Touring

Some emailed posts seem to be going astray... so GF apologizes for any peculiar duplication when they finally turn up. (Aren't Dell keyboards crappy?)

The plan was to hit the the northernmost part of the island. It was a little overcast, but 28C and there was a pleasant, though strong warm wind. We drove up towards Arrecife, then westwards towards Teguise where the route took us north through Haria and Ye. There we turn onto a small track that took us to the Mirador del Rio.

Mirador del Rio was another of Cesar Manriques' designs. He took an old gun emplacement and converted it into a sleek curved rock formation at the top of a high cliff. On entry though the centre of this sweeping curve, you are greeted by a vast panoramic window that opens onto the Atlantic Ocean and the Isla Graciosa across the straits. It is a magical place with the most breathtaking views.

The Gorse Fox & Silver Vixen sat on the upper view platform and watched the view for ages. GF, however, kept getting disturbed by other tourist asking him to take their photo. At first this seemed like a pointless exercise; why would the GF want photos of complete strangers? Then it was made clear the photos were to be taken on their cameras.

From the mirador, we swept round the north coast to Ortoza, a small point at the tip of the island. It was a sleepy little port, from where the ferry leaves for Isla Graciosa, with some stunning views of the nearby cliffs... but little else to keep us interested.

We looped back south and stopped at Puerto Calero for an ice cream, and managed to experienec the worst service GF has had at any restuarant anywhere in the world. Avoid "Lani's" at all costs... unless you have hours to spare. Puerto Calero is a plush marina with some very expensive boats moored and some very nice looking shops. It is also the spot from which the submarine safari leaves. GF had arranged to meet up with Urban-cub & Sir Lancinglot for the Silver Vixen's birthday as they disembarked from the sub.

They came back to the hotel with us and we sat and watched the sun go down from the pool bar, and then made our way along the promenade to find a restaurant where we could have a celebratory meal. We stopped at a German establishment and had a pleasant meal (though no birthday cake). After that the kids got a taxi back to their resort and we had a quiet evening in the hotel.
[File under: Diary]