Travel We visitedManrique’s home, which is now a museum. The whitewashed building rests on five lava caves, whichManrique decorated with furniture, plants and trees that burst through the ceilings. His art enhances the museum, from the largeWind Toys mobile outside to paintings and sketches indoors. Windows frame nature like art. In one room, lava appears to flow through the window. Wines from lava vineyards Lanzarote vintners built semicircular lava rock wind shelters around pits containing two metres of black volcanic ash, which attracts dew to feed the grapevines. Each shelter, the size of a child’s wading pool, contains a single vine. The Lanzarote Wine Route features a dozen wine cellars, some dating back to the 18th century. We visited Bodegas Rubicón to taste the local red, white and rosé wines. Moscatel Dulce, a sweet white dessert wine, was our favourite. Besides wine, Bodegas Rubicón sells jars of mojo rojo, which makes a tasty souvenir. Made from oil, garlic, vinegar, cumin and coriander, the spicy red sauce traditionally garnishespapas arrugadas (tiny potatoes boiled in salt water until their skins become wrinkled). Our final Canary Islands destination, Fuerteventura, is located just 115 kilometres west of the African coast. Harmony V took us to Corralejo on the island’s north tip. Vivid fish sculptures surrounded the marina, filled with sailboats, yachts and fishing boats. Whimsical sandcastles embellished the wide golden beaches bordering the harbour. Visitors dined at outdoor cafés, seafood restaurants and pizzerias along the pedestrian walkway and soaked up the sun and picturesque views from park benches. We walked to the sand dunes of Corralejo Natural Park. In 2009, UNESCO made the entire island of Fuerteventura a World Biosphere Reserve, because of its unspoiled beaches and scenic landscapes. We then took a taxi to an aloe vera factory, where we sampled aloe vera products made from gel extracted from the succulent leaves. Fuerteventura shops sell numerous aloe vera creams, lotions, gels, soaps, shampoo and natural cosmetics. Locals proudly note that Columbus included aloe vera in the provisions for his journey. The uniqueness of each island intrigued us during our Variety Cruises journey. With volcanic moonscapes, lush forests, mountainous terrain, vast beaches and UNESCO-listed historic cities, the Canary Islands provided a scenic smorgasbord that we didn’t expect to find in subtropical Europe. RESOURCES Variety Cruises Canary Islands: www.glpworldwide.com/ products/variety-cruises/ or phone 1-866-760-1987 for a free brochure. Barb & Ron Kroll publish the trip-planning website: www.KrollTravel.com 1 2 4 5 6 7 3 Aloe vera, Fuerteventura 1. Lava flow appears to come through window of Cesar Manrique’s home 2. Mobile Wind Toys sculpture at Cesar Manrique House 3. Semi-circular volcanic stone walls protect grapevines planted in pits at Bodegas Rubicon on Lanzarote Wine Route 4. Sandcastle on beach withHarmony V and boats behind in Corralejo 5. Boats in marina at Corralejo 6. Fish sculpture in front of marina at Corralejo 7. Corralejo Natural Park, Fuerteventura CSANews | SUMMER 2016 | 23
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