I woke up this morning with the view of a looming volcano ahead. We are at Los Zocos Club Resort the Spanish island of Lanzarote. Although we’re not on the seafront, our balcony opens up to a view of the estate’s pool and a towering volcano in the background. Not bad at all.
Our resort stands right in the tourist heart of Costa Teguise, where typical white-and-green island architecture are transformed into neon-lit souvenir shops and English pubs. Inspite of it, I’m surprised by how homely our cozy unit at Los Zocos is.
It can easily pass off for an apartment, with kitchen and living area attached and a whole string of equipment like stove, microwave and dining table. The day we arrived, I whiled away my afternoon sitting out in the balcony, reading a book under the sun. Talk about relaxing.
Where Nature and Art Coexist
Starting off with an early morning the next day, we drove northwards to follow the footsteps of César Manrique. An iconic architect/artist from the Canary Islands (a group of isles belonging to Spain but located along the coast of West Africa) with equal fame and status as Gaudi and Miró, César’s artwork is scattered all over the isle.
A tiny volcanic island with hilly emerald peaks, deep valleys and surrounding dark blue sea, you can easily mistake Lanzarote for Hawaii or Costa Rica. But what sets it apart is how it combines nature and art so immaculately they coexist as one. César is one such artist who believes strongly in that – his artistic philosophy lies in integrating architecture into natural landscape with minimal intervention. We traipsed his steps, visiting his brilliant architectonic works in the northern part of Lanzarote.
Jameos del Agua
The jameo (an opening in the ground) was formed by the eruption of La Corona Volcano. César gave this work of nature his personal touch, adding a modern twist to an untouched surrounding. Previously a volcanic tunnel, the jameo was formed when the roof of the tunnel collapsed over time.
Within the enclave, a natural lake with extraordinarily clear waters, is the main attraction. A bar is set up around the lake, with fine dining and traditional dance performance available at night. The Jameo Grande at the end of the walkway features an exotic garden where palms and cactus cast their shadows over a watercolour blue pool.
LagOmar
The previous home of famous actor Omar Sharif is another brilliant masterpiece by César and his partner, Jésus Soto. The white-washed villa is built into the rocky cliffs of Nazaret, where the volcanic walls and gorgeous decor blend smoothly.
The artist makes use of spaces creatively, carving an oasis-like setting with luscious palms, magical tunnels and patio. We sat at the outdoor bar, staring up at the volcanic home ahead – a unique piece of creation.
Jardín de Cactus
With hundreds of species of cactus gracing the grounds of this garden, César again artfully assembles them amidst natural volcanic rocks and sprinkling lakes atop stepped terraces.
The audacious architectonic formation astounds even novices like myself. Atop the traditional windmill that stands above the garden, we soaked in a panoramic view of the sunset over a horizon of cactus, plunging volcanoes and the ocean in the far distance.
With a dreamy ending to our day of exploration, we trudged back to our abode at Los Zocos, where our home away home awaits.
Disclaimer: My current six-day stay in Lanzarote is hosted by Los Zocos Club Resort and Hotels4u.com.
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Los Zocos Club Resort offers all-inclusive packages with a variety of facilities suitable for couples and families. Just 500m from the beach, it’s located in Costa Teguise, one of the calmer towns on the island. Expect tranquility, nature and fun. If you’re heading to Lanzarote, here’s a list of top Lanzarote hotels.
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That bar looks like a cool place to sit down and enjoy a drink. And what a place. I couldn’t imagine how I would feel living in a volcanic home.
Yes Amy, I was dreaming of having a home of my own just like that. It was almost like a modern-day caveman refuge.