10.- 27.10.2013: Florian
We visited the first two islands of the Canary Islands - La Graciosa and Lanzarote.
La Graciosa is very „laid back“; no paved roads, only one little village (Calleta del Sebo). We anchored in a nice bay with thirty to fourty other boats that had arrived from Gibraltar. I went running and explored the whole island; we walked several times to Calletta del Sebo and celebrated a catholic mass in their little fishermen church – it was very charming. If you ever wanted a relaxing vacation or you needed to get away from everything - La Graciosa; two weeks there and your are fully recharged.
After a few days of rest we moved on to Lanzarote. We sailed down the east coast and took berth in the new Marina Lanzarote in Arrecife. The marina is still junder construction, but the berths are very safe – and inexpensive. We rented a car and visited the whole island. Its an amazing scenery: volcanoes everywhere, some are even active. The last eruptions where in 1824 and the landscape is spectacular. There is a famous artist – Caesar Manrique – born in Lanzarote. He combined architecture with the volcanic landscape and created some amazing structures; houses built in volcanic tunnels, a theater and other sights you wouldn´t want to miss while you are in Lanzarote.
We enjoyed our time in Lanzarote. But then it was time to move on. The weather was about to get real stormy, so wem ade a quick departure and sailed on the 27th of October 57 nm south to the next island – Fuerteventura, where we landed in the marina of Gran Tarajal on the east side with the last glimpse of light. During our first night in the marina heavy storms and rain passed over us – we had gotten here just in time.