Me Gustan Tus Zapatos...: Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Northern Lanzarote has a slightly different landscape than that of it's southern sister (where we were staying). There is just a little more green to be seen in this area which makes it feel just a bit more tropical. The weather is a little breezier and cooler than that of the south as well. We made our way up to the top of Lanzarote to see a few of the sites we had heard about. One of them is Jameos del Agua, yet another visitors landmark designed by Cesar Manrique.

Manrique had an amazing knack for taking what nature had already given us and just softening it up a bit for those to view. The Jameos del Agua is part of a tube of lava caves that had collapsed and is now a restaurant, night club and concert hall. When I look at what this place must have looked like before Manrique put his magic touch it, his visionary ability just amazes me even more. How do you look at a collapsed cave and create this amazingly beautiful place from it? It's awe inspiring... just wait til you see the pictures of his house which will come up later!

The Jameos del Agua consist of two james (roofless caves formed when the rock covering the volcanic tube collapses) connected by a tunnel with an underwater lagoon. The tunnel is part of a 5000 year old volcanic tube (amazing that it's still there - something to be said about the longevity of nature when it's taken care of!). The lagoon is actually home to blind, albino crustaceans, jameitos, which are only found on this island. They are also Manrique's inspiration for the logo for the James del Agua.

The entrance to the Jameos del Agua

Cool door!

Working our way down the stairs to the main level

Amazing how nature is incorporated into the entire structure

The restaurant which is open to the elements (good thing it doesn't rain much here!)

Another view of the restaurant

The lagoon

The albino crusteceans - how do they know they are blind is what I'd like to know!

Another view of the lagoon

View before you go around the lagoon to the other side

On the other side of the lagoon

Liam sitting by some trees on some beautiful benches

Mommy & Liam

Josh by the reflecting pool

Aidan by the pool

Liam and Aidan sitting on the bench by the pool - this whole place is a great place to just sit down and chill out with a drink and good conversation... too bad we had our kids with us who don't understand the concept of chill out ;)