drink. The Fariones is close to lots of good restaurants so we didn’t go hungry.

The drama with this holiday only started when we went to come home after the week…..our flight was cancelled due to a technical difficulty with the airplane. We were told we would be put up in a 5 star hotel for the night and fly home the following day. But (sadly!) we would miss a day at work!!

Where we were put up for an extra night in Lanzarote - 14 to 15 Sept 2006

So we were bussed to the new hotel….Charlie opened the patio door to go outside for a smoke….I noticed something moving fast behind my suitcase and screamed for Charlie that I saw a HUGE cockroach. He finished his fag and strolled back in thinking “Yeah, yeah, it’s probably a teeny spider”. Except when he moved the suitcase this 4 inch cockroach comes running towards him and past his leg causing Charlie to jump backwards and sideways to land with a loud “crunch” on said cockroach. Of course, to this day Charlie maintains his backwards jump was a practiced Ninja move planned to kill said cockroach….and not a fearful jump away!! And seeing as he came to my rescue and got rid of the icky creature, I’m happy to give him the benefit of the doubt!! 🤣