I stepped out of the dinghy, into a few inches of crystal clear water and onto the soft sandy beach. From here I walked away from the water and followed what someone might call a “road”, in that there was a sort of organized width of somewhat flattened, but not that flat, sand.  Once considerably away from the beach, I was surrounded by sand, some lava rocks thrown in for good measure, and to my left, across about a mile of relatively flat sand land, rose a mountain of textured brown. To my right,  across a few hundreds yards of sand and lava was some of the most intense blue water I have seen, and across a “channel” was more vertical brown mountain side.  I kept following the “road” which at times became more flattened and easy to walk on. After about 30 minutes of walking I could see some white box like structures up ahead, clustered together, resembling a small Moroccan village or even an RV park.

As I got closer I could see vivid colored umbrellas in the sand of a cove, and the hot yellows and pinks against the dark turquoise, along with the multi colored swim wear of the people on this beach was electric!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I arrived to the outskirts  of Caleta del Sebo, the only town on the island of Graciosa.    The roads all sand, what cars there are all Jeeps and Landrovers and I think one International Harvester.   The buildings  (mostly homes, and apartments) are bright white, flat topped, blue trimmed, no higher than 3 stories and clumped together  around and through the  few sand roads.

   I arrived at the Harbor that is home to a small fishing boat anchorage, a marina, and ferry landing. Next to the ferry landing, there is a tourist souvenir shop,  a few very busy cafes (when the ferry drops off its boatload of tourists)  and a few hippie artists selling bracelets,  tied dyed  stuff,  more funky jewelry and fake tattoos.  Around the corner there is a bike rental place, a fruit market,  two small grocery stores, a butcher, a post office, a bank (only open from 11:00 to 1:00)  two more cafes, only  these with internet access,   more white box buildings, three black cats and two dogs on a roof.   And that is it!!  The rest is the Moon!!!

 

 

 

 

 

The energy is happy!  Laid back, but fun.   The sun is hot, there is always a breeze, 20 knots from the Northeast, the norm, and so the air is actually cool!!   This wind is not just the prevailing wind, it’s what is called the “Acceleration Zone”, wind that is funneled in between these islands, Graciosa and mainland Lanzarote  in this case, and increases as it gets squeezed.  It’s as predictable as the sun comes up.

 

The marina is cheap, and kept secure by Jose’.  He says there is no room but I hope to charm him into suddenly finding room.   (rumor has it this might work) We like cheap, and even more, we really like this place!!!    I have never seen a “town” like this!    But then again, I have never before this been on the moon!