Cruise to the Canaries 2024

Lisbon

Lisbon was the first stop.

Gill and I had decided that we would visit the monastery and Pantheon. We had researched the possibility of a Tuk-Tuk but the reality was far different. They were incredibly expensive and we had to decline a number of times give the persistence of the vendor. We walked as far as the main square where we considered the tram but this did not stop at all other than its terminus. 

There were taxis and a quick enquiry found that the monastery was an 8euro ride. Result.

a few moments in to the ride and we were going the wrong way. It turns out that there are two monasteries in Lisbon and we were on the way to the other one. An interesting conversation resulted in a roundabout route but we arrived at the front of the Church of St Vincente de Fora within which I had been on a previous cruise but this time we noticed the doorway to the adjacent monastery. 

The monastic cloister from the roof of the Church of St Vicente de Fora in Lisbon

The Pantheon from the roof of the Church of St Vicente de Fora in Lisbon

The view over Lisbon towards the Sanctuary of Christ the King Statue from the roof of the Church of St Vicente de Fora in Lisbon.

A cupola on the roof.

Just outside the church

The pathway round the church on the right to the street market that wasn't there on the day we were.

Traditional tilled buildings

Not quite so traditional wall art

The Pantheon, Lisbon

Royal caskets

Aesop's Fables in blue tiles.

Modern Portuguese tiles

The inside of the church

The roof, lovely views over Lisbon

 

Arrecife de Lanzarote

A volcanic island with almost lunar views.

Only coaches are allowed on the road through the volcanic park and all private cars have to remain in the car park and their passengers transfer to the orange busses. We were already on a coach.

Shots from the coach. No control over shadows!

The sun changes the exposure but does make the sky a little more dramatic.

The car park for those tourists wanting the experience from the back of a camel.

An impressive crater.

The agave plant in flower.

A vineyard with the little walls to protect the vines from the wind.

Sometimes a depression in the volcanic ash takes the place of the wall.

We walked into town and saw the sign that points out that wheelchair users should exit into the dock!

Gran Canaria

There was a transport strike on the day we visited resulting in an unscheduled trip on one of the few hop on hop off busses that were running.

A picturesque trip through the modern town brought us to the old town where we alighted and looked for something to see - a monastery"

La Palma

I took a 4x4 trip up the volcano in this bus thing. 

Look closely and there is a caterpillar

Interesting roads, hence the 4x4

The southern end of the island showing the volcanic activity.

A dormant caldera

The flat land was added by the volcano

In the background the oldest volcano that created the island and nearer is the 2021 eruption

Crater from the other side

A dragon tree that grows very slowly and most were cut down by the early settlers

Madeira

We visited an excellent botanic garden

... that has cats!

Friendly cats

and lizards

A cable car trip back to the top of the mountain

where people can sledge back to the bottom on these basket type things.

There was another church at the top.

More lizards.

Cheers