Lanzarote-mi amor / Lanzarote-my love from Denis Ahrens on Vimeo.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Lanzarote complains to Brussels over consumer rights
Courtesy of Discover Lanzarote:
The Lanzarote Consumer's Group, Aculanza, has written a letter to the European Commission urging them to investigate some issues in Lanzarote.
In the letter, the group claim that the recently passed Canarian Commercial License law, which limits the size of commercial units on the Island, is not in line with European guidelines and acts against the consumer.
They also claim that Lanzarote has, not only some of the most expensive supermarket prices in the Canaries, but in fact, some of the most expensive in Europe.
The item was reported in La Voz and is Google-translated here by your humble servant, the Pub Spy:
In the letter, the group claim that the recently passed Canarian Commercial License law, which limits the size of commercial units on the Island, is not in line with European guidelines and acts against the consumer.
They also claim that Lanzarote has, not only some of the most expensive supermarket prices in the Canaries, but in fact, some of the most expensive in Europe.
The item was reported in La Voz and is Google-translated here by your humble servant, the Pub Spy:
Aculanza asks the Commission to inspect the situation of consumers in Lanzarote
BY Ruth Gabilondo • 10 November 2010
The Association of Consumers and Users of Lanzarote, Aculanza, has sent a letter to the Commissioner of Competition Commission for it to inspect the situation of consumers on the island. According to this group, Lanzarote's shopping baskets are the most expensive not only in the Canary Islands or Spain, but also the European Union.
In the letter, Aculanza criticizes the new Law for the Commercial License Canary Islands, which was approved by the regional parliament in December 2009 and set to Lanzarote a sales area of 1,650 square meters and a total of 3,500 square meters for the whole island area.
According to Aculanza, the new policy is a breach of the European Directive, which set no limit on the commercial area. "The restrictions approved represents a significant decline in business freedom, the right of consumers to choose between different forms of trade, their offers and terms without further bureaucratic interference as a fundamental principle of the acquis communautaire indicated from Aculanza.
Aculanza also reminded the European Commission in their letter that there has been several protests supporting the situation of consumers in Lanzarote. In 2008 they held a rally and collected 15,004 signatures to denounce the high costs of shopping baskets in Lanzarote. Even a consumer group moved to Gran Canaria to show that in the island's shopping cart is up to 30 percent cheaper than in Lanzarote.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Lanzarote can help you lose weight
Stumbled across this article the other day:
http://www.thetherapylounge.com/hypnotherapy-news/c-8256/women-loses-10-stone-after-being-forced-to-wear-a-seatbelt-extension/
It seems the woman in question boarded her flight for Lanzarote but the regular seatbelt wouldn't fit her:
Andrea Rutter was settling for her flight to Lanzarote when she realised she was unable to strap herself into her seat. The embarrassment of having to wear a seatbelt extension in order to fly left the 44 year old feeling extremely embarrassed.
http://www.thetherapylounge.com/hypnotherapy-news/c-8256/women-loses-10-stone-after-being-forced-to-wear-a-seatbelt-extension/
It seems the woman in question boarded her flight for Lanzarote but the regular seatbelt wouldn't fit her:
Andrea Rutter was settling for her flight to Lanzarote when she realised she was unable to strap herself into her seat. The embarrassment of having to wear a seatbelt extension in order to fly left the 44 year old feeling extremely embarrassed.
Monday, October 18, 2010
The Best Pub in Lanzarote
The best pub in Lanzarote is frequented by tourists and ex-pats alike. Over a few beers in the afternoon, you can sit in the shade inside or catch some sun on the terrace. At night, the place is hopping with lively music, loud conversation and infectious smiles on everyone's face.
It doesn't serve food, so there's no lingering smell of grease or fried onions.
The friendly staff don't know your name, but they recognise your face. And they remember what you want, when you say "Same again, please."
Though the women claim not to notice these things, Carlo behind the bar gives them the eye and always tells them they're looking beautiful tonight. Neither do the men notice that the girls on the floor are very chatty, and are always smiling, whether you tip them or not.
The spirits are all brand names and a cheap equivalent wouldn't be let inside the door. The measures are generous, without being intimidating - you can fit plenty of your mixer in the glass. The beer is very cold, as is the Guinness. The best pub in Lanzarote has a reputation for good Guinness - hence, they sell a lot of it. And hence, there's a good flow on the tap. The place never claimed to be a wine tavern so the choice of wine is sufficient but limited.
The toilets aren't huge, but they're always spotlessly clean. The soap in the dispenser smells sweet and the hand-drier blows out warm air at a fast enough rate.
The music recedes a little and people tend to drift away around 1.00am. Though there's no sign that the staff are getting ready to close yet. You've been there some nights 'til all hours and never heard 'Last Orders' being called.
You leave the place smiling and finish the story you were telling to the people you met on the way to the taxi rank. Tomorrow's going to be sunny again. You'll get up late, have breakfast and then go for a stroll. In the afternoon, you might call to see if there's anyone around in The "___" Bar again.
It doesn't serve food, so there's no lingering smell of grease or fried onions.
The friendly staff don't know your name, but they recognise your face. And they remember what you want, when you say "Same again, please."
Though the women claim not to notice these things, Carlo behind the bar gives them the eye and always tells them they're looking beautiful tonight. Neither do the men notice that the girls on the floor are very chatty, and are always smiling, whether you tip them or not.
The spirits are all brand names and a cheap equivalent wouldn't be let inside the door. The measures are generous, without being intimidating - you can fit plenty of your mixer in the glass. The beer is very cold, as is the Guinness. The best pub in Lanzarote has a reputation for good Guinness - hence, they sell a lot of it. And hence, there's a good flow on the tap. The place never claimed to be a wine tavern so the choice of wine is sufficient but limited.
The toilets aren't huge, but they're always spotlessly clean. The soap in the dispenser smells sweet and the hand-drier blows out warm air at a fast enough rate.
The music recedes a little and people tend to drift away around 1.00am. Though there's no sign that the staff are getting ready to close yet. You've been there some nights 'til all hours and never heard 'Last Orders' being called.
You leave the place smiling and finish the story you were telling to the people you met on the way to the taxi rank. Tomorrow's going to be sunny again. You'll get up late, have breakfast and then go for a stroll. In the afternoon, you might call to see if there's anyone around in The "___" Bar again.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Jet2 promotes Lanzarote
Low fares carrier Jet2 has some LIVE MUSIC info on it's site about the island. Tis standard oul PR stuff, but sure who'll complain if it brings in a few extra bodies?
Check Out Some Live Music with Cheap Flights to Lanzarote
Check Out Some Live Music with Cheap Flights to Lanzarote
Live music and entertainment events have proved to be a huge success in Lanzarote this year, which has been the catalyst for an autumn programme of events starting on 2 October 2010.
This weekend kicks off the autumn season with some Brazilian jazz, led by Vanessa Borghagian and jazz plays a major part through the autumn and winter live music events. This schedule should add to Lanzarote’s appeal as a winter sun destination.
Experiencing a Real Vibe of Lanzarote
Along with guaranteed sunshine and plenty of beautiful beaches to lounge on, visitors arriving on cheap flights to Lanzarote will now find a crammed schedule of live music to keep them entertained.
Between 8 and 12 October there will be plenty of jazz shows held at the Cueva de los Verdes, the gardens at Jameos del Agua and in the restaurant of the International Contemporary Art Museum at the Castillo de San José.
Visitors will find plenty of local wines to sample at some of these events, giving them a real vibe of live entertainment on Lanzarote. With so much to do in the evenings, not to mention during the day, cheap flights to Lanzarote should be popular this winter.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Top ten things to do in Lanzarote
From the helium.com website, "where knowledge rules":
1. Take a ‘Grand Island Tour.’
2. Visit Timanfaya National Park
3. Visit Jameos del Agua
4. See the lagoon at El Golfo
5. Take a camel trek up the volcano
6. Visit the vine growing area
7. Visit the home of Cesar Manrique
8. Marvel at the viewpoint of Mirador del Rio
9. Relax on the beaches at Papagayo
10. Take a boat trip to Fuerteventura
Link: http://www.helium.com/items/1965140-lanzarote---best-ten-attractions
...and not an Irish/British bar in sight on any of the above!
1. Take a ‘Grand Island Tour.’
2. Visit Timanfaya National Park
3. Visit Jameos del Agua
4. See the lagoon at El Golfo
5. Take a camel trek up the volcano
6. Visit the vine growing area
7. Visit the home of Cesar Manrique
8. Marvel at the viewpoint of Mirador del Rio
9. Relax on the beaches at Papagayo
10. Take a boat trip to Fuerteventura
Link: http://www.helium.com/items/1965140-lanzarote---best-ten-attractions
...and not an Irish/British bar in sight on any of the above!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Ryanair to continue flights from Shannon
For anyone flying from the West of Ireland this story will be of interest:
http://www.clarepeople.com/201009132331/Ryanair-to-go-ahead-with-Shannon-flights-to-Lanzarote.html
Ryanair will continue to fly from Shannon to Lanzarote this winter, despite their cutting of other services from that airport.
Seems Mick O'Leary knows that Irish Lanzarote-lovers will still flock to the island...
http://www.clarepeople.com/201009132331/Ryanair-to-go-ahead-with-Shannon-flights-to-Lanzarote.html
Ryanair will continue to fly from Shannon to Lanzarote this winter, despite their cutting of other services from that airport.
Seems Mick O'Leary knows that Irish Lanzarote-lovers will still flock to the island...
Saturday, September 11, 2010
£30,000 for a studio apartment
I should correct the assumption in the last blog post about the man who supposedly saved £50,000 by NOT buying a property on the island.
This saving was based on the assumption that you couldn't get any property on the island for less than £100,000.
Since that post was posted, I've seen this:
http://www.lanzaroteinvestments.com/puerto-del-carmen.asp
...stating that you can get a studio apartment in Puerto del Carmen for roughly £30,000.
Alright, the man in the last post would have to take his holiday in Puerto del Carmen rather than Playa Blanca, but still...an apartment for £30,000!
You couldn't go wrong, could you?
This saving was based on the assumption that you couldn't get any property on the island for less than £100,000.
Since that post was posted, I've seen this:
http://www.lanzaroteinvestments.com/puerto-del-carmen.asp
...stating that you can get a studio apartment in Puerto del Carmen for roughly £30,000.
Alright, the man in the last post would have to take his holiday in Puerto del Carmen rather than Playa Blanca, but still...an apartment for £30,000!
You couldn't go wrong, could you?
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Man visits Lanzarote 69 times, saves £50,000
I stumbled across this news item this morning. Is this man Lanzarote's most frequent visitor?
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/08/14/businessman-eric-willson-takes-69-holidays-to-lanzarote-in-20-years-115875-22486516/
The point about him buying his own holiday home--rather than renting accommodation every time--caught my eye: he reckons he's spent £50,000 on his 69 trips. Any decent apartment would have cost at least double this.
So, someone who visits three times a year, every year saves himself £50,000 by not buying his own place.
There's not too many estate agents around who would explain this side of things.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/08/14/businessman-eric-willson-takes-69-holidays-to-lanzarote-in-20-years-115875-22486516/
The point about him buying his own holiday home--rather than renting accommodation every time--caught my eye: he reckons he's spent £50,000 on his 69 trips. Any decent apartment would have cost at least double this.
So, someone who visits three times a year, every year saves himself £50,000 by not buying his own place.
There's not too many estate agents around who would explain this side of things.
Friday, August 6, 2010
The overhead costs of bars in Lanzarote
The cost of having a drink in Lanzarote is always a debatable topic.
The difference between price and value is often lost during such debates. I've paid €4 for a bottle of Heineken in some bars and felt this to be better value for money than paying €2 for the same thing in another bar.
Live music is cited as being the reason why some places (mostly Irish bars) charge more for drinks. This is just an excuse in some cases, however, since the cost of live entertainment varies much more than the cost of drinks. For example, there's a bar in the Old Town of PDC (now closed, unfortunately) whose live music costs were in the region of €650 per night. Yet, they only charged the same as other live music bars whose nightly entertainment costs would be closer to €150; that is, 75% less than there own.
Live entertainment is only part of the equation anyway. Let's move onto staff costs. These, in general, will be fairly stable, with total staff costs fluctuating up and down in line with the size of the establishment (larger bar = more staff and more staff costs, but more income - in theory at least!)
Rent is the really big one. Bars that are in situ with a while should--if they have a reasonable landlord--be paying less than ones that opened in the late noughties. This is changing too though and the price of renting/buying should come down in line with the amount of locales now lying vacant. Such a drop is not guaranteed, however, especially given the traditional immobility of Spanish landlords.
Given that most of us don't know what the overheads are in any particular bar we walk into, then it's hard to say definitively whether we're getting value for money or not. Take the advice of a fool: if the staff are friendly, the toilets clean and the beer cold, then chances are you will get value for your money. If you feel like you're not getting value for money, then pay for the one drink you had and simply walk into the bar next door.
The difference between price and value is often lost during such debates. I've paid €4 for a bottle of Heineken in some bars and felt this to be better value for money than paying €2 for the same thing in another bar.
Live music is cited as being the reason why some places (mostly Irish bars) charge more for drinks. This is just an excuse in some cases, however, since the cost of live entertainment varies much more than the cost of drinks. For example, there's a bar in the Old Town of PDC (now closed, unfortunately) whose live music costs were in the region of €650 per night. Yet, they only charged the same as other live music bars whose nightly entertainment costs would be closer to €150; that is, 75% less than there own.
Live entertainment is only part of the equation anyway. Let's move onto staff costs. These, in general, will be fairly stable, with total staff costs fluctuating up and down in line with the size of the establishment (larger bar = more staff and more staff costs, but more income - in theory at least!)
Rent is the really big one. Bars that are in situ with a while should--if they have a reasonable landlord--be paying less than ones that opened in the late noughties. This is changing too though and the price of renting/buying should come down in line with the amount of locales now lying vacant. Such a drop is not guaranteed, however, especially given the traditional immobility of Spanish landlords.
Given that most of us don't know what the overheads are in any particular bar we walk into, then it's hard to say definitively whether we're getting value for money or not. Take the advice of a fool: if the staff are friendly, the toilets clean and the beer cold, then chances are you will get value for your money. If you feel like you're not getting value for money, then pay for the one drink you had and simply walk into the bar next door.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Eamonn
I'm not one for public displays of emotion, but I thought writing down a few words here would help get things straight in my head.
Eamonn passed away on the 16th of July 2010. I met him for the first time 10 years ago, during the Summer of 2000 when I first moved to Lanzarote.
The first time I saw him he was striding outside the Craic towards the steps that lead down to Freddies. He had his arms out in front of him--as they always seemed to be. Thinking back now over the 10 years I've known him--through working with him, drinking with him and generally being in his company--he always seemed to have his arms out in front of him, never by his side. Neither did he ever stoll or amble, he always walked with purpose. Everything he did, he did with meaning. This probably reflected his attitude towards life - t'was never enough to just live life, you had to enjoy instead.
The pictures and the comments on the facebook page are nice - there's little doubt that Eamonn would have detested such niceness and would not have been shy about, ahem, voicing his grumpy displeasure at such sentimentality. The pictures of you though give the game away Eamonn and you couldn't fool those who really knew you - you weren't that grumpy and you weren't that crazy. Your big smiley head in those pictures shows the real Eamonn: happy and content, with a personality so large it filled the entire Old Town. (And from what I hear, it filled Ballyduff in Co. Waterford too.)
Your like will never again be seen. And for anyone who ever met you, Lanzarote changed forever on July 16th, 2010.
Bye bye big fella.
Eamonn passed away on the 16th of July 2010. I met him for the first time 10 years ago, during the Summer of 2000 when I first moved to Lanzarote.
The first time I saw him he was striding outside the Craic towards the steps that lead down to Freddies. He had his arms out in front of him--as they always seemed to be. Thinking back now over the 10 years I've known him--through working with him, drinking with him and generally being in his company--he always seemed to have his arms out in front of him, never by his side. Neither did he ever stoll or amble, he always walked with purpose. Everything he did, he did with meaning. This probably reflected his attitude towards life - t'was never enough to just live life, you had to enjoy instead.
The pictures and the comments on the facebook page are nice - there's little doubt that Eamonn would have detested such niceness and would not have been shy about, ahem, voicing his grumpy displeasure at such sentimentality. The pictures of you though give the game away Eamonn and you couldn't fool those who really knew you - you weren't that grumpy and you weren't that crazy. Your big smiley head in those pictures shows the real Eamonn: happy and content, with a personality so large it filled the entire Old Town. (And from what I hear, it filled Ballyduff in Co. Waterford too.)
Your like will never again be seen. And for anyone who ever met you, Lanzarote changed forever on July 16th, 2010.
Bye bye big fella.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Don't get caught with unlicensed on-line travel agents
The on-line hotel booking company 1800hotels.ie filed for bankruptcy a few days ago.
This has left many holiday makers high and dry: they've paid for their hotel through this company, but they arrive at their destination to be told that the booking has been cancelled. Left with little option, people have to pay a second time for their hotel room. Now, instead of paying €600 for your room for the week, you end up paying €1,200 (or more, if your hotel reception says that €600 was a discounted internet offer and the real price is actually higher).
Hopefully, all those in this situation with 1800hotels will get their money back through their credit card companies.
This unfortunate episode really highlights the danger of using unlicensed, unbonded on-line travel agents. Before anyone resolves to never again book holidays on the internet, remember that lots of established "real-world" travel companies have on-line outlets. These will be bonded (meaning that they have deposited 'fail-safe' cash with the appropriate Government licensing body, so that if they go bust while you're abroad then there's still money there to get you back and cover your expenses).
But, how can you tell which are the unbonded "virtual" travel agents that could cause you a load of heartache if they go bust. Well, all reputable travel companies should have the license/bonded symbol on their site (usually their 'Homepage' or on their 'About Us' page). See the end of the Budget Travel website for an example of what to look out for. The letters ITAA (Irish Travel Agents Association) or ABTA (The Travel Association) should also be on the page someplace. See the bottom of the First Choice website for another example.
If you're in any doubt, contact the website company directly and ask them if they're licensed and bonded. If you don't get a reply or you're still unsure, then don't book - is it really worth the hassle of worrying about paying for your room twice just to save a few quid?
This has left many holiday makers high and dry: they've paid for their hotel through this company, but they arrive at their destination to be told that the booking has been cancelled. Left with little option, people have to pay a second time for their hotel room. Now, instead of paying €600 for your room for the week, you end up paying €1,200 (or more, if your hotel reception says that €600 was a discounted internet offer and the real price is actually higher).
Hopefully, all those in this situation with 1800hotels will get their money back through their credit card companies.
This unfortunate episode really highlights the danger of using unlicensed, unbonded on-line travel agents. Before anyone resolves to never again book holidays on the internet, remember that lots of established "real-world" travel companies have on-line outlets. These will be bonded (meaning that they have deposited 'fail-safe' cash with the appropriate Government licensing body, so that if they go bust while you're abroad then there's still money there to get you back and cover your expenses).
But, how can you tell which are the unbonded "virtual" travel agents that could cause you a load of heartache if they go bust. Well, all reputable travel companies should have the license/bonded symbol on their site (usually their 'Homepage' or on their 'About Us' page). See the end of the Budget Travel website for an example of what to look out for. The letters ITAA (Irish Travel Agents Association) or ABTA (The Travel Association) should also be on the page someplace. See the bottom of the First Choice website for another example.
If you're in any doubt, contact the website company directly and ask them if they're licensed and bonded. If you don't get a reply or you're still unsure, then don't book - is it really worth the hassle of worrying about paying for your room twice just to save a few quid?
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
10 songs every cover musician should know
"You can play what you like on your own time. When you're on my time you play what my customers like."
This was the instruction my ex-boss gave to many musicians/entertainers if they indulged themselves by playing what they liked personally rather than what the punters liked.
With this in mind, I tried to think of 10 fail-safe songs that every stage jockey should know. There are loads more I'm sure...
1. Brown-eyed Girl (Van Morrisson)
2. Mrs. Robinson (Simon & Garfunkel)
3. Hey Jude (The Beatles)
4. Delilah (Tom Jones)
5. Nancy Spain (Christy Moore)
6. Suspicious Minds (Elvis)
7. Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Bob Dylan)
8. The Wild Rover (The Dubliners)
9. Lyin' Eyes (The Eagles)
10. Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones)
So, any suggestions for other favourite Lanzarote songs?
This was the instruction my ex-boss gave to many musicians/entertainers if they indulged themselves by playing what they liked personally rather than what the punters liked.
With this in mind, I tried to think of 10 fail-safe songs that every stage jockey should know. There are loads more I'm sure...
1. Brown-eyed Girl (Van Morrisson)
2. Mrs. Robinson (Simon & Garfunkel)
3. Hey Jude (The Beatles)
4. Delilah (Tom Jones)
5. Nancy Spain (Christy Moore)
6. Suspicious Minds (Elvis)
7. Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Bob Dylan)
8. The Wild Rover (The Dubliners)
9. Lyin' Eyes (The Eagles)
10. Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones)
So, any suggestions for other favourite Lanzarote songs?
Friday, June 18, 2010
Free Guidebook to Lanzarote
From travelio.net:
The 11th edition of Lanzarote Guidebook, the in-depth island information guide, is out now. And can be downloaded fast and for free from the Lanzarote Guidebook website.
FREE GUIDEBOOK FOR EVERY VISITOR
Now all tourists visiting Lanzarote can save money and make the most of their holidays by getting their hands on a comprehensive, 96 page Guidebook to the island – entirely free of charge. By downloading a copy of the latest edition of Lanzarote Guidebook at:
http://www.lanzaroteguidebook.com/download-guidebook.php
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE - THE INSIDE GUIDE
Lanzarote Guidebook is written and published by local residents. So readers can benefit from their in-depth local knowledge, rather than wasting precious holiday time and money visiting tourist traps and enduring low quality meals in dodgy restaurants.
ALWAYS UP TO DATE
It is published every quarter, so the information in Lanzarote Guidebook is always accurate and up to date. Unlike conventional guidebooks which can often be obsolete in parts by the time they reach the bookshelves.
READER DISCOUNTS
Lanzarote Guidebook readers can also enjoy discounts at local restaurants and on some of the islands best excursions. With 10% off the price of a trip on Lanzarote´s popular Yellow Submarine available – along with a 10% discount on all meals at La Cabaña, one of the islands leading restaurants.
WHY BUY A GUIDEBOOK?
Lanzarote Guidebook contains all of the information and high quality pictures that can be found in a conventional Guidebook – but at no cost. Enabling readers to explore all of Lanzarote´s resorts and attractions, browse maps and plan their holiday before they even arrive on the island.
DELIVERED TO THE DOOR
As well as being available as a fast and free download Lanzarote Guidebook can also be delivered direct to any address in the UK at a cost of £3.59, which covers postage and packing.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Price of drinks in Puerto del Carmen
I made the following reply to a question posted recently on the Gazette forum about the price of drinks in Puerto del Carmen:
There's a big variety between different bars/restaurants, but this is a rough guide:
1. a bottle of beer , local and brand eg: budwieser
1. spanish pubs and resturants
Local bottle (Dorado, Tropical, etc.) is probably no more than €1.50 - €2. Add 50c or a €1 for Bud/Miller. Though Heineken is likely to be the same price as local bottles.
2. british/irish/european pubs and resturants
Local bottle probably €2.50 - €3. Again, add at least 50c or €1 for branded bottles, including Heineken. The cheapest price is probably the Brendan Behan in the Old Town, PDC (€2 for Bud/Heineken) and the Dubliner down towards the far end of the strip is one of the more expensive (€4.50 for a bottle of Heineken!).
3. clubs like ruta 66 etc
Similar to british/irish/european pubs. Though add another €1 for bars in Centro Atlantico, PDC. Expect to pay up to €5 for a bottle of Bud in some places around there.
2. a vodka and coke/orange/lemonade
1. spanish pubs and resturants
Local spirit/mixer = €3 - €4. Smirnoff/mixer probably not much more.
2. british/irish/european pubs and resturants
Huge range!!! From €3 for Smirnoff/mixer to €6 for local spirit/mixer in places.
3. clubs like ruta 66 etc
No less than €5, but more likely €6.
3. soft drinks
1. spanish pubs and resturants
€1 to €1.50
2. british/irish/european pubs and resturants
Anything between €1 and €2.50
3. clubs like ruta 66 etc
Around €2 - €2.50
Hope this helps. Please don't quote me on the above. It's just guesstimates in some places.
As a rule of thumb, add €1 to every drink when you move from a Spanish bar to an Irish/English bar (though not all!) and another €1 when you move to disco bars and clubs. There are exceptions obviously, such as the San Miguel bar in the harbour, which would be more expensive than some of the Irish/English bars around.
There's a big variety between different bars/restaurants, but this is a rough guide:
1. a bottle of beer , local and brand eg: budwieser
1. spanish pubs and resturants
Local bottle (Dorado, Tropical, etc.) is probably no more than €1.50 - €2. Add 50c or a €1 for Bud/Miller. Though Heineken is likely to be the same price as local bottles.
2. british/irish/european pubs and resturants
Local bottle probably €2.50 - €3. Again, add at least 50c or €1 for branded bottles, including Heineken. The cheapest price is probably the Brendan Behan in the Old Town, PDC (€2 for Bud/Heineken) and the Dubliner down towards the far end of the strip is one of the more expensive (€4.50 for a bottle of Heineken!).
3. clubs like ruta 66 etc
Similar to british/irish/european pubs. Though add another €1 for bars in Centro Atlantico, PDC. Expect to pay up to €5 for a bottle of Bud in some places around there.
2. a vodka and coke/orange/lemonade
1. spanish pubs and resturants
Local spirit/mixer = €3 - €4. Smirnoff/mixer probably not much more.
2. british/irish/european pubs and resturants
Huge range!!! From €3 for Smirnoff/mixer to €6 for local spirit/mixer in places.
3. clubs like ruta 66 etc
No less than €5, but more likely €6.
3. soft drinks
1. spanish pubs and resturants
€1 to €1.50
2. british/irish/european pubs and resturants
Anything between €1 and €2.50
3. clubs like ruta 66 etc
Around €2 - €2.50
Hope this helps. Please don't quote me on the above. It's just guesstimates in some places.
As a rule of thumb, add €1 to every drink when you move from a Spanish bar to an Irish/English bar (though not all!) and another €1 when you move to disco bars and clubs. There are exceptions obviously, such as the San Miguel bar in the harbour, which would be more expensive than some of the Irish/English bars around.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Lanzarote stress levels and the island's rumour mill
Providing a service to the public is hard work.
Providing a service to members of the public who are intoxicated is very hard work.
Providing a service to drunken holiday-makers, many of whom assume everyone on the island is out to steal their money, is extremely hard work.
But such is the lot of many ex-pats who serve drinks (and food) to holiday-makers. For every nice couple this ex-barman met, there seemed to five others demanding more beer beside them.
Let's not get into a woe-was-me lament though - that wouldn't be nice and it would be boring to boot. Instead, I state these facts (opinion?) solely in order to give some context as to what being a bar-person is really like in Lanzarote.
You need to de-stress after work and the most popular way to do this is to go for a drink (or eight) and have a whinge about holiday-makers, fellow staff, family, friends, the pope and anyone else who's unfortunate enough to pop into your head.
Add to this the fact that Lanzarote is a small place. And the ex-pat community is smaller still. Hence, nearly everyone knows everyone else. This means you end up giving out about people you know, (for the most part anyway - there are some who rise above this pastime).
The very nature of the place implies rumours, stress and drinking to excess.
My advice? Rise above it, if you can at all. If you can't, then at least try to behave and don't give people too much to talk about.
Providing a service to members of the public who are intoxicated is very hard work.
Providing a service to drunken holiday-makers, many of whom assume everyone on the island is out to steal their money, is extremely hard work.
But such is the lot of many ex-pats who serve drinks (and food) to holiday-makers. For every nice couple this ex-barman met, there seemed to five others demanding more beer beside them.
Let's not get into a woe-was-me lament though - that wouldn't be nice and it would be boring to boot. Instead, I state these facts (opinion?) solely in order to give some context as to what being a bar-person is really like in Lanzarote.
You need to de-stress after work and the most popular way to do this is to go for a drink (or eight) and have a whinge about holiday-makers, fellow staff, family, friends, the pope and anyone else who's unfortunate enough to pop into your head.
Add to this the fact that Lanzarote is a small place. And the ex-pat community is smaller still. Hence, nearly everyone knows everyone else. This means you end up giving out about people you know, (for the most part anyway - there are some who rise above this pastime).
The very nature of the place implies rumours, stress and drinking to excess.
My advice? Rise above it, if you can at all. If you can't, then at least try to behave and don't give people too much to talk about.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Better Internet connection in Lanzarote
Seems there's going to be better broadband connectivity on the island early next year, with new cabling being laid between Cadiz and the Canaries:
http://www.totaltele.com/view.aspx?ID=455434
Hopefully, more stable Internet connections will lead to better quality Skype calls and the like to friends and family back in the UK and Ireland.
http://www.totaltele.com/view.aspx?ID=455434
Hopefully, more stable Internet connections will lead to better quality Skype calls and the like to friends and family back in the UK and Ireland.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Five pubs worth a visit in Puerto del Carmen
You can’t sunbathe at night. And you can’t sit in a restaurant for the night after you’ve finished your dinner. The weather and the food: that’s two of Lanzarote’s big attractions out of the way then. So, what to do in Lanzarote after 10.00pm of an evening?
Well, you can go back to your apartment for an early night. If you like. But more likely, you’ll head for a drink to round off the day. So, next question: Where to go? There are plenty of options. In reality, there are too many pubs, really. So, what to do? Sure, ask for a recommendation!
Here then is a list, in no particular order, of five watering holes that visitors to Lanzarote would enjoy.
Monday – The Bodhran
The Bodhran is one of the oldest and most genuine of the Irish bars in Lanzarote. Open nearly 15 years now, neither the bar nor its owners Kay, Willie and Linda have changed much in that time and their welcome is still as warm as ever.
The bar holds about 30-40 people when it’s full, but I think the record attendance was set at around 100-ish on a Sunday afternoon years ago when the Bodhran was one of the only places you could catch the GAA matches on the island.
No matter what time of day or night you wander in, there’s always someone to have a chat to.
Most likely to hear: “Cork for the All-Ireland!”
Least likely to hear: “I wish Aer Lingus would stop all their flights out of Cork.”
Where is it? 50 yards up from the main beach road in the New Town, on Calle Anzuelo. Stand outside the Dos Mil supermarket and look up the side-road there.
===
Tuesday - The Green Door
Perhaps a strange choice for a bar-worth-an-hour-of-your-holiday-time, but the Green Door is a must for anyone who wants to see a real Canarian bar. Populated by locals with the odd ex-pat thrown in for good measure, the Green Door is a hub of activity with Spanish football, dominos and cards discussed in the only way the Canarians know how: loudly and faux-angrily.
The bar might not actually be called the Green Door at all, but it’s this feature that has given the place its name.
Most likely to hear: “Lynx no es barrato, verdad.” (Deodorant is not cheap, I’m tellin’ ya.)
Least likely to hear: “Mucho parfumo caro esta noche” (There’s a wicked smell of expensive perfume here tonight.)
Where is it? 20 yards up from the crossroads in the Old Town, on the right-hand-side.
===
Wednesday - The Hawaiian Bar
The Hawaiian Bar is not always on the radar of UK and Irish holidaymakers, but if you’re after a chilled out atmosphere and a few drinks to watch the world go by, then this is a good spot.
Gently globed candles on the table and Bob Marley on the stereo set the tone in the Hawaiian. There’s also the small matter of the cocktails on offer and the elaborate decoration of the glasses they arrive in.
If you want something far removed from the stereotypical Irish and British bars in Puerto del Carmen, and you like candles, Marley and cocktails, then check out the Hawaiian some night.
Most likely to hear: “Chill mon”
Least likely to hear: “The Nasdaq closed up 3 percentage points today”.
Where is it? Walk from Centro Atlantico, down the main beach road, towards the San Antonio hotel. The bar is on the right-hand-side, just before a major road junction on the left.
===
Thursday - San Miguel Bar
Loud, fashionable and full of beautiful Spanish folk, the San Miguel in the harbour is where you go to strut your stuff on a night out in the Old Town. That’s if you feel like strutting your stuff, of course.
There’s a live DJ every night (a real one, not the barman-stroke-DJ you get in many places) and when he’s not watching every woman in the place he changes the music and turns it louder with each passing song.
Say it quietly, but the Heineken bar next door is similar to the San Miguel, but it just never has the same cool atmosphere.
Most likely to hear: Loud salsa music.
Least likely to hear: “This place is sooo relaxing.”
Where is it? Walk down to the harbour. Stand where the men play bowls and look up to the right.
===
Friday - The Brendan Behan
In the form of Eamonn behind the bar, the Brendan Behan has its very own lyrical Irishman. Indeed, he has also been known to take a drop of the hard stuff on occasion.
The Behan originally opened beside the Biosfera shopping centre, but relocated to the La Hoya a few years back. The extra space in the Behan’s new home meant owner Mick could finally get all his guitars out from under the bed and give them a new home.
There’s live music every night and the low drink prices means your pocket won’t feel too empty after a night out.
Most likely to hear: “Bloody hell, that’s cheap.”
Least likely to hear: “Bloody hell, that’s expensive.”
Where is it? Walk into the La Hoya centre at the crossroads in the Old Town, past the surf shop on the corner. Turn to the right at the corner just past the Blarney Stone.
===
Not quite Ronnie Drew’s seven drunken nights, but certainly heading in that direction…
Well, you can go back to your apartment for an early night. If you like. But more likely, you’ll head for a drink to round off the day. So, next question: Where to go? There are plenty of options. In reality, there are too many pubs, really. So, what to do? Sure, ask for a recommendation!
Here then is a list, in no particular order, of five watering holes that visitors to Lanzarote would enjoy.
Monday – The Bodhran
The Bodhran is one of the oldest and most genuine of the Irish bars in Lanzarote. Open nearly 15 years now, neither the bar nor its owners Kay, Willie and Linda have changed much in that time and their welcome is still as warm as ever.
The bar holds about 30-40 people when it’s full, but I think the record attendance was set at around 100-ish on a Sunday afternoon years ago when the Bodhran was one of the only places you could catch the GAA matches on the island.
No matter what time of day or night you wander in, there’s always someone to have a chat to.
Most likely to hear: “Cork for the All-Ireland!”
Least likely to hear: “I wish Aer Lingus would stop all their flights out of Cork.”
Where is it? 50 yards up from the main beach road in the New Town, on Calle Anzuelo. Stand outside the Dos Mil supermarket and look up the side-road there.
===
Tuesday - The Green Door
Perhaps a strange choice for a bar-worth-an-hour-of-your-holiday-time, but the Green Door is a must for anyone who wants to see a real Canarian bar. Populated by locals with the odd ex-pat thrown in for good measure, the Green Door is a hub of activity with Spanish football, dominos and cards discussed in the only way the Canarians know how: loudly and faux-angrily.
The bar might not actually be called the Green Door at all, but it’s this feature that has given the place its name.
Most likely to hear: “Lynx no es barrato, verdad.” (Deodorant is not cheap, I’m tellin’ ya.)
Least likely to hear: “Mucho parfumo caro esta noche” (There’s a wicked smell of expensive perfume here tonight.)
Where is it? 20 yards up from the crossroads in the Old Town, on the right-hand-side.
===
Wednesday - The Hawaiian Bar
The Hawaiian Bar is not always on the radar of UK and Irish holidaymakers, but if you’re after a chilled out atmosphere and a few drinks to watch the world go by, then this is a good spot.
Gently globed candles on the table and Bob Marley on the stereo set the tone in the Hawaiian. There’s also the small matter of the cocktails on offer and the elaborate decoration of the glasses they arrive in.
If you want something far removed from the stereotypical Irish and British bars in Puerto del Carmen, and you like candles, Marley and cocktails, then check out the Hawaiian some night.
Most likely to hear: “Chill mon”
Least likely to hear: “The Nasdaq closed up 3 percentage points today”.
Where is it? Walk from Centro Atlantico, down the main beach road, towards the San Antonio hotel. The bar is on the right-hand-side, just before a major road junction on the left.
===
Thursday - San Miguel Bar
Loud, fashionable and full of beautiful Spanish folk, the San Miguel in the harbour is where you go to strut your stuff on a night out in the Old Town. That’s if you feel like strutting your stuff, of course.
There’s a live DJ every night (a real one, not the barman-stroke-DJ you get in many places) and when he’s not watching every woman in the place he changes the music and turns it louder with each passing song.
Say it quietly, but the Heineken bar next door is similar to the San Miguel, but it just never has the same cool atmosphere.
Most likely to hear: Loud salsa music.
Least likely to hear: “This place is sooo relaxing.”
Where is it? Walk down to the harbour. Stand where the men play bowls and look up to the right.
===
Friday - The Brendan Behan
In the form of Eamonn behind the bar, the Brendan Behan has its very own lyrical Irishman. Indeed, he has also been known to take a drop of the hard stuff on occasion.
The Behan originally opened beside the Biosfera shopping centre, but relocated to the La Hoya a few years back. The extra space in the Behan’s new home meant owner Mick could finally get all his guitars out from under the bed and give them a new home.
There’s live music every night and the low drink prices means your pocket won’t feel too empty after a night out.
Most likely to hear: “Bloody hell, that’s cheap.”
Least likely to hear: “Bloody hell, that’s expensive.”
Where is it? Walk into the La Hoya centre at the crossroads in the Old Town, past the surf shop on the corner. Turn to the right at the corner just past the Blarney Stone.
===
Not quite Ronnie Drew’s seven drunken nights, but certainly heading in that direction…
Monday, April 12, 2010
Good news for Lanzarote property estate agents
A flood of Irish people are looking to buy property in Lanzarote, according to yesterday's (11/04/2010) Sunday Tribune:
http://www.tribune.ie/property/article/2010/apr/11/sun-and-moon-guaranteed/
The article claims that:
The majority are planning a permanent home, as opposed to a holiday pad.
"This is quite a new thing – before this we hadn't really had people enquiring about the island in terms of a complete lifestyle change as is often the pattern in the UK. But now there is an attitude of 'enough is enough' in relation to the gloomy economic situation at home."
A nice plug for Lanzarote in a national Sunday newspaper, if nothing else.
http://www.tribune.ie/property/article/2010/apr/11/sun-and-moon-guaranteed/
The article claims that:
The majority are planning a permanent home, as opposed to a holiday pad.
"This is quite a new thing – before this we hadn't really had people enquiring about the island in terms of a complete lifestyle change as is often the pattern in the UK. But now there is an attitude of 'enough is enough' in relation to the gloomy economic situation at home."
A nice plug for Lanzarote in a national Sunday newspaper, if nothing else.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Nudists and naturism in Lanzarote
When they walk into a pub/restaurant of an evening, you just know to look at some people that they were stark naked in Papagayo a few hours earlier.
And it's not the great tan or lack of strap marks that gives it away. Rather, it's the big grins on their face that fail to hide the fact that they feel duur-tier (great Oirish word!) and sexier than they usually do (back in Oslo, Frankfurt, Croyden, Wexford, or wherever it is they hail from).
I've never seen the great attraction in it myself, but I can appreciate that others find the whole idea of being naked in public (-ish) places absolutely invigorating (hence, the big grins, one imagines). There's something of an exhibitionist tendency to it, for me. If you've got something to show off, then great. But from what I gather, those mostly middle-aged couples who do let it all hang out, often have too much to let hang out - images of sagging bellies and boobs on both the women and the men spring to mind, unfortunately.
Thankfully for those of us who don't like such sights, Papagayo is not someplace you happen across easily, (nor is it exclusively for naturists). Indeed, you have to kinda go out of your way to get to the beach there.
What's not so out of the way though is a village - whose name mysteriously escapes me now (!) - in the middle (north?) of the island; where, I've been reliably informed, people can let it all hang out wherever they like. Shops, walking down the street, even bars and restaurants apparently are cool with the naturist thing. Many's the unsuspecting tourist has supposedly happened upon this clothes-free zone, only to be struck blind for all eternity by the god-less creatures therein with their willies and fionnulas on show for all to see.
But before anyone gets excited and sets out to find this place, I should state that it might be just an urban legend. Or it might be a story for the day that's in it.
Or it might all be true...
My advice? Don't take a chance and drop your keks the next time you're in Tahiche in the hope that you're in the right place. Head for Papagayo and get the all-over tan sorted first!
And it's not the great tan or lack of strap marks that gives it away. Rather, it's the big grins on their face that fail to hide the fact that they feel duur-tier (great Oirish word!) and sexier than they usually do (back in Oslo, Frankfurt, Croyden, Wexford, or wherever it is they hail from).
I've never seen the great attraction in it myself, but I can appreciate that others find the whole idea of being naked in public (-ish) places absolutely invigorating (hence, the big grins, one imagines). There's something of an exhibitionist tendency to it, for me. If you've got something to show off, then great. But from what I gather, those mostly middle-aged couples who do let it all hang out, often have too much to let hang out - images of sagging bellies and boobs on both the women and the men spring to mind, unfortunately.
Thankfully for those of us who don't like such sights, Papagayo is not someplace you happen across easily, (nor is it exclusively for naturists). Indeed, you have to kinda go out of your way to get to the beach there.
What's not so out of the way though is a village - whose name mysteriously escapes me now (!) - in the middle (north?) of the island; where, I've been reliably informed, people can let it all hang out wherever they like. Shops, walking down the street, even bars and restaurants apparently are cool with the naturist thing. Many's the unsuspecting tourist has supposedly happened upon this clothes-free zone, only to be struck blind for all eternity by the god-less creatures therein with their willies and fionnulas on show for all to see.
But before anyone gets excited and sets out to find this place, I should state that it might be just an urban legend. Or it might be a story for the day that's in it.
Or it might all be true...
My advice? Don't take a chance and drop your keks the next time you're in Tahiche in the hope that you're in the right place. Head for Papagayo and get the all-over tan sorted first!
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