Excursion to the Fire Mountains-Timanfaya on the island of Lanzarote
The Fire Mountains originated in the 1730s when more than 100 volcanoes in what is now the National Park rose up to devastate the southern part of the island. The eruptions lasted six years and several villages were completely destroyed. The last eruption on the island was in 1824.
Because Lanzarote has such a low rainfall (and therefore a lack of erosion), the landscape today is much as it was at that time and in 1968 the area was declared a national park: Timanfaya National Park.
We decided to make a full day excursion of our trip to Lanzarote, Canary Islands. We firmly believe that this is a must-see place for any visitor who wants to do something different. Tourism in LanzaroteThe entrance fee to the national park was around 9 euros per person, as I recall, and small children were free, as usual for many of the islands' attractions. At the entrance to the national park (the entrance fee was around 9 euros per person, as I remember, and small children were free, as is usual for many of the attractions on the islands. 4.5 euros for children aged 7 to 12), the first thing that caught the eye were the camels and, of course, we had to stop because the children wanted to see them up close.
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Approximately one hour later, we arrived at the car park of the Hilario Isletwhere we saw a crowd of people standing around a hole. This was to be the first of two rather impressive demonstrations of just how hot the area is just below the ground. We were told that temperatures a few metres below ground are an astonishing 400°C to 600°C.
They threw some dry bushes into a hole and in less than a minute, they caught fire!
The water poured into a well and seconds later the water burst into the air as steam and we all took a hot shower because we were standing on the wrong side.
Next up was the restaurant El Diablo' (The Devil)another creation of the famous artist (Cesar Manrique), whose influence is everywhere on the island. Here we find traditional Canarian food cooked with geothermal heat (a cast iron grill placed over a large hole in the ground). Where else in the world can you cook your food in a volcano?
We then went on a National Park coach tour (part of the entrance fee). If you're feeling a bit queasy or don't like heights, don't sit by the window as it can be quite scary (but very safe and the kids enjoyed it). The guide stops at various strategic points so you can take some amazing photos and videos (so don't forget to bring your camera). During the trip we listened to recorded narration based on the words captured by the priest of Yaiza at the time of the eruptions.
Another great day and another great attraction.
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