LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA TO ARECIFE

We stopped in Las Palmas where I took a quick taxi to the old city, which seemed to be a very pleasant place.  As it was a long walk to the taxi stand Betty skipped going ashore.

We have met several interesting people on this cruise.  A couple of nights ago we were invited (along with another couple) to dinner at Toscana by Natalia, a member of the ship's management team.  Natalia is from Odessa and when Putin invaded she, her mother and her 17-year old son became refugees.  After being in several countries, Natalia's Mom semi-settled in Bulgaria.  Speaking five languages Natalia got a job as a sales clerk on a cruiseship.  While aboard she met a couple from Nova Scotia who became "her angels".  They sponsored her son for a student visa to Canada and he moved to Bridgewater and lived with this couple until he finished high school.  He is now in technical college.

Last night we had a great meal in the French restaurant Jacques, our favorite place on the Marina, as well as on several other ships of Oceania.   A couple of years ago Jacques was criticized as having slow service and having menus that were too elaborate.  On two of the new Oceania ships Jacques was abandoned and replaced by a casual steak place called Embers.  Passengers revolted and in less than a year Embers was razed and Jacques is now on all the new Oceania ships.  After dinner, we fortunately chose to attend the evening show, despite being skeptical of a concert combining a classical violinist and a flamenco dancer.  The show was fabulous.

When we sailed out of Las Palmas the intention was to go to Funchel, Madeira.  Again, due to high winds we found our port closed.  The ship sailed instead sailed to Arecife on the island of Lanzarote.  This was where we were supposed to go a couple of days ago, but the port was then closed.

Betty and I took a two-hour taxi ride around the island.  Lanzarote is mostly covered with lava from a volcano eruption that lasted for six years in the 18th century.  The island is doted by small white villages and has a real charm despite the landscape being mostly black.  Our driver was great and even stopped for us to have a taste of the local wine.

You can see from the second final picture of this blog where Betty likes to spend most of her time.  By booking a year or more in advance we can claim an extended balcony with both sitting chairs and lounge chairs.  Final picture is more lava on Lanzarote.