Day 9 - Lanzarote

We sailed overnight, arriving in the port of Arrecife at about 07:15. By 08:00, they were letting guests leave the ship for a day on Lanzarote. 

The weather forecast, starting at 22C, was expected to reach 28C, but with some cloud and a breeze picking up during the afternoon. From our position on the stern of the ship, we could see from our dock along the east coast to the south and across the strait to Fuerteventura on the horizon.

We left the ship and started to walk into Arrecife. We had no specific target, just a general walk and mooch around. 

The route from the Cruise Terminal took us through the marina where there was an impressive little selection of shops, restaurants, and even a supermarket. (Gratuitous picture of Flamingo for Kim and Ellie). 

Being Sunday, these could well be the only shops that were open. (We heard one couple bemoaning that it had been a 45-minute walk into town and everything was closed; what do they expect, it’s Sunday!). 

We continued our walk, sticking close to the coastal promenade. 

We found our way to the Arrecife Gran Hotel & Spa. This is a 17-story modern hotel remarkable because of its height and the green glass with which it is clad. It seemed like a good spot for a drink, so we asked if there was somewhere to grab a coffee and they directed us to the Blue 17 Roof Top Restaurant. 

We were shown to a corner table with a view across the south of the island and west across the city. It was a magical spot. We sat and enjoyed a Weissbier each, and watched the world go by (and the flights arrive and leave the airport nearby). We finally dragged ourselves away from the view and started the walk back to the ship. We stopped in at a clothes shop in the marina and both managed to find something that suited our tastes and budget.

Have taken our gear to the room, we headed for the buffet. We had evidently hit a peak time. While we were able to get a table, it was bait for a scrum to get the food. Indeed, I checked with Di whether it would have been considered poor etiquette to yell “Get you fat, Northern arses out the hell out of my way and stop dithering, you moronic old Trumps; some people are trying to get food not sight-see”. Di confirmed that this would not be considered good etiquette, so it probably just as well that I held my tongue. One of the observations I have made on this trip is the weight difference between the guests from up North compared to those from down South. It sounds ridiculous but I can almost guess someone’s accent by looking at them, and their size difference is such that many seem to have their own gravitational field. (I’m surprised the ship doesn’t need to make more use of deck cranes to save wear and tear on the gangways).

Sail Away was at 17:30 (give or take) and involved reversing out of the the harbour and a sneaky handbrake turn as we turned north on the next leg of the adventure... the 590 nautical mile trip to Cadiz. The Captain has warned that we may get some "motion" as we fight through the trailing effects of ex-hurricane Gabrielle which is made landfall in Portugal today. (He suggested that those in the cheap cabins near the waterline might have to row harder to ensure we make Cadiz on schedule).

 We met up for drinks before dinner and then proceeded to the restaurant. Tonight’s menu was as good as usual. Diane started with the melon, and I had Deep-fried Sesame Crusted Halloumi; we followed with Pan-fried Gammon Steak and Charred Golden Pineapple Rings for Diane and Crispy Panko-crusted Plaice Fillet with Brown Butter Caper Sauce for me. It really goes without saying as to how good it was.

The show in the Arena Theatre was a vocalist from the West End stage called Tanya Edwards. She has recently been touring with Soul II Soul. It was very popular and the other loved it. Me, not so much. I don’t find that soul music moves me. It doesn’t make me feel like clapping along, or tapping my feet. It just washes over me. She is performing again later in cruise and I’m sure we will go along to see her again.

We are definitely getting some "motion" on the ship tonight. We decided to head for our cabins after the show.