Volcanic Island : Lanzarote

The First Look

 Volcanic Crater From  Distance at Timanfaya .

When I first landed in UK , I was like that new  kid on the block ,  super excited  about everything visual .

Every scene, road, colonial kind hut houses, country side, lush green woods, stone paths looked picture perfect.

I used to take out my camera at every scenic siting. It took some months for landscape beauty to sink in and look part of “normal”.

And hence, when planning a vacation , the said experience triggered one to explore a different side of Spain, which otherwise is popular for its bull fights, architectural marvel, medieval castles & Madrid-Barcelona.

PS0: All above is build-up, the real reason -> This was the only place in Europe to have higher temperatures (>20) in March ;) . Like other Brits we too were dying for Sun, you see.

PS1: I told you, one is incapable of writing kuchi koo , mushy  travel posts.

PS2: Growing older makes you blunt nai ?

PS3: But one did research a lot to zero –in on this Canary island and choose it over Barcelona and other cute looking Spanish contenders. Mind It!!

Now, I leave the readers to breathe taking mars -like views ahead.

With travel fact file in the end (yes one wants you to go through to the whole post  for that)

PS4: Btw, loved Spanish people!!they are vibrant, exuberant and extremely friendly lot.

Mars Like Lanscape
Of 18th Century Volcanic Erruption Remains At Timanfaya

Up And Close With Crater
Timanfaya National Park 

Island Hoping.
Lobos Island ,On The Way To Fuerteventura 

The Meta Data:

Where?

Lanzarote, Canary Islands , Spain.

Why?

While each island of the canary group offers a unique experience,

This was chosen for it having volcanic craters and its proximity to Fuerteventura, neighboring island offering white sand - turquoise blue beaches.

When?  

 If you reside in northern part of the globe, this is best budget place to escape shivery winter months.

 Spring, Autumn – best time, also avoids crowd.

 Summer – hot but not too hot.

 Winters – Peak season.

Things To Do?

• Timanfaya National park for up and close look at volcanic craters.
• Black and secluded Beach: Papagayo
• Island hoping – Ferry trip to nearby island Fuerteventura & Lobos for white beaches and turquoise blue water.
• For adrenaline junkies – Scuba diving, Snorkeling, Para gliding, Surfing.
• And for usual tourist stuff – island tour, resort offerings and street shopping.

At Adjoining Island .
Fuerteventura

Sandune Beaches
Corralejo

While Driving Along the Island.

Dandeli Thread Dump

This guest post was written recently for a group blog on word press started by author’s Bangalore gang.It died after two posts

Nevertheless, re-posting it here.

When we were a little younger and way too restless.( Not as young as in the pic above !).

Not that 2 years down the line from 27 (average age of the group) has made us older (or any wiser) in the literal sense, but psychologically those indeed were the carefree days.And we dedicate synonymously “summer of 69” to “winter of 2010”.
Our  Dandeli trip from winter of 2010 can broadly be categorized under following life altering cosmic incidents:-

• We got drunk at the born fire site: Actually just she got drunk.

Famous dialogue :-
Karthik :  "Sreekanth go and start the car , Sharan& Vasu take care of the ladies.
Dp wear that “pink scarf””.

• Water Water Everywhere Part1: Flooding of Hotel Room

The trip involved whole day vellagiri at outskirts and crashing for night sleep at hotel (well, calling it hotel would be a shame but nevertheless for the pretentious records).
On day 2 of the trip for unsaid reasons someone left the tap open and on our return the house was found flooded.An Indian Bai’s best friend: jhaado came to rescue and we high on alcohol did the cleaning job literally in gangu bai style.
 

• Water Water Everywhere Part2: River Rafting

• Water Water Everywhere Part3: Pond Rafting

So this is how rafting is done in a pond .Vasu with high on yin energy on that day showcased  intricate dance moves for then famous dhinchak items numbers Sheila and Munni.
Yes, we truly enjoy cheap fun. That’s what we are at core- real.
Live footage:  Readers discretion advised who will eventually thank authors for some serious rofling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCyfF5HZ_VE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkRlk4mDegM

• Dark Dark Everywhere: Jungle Night Trek.

Frankly speaking that was just a walk, but we fancy calling any walk >30 min by our gang as “trek”.

PS1: Skeleton of the post is ready. Readers are requested to contribute further drama.
PS2: I am not capturing the mesmerizing beauty of the Western Ghats, as travel blogging is not the intent of this post. Mountains and rivers can be captured in a photo and uploaded which alone can talk lengths.Humanly experiences are to be written about.
PS3: Owing to greying of hair and geographical displacement I don’t remember much. So facts are missing and require your contribution. Also content may appear twisted at current present time.
PS4: Any objection related to copy rights or privacy owing to celebrity status of most of us is declared invalid pertaining to section 9999 in the Indian penal code.

In Conversation with My Driving Instructor

Me   : So do we need to know swimming to attempt Scuba Diving?

Nigel:  Always better. With deep waters and high pressure it’s advisable. 

Me   : Hmm, well! We definitely needn’t learn flying for Sky Diving though ………

Nigel:  gives a look then falls out laughing loud.

PS0: Yup I am still shedding chunks and chunks of money to learn driving which looks like forever

PS1: Why? I just get 1 hour per week na!

PS2: On top of that long vacation breaks

PS3: Even the best Indian drivers fail the test at least once in UK , such are the norms I tell you !
PS4:Though, one can drive (almost) and possess a valid Indian DL ;)
PS5: Hi :)