Lanzarote, part three - the lighthouse and Montana Roja.

PART THREE

Saturday – market day in Playa Blanca, so we first went down to browse, then fetched the bikes and set off westwards. You’d be surprised just how much ground you can cover in a day, and on these sort of prom’s, the going is easy (apart from the crowded bits).

Sue took to it like a duck to water, so I just said; “Stop quacking, and get cracking -  pedalling!” ( groan)

A lovely day for it!

 Looking across the stones to Fuerteventura.

Again, not hungry, but VERY tempted by this – the fish was landed, prepped and STRAIGHT into the kitchens.

Now THAT’S fresh!

Come on Sue, keep up.

After a short while, we reached the  Faro de Pechiguera lighthouse. This new lighthouse was built in the 20th century to replace the smaller, old one, which has stood here since 1866.

The new white one dwarfs the old stone one.

The first thing we noticed was the crashing waves. REALLY exciting to see.

The strong breeze was causing the spume to feather off the crest of the waves. The higher the wave, the better the stream.

The noise was amazing. ROARING and booming.

It was like heaven to us!

It was a dream for me to take pictures here.

(I came close to getting a soaking, but not quite).

You can see the waves crashing in, click HERE 

 I always wanted to get this shot.

 Doesn't have to be sand for Sue to relax!
The sound of crashing waves just SENDS her!

The old and the new stand side by side.

 Sue sits and enjoys the show & the great view across the waves to Fuerteventura & Isla Lobos.

We spent the best part of an hour at Faro de Pechiguera before being drawn to the ‘red mountain’, or Montana Roja, which commanded the skyline from here, even more than from Playa Blanca.

We rode the bikes as far as we could before locking them up at the start of the upward path, and following the stones. Stones are fine, but it doesn’t take Hercules to pick them up and turn them around to point the wrong way (which the kids in the UK would have done by now).

The walk was an easy 20 minute climb to the rim of Montana Roja, the path was dry and stony, and in sandals, a bit uncomfortable!

As if we didn’t know!

Halfway up, we looked over to the cafe we passed on the transfer from the airport.

Sitting as it does in the cup of the pass, I remarked then, what a great position it was in.

This photo emphasises that fact.

 Soon, we were on the rim of the crater, looking over to the ferry coming in and across the bay to where we were yesterday, Castillo de las Coloradas.

As a change from rock-balancing, people had done stone hearts on the crater floor.
(Click on the picture to enlarge to see things better)

Sue admires the view in a stiff breeze. We had to be careful here, as the gusts could easily take you by surprise, and were very strong.

You can see how unforgiving the edge of the crater rock is, but the path around it is a lot smoother and navigable.

Looking back from the top marker cross.

(I wonder why, whoever built it, thinks it needs that huge cairn??)

Looking down on the Pechiguera lighthouse.

The ONLY life we saw was this little lizard. I really do wonder what they eat,

and how they eke out a living in this harsh terrain?

Looking back across the bay to the other volcanoes.

We walked right around the rim, before dropping back down to pick up our bikes. Exploring done, it was time to hit the beach.

We went to Playa Flamingo, and did a bit of snorkelling and swimming. We didn’t stay too long though, as there was a cool, evening breeze, especially felt more when you were wet.

We locked the bikes up at the hotel (not having to return them until the morning), and after dinner, went to look at the beach. At night, it was fully lit with spotlights on tall poles.

Just time for a nightcap before bed. Click HERE