11.22 and 11.23 in the Canary Islands

No canaries spotted on this archipelago of islands – all very volcanic and out in the middle of the Atlantic, quite isolated. Apparently they were named after the canines/canaria (or perhaps seals that act like dogs?) seen by the first Europeans who landed there…regardless, there are no canary birds on these islands! We spent a day in Arrecife on Lanzarote and then the next day in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Our excursion on Lanzarote was quite the tour – visiting a cacti garden with over 1500 species of cacti. The islands get about 5” of water a year and their zero scape is beautifully kept lava gravel. There are no natural trees tho’ we saw a few palm trees as decor. That said, the clouds are very low in the area and thus also drop a mist as well as creating a lot of humidity. The guide was excellent and offered a lot of information about life on the island being very communal and everyone taking care to keep the island and life very friendly amongst the 150,000 living on the island. Other than the black gravel in the yards there were boulder fields of lava along the road and then plots of cactus plants to produce a parasite they collect to make the natural red dye in everything we use or consume – from make up to food coloring. The houses are lovely white with either green or blue shutters and trim.

It really felt like a chill kind of place – where everybody knows your name – where everyone was welcome, and a sort of anything goes (including a nude beach) as far as creativity and artwork kind of place.

A couple of the the only trees we saw…

Prickly Pear fields of cacti to sell and harvest the red dye from the tiny bug on the plant.

The second part of the tour took us to an amazing lava cave…Jameos del Agua, a complex area of lava rock, tunnels, and caves where the owner had created a restaurant, theatre, beautiful grounds above the cave/tunnels and it included a tidal pool with tiny little crabs. The stairs and ground were a bit of a trek due to the uneven blocks of lava but well worth the visit. 

This is the volcano that produced the cave we visited. The volcanoes seem to be dormant BUT one can still put one’s hand into the dirt and feel the warmth about a foot down. I wonder if it’s just a light sleeper volcano? They are expecting more islands to appear in time.

The main walk way in the cave and the tidal salt water lake with the blind crabs.

The little white specks are the crabs in salt water.

Our second day was in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and it is the most populated island with a lot of vibrant culture, typical European squares, eating outside and people out for a meet up with neighbors and friends in the evening. We took a late afternoon excursion for a walking tour through the city to hear about historical buildings, architecture (the Opera House much like the one in Sydney, tho much smaller), etc. Residents are strongly Catholic and celebrate Three Kings Day in January and the city was amass with holiday decorations and a delightful park with a holiday video showing for families on a Friday night. We took the tour to hear about all this but sadly the guide, as much as he tried, was not up to any standard for guiding…the other part of the tour was for some wine and tapas tasting – both of which we did but again, sadly, with no info or explanation, With this rather disappointing experience we still had a delightful evening with some people we’ve met on board…good laughs and stories!

A few pictures of Tenerife. The photos have been nearly impossible to upload.

After the Canary Islands we had two fun sea days…they have picked up a pattern of breakfast in the restaurant, Bridge class, lectures (all excellent), lunch, rest time and then mid-afternoon needlepoint with a beverage and lots of chatter in the Observation Deck Lounge… yesterday we did see a couple of humpback whales thanks to our Captain letting us know… one of those scenes where everyone on the boat runs over to the port side deck to watch. Typically we meet again at 6:45 with our Solos group and have dinner together – always with lots of frivolity…

The day before today, we had a letter informing us that we are entering a “high risk area” for pirates starting tonight as we sail towards Dakar Senegal. Specifically The ship will be in constant contact with the International Task Force and navel forces assigned to protect merchant vessels – this is all controlled by a United Nations mandate. We had a “pirate drill”… all lights off, curtains pulled shut and we go to the hall way and sit down…if the ship begins to list, as in trying to create a wake, then we are to lie down. Whilst doing all this during the drill I couldn’t help thinking of the people in control watching cameras and laughing as we all were going to need to get up off the floor…that said, only Alix was on the floor, doing puzzles on her phone. The rest of us were talking and our neighbors across the hall agreed we may need snacks and champagne if necessary so that’s all planned. Apparently, while here in Cape Verde (tomorrow’s update) there will be special forces coming on board for our voyage to Senegal. We’ve also been told there are “water cannons” on board to deter any attack… I rather imagine there is more to all this but thankfully we have only been told not to worry as what would pirates want with a bunch of old people. They want the oil from them merchant ships. That said if there is a passenger onboard of high value (apparently they don’t realize who Alix and I are…) then that could create more of target. And of course I have noted we are nearly at a full moon so even as dark as the ship will be while sailing tonight…the shimmer from the moon on the water will still be there.

Last night we set the clocks back another hour so are eight hours ahead and tonight we go forward so back to seven hours…that’s one day of eight hours and during the night, the crew worked very hard and now the ship is all decked out for the holiday…They have done a great deal to ensure this is a wonderful trip – no complaints from us!!

A few fun pics from our days…canapés in the room after a big lunch in the cave, dessert from the French restaurant, the pool area, and a beautiful sunset to come… More soon as we discover West Africa.

A morning arrival…