June 29th, 2011
The resort of Puerto del Carmen is possibly the most famous Tourist Destination in Lanzarote. You will find the largest selection of Villas to rent in Puerto Del Carmen, and what goes hand in hand with this is the bars, restaurants, and shops that you expect to find with the larger tourist destinations when you are on your holiday. Walking distance from a lot of the Puerto Del Carmen hotels.
It seems to be a week of openings this week. Yesterday saw Brown’s Deli opening in Costa Teguise. Today it was the turn of the resort of Puerto Del Carmen and the opening of Claire’s Accessories on the third floor of the Biosfera Shopping Centre. Tucked away up the corner, the was almost brimming with Princess bling, hair bands and all the necessary glitter and glamour that any little or big girl could ever dream of wanting!
Now, I have to say that normally I rejoice when it comes to more choice in Lanzarote. I cannot help but miss the vast retail choices from back home in blighty. However, where is it all going to stop? I remember enjoying holidaying in the south of France with my family every year, and remember shopping in the Outlet Benetton shop that had lots more choice and was not as expensive as the one at home. This was a treat and something relished each year. I always managed to find something I liked. That’s whats great about going on holiday. Visiting different resorts, towns, cities, beaches, countries. You get to enjoy something particular to the area you are staying in.
What is happening to retail? Are we going to end up with all the same retail and high street shops everywhere we go in the world? Likewise, it doesn’t just seem to be the European Retail shops that are traveling across Europe and beyond but we also have new to Biosfera a Canadian high street store Ardene.
Don’t get me wrong, this shop with it’s abundance of cheap sandals and beachwear, couldn’t fit better into this beach and sun destination in Lanzarote. Ideally priced for the current economic crisis, an emergency new pair of sandals or bikini. It’s just the fear that it will all come a bit boring, if we cannot experience anything specific to the country, town or place we’ve chosen to visit.
So, for everyone with a penchant for all things bling and little girls, enjoy Claire’s but don’t forget that there’s a lot of other authentic things in Lanzarote to enjoy as well.
Need any help with finding out more about what to do on your holiday here in Lanzarote then contact us now, or want to book a great Lanzarote villa holiday. Contact Us
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May 20th, 2011
Less than twenty four hours to go before the start of what is considered the world’s toughest Ironman. This year is the twentieth Lanzarote Ironman. There will be 1500 competitors, as well as over 4000 volunteers participating in the running of the event.
As we’ve already given you the run down on what the Lanzarote Iron man entails, this is merely a few tips to help you if you are staying in one of the resorts in Lanzarote, and want to enjoy spectating some of the aspects of the event.
It’s an early start, and believe you me, the atmosphere for the swim is definitely worth the early morning alarm call you’re going to need! The race begins at 7.00am with 1500 athletes sprinting into the atlantic for 3.8km swim. Now, if you are renting a villa in Puerto Del Carmen, then it’s a relative no brainer, as from one end to the other will only take you a brisk 30minute walk to get to the beach start. Situate yourself closer to the Club del Mar than the Property Warehouse and you’ll be spot on to see the athletes exit for the swim to bike transit.
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If you are staying in one of the other Lanzarote Resorts such as Costa Teguise, or Playa Blanca, or Puerto Calero. Then the best idea is to arrive in Puerto Del Carmen no later than 6.30am in order that you find a parking space. Enter from Calle Reina Sofia if you are coming from Playa Blanca or from Puerto Calero. You can then pick any of the back roads and walk ten minutes down to the beach front. Likewise coming from the Arrecife/Costa Teguise you will need to stay on the new road unnamed on this map of Puerto Del Carmen under Hospiten, the private hospital, and drop down from here as close to Avenida Playas as you can get.
The Avenida is completely blocked off with all the competitors bikes, so it’s a bit of a spectacle in itself, if you don’t fancy venturing into Puerto Del Carmen on race day. The 180 km bike ride pretty much covers the whole of the Island is arguably one of the most beautiful Ironman courses in the world. It’s possibly easier to head straight up to the North of the Island after you’ve been in Puerto Del Carmen as the road blocks off towards Puerto Calero and down towards Yaiza for the first part of the bike. However, why not head up towards Mirador Del Rio or to Teguise and watch some seriously hard climbs and fast descents. Cyclists will start to reach Teguise at 10.30 am and onto Mirador del Rio by aroud 11.45am. Why not enjoy a mooch around the historical town of Teguise by foot, eat in one of the great little eateries there, and then come back down to Puerto Del Carmen to cheer the athletes on for the final marathon run along the beach front in Puerto Del Carmen.
Expect to see the pro-athletes starting their run anything from 12.45 onwards. Give them a cheers they’ll have been up from around 3 or 4am eating breakfast and getting prepared for their gruelling day. The competitors have until midnight to complete the run. So, why not enjoy a meal along the Avenida las Playas and cheer on the athletes. Remember, the majority of these athletes are not professionals, but are amateurs, a lot doing this for charity. Some old timers, some new beginners. Give them a cheer and enjoy the day! See you there tomorrow May 21st for the 20th Lanzarote Ironman Competition 2011.
Fancy coming to watch next year, or have you a budding triathlete in your family. Get great recommendations for accommodation and making it a holiday and a sporting event to remember with Pure Lanzarote. Contact us now!
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May 16th, 2011
There’s just a week to go until Lanzarote’s largest sporting event – Ironman!
This is the island’s twentieth running of Ironman, and as well as the 1500 competitors, something like 4,000 volunteers will be involved on the day.
There are about 30 professional athletes taking part, but the majority of the field are amateurs who want to be able to say they have taken part in the world’s toughest triathlon.
First up is a 3.8KM swim which starts at 7AM on Saturday 21st May. Next the athletes will run out of the ocean and onto their bikes to complete a 180KM ride all around the island. And then finally they will run a full 42.2 KM marathon in loops along the strip in Puerto del Carmen.
The top class athletes will finish in around 9 hours, but you can be sure there will still be exhausted people running as the event closes at midnight.
If you’re on the island, then be sure to check it out during the day, and if not, how about booking some accommodation for next year’s Ironman? Have a look at our accommodation pages: Lanzarote Holiday Accommodation
Related:
1/ Volcano Triathlon
2/ Full information about Ironman Lanzarote 2011
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May 15th, 2011
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May 13th, 2011
I think it was Monday or Tuesday when into my inbox dropped an rss feed from Ella at Notes From Home. I read keenly the tutoring from home blog post, as I have recently just had my kids out of school for one month and basically had to do one months school work at home – not that much fun!!! And this caught my eye….
So, this week’s Friday Club blog carnival. Why do we live where we live? What were the factors if any in choosing where we are living? Did we actually have a choice in where we are living? Have we always lived in the same place?
I know what people are going to say when they first see this post. It’s obvious, a move from the colder northern shores of blighty, to the sunnier, almost southern hemisphere. Closer to Africa than to Europe definitely guarantees a more stable all year round climate.
However, I didn’t move to Lanzarote for the sun. In fact the heat actually makes me feel constantly agitated and frustrated, and a summer wardrobe is not nearly as interesting as a winter wardrobe.
We moved to Lanzarote to be closer to my step sons, and I say we because it was a joint decision made by myself and my husband. My husband had lived in Lanzarote back in the 80’s and fell in love with Lanzarote, eventhough all the new Lanzarote Resorts such as Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise have to some intents and purposes spoilt the Island. It’s also grown in infrastructure today to make it possible for so many people to make that life choice and move here on a permanent basis.
We moved here 4 years ago, from the South West of France. Our eldest son was 3 years old, and one of the other considerations was about him having continuity in his first learning experiences. Having felt that my husband’s eldest had had a hard time, moving from a Norwegian Kindergarten aged 5 into a French state school with only bi-lingual Norwegian and English did not equip him for the regimented French system or teachers that just simply wasn’t up to the job of welcoming internationals. So, we decided that it was better that hubby made a step change in his career, and we move here so the kids had continuity. Have we made the right choice?
Life in Lanzarote is very easy as a family. Despite certain basics being a lot more expensive than you would find in England. Life here is actually pretty simple and not that expensive. Children and adults alike enjoy the freedom of outdoors, of twelve hours daylight everyday of the year. But most of all we enjoy our kids being able to float between each of their parents’ houses here in Lanzarote as opposed to being almost a continent (Lanzarote being nearer Africa than Europe), away in France where we used to live.
Even if we as adults end up having to work harder, travel more, to find the solutions to make the ends meet. It’s all worth it in the end, just for the sake of the kids. That’s before I’ve even mentioned the raw stunning beauty of Lanzarote. The quiet roads, the great culture, wine and food, that is easily accesible. So, I won’t mention that bit, because that’s just plain obvious. Well to those who live here in Lanzarote anyway!
Isil at Smiling Like Sunshine tells us Home is where the heart is.
Jules at I Need Curtains for the Window In My Head posts Why Do I Live Where I Do?
South of the River Mum writes about Bringing up children in London.
Scribbling Mum explains why she lives where she does.
Jacq from Mymumdom posts about why she lives in London.
Rachel at Midlife Singlemum tells us Why she lives in Israel.
Kelly at Domestic Goddesque tells us about Wonderful, wonderful Bromley, and why I live there.
Bibsey Mama gives us 7 reasons to live in Spain in Cool España.
Helen at Cheeky Wipes tells us There’s Always a Compromise.
Jenny at The Gingerbread House tells us about her home in Our house.
Cass at The Diary of a Frugal Family tells us Home is Where The Heart Is.
Jax at Live Otherwise/Making it Up explains Why I live here. Right here. In this house.
Emma at MummyMummyMum tells us about where she lives.
Cara at Freckles Family posts Where I Call Home.
Merry at Patch of Puddles writes Why I Live Where I Live.
Ella at Notes From Home explains her choices in Why we live where we do.
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May 9th, 2011
The Volcano triathlon had it’s twenty sixth running at Club La Santa in Lanzarote over the weekend. Many athletes entered for Ironman, use this event as part of their final few weeks training.
The Volcano consists of a 1.5Km swim, a 40KM bike ride and a 10KM run, so whilst the professionals love it, it’s also perfect for beginners or for people who just want to say they’ve done a triathlon.
The time span yesterday reflects this, with the male winner clocking a time of less than two hours, while the final finishers took a little more than 5! Also there were wheelchair athletes, and a blind competitor who finished to great applause.
Events like this reflect Lanzarote perfectly – we’re the island of sunshine, sports and smiles, and all three were in evidence yesterday. There was a carnival atmosphere on La Santa’s impressive running track, with loud music and plenty of fans and supporters.
If one of your goals is to get fit or even to stay fit, you can’t do better than taking a sports holiday on the island. Have a look at the Lanzarote Accommodation we have available, and do read up some more of our sports blog posts.
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April 27th, 2011
The Cactus Gardens is another of Cesar Manrique’s creations. Situated just a few moments by car outside of the busy Lanzarote Resort of Costa Teguise. Jardin de Cactus, The Cactus Gardens is situated in Guatiza. Simply head north on the road coming out of Costa Teguise towards Orzola. Turn off at the first junction and follow the road into Guatiza. You can’t miss the massive metal Cactus over the entrance. The significance of the positioning of the Gardens just outside of the Lanzarote Resort of Costa Teguise by Cesar Manrique stems from the fact that this was the largest acreage of Cactus growing area in Lanzarote.
It’s a great place to wander around and get a feel for over 1000 Species of flor and fauna from the Canary Islands. Possibly the largest collection of Cacti in the world. Developed by the famous botanist Estanislao Gonzales Ferrer chose species from all over the Canary Islands, Madagascar and South America.
The garden’s have been landscaped from an old quarry with an steep terraces in an amphi-theatre style representation. The large cactus logo is emblazoned cleverly throughout the gardens. There’s an edgy and stylish bar situated at the rear of the gardens in the resorted El Gofio Mill.
Can you believe that the Tunera Cacti attract Cochineal beetles. It was once the larvae that is harvested from these beetles that was once a thriving industry on the Island of Lanzarote. When you visit the Jardin de Cactus, it’s still possible to see how the larvae is harvested by one of the locals in the carpark. So, if you’re wondering what the crowd is doing gathred in the car-park. That’s what there up to!
There’s lots of steps, and steep bits, so be a bit warned with a push-chair and also with small children who might not make it the whole way around. Flowering starts a little later, so it’s a great time to visit right now as all the colours and flowers will be in full bloom.
If you’re feeling peckish after your ramble around the gardens then don’t hesitate to take a drink and some Tapas at the Guatiza Sociedad. It’s in Guatiza, great prices and includes a great play area for kids. It’s great value for money. Something for everyone.
Opening Times and Prices:
Paid Entry at the car-park – ticket allows you a free Tea or Coffee in the gardens.
10.00 – 18.00
Last Entry Permission: 17.45
Need any advice on Lanzarote villas to rent or on which Lanzarote Hotel to stay in, then contact us at Pure Lanzarote now.
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April 26th, 2011
I know that everyone has been claiming to struggle with Gallery posts over the last two weeks, with the themes being really tough. However, for me, I find these really big, wide open themes like green even harder! Okay, whining over…
We spend a month in Norway over Easter every year. We get to see a bit of the changing from Winter to Spring. No seasons in the lovely stable climate of Lanzarote. (boo-hoo). Our house is in the mountains, known as the Scandinavian Alps. Hemsedal’s Spring comes later towards the end of May where you can enjoy more green and blossom.
The ground here now is still very wet, despite it being the warmest Easter in sixty years. The grass is brown and will take a few weeks to dry out and turn green. Spring here is therefore more about the snow melting. The sound of water running everywhere. The green is in the evergreen trees in the backdrop. So, my picture is from the Rjukanfoss (Foss means waterfall). I have added an image from winter when it’s all frozen so you can see the difference!
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April 24th, 2011
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April 22nd, 2011
One of the things about living in Lanzarote, any part of Lanzarote, either in a resort or in the natural rural beauty is the fact that we don’t enjoy Spring, blossom, the flowers in the same way that it is experienced in the colder norther countries in Europe such as Germany, Scandinavia and England. The all year round stable climate and temperatures that we enjoy in Lanzarote are the very reason we don’t enjoy the change in seasons.
As a child I remember Easter, not just being about Easter Eggs, but the delightful flowers, and especially the daffodils which we would see almost everywhere in the gardens, by the hedgerows, and inside the house. We always spend Easter in Norway, and so we get to have a little bit of spring flavour in our lives. Daffodils are called Påskeliljer, Easter Flowers – how appropriate. This year, we’ve made some daffodils Easter cards for our family. Here’s how we did it. We will stick pictures of the children on the back afterwards and then send them to our family in the UK as keepsakes.
What you need?
Sellotape
Yellow Paper
Green Paper
Egg Boxes – cardboard no polystyrene
Poster Paint – we used from ikea.
Universal Glue
Instructions
1. Cut out the egg boxes and paint them yellow. (4 and under can do this)
2. Print out the template from the link for the Daffodil template.
3. Cut out the templates with the yellow paper and green for the leaves.
4. Roll the green paper, flatten and stick with sellotape. Stick on the leaves as well.
5. When dry, glue egg cartons to the daffodil flower head.
6. Let them write their names on the stalk, and stick a photo on the back.
7. We made one for everyone in the family and displayed them on the fireplace.
Need any information on taking a holiday in Lanzarote?
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