Lanzarote is the easternmost of Spain’s Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 125 km off the coast of Africa. Known as the "Island of Eternal Spring," it is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve celebrated for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, year-round warm climate, and the artistic legacy of local architect César Manrique.
We took the shuttle from the ship and arrive at the exit of the cruise terminal, facing the following statues.
"Arrecife - Esculturas en el Marina" (Arrecife Marina Sculptures), located along the main seaside promenade in Arrecife, Lanzarote, near the marina and cruise terminal area. The installation consists of two stone slabs, each featuring a headless, white, marble-like male torsos. One torso is depicted with crossed arms (often interpreted as representing Humildade or humility/reflection).The other torso is depicted with outstretched arms and folded hands (often interpreted as Agradecimento or gratitude).
We first walked towards playa blanca or white beach but it led to a highway and we did not want to walk on the road so we walked back and walked all the way to a beach closed because of sewage contamination.
A monument to the sailors that were killed while stopping a terrorist attack.
The sailors from Lanzarote who were killed in a terrorist attack while working on the African coast are the crew of the fishing boat Cruz del Mar. On August 16, 1978, the Cruz del Mar was attacked by 20 armed militants (believed to be from the Polisario organization) while fishing off the coast of Western Sahara/Morocco. The attackers boarded the boat, killed seven of the Lanzarote sailors immediately, and forced the survivors to jump into the sea. Only three sailors survived the attack and managed to make it back to Los Mármoles harbor in Lanzarote. A monument named "The light that leads us" (Monumento a los mártires del mar) was erected in 2013 in Arrecife to honor the seven crew members killed in this incident.
Another, separate incident in 1978 involved the fishing boat El Tela, where Captain Andres Parrilla was severely injured but successfully moved his boat away from the coast, saving his crew during a, similar attack.
Castillo de San Jose
Another Fort that we passed by that has been converted into a museum.
Castillo de San José is a 18th-century historic fortress, repurposed by artist César Manrique in the 1970s into the Museo Internacional de Arte Contemporáneo (MIAC). Known as the "Fortress of Hunger," it overlooks Puerto Naos and features a contemporary art collection, a unique restaurant, and panoramic harbour views.
We continued walking to find a beach to swim.
The polluted beach
The beach where we were able to swim
We walked back after our swim craving an ice-cream which we found in the main tourist area, delicious.
Memorial to a whale
San Ginés church.
Originally the location of a hermitage built in 1574 that contained images of Saint Peter and Saint Ginés, it was flooded and completely rebuilt in 1667. It was expanded in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Saint Ginés (Saint Genesius of Clermont) is Arrecife patron saint.
A lovely day in Arrecife, Lanzarote. Getting back on the ship we managed to get a first sitting dinner which means 17.45 a lot better than 20:15. With this sitting we can go to the show at 20:30 whereas the previous one forced us to go to the show at 22:15.
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