Lanzarote Part 4......

We only booked one sightseeing trip during our visit to Lanzarote last December, to Timanfaya National Park, which is host to Fire Mountain.  This massive volcano erupted in 1730 and lasted 6 years until 1736.  These eruptions transformed almost a quarter of the island into a sea of solidified lava, multicoloured volcanic rocks and copper-coloured sand, with wide areas covered with thick layers of lapilli (coarse ash). These materials formed the malpaís (badlands), and more than 250 years after these eruptions, there is still hardly any vegetation here. For the time being, the area is quite safe, though underneath the surface it is still bubbling and an odour of sulphur hangs in the air. It is also classed as the closest to the moon's surface as you will find on earth.

Click on photos to biggify.

The boundary to the Parque Nacional de Timanfaya is marked by a sign carrying the mischievous El Diablo (The Devil) logo - designed by Cesar Manrique,  the island’s best-known, internationally renowned artist.

 Our first stop was the El Diablo Restaurant with its interesting barbeque that uses geothermal heat and a cast iron grill placed over a hole in the ground – another ingenious César Manrique idea.

If you look closely at the photos above you can see the glowing embers deep underground and we could feel the heat rising from the hole and also through the footplate surrounding the hole.  We were advised not to stand there too long or the soles of our shoes may melt!



Staff members also give impressive demonstrations which show the intense heat of the earth just below the surface.  The first demonstration was when a staff member dug a small hole and dropped some cinders into everyone's hand - we had to juggle them from one hand to another because they were HOT!   For the next demonstration he pushed some straw into a hole - here's the result...

 The most impressive demonstration, for me anyway, was when he poured some water into a pipe in the ground and seconds later a jet of steam shot out of the pipe.

Driving up the mountain the scenery we saw is unbelievable.   We were not allowed to get off the coach so most of our photos are taken through the window.  I've put together a slide show to give you some idea of how incredible it it. Do click on the enlarge icon in the bottom right hand corner of the slideshow to get a better view.

 

Our next stop was the camel train.   MWM and I didn't have a ride on the camels but lots of people did, we just took photos.

 You'll never guess what we saw on our next stop - only a vineyard!  

We were amazed to find out that wine is actually grown on this unhospitable landscape but in the valley of La Geria vines are individually grown in their own funnel-shaped hole that is rimmed by a low wall made of lava rocks for protection from the Passat winds.

Thousands of those "Zocos" can be see along the mountain slopes.  The soil is covered with black lava ash called "Lapili" or "Picon", which protects it against drying out.  The porous material absorbs dew during the night and releases it into the soil during the day.  Mainly the Malvasia grapes are grown here but also, to as smaller extent, the Muscatel grape.  Of course we got to taste.

Our last stop on the tour was Los Hervideros (boiling waters)  a  stretch of bizarre-shaped cliffs is slightly north of the popular resort of Playa Blanca towards El Golfo.

 

 

This coastal area has an abundance of underwater caves produced by the solidification of lava and erosion. Los Hervideros refers to the amazing display that sees the waves force water into the labyrinth of caves with such a dramatic power it appears as if the sea is bubbling and boiling. Visitors can wander around pathways in the cliffs and watch the display below. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes, when the Atlantic Ocean is rough and producing heavy swells, sprays of seawater are forced several metres into the air accompanied by a roaring noise! An awesome sight!

 

What a fantastic day trip that was, we saw so many awesome sights and it was a perfect finale to a great week away as we made the journey home a couple of days later.  I hope you've enjoyed this  trip as much as we did.