NEWS
*March was stormy: frequent showers but fortunately not as heavy as in January. Because of the rain Charco and surrounding are still green and colourful with a lot of flowers.
*The desert orchid / Hyacinth has been spotted again. It’s like seeing dolphins passing by, which were there too and possibly even orcas that visited us out at sea in Charco. Breathtaking!
*Open terrasses: Jardin Tropical 12 am, and Cueva Paloma 1 pm You can consume something there naked.
*There is now at La Plazita also music on Sunday afternoon, 4 pm.
*Stephan Hohlweg open air Classical music concerts 6-25 April.
*The municipality has announced that they are looking into whether the unfinished houses at the north end of the village can be demolished. However, this requires a lot of paperwork and time. So we’ll wait and see.
*A rare cactus was located in the area of Charco years ago. This is the reason that at the time no more construction was allowed north of Calle Seifio and near the dunes. More about that later in this newsletter.
*The entrance to the village has undergone a makeover! Frits has created a garden plot with the help of Sigi. He has put up a beautiful arched wall with lighting on his grounds. Well done!
Bizar news
A part of a body from the knee to the spine was found in a cave in Charco on March 18. The discovery was made around 10:30 by a cleaning crew. After the remains of a human skeleton were found in this cave, the employees called the local police of Haría. Local officials went to the scene and found the remains of a human body.
The detectives also came to the scene to recover the body. The Guardia Civil has stated that initially no traces of violence were found. So far, no further information has been provided about the identity of the deceased, the cause of death or how long the remains have been in the cave.
Several readers believe that it is one of the people who have disappeared in Lanzarote in recent years. Miriam Rodríguez, the mother of Romina Celeste, the young woman murdered by Raúl Díaz in Lanzarote and whose body was never found, has also expressed the hope that the remains are those of her daughter.
Lanzarote news
*On the market in Haria on Saturday there are now again organic vegetables and fruit for sale. Maribel from the organic shop started selling on March 29 and there are still two more suppliers. A bit much now that the flow of tourists is somewhat less because many winterers are going home again.
*Visa
From 2 April, citizens of EU member states, including Spain, will need to apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) if they want to visit the UK. This permit costs £10.
The UK government has already introduced ETA requirements for non-EU nationals, and this will be extended to EU nationals from 2 April. The scheme is the UK equivalent of the EU’s ETIAS scheme, which is due to be introduced sometime this year and which requires all British visitors to the EU to pay a fee of €7.
The ETA is valid for six months and currently costs £10, but the UK government wants to increase this to £16.
In the footsteps of Cesar Manrique
the famous LagoMar museum.
LagOmar is located in the hills of Nazaret and opened in 1997. Today it is a museum, artgallery, bar and restaurant.
Legend has it that film star Omar Sharif came to Lanzarote in the early 1970s, fell in love with a beautiful house on the side of a volcano and bought it, only to lose it in a game of bridge. Conceived by Manrique and designed by his right-hand man, Jesús Soto, LagOmar is still stunning, a space-age honeycomb of tunnels, caves and staircases decorated with the humorous scrap metal sculptures of Mick Gonnel. It is a museum, art gallery, bar and restaurant, but above all it is a place you will never forget – one of those little corners of paradise on earth. There is also a bike tour, the Omar Sharif tour. Suitable for all levels. Www.musement.com. Source: La Gazette
That Cesar Manrique was also a naturist is apparent from his free lifestyle and in the stories about his life at the foundation. He also made special statements about eroticism.
Caralluma burchardii
This cactus was the reason that no more building was allowed on Calle Seifio and construction of houses at the north end of the village was stopped because the possible presence of this cactus.
The story we heard was that former neighbours came up with a plan to stop the construction of even more houses in their backyard.They then discovered this rare cactus. Apparently a blue flower grows on the ‘horns’ that only blooms for 1 day. We often see the cactus during walks. So they are not that rare. But it had a lot of consequences. Charco would probably have looked quite different if there had not been a caralluma burchardii…
Important history of Charco
Suggestions for the Advancement of the Conservation Plan for Caralluma burchardii.
More about the conservation efforts for Caralluma burchardii, a protected plant species found in Charco del Palo, Lanzarote. In March 2006, residents of Charco del Palo raised concerns with the Fundación César Manrique (FCM) regarding the impact of urban development plans in Haría and Teguise on the plant’s habitat. FCM inspected the area and found significant populations of Caralluma burchardii growing in colonies, with a high regeneration rate.
The plant, endemic to Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, is classified as “Sensitive to the alteration of its habitat” under the Canary Islands’ endangered species list. The FCM urged the municipalities to modify their urban plans to protect these areas. They also requested that a Habitat Conservation Plan, already drafted by the Canary Islands Government, be implemented.
In addition, the FCM had previously commissioned an environmental diagnosis in 2001, which highlighted the natural and landscape values of the Vega de Guatiza-Mala region, recommending the area be classified as a Protected Landscape and a Site of Scientific Interest.The findings were sent to relevant authorities for consideration to ensure the conservation of this important area.Overall, the article emphasizes the need for protecting the habitats of Caralluma burchardii amidst urban development and the continued efforts for its conservation.
Written by Ben Wijffelaars
The Maracuja
A plant that produces fruits that are delicious and are also used for cakes or juices. The fruits are first green then yellow. The flowers (passion flower) are beautiful. I make tea from the leaves, wonderful to relax and it tastes good. Our shrub or plant grows behind our house, where we created a true green oasis. We were very happy with a single fruit. Unfortunately, it stayed that way. Hopefully there will be more next year.
Figures in rocks and Nature
Stefan sent these photos of a face of a possible original inhabitant of Lanzarote. This can be found somewhere in the Barranco Teneguime in Guatiza. However, from mid-February to mid-July you are not allowed to walk there.
Already known in ancient times by the Phoenicians and Romans, Lanzarote has been inhabited by Berber people for at least two thousand years. These inhabitants, known as Majos, lived a simple life of fishing and limited agriculture.
Source: Wikipedia
Daily life
Lanzarote is perhaps the only place in the world where carnival is celebrated for 4 weeks. The procession of enthusiastic dancers and people in costume moves from village to village. Last year I was in Haria where I was amazed by such a large procession in such a small village. They must have spent lots of hours creating. That is why I wanted to celebrate my birthday this time with a touch of Carnival. I thought of a hat or something like that. To my great surprise my friends came dressed in the most beautiful outfits. When you are outside you do not understand the fun but when you are dressed a bit crazy yourself you join in. We had great fun, lots of laughter and dancing. So it was a real Carnival in Charco: an evening that I will certainly not forget. Thank you.
AGENDA
*Lili’s Paradise opens 5 pm, Wed and Thu closed, Sat 5 – 7 pm music with DJ A. Escorial, reservations: 0034 629257645
*Jardin Tropical restaurant and terras opens 1 – 4 pm and 6 – 10 pm, Fri closed.
*Cueva Paloma restaurant and terras opens 1 pm, Thu closed.
*Supermarket opens 8.30 am – 6.30 pm, Sun till 3 pm
*Don Quijote once a month live music, 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 Tue – Sun 1- 11 pm
*Sociedad Taiga Guatiza opens 5 pm weekend 2 pm, Mon closed
Recommended:.
*Spanish with Paul mini course you tube
*Relaxingmassages: Fran: Whatsapp: 0034 667259760 Centró commercial
* Pick up or return to the airport: Ingeborg and Elske, WhatsApp *31618525178 and info about renting bungalows
From Charco ‘un abrazo ‘
You will hear from me next month. Tineke
