El monumento a la fecundidad at Mozaka
STORM
April 9, a day after the eclipse, we had a real storm here. Local people said it was the strongest gale in 46 years. It certainly felt like that. It was difficult to walk outside, water splashed up and you were sandblasted by the swirling sand. Fortunately it was over the next day, but a lot of damage had been done. At the duck pool the water had come over the wall. The sand was blown into the pool and the high winds created holes. At the Monkey Rock the rescue rope disappeared and at the tidal pool a piece of concrete was broke loose, several holes were created and many stones were blown around. Fortunately, there were many hands that helped to repair the worst damage. Also the Fisherman’s hut was damaged. And it was also intense in other places on Lanzarote. The artwork ‘la Escultura de la Fecundidad’ by Cesar Manrique, at Mozaga, broke loose partly and it was later dismantled to prevent any further damage.
CHARCO NEWS
*last month I wrote that many winter visitors went home, but April was still busy with new tourists who come here for a short time. This year also many French.
*There is now a bus stop at Centro commercial. Two times a day a taxi bring you to Mala for connecting with other buses.
Unfortunately it was immediately covered in red paint.
*In Costa Teguise, young people were arrested for burning hammocks, after which we have had no more waste container fires here either.
Let’s hope that the correct measures have now been taken and the perpetrators have been arrested by the police.
*Finca del Mar has a new owner. The property is now being renovated.
*Lili was on holiday and so was La Plazita almost at the same time. So there were only a few options if you wanted to dine in the village.
Reparing the tide pool
AGENDA
*La Plazita is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Open from 12am -10pm. On Fridays music and delicious pinchos.
*Lili’s Paradise opens at 5 pm. Sun 4 pm – 8 pm music with DJ A Escorial , reservations : 0034 629257645
*Tropical Restaurant: 12 am -3 pm 5-10 pm.
*Obona restaurant open Mon-Fri from 3 pm.
*Supermarket open 8.30 – 6.30 pm. Sun to 3 pm.
*Don Quijote almost every Saturday live music from 8.00 pm
Recommended:
Restaurant: ‘Cantina de Mala’, the new owner brings new energy. Not expensive and enough variety.
Don Quijote has delicious smoothies. With many variations to choose.
LANZAROTE NEUWS
*The residents of Lanzarote are concerned about the preservation of Lanzarote’s vulnerable environment. There was a major event on April 20 in which care was endorsed and an appeal was made to take measures against mass tourism. More than 10.000 people came to Arrecife. In the whole Canary islands more than 50.000. It was in the news all over Europe.
In 1967 there were around 10.000 tourists. Last year there were more than 3 million. But Lanzarote also lives from tourism, it’s all about finding the right balance.
*Prices for an overnight stay in hotels have increased. Ten years ago the average was €62, now it is €120.
*2023 Was the hottest year in Lanzarote ever with only 38mm of rain. Very little rain so far this year. We only had 15mm in the rain gauge. The farmers are having a hard time.
*Water is scarce on Lanzarote and there are many leaks due to old systems. If you discover a leak, contact Canal gestión: What’s app 0034 636673604 / Tel: 928814400/ 900504 400
*Many refugees still come to the Canary Islands by boat. Hoping for a better future. Lanzarote is looking for a location for the shelter.
*On top of the roof of the Gran Mall, a new, large shopping center in Arrecife, a playing field for children, has opened. ‘Sould park’, with trampolines and a 6D cinema (nova quest), a small space where you can be a few minutes in other dimensions. Open from 5.30 p.m.
DAILY LIFE
Papagayo’s Sphinx
A day out:
My partner was taking Spanish lessons at home and I thought I would go out for the day. I saw something special in Playa Blanca at Papagayo beach that I wanted to share with you. I went to Playa Blanca via Femes. High up in Femes, on the corner at the right, before the small roundabout, there turned out to be a cafeteria that was open early. I hadn’t seen it before. I had a delicious coffee then drove on to my destination, Papagayo beach. There were not many people on the first beach. After some searching, I found what I was looking for in the corner, ‘the Sphinx.’ A small image of a face in stone. I call her ‘the Sphinx of Papagayo’, friends said a figure from Atlantis? Hidden among the dilapidated remains of a bunker. I enjoyed this sight for a while and took some pictures.
Then I went on but this time not over the hills. Because it was still low tide for a long time, I could go along the rocks to try to get to the next beach. It worked, and to my surprise I came across beautiful rock formations, hidden beaches and jagged rocks in all kinds of colours and shapes. With the always beautiful blue sea and the sound of the surf, the picture was complete. I really enjoyed another unexpected encounter with beauty in Lanzarote. I continued my path until I reached the restaurant ‘Casa el Barba’. I had never been there before. Unfortunately it didn’t open until twelve o’clock. But the view there is fantastic. Canoeists passed by and many people enjoyed the sun and the beach, and after some time the restaurant opened and I could enjoy a beautiful view and delicious food. Then I walked back until I found a quiet place where I could enjoy the sun and be naked. Always possible on Papagayo beach. Just sitting there and looking at the sea makes you completely calm and at one with the environment. Papagayo is a paradise for me. Beautiful beaches, catamarans out at sea and adults and children enjoying the beach and no one using their phones except to take pictures. I was enjoying it without a care in the world, in silence and wonder. I don’t think there are many beautiful beaches like this in the world where you can also be naked, which is another gift. After many hours I returned to Charco. I had been in paradise for a while and experienced again how wonderfully beautiful Lanzarote is.
See also walks.
WALKS PAPAGAYO BEACH
To get to the beautiful beaches of Papagayo there is a dirt road with many potholes. If you arrive from Femes and are almost at Playa Blanca, take the third exit on the left at the roundabout. A small contribution is asked per car, 3 or 4 euros, but you are actually not allowed to go there with a rental car because of the bad road. I went via Playa Blanca.
Navigation: Sandos Papagayo beach hotel / Or Papagayo Arena -> Calle las Acacias 6 -> Playa Blanca
Park there in the street. Take the footpaths over the hills and walk to the first beach. On the beach you walk to the far corner towards the rock that forms the barrier. In the far corner there are remains of what used to be a bunker and there is a small crack where, if you look closely, a face is visible.
THE SPHINX OF PAPAGAYO’
When the tide is low, it is possible to continue your path along the water. Be careful because it is slippery but you will discover beautiful hidden spots. You walk over the rocks to the next beach. Each beach has its own atmosphere. At some point above you will see ‘CASA EL BARBA’, a restaurant with a busy beach with beautiful blue-green water. If you want to walk further, go via the top of the rocks. You can make your route as long as you want and don’t forget to cool off in the lovely water. Fuerteventura and the island of Lobos can be seen when it is not too misty. Naturism is possible in quiet areas. Have fun.
I recommend that you go early or in the afternoon because it can get hot. Beware of the tides. App: Tide Times.
From Charco ‘un abrazo ‘
Enjoy the spring, Tineke
