Heard the name before? The Happy Islands? You do know them, for sure - they are nothing else than the archipelago nowadays known as the Canary Islands. The name has been used for a long, long time and was coined by the Phoenicians when they found in them not only a good place for trade, but an array of peaceful, sunny and mild pieces of land, emerging from the blue seas.
Well, that's just how we see them today, as we reach Lanzarote, second oldest of these - geologically speaking - youngsters: Only 15 million years ago the ocean boiled and steamed before huge clouds of ash were ejected into the skies - an island is born. And should you think that's a thing from the past - think again. The activity is far from over, that's what the guides show us on the excursion to the island's south, which includes a fancy ride on a camel through an unearthly landscape of barren beauty. You wouldn't be surprised to see a mars rover whirring round the corner (just imagine how the guys at NASA would rub their eyes when their images suddenly showed people on camels…).
However, wild and violent is not the first impression that you get when you leave the ship here in Arrecife, everything is breathing the air of holiday and the pace is wonderfully relaxed. You can even take a submarine - a real one, it's even yellow - to go for a 34 meter dive to see ship wrecks and fish, fish, fish.
The whole day we spend here, and towards the evening we crown the day with a barbecue on the outer decks. Munging on a tasty steak while watching the sunset behind the volcanoes - unique!
Alas, this evening means also packing - tomorrow a long and colourful voyage comes to an end, the last trip on the northern hemisphere for this year. Thanks to all who made this time so worthwhile!!
