Fuerteventura day 9

Last full day in camp.  Weather was ok, not great, not terrible.  Fairly overcast/hazy and windy most of the day.

Every Saturday morning there is a craft market in the town just a few minutes' walk up the road from the hotel.  We thought it would be worth a visit.  Unfortunately there was very little local craft or produce on offer, most of the stalls were being run by Nigerians (or similar) who made a point of getting in the way of everyone, trying to sell cheap fakes of designer brand items - Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Nike, Chanel etc.  Not only are they extremely annoying but their trade is illegal because they are selling fake items as if they were the originals.  We deliberately ignore those traders and make no attempt to be polite if they harass us.

Nevertheless, in between all that there were a few stalls that caught our attention.  One was a lady who makes very attractive Jewellery - Ann bought something there.  Another was a local artist who uses airbrushing to paint caricature portraits of any passers by who would like such a painting of themselves.  We watched him do a few pieces and decided to get a painting done of the two of us.  He is really talented and obviously loves his work.  He only takes about 5 minutes for a black & white, maybe a couple more for a full colour one, which is what we chose.  It turned out very well, considering it is just a bit of fun.  I do not have a photo of it yet, but will add one to this post after we get home and can have it framed.

We returned to base and headed for the pool deck again to soak up as much sun as could filter through the clouds.  We are both progressing well through book number 3.  During the afternoon the entertainment team decided to convert one of the pools into a bubble bath, essentially intended for the kids, but the parents seemed to be having just as much fun as the little ones.  See the short video below.

We took a stroll along the beach, venturing into the water just above the ankles.  It was too choppy and windy to go in any deeper and the life guard station warned of the strong undertow, so we had to settle for a selfie to show that we were here.

One last dip in the hot tub before showers and our final dinner, which was delicious as we have come to expect.  Packed our bags so we are ready to depart straight after breakfast tomorrow morning. 

Fuerteventura day 8

A bit of a mixed up day today.  The very loose plans we had were shuffled around into a different order a few times throughout the day.  Luckily none of them were critical.

After breakfast we decided to go for a round of putt-putt (miniature golf), but the course was full so no more clubs were available.  We went shopping for souvenirs instead.  I chose an unusual slimline pocket knife, unlike those I have made but quite attractive I thought.  Ann chose a ceramic trivet (like a placemat to set down hot pots etc. while cooking).  We also each got a new sun hat.

We sat beside the pool for a while but then it started to rain (not forecast 😠) and a stiff breeze started to blow.  At least the rain only lasted a few minutes, but the disruption destroyed the peaceful atmosphere, so we went to play putt-putt.  If we play by Ann's rules where the player with the most points wins, then she won.  However if we play by my rules where the player with the least points loses, then she won.  At least I am wise enough to accept the result as it is given to me.

We shared a snack in the poolside bar, washed down with a couple of very welcome ice cold beer shandies before heading back to the room where we spent a few hours relaxing/dozing on our veranda ... and then jumped into the hot tub!  I have also made a start on book number 3.

Hoping for another sunny day tomorrow which will be our last full day here before we depart on Sunday morning.

Ann chatting up the local talent at the putt-putt course

Me missing another long putt. Note the flashy headgear. 

My souvenir pocket knife

Fuerteventura day 7

Today's weather forecast was accurate ... warm, sunny, partial cloud, light breeze, no rain.  Temperature maxed out at around 27°C (85°F).

After breakfast we strolled along to the harbour where we hired a "Ballenita" ... think "electrically powered dodgem car on water".  Ballenita (Spanish) literally translates to "little whale", but that's where the association ends.  We spent the next half hour cruising and bobbing about in the bay.  No major adrenaline rush but it was rather fun.

Most of the rest of the day was spent walking on the beach, sitting beside the pool, reading our books and catching up on sleep.  Oh, we also had a dip in the hot tub!

Supper was very good, as we have come to expect, followed by a stroll along the beachfront boardwalk.  Now back in the room, I will probably finish book number 2 this evening ... "The Escape" by David Baldacci.  671 pages in less than 3 days, might be a new record!

The Ballenita 

Us in the Ballenita 

Captain of the ocean-going dodgem car!

Fuerteventura day 6

Another bright sunny day with nothing planned on the to-do list.

After breakfast we went to the resort's Spa facility.  This was our first time of using the Spa even though we actually have unlimited, free access to use it because of the room and package we are on.  I chose to use the sauna and 2 of the hot baths before heading outside to the sun deck where we stayed for a couple of hours.  Although trying to avoid the direct sun I still caught some of the reflection but at least did not burn badly.

We got a snack and a drink at the poolside bar and then headed into the town to buy a few souvenirs.  We also stocked up on some more drinks to keep in the room's mini fridge.  A few more hours beside the pool and we headed indoors for showers before supper.

So another successful day of unwinding, recharging and doing very little.

Front entrance of the hotel

Spa outside sun deck and pool.

More pools, sauna, baths, treatment rooms and fitness centre inside.

Another view of some of the resort's pools with the beach in the background.

Fuerteventura day 5

We awoke around 08.00 to a sunny day with a few scattered clouds and no rain!

Nothing special planned for the day so after breakfast we headed out to the pools and claimed ownership of a pair of sun loungers.  I spent most of the next several hours reading my book.  Ann did much the same but she also worked on absorbing as many alpha rays as she could at the same time.

Around 15.30 we went for a walk along the beach and bought ourselves an ice cream ... as you do.  Back to the room for the obligatory dip in the hot tub before showers and supper.  We may watch a movie on Netflix or just read some more.

So mission accomplished for today ... just a whole lot of doing nothing much.  Probably more of the same tomorrow. 

Fuerteventura day 4

As expected, we awoke to another overcast day.  Temperatures are doing ok though, rising to the mid-20°C range (around 80°F) but the grey clouds warned of the threatening rain for most of the day.

After breakfast we took a walk along the coastal boardwalk, heading due north.  Just across the bay from the hotel is a small cluster of shops and feeding troughs beside a small harbour, mostly populated by a few yachts.  We paused at the harbour where one section has been converted into a base for preservation of sea life around the islands.  All very simple and small scale compared to so many over-commercialised tourist magnets we may be familiar with.  The one encounter on offer was to get a kiss from one of their resident seals.  Ann and I both received a kiss and have photos by which to remember it.  For me, the highlight of the trip so far.

Also in that area is a round fortification built out of the ubiquitous black volcanic stone.  It was built in 1761, originally for protection against pirates that would frequently come onto the island at this location to attack and plunder the villages.  It has passed through many hands over the years and is now owned by the local authority, soon to be opened as a visitor attraction.

We returned to the resort via an ice cream stall and spent the next few hours trying to absorb what little sunshine managed to penetrate through the patchy clouds.  Around 16.00 we filled the hot tub again but the return of the rain made it a short dip before heading indoors.  We have each finished book number 1 and started number 2 this afternoon.

Once again supper did not disappoint and we are concluding the day on the sofa with our books.  Tomorrow ... hopefully more relaxation and sunshine.

Fuerteventura day 3

We rolled out of bed around 08.20 after another 10 hour sleep.  Must have needed that!

"Come to Fuerteventura," they said, "where it's always hot and sunny."  They made no mention of tropical storm "Hermine" that would be moving through this week, dumping rain like it's free.  Swimming and sunbathing were not on the agenda for today, so after breakfast we decided to go to the resort's Spa and use its facilities, many of which are indoors.  So did the rest of the guests.  When we got there they were already full to capacity so we were turned away.

Seeing what appeared to be a break in the rain, we took a walk through the town to browse through some of the shops.  And the rain decided to return in anger, holding us captive in one of the typical seaside shops selling cheap, poor quality tat, sandals and bathing suits.  At the next pause in the rain we made a hasty retreat back to our room where we spent the rest of the day reading our books.  There was of course the obligatory dip in the hot tub, which is fortunately under cover (more or less).

We have just returned from another scrumptious supper and are looking forward to another day tomorrow that promises to be much the same as today.  Hopefully the sun will return after that. 

Fuerteventura days 1-2

Our first holiday abroad in more than 2 years, thanks to Covid-19.  Destination: Fuerteventura in the Canary islands.

Thursday evening after work Ann and I drove to Stansted airport.  We had already checked in online and were able to drop off our luggage that evening except for a small overnight bag for each of us.  We spent the night in the airport Hilton hotel (thanks to my stash of hotel loyalty points).  04.00 on Friday morning we stumbled out of bed and took the short walk into the departures building, heading straight for security.  Made fairly good progress despite the airport being more busy than either of us had ever seen before.  Our flight departed pretty much on time around 07.00.

4 hours later we landed at Fuerteventura airport and took the tour company coach to our hotel, arriving here around 12.30.  Our room was not yet ready.  We were told it should be ready by 14.00.  Alas, no joy - we were told it would be 15.00.  We sat waiting in the reception lounge, our patience wearing thinner by the minute.  At 15.00 our room was ready.  It is a really nice ground floor room with a small veranda and our own private hot tub off the veranda.

The resort is huge.  The buildings are divided into 8 or 9 different sections.  The 4 main accommodation blocks are each spread over 4 floors with a total of 486 rooms.  There are several lounges, entertainment halls and conference rooms as well as 4 large swimming pools with hundreds of sun loungers, some under cover, others not.  The resort is directly on the beach where there are several hundred more loungers with sun umbrellas.  There appear to be just 2 restaurants in the complex - one main buffet restaurant used by most of the guests and the other is à la carte.  There are a few bar areas as well.

We unpacked and took a walk to survey the complex and get our bearings before returning to the room to try out the hot tub.  After a relaxing hour or two and a shower and change we headed to the restaurant for supper.  Because we are in a "Deluxe" room (hot tub etc.) we also get to eat in a reserved area of the dining hall.  We are welcome to eat any of the food laid out in the main area, but in addition, there is a smaller buffet selection in our area with a selection of more specialized dishes.  We also have more waiters to look after us in this area.  So far everything we have eaten has been excellent.  We will certainly not be hungry and fully expect to gain a couple of kilograms if we continue at our current rate!

Last night we both slept for around 10 hours, partly because we were not woken up by our 2 boisterous puppies which are on their own holiday break with Nicola.  After breakfast we took a walk along the beach boardwalk heading south.  There is apparently a working salt mine about 4km away that is worth a visit.  However after about 2km the boardwalk came to an end and the rest of the path was over some pretty rough, rocky terrain that neither of us felt inclined to tackle.  On the return walk we spent time looking in some rock pools and examining the interesting assortment of stones and rocks along the beachfront, much of which is volcanic.  There are also a few old stone structures that we later discovered were lime kilns from a few hundred years ago.

This afternoon we lay on the sun loungers beside the pool for a couple of hours, half sleeping, half people-watching.  Another dip in the hot tub before showers and a marvellous dinner.

Apparently the weather for the next 2 days will bring a lot of rain, but hopefully lots of sunshine after that.  I guess we will make up our agenda as we go...

Enjoy the photos. 

Our private hot tub

One of the pools by night 

Another pool by night

Some of the lime kilns along the beach