Fuertaventura - a quiet surprise
Regina
Espen Aalstad
Wed 7 Nov 2007 21:14
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28:23N 13.51W El Castillo
From Lanzarote's south tip, Ihla de Lobos
(named for seals) was only a short hour away. The heavy swell unfortunately made
this only a lunch stop and we could only admire the beautiful volcanic lagoon
inside the reef. We did not admire the day trippers out on the big catamarans
who with jet skis and banana boats missed this island's virtue.....
Fuertaventura means strong winds and
strangely most sailors skip this island - supposedly as it has less to
offer than the other islands.
We are glad we did not even if the wind evaded
us.
Indeed, the coastline was quiet and desert
like with its vast sand dunes, bare hills and palm trees. A strong reminder
that the island is only 55nm from Africa's west coast. Our Navtex
(weather forecaster) asked us to be on the lock out for locust swarm from Africa
and Mauritania. Down the cost we went looking for hammerhead sharks and whales
which frequent the coast. Who said this island was boring!
The small harbour of El Castillo even had a
little oceanarium where friendly Carlos was both master
of the marina, the submairine and the show. The kids had a private
showing of the sea lions and sting rays on board a small pirate
ship.
 As true cruisers we have learned budget ways....we
also found we could walk right into the resort close to the marina. A lovely
afternoon where we thought we were back in Sweden. Even more so walking the
little shopping area at night.
After 80 nm south we still do not understand
where the island's 150 beaches are! Here the eastern tip of the island and
clearly a watch to Africa.
 Yet at the southern tip we felt like we were
back in the Red Sea - both in-land and in the water. The unusal swell
from the east though meant we could only enjoy a quick swim in the the 27 degree water, and a guppy exercise raising
the dinghy. We abanonded our natural anchorage plan and instead headed out to
sea again for Gran Canaria.
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