Arrecife

Nearing the end of our stay we decided to use the public service bus to venture up the east coast to Arrecife, the capital city of the island.

There were some great statues/creations. I'm not sure what this represented, just two boys having fun!

This 11m skeleton of a whale stranded on Tenerife in 1995...

...conveniently opposite a bistro. Well, you know us!

Walking on, the volcanic backdrop always there.

Two more statues, the first representing Hemingway's 'The Old Man & the Sea'...

...and the second of local hero César Manrique, an artist who promoted high quality tourism on the island. To this day there are only high-rise buildings constructed before his intervention.

We walked on, over this drawbridge to the Castillo de San Gabriel, a castle constructed to fight off pirates

This cannon definitely had its sight on the high-rise block!

San Ginés Church, outside & in

Finally a spot of lunch in a lovely back-street bistro.

Boat trip to Fuerteventura (2)

The return journey was eventful to say the least!

A look back over the strait to Lanzarote...

...and the weather's looking ominous!

The crew cleared the decks and constantly checked that everyone was safe.

But the view remained amazing

Oooph, back safe and sound!

Boat trip to Fuerteventura (1)

We could see it over the strait but decided to book a visit to Fuerteventura.

Et voilà

On board the ferry, an ominous rainbow in the distance.

There was a whole series of fish sculptures on our arrival in Corralejo...

...including this very moving monument to fishermen & their families.

Sacha would have loved this Davy Jones from Pirates of the Caribbean. The guy was less happy at having his photo taken!

There were quite a few sand sculptures to be seen.

Apparently Fuerteventura is well known for its windmills.

These three were within walking distance in Corralejo

Meanwhile we walked quite a way, as far as the Dunes of Corralejo.

Of course a drink is always appreciated.

Jameos del Agua

Our penultimate stop was at Jameos del Aqua to the north of the island.

It had a great logo!

The area is famed for its visitable lava tunnel...

...complete with underground fresh-water lake.

Most impressively there's an underground auditorium (just think of the acoustics)...

...and interesting decorations.

Back in the open air the man-made lake looks like it's missing a few penguins... 

...but you can see the sea's not far away...

...with big waves too!

The volcanic tube (known as the Atlantis Tunnel) continues under the sea for nearly 2 km and is home to 32 species not found anywhere else on Earth.

More info here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=us2N24i_9Iw

Lunch & aloe vera

Continuing our tour of the island.

Next stop, lunch at the Restaurant El Cortijo...

...then onto an aloe vera plantation.

Other plants were on show.

 This one is agave attenuata, otherwise known as foxtail/lion's tail/swan's neck. You choose!

Eve's pin cactus

The century plant, an American cousin of the aloe vera.

Bodega La Geria

 Second stop: a winery in the middle of nowhere!

There was quite a selection.

Inside the pressing room...

...and the channel where the wine flows to be put into casks.

Did I say casks?

Outside two very still workers...

...and one tourist.

Volcanic ash is extremely fertile...

...but rain is rare & precious, and winds threaten plantations, hence an interesting solution.

There are more details at this link: https://www.treehugger.com/the-strange-volcanic-vineyards-of-lanzarote-4863477