The Canary Islands - which is which and what to see in Lanzarote

The canary birds are named after the Canary islands whose name comes from canine or wild dogs, described by the Romans.

The Spanish speaking Canary islands are in the Atlantic ocean off the north west coast of Africa, going south west from Gibraltar and southern Spain. Sixty two miles west of Morocco. That's 100 kilometres.

Here is Geoff Parkes's picture of the Arrecife white sand beach by daylight.

 I was alerted to the Sardine event on Facebook. A post by Geoff Parkes, who I know from Writers' Summer school in Swanwick, England, showed several great pictures. 

His photos were taken by him at Arrecife, the capital city of Lanzarote in the Spanish Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Burial of the Sardine is a ceremony in Spanish cities such as Madrid, the capital. 

The giant sardine model is paraded in a gilded glass cage. The model is burned, symbolising the end of the old and a new start. On Ash Wednesday, a Christian festival.  The day ends with fireworks above the beach, over the water, where they can be seen for miles

The Burial of the Sardines is also the title of a painting of the ceremony, by Goya, in a Madrid art gallery.

El entierro de la sardina (Goya)

I have seen a lot of strange ceremonies, how can I put this diplomatically, unusual and unexpected processions and cultural traditions. England has rolling of cheese downhill. Spain has burial of the sardine.

As a traveller and photographer, I am always on the lookout for something different. So long as it amusing and non-violent, I shall simply raise my eyebrows -  and camera.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of lent, fasting or abstinence, ending at Easter. Ash Wednesday was 22nd of Feb 2023.

In the Republic of Ireland Ash Wednesday is National No Smoking Day.

Lanzarote and the Canary Islands

You've missed it this year, but what about next year. Why should you go to Lanzarote? Lanzarote is a popular cruise stop. The port of Arrecife is also a fishing area, hence the fish festival.

Local landmarks on Lanzarote include two castles, one of which contains an art gallery, and the bridges approaching them. 

A modern feature is the desalination plant making water from sea water.

See sculptures by Cesar Manrique. He lived from  (24 April 1919 – 25 September 1992).  His museum has colourful murals, and mobile wind sculptures.

 

Spanish - English (alphabetically)

angeles - angels

arrecife - Spanish for reef

bajo - low

castillo - castle

Cristo - Christ

de - of

el - the (masculine)

gran - grand

iglesia - church

isla - island

la - the (feminine)

laguna - lake

las - the plural, feminine, as in Las Palmas meaning the palm trees

los - masculine the (plural, as in the USA city Los Angeles which means the angels)

palmas - palms

playa - beach

plaza - square

puente - bridge

puerto - port

punta - point or tip

san - saint

santa cruz - holy cross

torres - towers

Angela Lansbury is learning Spanish on Duolingo. Here are words from the maps and texts about travel in the Canaries.

Useful Websites

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrecife

For a look at the things to do including the vineyard bodega and wind sculptures, see:

https://www.travelsupermarket.com/en-gb/blog/guides/9-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-lanzarote/#:~:text=Lanzarote%20is%20famous%20for%20its,round%2Dup%20Lanzarote's%20loveliest%20beaches.

Travel blog travelwithAngelaLansbury.blogspot.com

 Worldwide exploration of amusing, educational and entertaining sights and sites, food and drink, personalities and places, and handy language translations.

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 For the pre=Easter Burial of the Sardine Ceremony see my previous post.