Papagayo + Luminous Pool

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Tue 25 Nov 2008 22:30
Papagayo and the Luminous Pool
 
 
Birmingham Airport. We were just going to have some lunch at 14:15, looked on the board and it said "final call" for a 15:00 flight. We took off at 14:45, our Captain Giles made more time in the air and we arrived 45 minutes ahead of schedule - what was that about, some football game on TV ??????
We had decided before we flew back to the UK to hire a car for a couple of days (same price per day as the taxi fare from the airport) so when we got back HEAVILY laden, (her case 31.5 kgs, his case 32 kgs) AND a piece of marine ply.
That's for your new sea-going perch.
If it takes as long as my Moroccan lamp to fit I won't be holding my breath !!!!
 
We had a bit of a lay in on Tuesday 25th, bit of washing and a few chores and then off to explore the south of the island.
 
 
     
 
 
 
You leave the main road, pay 3 Euros per car to drive a couple of miles on an unmade road to reach Punta del Papagayo, supposedly the most beautiful beaches on Lanzarote. Bear pointing out the right beach, the steep slope down for the tourists who find the wind here about 15 knots stronger than anywhere else on the island, perhaps that's why they lay virtually on top of one another? they are penguin like huddles to keep warm.
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
The beach on the left, with an even steeper slope. I heard too many English accents, deciding what Pizza topping they wanted from the little cafe on the right not to scarper for the car to escape what I have become so unfamiliar with. Bear found a bug he took to.
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
Our car, back on the open road, up the LZ 2 toward El Golfo to find the luminous pit.
 
 
 
   
 
 
 

El Golfo is the little coastal village that is home to one of Lanzarote’s best known natural wonders, known colloquially as El Lago Verde, or the green lagoon. This little lake of emerald green water, which is actually called El Charco de los Clicos, sits in the center of a volcano that has been partially eroded by the Atlantic. It’s colour has been created by the accumulation of algae. As a result there is a fantastic palette at work as the reds, browns and russets of the volcano’s interior walls interplay with the green water in the lagoon and the black sand of the adjacent beach. Once you have feasted your eyes it is well worth heading into the village to enjoy some of the very best seafood on the island. There is a host of restaurants to choose from here, with most offering great views of the big breakers that crash in dramatically on this side of the islands coastline. It's black sand, I tell you it's not right, does it get your towel dirty?  "Bear, at least there are no goats in trees to be seen".

 

   

 

 You can clearly see where the volcanic lava met it's match with the cold sea. Amazing contrast between the red and black. Is that red? That's why I do the 02:00 to 06:00 shift, Dear.

 

   

 

Bear with the Atlantic over his right shoulder, The rock layers and the village all make for a photographers dream come true.

 

 

 

Off we went again, to find Fire Mountain. After the rubbish of Morocco and I have to say Manchester, with all the green beer bottles smashed along the pavement - and we even saw a discarded nappy in a front garden and a defunct Dyson Hoover - the clean, well-maintained look of Lanzarote was refreshing. The clearly visible alluvial plains on this hopefully VERY extinct volcano. 

 

All in all short distances to drive between stunning views. It's so very different and unlike anything I have ever seen.