Fuerteventura

We started out early for our ferry to Fuerteventura and just 3 hours later we boarded the ferry! No, we didn’t break down – the intervening 3 hours were spent driving around Lanzarote picking up other guests. We were first on board which allowed us our choice of seats but as we were also the last delivered home it certainly made for a long day and a lot of time on the bus. We were happy to have Paul as our tour guide again.

The ferry ride was short and pleasant and we reassembled on the bus to explore Fuerteventura. The colours of the Fuertventura landscape are sandy and warm rather than the harsh black lava fields that cover most of Lanzarote.  It is twice the size of Lanzarote with small villages with a distinctly Spanish charm.

We traversed the scariest road I have ever been on. I was glad to be on the left side of the bus. The road hugged the side of the mountain with nothing much between us and the valley below. It was so narrow that cars had to back up to let the bus through. When we met a bus we were hugely relieved that the other bus reversed for us. We then squeezed through with outside mirrors touching.

In the following video you will get a good idea of the road and a short tour of the island:

Our final stop was Grandes Playas, a seven-kilometre stretch of white sand just south of Corralejo. It’s part of the Dunas de Corralejo National Park and is an area of Sahara-style dunes. As it’s a protected area, no building work is allowed – although two large hotels sprung up before the restrictions were put in place.

Yellow Submarine

We absolutely loved our trip on The Yellow Submarine. Initially I was a bit worried that it would be too closed in and scary but there was nothing to worry about. Brilliantly organized, we were picked up from our hotel on time and taken directly to the port. There we were given a clear and informative safety talk before climbing down the ladder and heading out of the harbour. Every seat is a window seat with large clear portholes right in front of each submariner. There were monitors showing depth and when we arrived at the dive site we went down to more than 30 meters which I believe is the safe depth for a scuba diver. The commentary was informative and enthusiastic and delivered seamlessly in three languages. We saw many different fish and rays and three shipwrecks looming up outside the window.

We even bought the photo which we never do, as it wasn’t pushed on you. We would definitely do this again and our only regret was that our grandchildren weren’t with us. They would have loved it too.

Now watch the video and if you ever get the chance DON’T MISS IT!

Goodbye to the Canary Islands and the warmth.  As I write this at 4.30 in the afternoon it is dark here in Dorset and the temperature is hovering around 3 degrees. We are going to Venice on Thursday come hell or high water – and it is likely to be very high water! Just a few days there then back to Nightingale Farm to prepare for Christmas. Hope you have all done your Christmas shopping!

Lots of love,

Frankie and Jim