The Purple Penguin

Yesterday got up had breakfast and then headed for the nifty cliff lift and the saltwater pool They lie when they say it’s heated. But we swam. Well, I eased in, squawked, then swam. Then lay in the sun for a bit, then swam again. That water is cold! We stayed there most of the morning and instead of a G&T by the pool we had a hot chocolate. Did I say the water was cold?

Then it was dinner at one of the restaurants – Tasco Fandango. We had a nice dinner, with a local Canary wine and Andalusian beer for Joe.

Today was even lazier. We went for a walk along the cliff to the next bay (Playa de Tapachuga). We saw a pair of kestrals – one was sitting on a post a ways off and the other flying about. Saw another raptor but too far to identify. In fact, wasn’t sure about the kestrals, but more on that later. We walked back along the road and glad we did because I have now seen hoopoes! Could hear them calling and then one just flew up and posed, then another one. Lovely birds. Also have seen green finches (maybe) and island canaries. Get to hear them singing outside the room all day. And then saw the same sort of raptor sitting on a post outside the parking area of the hotel so got a much better look and thought ‘yep kestral’. Then it flew off. And we followed. Straight to our room where it was sitting outside like ‘is this close enough then?’ and definitely close enough and definitely kestral. So that was nifty.

I sat and read for the rest of the day while Joe headed out to the main pool (I was still cold from yesterday). Joe said that pool was as cold. So a rather relaxing day for me while Joe froze!