DAY 138---ARRECIFE ON THE ISLAND OF LANZAROTE

                                    

                                         Another beautiful day here in the Canary islands.  

Historical/Background Info:

        This is another new destination for us.  The island of Lanzarote is another of the Canary Islands that we were at yesterday.  Our ship just cruised 160 miles last night to dock here at Arrecife.  Lanzarote is the easternmost of the Canary Islands just 80 miles off the north coast of Africa with a population of 154,500.  It is the 4^th largest and 3^rd most populous of the Canary Islands that is 37 miles north to south and 16 miles east to west. 

        Arrecife is a port city on the east coast of Lanzarote with a population of over 61,000.  The port is the main one for the island and the second busiest in the Canary Islands.  It handles passenger ferries from Africa and Europe, cruise ships, and cargo.  We will be there on a Thursday which is market day from 9am to 2pm with about 60 stalls set out around the Charco de San Gines.

LAST EVENING

        The evening started with a special cocktail party in the Stars Lounge posted by Regent's new President, Andrea DeMarco.  Also with her was Jennifer Teegen, Director of Guest Experience and Loyalty.

                Andrea addressed the Commodores and Diamonds.  We were very impressed with her. 

                                          Nicki with the Todds, Peggy, Patty, and Mary Pat.

                                                   Jennifer with one of the Commodores.

                                                                     Brad and Millie

Sharon & Nino

                         Deborah, crew HR Manager, and Boris, Beverage Manager.

Arcy wanted a photo with me.  She is so sweet.

                                        Douglas, Rebecca, Marcia, and John (Cruise Director)

        At 7pm we all adjourned to the Chartreuse restaurant for dinner.  It was closed except for the dinner with Andrea.

        Nicki hosted our table with Marcia, us, Douglas, Marcia, & Susan.  On an interesting note, Douglas said he played Dougie on the "Mickey Mouse Club" tv show many years ago when I was only 10 years old.  Susan had been an American flight attendant for 10 years back when they were flying DC-3's.

                       First course was this seared ahi tuna.  Never had it before.  I liked it.

                                                  Komang and Jennely served our wine.

        

        There was a soup course but I don't think anyone at the table liked it.  This escargot risotto was very good.

        Unfortunately, there was a long time before the entrees at our table came out.  We were seated at 7pm and at 9:15 still no entrees.  I had ordered roasted beef tenderloin and Rebecca had ordered the sea bass.  First of all, we did not want to eat that late at night.  Second, the production cast were performing our favorite show and it was the cast's last show as they will also be leaving the ship in Barcelona after being together for 6 months.  We wanted to be there to support them so we left Chartreuse before getting our entrees.  Not sure what happened with the service to our table as the table next to us had completed their dinner and we just sat there.  

        The "Blazing Boots" show was great.  As I said last time this cast will be performing together as breaking up at the end of this 6 month contract.  

TODAY

                                                   Looking towards the city from deck 12.

                                       Old fortress in the center which is now an art museum.

 

        I had this tour scheduled for a 12:55 departure.  Almost did not go on it but glad I did as it was a very good one.

                                                                  Driving from pier area.

          All the buildings were white and could not be taller than the tallest palm tree on the island.

                                                                            Vineyards

        There are over 300 volcanoes (none active now) on the island formed 25 million years ago and came up from the bottom of the ocean.

                                           We drove over terrain where lava flows used to be.

        Maria, our guide, said there were 300 camels on the island now and the farmers bring them to the Timanfaya National Park to sell camel rides to tourists.

                                                         Lots of photos of the lava rock.

        We are in the park and rangers had demonstrations on how the lava is still under ground.  This ranger dug down in the small lava rock a foot or so and then handed us some of the rocks.  They were very hot!

                                                  Next demonstration was at this hole.

                 He put some dried brush down in the hole and it caught fire after a minute or so.

        Next photos show where the ranger poured a bucked of water down some pipes in the ground.  Geysers came up.

                             The restaurant here grilled from the heat in the ground beneath.

                                        The restaurant had internet so I got to upload photos.

                                                       Yes, they had a gift shop.

        This park in the Fire Mountains which we drove through.  Not sure how our driver did it as road was one lane and very winding for a big bus.

                      I got to see some amazing scenery in this park.  Glad I took this tour.

        After leaving the park we were supposed to drive past Green Lake (probably no water at the island is VERY dry) but our guide said time was short so we headed to a bodega (winery) for a tasting.

                                            Not sure what these plants were but liked them.

                                           Interesting how & where they put the grape vines.

    I got back to the ship at 4:30 so had to rush to get showered and start putting photos and captions on today's blog.

        Our "bar-fly" friend, Pat from California, is having her birthday party and we are among the 12 people invited to attend.  She is having cocktails served in Stars Lounge from 6:00 to 7:00 followed by a special dinner she made the menu for in Chartreuse.  It should be very nice as Pat bars no expense and is a first class lady.

        We sailed at 5pm for Agdar, Morocco, where we will be docking by 8am.  This is another new port for us.

        The show tonight is featuring the comedian, Jeff Stevenson, who did not show up last night like he was scheduled to.  Probably not going but who knows.