Fuerteventura

Hi everyone,

We spent three nights at Puerto Rosario on Fuerteventura island.  The 20nm passage from Marina Rubicon at Playa Blanca on Lanzarote was a motor in very little wind.  Also making the passage were OCC Macaronesia Cruisers Asteria and Zora.

Zen Again motoring south (sv Zora picture)

Here's our track...

Track

Arrival

Puerto Rosario is the capital of the island.  The marina is run by local authorities.  Unusually they charge per day rather than per night.  But they are relatively cheap with a four day (three night) stay costing us about 40 Euros.  The marina is quite new and the jetties are in good condition.  There are even newer toilet/shower 'pods' which are very clean and tidy.

We spent our first two days exploring the town.  The south side is developed with a nice beach and gardens.  The entire town is decorated with murals and sculptures everywhere.  The pedestrian mall has many restaurants, cafes and bars.  We spent part of the time with the crews of Asteria and Zora.

On the waterfront with marina in background

Ashore for a beer

Town centre church and square

Statues & murals

Sculpture (the goat is a symbol of Fuerteventura)

Gardens around the beach

One of many spectacular sculptures

I spent several hours tidying up the forepeak deckhead.  We had removed part of the headlining in Marina Rubicon.  We removed, cleaned and refitted two discoloured bolts.  One of them was clearly leaking so we think we've found the culprit.  Our next passage to Gran Canaria should test the resealing thoroughly!

Boat Work!

One our last day in Peuro Rosario, after SVs Asteria and Zora moved on, we did some Guagua touring.  Guaguas are local busses (pronounced WaaWaa).  Twas a great day, and a relatively cheap and easy way to see the island.

We bussed from Puerto Rosario to Betancuria, the original capital of the island.  The island was settled in the 1400s by a Norman knight John de Betacourt.  The capital was sited inland in the hills to better defend against pirates.  Betancuria is now very touristy but also very pretty.  The bus journey up into the hills was spectacular.

On a guagua!

Heading into the hills

Passing donkeys and a camel

Climbing the hills

View from the hills

Morning coffee

From Betancuria we bussed back to Puerto Rosario where we took another bus to the south of the island.  More spectacular hills along the way, plus one large volcanic lava field.  Clouds were lapping over the highest hills which reminded us of Table Mountain.  The bus terminated in Morro del Jable, a seaside town dominated by tourist apartments and facilities.  Nice beach and countless bars, cafes and restaurants.  Lots of sculptures and murals here too!

Tapas and beers in Morro del Jable

We got back to Puerto Rosario at dusk after a very full day.  Great to see the interior of the island.

Trust all's well where you are!