Named for a series of coral islets and crags that appear and vanish with the changing tides, the fishing community of Arrecife was established around 1400AD. The port was originally used to supply the fortress at Gadifer, but pirates soon prompted the population to build a castle nearer to the sea. Lanzarote’s fire mountains arose in 1730 and much of the island was covered in volcanic ash. Preserved as Parque Nacional de Timanfaya, the volcanoes are still hot and visitors tour the site on camelback.

We docked at 8am and were in port until 11pm. The dock area is NOT within easy walking distance of the town center. HAL provided shuttle busses and it was a 15 minute ride into the town where the let us off. From there, it was a 15 minute walk to get into the actual center of town where the tourist center was located. Directly across the street is the post office.

Behind the tourist office is one of the Castillo de San Gabriel which was built in the 17th century. Walking along the Parque Islas Canarias which hugs the water are playgrounds for children, a couple of kiosks to get a snack and something to drink. Just before the tourist office is the Avda de Leon y Castillo, a pedestrian only shopping area. About five blocks long there are numerous shops to explore, and several places to sit, get a beer and watch the people stroll by. Two half liter mugs of cold, local beer was 6 Euro’s.

The temperature today was in the 60’s with a brisk wind, but the sun was shining and all in all not a bad day at all. We spent about four hours there and then went back to the ship.

Tomorrow is a sea day as we transit north to Gibraltar. I hope that everyone is enjoying our trip and perhaps it will encourage you to take the same cruise one day.

Until tomorrow, Cheers.