CHARCO NEWS
October was a hectic month, a lot happened. First, an ‘Oktoberfest’ had to be organised within 5 days.The municipality has a protocol which is the same for all villages.’ the Oktoberfest protocol’. with music and food. But besides bratwursts and chips there was also Thai food by Jum: Yummythaifood, porksticks and spring rolls, which turned out to be a good combination. (Jum lives in Charco).
But people from the village want to have more influence on the program next year.
*It turns out that the boys from La Plazita moved to Spain. A pity for our village because it was a real pleasure to taste the delicacies and dance every Friday night. But staff at La Plazita are trying to continue. At the moment Manuel started wit different plates. He opens at 12 am till midnight.
* Theo is not playing at Jardin Tropical anymore.
*We heard that Oböna has been sold.
*And very sad news was that a man (70) died. Behind the tidal pool he was snorkelling and diving without air. They do that to catch fish. Unfortunately, resuscitation failed. He died of cardiac arrest.
THE MONKEY ROCK
The monkey rock is the center of Charco for us, a lot happens there and we go swimming there every day if we can. But when it is quiet, crabs take over. From all kinds of holes and corners they come running in different sizes to enjoy, to feed, to fight and to play in the water and on the rocks. They have the most beautiful colors and as quickly as they come, they are gone again when people come. It is good to realize that man and animal are very close together here.
The underwater world at Charco
With a simple snorkel you can see a lot of the beauty of the underwater world at Charco. Many colorful fish populate the world below you. Every moment is different. Sometimes there are large schools of young fish that move back and forth, simultaneously. Sometimes you see a Manta or Angel Shark pass right under you.
Diving at Charco
Charco del Palo has been an official diving location for a long time. Along the coast there are caves and a kind of underwater beach that divers enjoy. An underwater map is available. To dive at a location there are many rules that one must comply with. Everything must be mapped and the depths must also be measured. All this information can be found on official diving sites and also in the book shown below.
A Charco resident (Johnny) has just obtained his certificate, but he had to perform a self-invented action for this. He chose to dive naked, so without a divingsuit, both at the tidal pool and at the monkey rock. When there are a lot of waves, the water moves and the temperature is almost the same everywhere. However, if it is quiet, it can be much colder in the deeper layers. When he went diving, it was quiet and therefore colder below, but that did not bother him. He was the first diver without a suit to go to a depth of 40 meters. Well done, Johnny.
LAS GRIETAS
A special place that is not on tourist recommendations. It is a beautiful rock formation near Tías. What is the history of Las Grietas de Lanzarote?
Las Grietas de Lanzarote is a huge, 600 metre high fissure that has been formed in the sideof the Montaña Blanca volcano.
This fissure runs for about twenty metres through a narrow corridor of solidified lava to the end wall, where you have to turn around to get out! These small ravines have been carved out over the years by the waters of the Montaña Blanca. There are three gorges in total, separated by just a few metres, each more spectacular than the other! The most interesting is the largest, but you can walk through them all via a narrow natural corridor with irregular walls.
How were the volcanic fissures on Lanzarote formed?
The fissures of Lanzarote are an impressive example of the volcanic origins of theisland. Volcanic fissures are geological formations that are created by the cooling of the lava from an eruption as opposed to the cooling of the rock that supports the lava.
How to get to ‘Las Grietas’
In Tías take the LZ 35 north. It is about 2 miles/3 kilometers. You can find it on Google maps.
The official car park is unfortunately closed due to protect the special places at Lanzarote, but nearby, at this moment, you can still park.
Ecoventa lanzarote Arrecife
LANZAROTE NEWS
Organic vegetables and fruits
Organic produce from Haría market from Joachim and Pepe are missed. Alternatively, on the other side of the market in Haria is a place that also sells organic vegetables, only they don’t have a certificate. You can also go to the organic shop in Haria. Another option is Arrecife at plaza de San Gines on Saturdays or Ecoventa lanzarote. Ecoventa also have dairy products and meat and most of it comes from there own farms in Tías or Tinajo.
Then there is the Sunday market in Teguise or Mancha Blanca.
Halloween
*This month, Halloween celebrations are in full swing in the resorts and towns, but why not venture a little further a field and explore the island’s most characteristic, mysterious spots? Source: La Gazette.
Teguise
Teguise is Lanzarote’s oldest and most historic town. Its maze of narrow white streets, churches and colonial mansions create a special atmosphere after dark, especially when there is a full moon over the castle of Santa Barbara.
TheTorrecilla
This strange, white building with its small tower and turrets is one of the most evocative sights in North Lanzarote, especially when the mist rolls down from Monte Corona. There are rumours that it is haunted, but these seem to be inspired more by its eerie appearance than by any real events. It is also for sale for €2 million
Timafaya
Where else in the world can you venture into a wild volcanic landscape guarded by hopping devils? César Manrique’s visual joke about the “hellish” landscape inspired adubious “legend” about the Devil of Timanfaya, but it’s the sheer force of nature and the knowledge that several villages lie buried beneath those volcanoes that really sends shivers down your spine.
The Telamon
At dusk oron the rare occasions when sea mists roll in from the south, the shipwreck between Arrecife and Costa Teguise looks like a ghost ship. It is also dangerous, long closed to intrepid explorers. Plans to demolish the wreck never came to fruition, and this imposing monument looks set to remain there for awhile.
Kenneth Gasque, a living legend
It was recently announced that Kenneth Gasque, the founder of the Lanzarote Ironman race, would be honoured with a statue in Puerto del Carmen. He arrived in the1980s to manage the La Santa complex and went on to create and promote several regular sporting events on the island, including the island’s Ironman race, the Wine Run and this month’s Ocean Lava triathlon. Thanks to his unstoppable activity, passion for the island and love of sport, Lanzarote now enjoys an international reputation as a sporting destination.
Kenneths legacy prompted the island government of Lanzarote, the Cabildo, to erect amonument in his honour. The statue will be placed on the Avenida de las Playas, near the finish line of the Ironman Race, and reflects the fact that Kenneth has been a constant presence at the end of the race for many years, often until midnight to congratulate everyone who crosses the finish line. Source: La Gazette.
DAILY LIFE
A walk along the coast and back over the hills. That was quite a hike with a varied landscape. The hard work of the ancestors with all those plots of land where Tuneras once grew inspires awe. However, the last Tuneras are rapidly disappearing from the landscape. We came across one that, against all expectations, stood out in a desolate landscape. We took it with us. It has been given a place of honor.
WALKS
Walk along the coast towards Los Cocoteros, when you arrive at the white house, turn right onto the sandy path. Walk all the way to the mountain where the houses of Guatiza are already visible. Turn right there. Continue between craters with a large hill on your left. When you have the ruins in sight, turn right again before the path up, towards Charco. It takes about 2 hours.
AGENDA
*Lili’s Paradise closed at teu and wed. Sat 5 – 8 pm music with DJ A. Escorial, Sun Gian Luka 1.30 – 4.30 pm reservations: 0034629257645
*La plazita Fri Music and pinchos 6.30 pm
*Tropical Restaurant: opens 6 pm
*Obona restaurant open Mon-Fri 3 pm
*Supermarket opens 8.30 am – 6.30 pm, sun to 3 pm
*Don Quijote almost every Saturday live music from 8.30 pm Restaurant opens mon -sat 1 – 3.30 / 6 – 8.30 pm
*Cantina de Mala opens wed-sun 1 pm
*Arepera Mala /Jojoto y millo opens teu- sun 1- 11 pm
*sociedad Guatiza el Taiga opens teu – sun 5 – 11 pm.
Recommended
*Northdiving lanzarote Arrieta *34 650658531 Raúl and Martha
*Restaurant El pescador / casa Barriguita, El Golfo *34 828048575
*Relaxing massages Fran: centro comercial : *34 667259760
*Pickup or take to the airport *31 618525178
*Spanish with Paul. You tube mini course
MARKETS
Puerto Calero – Tue – Fri 9 am – 1 pm
Haria Artisanal – Sat 10 am – 2 pm at Plaza de Haría,
Arrecife – Sat at Plaza de San Ginés, 9 – 12 am
Costa Teguise –Wed and Fri at Pueblo Marinero 5 – 8 pm
Teguise Sun in the city centre 9 am – 2 pm
PALS Flea market – Sun at Lanzarote A Caballo (fourth roundabout past Tias) from 9 – 12 am
Mancha Blanca – Sun at Mancha Blanca, 10 am
Marina Rubicon – Wed – Sat, Playa Blanca, 10 am – 2 pm
Playa Honda – Every third Saturday, Calle Mayor, 10 am – 2pm
Puerto Calero – Teu – Fri 9 am – 1pm
From Charco ‘un abrazo ‘
Yo hear from me next month. Tineke
