Surf Lakes Gold Coast have some news. The Gold Coast-based artificial wave park creator is edging closer to bringing its “5 Waves” surf technology to the Gold Coast. This is after signing an agreement with a group who have land suitable for the development of a Surf Lakes facility. The site location is still confidential, but the good news is that this project is going in the right direction. A team of town planners, architects and specialist consultants are currently being engaged to make the build happen.
The Perfect Wave
There’s no arguing that we have the best beaches in the world at the Gold Coast. However, some days the surf can be flat or just too wild. So the idea behind this surfing theme park is to have guaranteed perfect waves, every day.
Said co-founder and director, Reuben Buchanan, “After an exhaustive search, we are positive that this is the right site and location, plus the site owner shares our enthusiasm of bringing this project to life. Our vision is to build a world-class facility for recreation surfing and training that suits all surf craft – not just short boards.”
Surf Lakes Gold Coast = An experimental prototype facility in Yeppoon has shown great promise
Surf Lakes Gold Coast – Features
Ambassador for the company Mark “Occy” Occhilupo is equally enthusiastic. “The Gold Coast is screaming out for a something like this,” said the 1999 world champion. “Surf Lakes is ideal because it has perfect waves for every level of surfer. It will be huge for the thousands of surfers who live here, as well as visitors who will be able to surf perfect waves without relying on the ocean.”
When built, the facility will feature:
-Eight separate breaks – four left breaking and four right breaking
-Five levels of waves at the same time: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert and Pro
-Wave-face heights from 0.5 metres for beginners, to over 2.4 metres for expert surfers
-Guaranteed offshore conditions at all times, regardless of wind direction
-Five second hollow barrels at the premier break (both left and right)
-A heavy slab for expert surfers and bodyboarders
-Ride lengths ranging from six seconds for the slab style wave, up to 14 seconds for the two-point break style waves
-Throughput capacity of up to 160 surfers per hour (including learners)
-The ability to cater for the “after work hours crew” via night surfing
-Capacity to host major events for all surf craft plus events for broader action water sports.
Mark Occhilupo tries out the never-ending perfect wave.
The Perfect Location
With an estimated 2.5 million recreational surfers, Australia has amongst the highest ratio of surfers in the world per capita. Surf Lakes Gold Coast is aiming to attract more surfers from within Australia, which will help to boost local tourism and jobs. It will also deliver a range of economic and community benefits such as high-performance surf training programs, school surfing programs, adaptive surfing opportunities, indigenous focused surf programs and more.
Surf Lakes hopes to start construction in early 2021. It is expected the project will be completed and open to the public within nine to 12 months after first soil is turned. ■
In the meantime, there are other adventures to investigate on the Coast. See below!
There is an extremely endangered tree that only exists in a tiny part of the Gold Coast. With just 121 adult trees remaining, it is so rare, it is at crisis point! Nature warrior David Cuschieri explains the situation and how you can help.
The Ormeau bottle tree, the Gold Coast’s very own tree, is found nowhere else on earth. It is a seriously endangered tree. There are only 121 mature individuals existing in the wild. They are so rare that they only live in a space that’s just one square kilometre in size! And they are found nowhere else on the planet!
Currently, some dedicated Gold Coast residents are trying to bring the Ormeau bottle tree back from the brink of extinction. These organisations desperately need a whole slew of volunteers.
An old specimen of Ormeau bottle tree in Kingsholme.
The Backstory
There is a fascinating world beyond the glitter strip to explore. The hinterland with its World-Heritage-listed national parks makes the Gold Coast one of the most bio-diverse region in Australia. It has more than 1,800 plant species. Of these, 93 of are listed as endangered, vulnerable, or rare. On this rare list is the critically endangered Ormeau bottle tree.
Leaves from the old specimen in Kingsholme. Notice the oval shaped leaves are very different to the leaves of younger trees.
Gold Coast’s Iconic Ormeau Bottle Tree
Unlike our iconic cute and cuddly animal species, our unique and interesting plants often go unnoticed by most of the population. Yet they are just as special and deserve our awareness and protection. The Ormeau bottle tree is so rare that it only grows in the Upper Pimpama and Albert River Catchments of the Darlington Range. We need to keep an eye on this endangered tree.
While the entire population consists of just 121 adult trees, there is hope. There are approximately 560 juveniles. These numbers are according to Paul Donatiu and Liz Gould from Healthy Land and Water. In 2019, they surveyed the health of the population and conducted a series of habitat mapping across private and public land. This is a positive sign. It is believed that birds are spreading the seeds, and the endangered tree is beginning to expand its range.
This magnificent tree was rescued from a development site and moved to the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens in 2009
Habitat
The mature individuals of this dry rainforest tree have a distinctive canopy. They grow in riparian rainforest, occurring near small streams, deep gullies, and rocky gorges. Here in these moist pockets or refugia areas, they are protected from the threat of fire and extended dry periods. They prefer undisturbed rainforest habitats with few weeds.
The Ormeau bottle tree, or Brachychiton sp. Ormeau is thought to live for over 100 years. It grows to a height of 25 metres and has glossy leaves which are usually elliptical and 12-20cm long. I myself have grown Ormeau bottle trees and the juvenile trees have narrow leaves with 5-9 lobes. The very young leaves start out as distinctive pink starfish-shaped gloss leaves and the smaller leaves start out a deep crimson in colour.
The very first shoots of a young specimen I have been growing with its crimson starfish-like hairy leaves.
The crimson leaves turn light green after a few days and as they grow they turn a darker shade of green.
What to Look For
Paul Donatiu and Liz Gould have observed that trees growing in moist protected environments grow straight and tall. Those that were out in the open exhibited more of the distinctive swollen, bottle-like trunk appearance. They added that the species was not formally described until the 1990s, when it was discovered to be a new distinctive species.
One of the distinguishing features that made it unique was the numerous greenish-white bell-shaped flowers that grow at the end of branches. Other species of bottle tree don’t have flowers of this colour.
After a long wait, the critically endangered Brachychiton sp.Ormeau at the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens was in bloom late 2019. The flowers produced seeds, helping to conserve the tree. Credit K. Heffernan.
Threats
Because of its low population and being found in such a small restricted area, the Ormeau bottle tree faces many threats for its very survival. The main threats are extractive industry, invasion of habitat by weeds, lack of genetic diversity and changing climate.
With such a small and restricted population combined with the likelihood of extended periods of drought and dry conditions, these juvenile trees are at risk of more frequent fires. These long-lived trees take over 20 years to reach sexual maturity. It is plausible that a single fire event could wipe out the entire juvenile population.
The good news is that now the Ormeau bottle tree is protected under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992. This means all efforts must be made to conserve individual trees and their habitat. Permits are required to collect seeds and cuttings.
A mature specimen growing in a moist rainforest environment along the Pimpama River in Kingsholme
What Is Being Done To Save Them?
Just under a year ago at Boral Park in Kingsholme, Healthy Land and Water launched the Ormeau Bottle Tree Project. It was built on existing and long-standing collaborations and activity by local community groups. These included North East Albert Landcare and Friends of Ormeau Bottle Tree and land managers from the City of Gold Coast, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Boral and Holcim.
Chatting with Sue Durance from North East Albert Landcare, I discovered that this group has been instrumental in the Ormeau Bottle Tree Project undertaking the ‘on the ground ‘work for this project. In conjunction with Healthy Land & Water they identified properties which contained naturally occurring bottle trees. They then carried out fire and weed control and revegetation activities to encourage natural revegetation and the potential for natural recruitment.
North East Albert Landcare restoring Ormeau bottle tree ecosystem.
A Challenging Future
Most recently NE Albert Landcare has been provided with funding through the Communities for Environment Program to continue this work to protect and conserve the Ormeau bottle tree. Sue added that the surrounding area where the Ormeau bottle tree occurs is rich in biodiversity and contains some other very rare and endangered plant species.
The Ormeau bottle tree has a challenging future, however, with individuals and organisations working together, this Gold Coast natural treasure may well be saved from the brink of extinction. It’s heartening to know that with the passion, dedication and energy of many people, this Gold Coast botanical gem is in good hands. If you, like me, have become obsessed with this unique Gold Coast botanical treasure and are interested in learning more or getting involved in its conservation, then here are some ideas.
Visit A Rare Tree
There are a few Ormeau bottle trees planted in public areas that are easily accessible and where you can see these beauties in the flesh.
Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens.
This specimen is over 8 metres high. You’ll be able to see what the mature leaves look like. If you are lucky you may get the chance to see it in flower.
The Botanic Gardens Friends volunteer guides lead walks around several endangered species. There is also a self-guided endangered plant trail. Visitors can pick up a trail map at the Friends Centre between 10-2 every day.
Gold Coast Historical Museum
You can visit ‘Arthur’ the Ormeau bottle tree sapling at the Gold Coast Historical Museum at 8 Elliott Street, Surfers Paradise. Arthur was named after a Gold Coast koala. This reminds us that when we all work together for a common cause, even our precious koalas can be saved from population decline and ultimately extinction. There is currently an opportunity for an individual, organisation or business to sponsor this rare and endangered tree if you are quick! Please contact the Museum if you are interested.
Griffith University Gold Coast Campus
You can also stop in at the Griffith University Gold Coast Campus. Each year, Catherine Pickering, the Professor of Botany from the Griffith School of Environment holds the Rare and Threatened Plant Walk on the Gold Coast campus. This is to highlight both the beauty and fragility of native plants in the region. On this walk you will be able to discover several Ormeau bottle trees planted on the grounds.
One of multiple Ormeau bottle trees growing in the rare and endangered plant collection at the Griffith University Gold Coast Campus.
For those who can’t make the annual walk, an interactive tour is also available year-round at the Gold Coast campus starting at the Red Zone in G40. An existing app, Grows at Griffith, is also available to make it easier to identify native plants on the campus. Griffith University encourages visitors to come visit their campus.
How to Follow the Issue
Join the Facebook Friends of Ormeau Bottle Tree for news and future events. You can also donate your time. North East Albert Landcare Group wants you to join up and get your hands in the dirt with outdoor activities to restore habitat for this species. You can also donate your cash. Email: s.durance@bigpond.com
The Watergum not-for-profit organisation helps the community engage in real, on-ground work to restore, maintain and protect the natural environment. Go to their website at watergum.org to learn more about their events, citizen science, workshops and events. ■
Author
David Cuschieri with Bailey the orphaned brushtail possum
DAVID CUSCHIERI is a Gold Coast resident with a keen interest in our unique wildlife and natural environment and their conservation. As well as fighting for an endangered tree, he’s also a koala campaigner. With his wife Heidi, they are Wildcare volunteer koala rescuers, having attended over 100 rescues in 2019 alone. In late 2019 he launched Koalas On The Green, a pilot program at Arundel Hills Country Club which was auspiced by Gecko Environment Council and funded by a Federal Communities Environment grant.
The goal has been to help enhance and extend habitat and food sources for Gold Coast urban koalas on golf courses. Golf courses are often the largest privately owned tracts of land in our suburbs and they provide valuable habitat, food sources and ‘koala superhighways’ for koalas to travel safely through a suburb and reduce the threat of vehicle strikes or dog encounters. To learn more about this project go to Koalas On The Green on Facebook.
JELLYFISH BLOOMS are on the rise. Overfishing decreases the numbers of jellyfish competitors. But also, jellyfish adore the rising water temperatures and increasing ocean acidification.
Jellyfish in Australia can sting us. Painfully. When they bloom out of control, we can get more serious problems than getting stung while swimming. Jellyfish blooms can disrupt fishing boats, break nets, they can clog engines, and affect other species. And, it isn’t just Australia that has a problem with these floating blobs. Jellyfish blooms have already destroyed entire fish farms in Europe. They have even blocked cooling systems of power stations near the coast.
Jellyfish Blooms Be Gone!
A German project, called GoJelly, would like to transform problematic jellyfish into a resource. One idea is to use the jellyfish to battle another, man-made threat. Studies have shown that the mucus from jellyfish can catch microplastic that currently is a polluting scourge in the oceans.
Jellyfish are being used to catch microplastics
GoJelly are developing a filter from the mucus of jellyfish that will capture microplastics from household products. It will prevent the microplastic from entering the marine ecosystem. Microplastics come from fleece sweaters, the breakdown of plastic products or from cosmetics and other modern products.
Other Uses
Jellyfish can also be used as fertiliser for agriculture or as aquaculture feed. Said the GoJelly team, “Fish in fish farms are currently fed with captured wild fish, which does not reduce the problem of overfishing. Jellyfish as feed would be much more sustainable and would protect natural fish stocks.”
Another option is using jellyfish as food for humans. In some countries, jellyfish is already on the menu. As long as the end product is no longer slimy, it could also gain greater general acceptance.
Finally, jellyfish contain collagen, a substance very much sought after in the cosmetics industry. The GoJelly team are seeing the jellyfish overpopulation problem as a potential problem solver. The answer is drifting right in front of us. Watch this space! ■
When it comes to luxury brands, the ruder the sales staff, the better the sales. This is according to research from the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business.
Consumers who get the brush-off at a high-end retailer can become more willing to purchase and wear pricey clothing. “It appears that snobbiness might actually be a qualification worth considering for luxury brands like Louis Vuitton or Gucci,” says Sauder Marketing Professor Darren Dahl. “Our research indicates they can end up having a similar effect to an ‘in-group’ in high school that others aspire to join.”
For the study, participants imagined or had interactions with sales representatives – rude or not. They then rated their feelings about associated brands and their desire to own them.
Participants who expressed an aspiration to be associated with high-end brands also reported an increased desire to own the luxury products after being treated poorly. The effect only held true if the salesperson appeared to be an authentic representative of the brand. If they did not fit the part, the consumer was turned off.
“Our study shows you’ve got to be the right kind of snob in the right kind of store for the effect to work,” says Dahl. ■
Want to Optimise Sales Performance?
Companies can improve sales performance when they give more generous commissions to salespeople. This is more cost-effective than offering consumers discount pricing.
The new research was conducted by and Tat Chan and Raphael Thomadsen, both of Washington University in St. Louis. It focused on automotive sales at the dealership level.
Said Thomadsen, “The selling process is structurally modelled as a joint decision that involves two parties. The consumer makes the final decision. But the sales representative’s decision of how much service effort to invest in each product also influences the consumer’s choice. Sales representatives and their incentivisation through commissions has a powerful impact on sales performance. Our findings shed some light on how companies can strike the right balance to optimise sales.”
So think about better commissions for your salespeople, rather than discounts for your customers, next time you want to shift some products! ■
Get ’em While They’re Hot
Picture this: The sales are happening! Eager shoppers are lunging for the pile of shoes that are disappearing fastest, on the theory that those shoes are the best deal. They may not be the best deal, but the frenzy drives the sales.
This idea has led researchers from Monash University’s Business School to study this concept further. They say retailers should provide real-time cues about the number of items sold and current levels of stock. This kind of sales information is very easy to display in a retail environment or online.
In one study, participants were asked to decide between two unfamiliar but identically priced books. When sales levels were shown, the book displayed as having sold more was chosen 89 percent of the time. And when the stock level was displayed, the book showing fewer copies left was chosen 74 percent of the time. When sales and stock information were both presented, the book with higher sales and also fewer copies remaining was chosen 84 percent of the time.
So if you are a retailer, remember: Displaying sales and stock level information is an effective tool to influence consumers. ■
Café Hoggers are Bad for Business
Café conquerors are using gadgets and personal items like bags to hog café territory for hours. This is proving to be bad for business, as it scares other customers away because there is nowhere for them to sit.
The “plugged-in” customers are grabbing extra seats, counter space and tabletops by using mobile phones, laptops, bags and cups of coffee to keep other customers away from “their space.” This is seriously denting café profits, according to marketing professors Merlyn Griffiths and Mary Gilly, in the Journal of Service Research.
Solution?
The trend is forcing baristas to post signs limiting seating time. Some shops go so far as to limit access to wifi. However, by using hotspots, the café hoggers are free to flout the rules. A $5 cappuccino effectively buys a workstation for the afternoon. A single customer can turn a four-person table into a makeshift office for one.
So how can café owners discourage this behaviour so that other customers aren’t scared away? If you own a café and you are considering a refurb, then think about an interior design that discourages café hoggers.
Or create an out-of-the-way space for remote workers where they don’t hinder sales from other types of customers. Let’s outsmart the hoggers without them knowing! Happy selling, café owners!■
Pool overhaul time. Have you been a little less than happy with the look or function of your pool lately? Starting to wonder if it might be time for a remodel? We are here to help you make that decision.
Like any other feature of your home, there will eventually come a time when your own private artificial lake needs a face-lift or an upgrade. Here are the 5 most common signs that it’s time for repair or renovations!
Pool time! Winter schmzinter… get your face wet!
1 Your Pool has Cracks or Other Signs of Damage
If unseemly cracks or peeling are keeping you from enjoying your pool fully, you may want to consider a lining repair or re-tiling. An expert can evaluate the damage and tell you if it’s merely an aesthetic problem, or if it possibly has underlying safety or long-term quality reduction issues. Damage such as this sometimes leads people to decide it’s a good time for a total overhaul, while others choose to undergo minor repairs.
2 You’re Unhappy With the Appearance
If your pool was installed or updated over a decade ago, you’ll probably start noticing that it’s out of style. Also, personal tastes change over the years, and you may just find yourself longing for a different size or look. Many times, homeowners purchased their home with the pool already built, so they did not get to have a personal say in the design. A renovation can be a great opportunity to customise the pool to your preferences. Maybe that means new tiles or lining, a different shape, or adding a water feature or a hot tub. Whatever it is you feel is lacking, personal preference is a perfectly good reason to go through a remodel. Also consider that updating the style and adding new features will increase its appeal to potential buyers later on!
3 There’s No Modern Safety Features
Families with young children should be especially aware of the possible safety concerns that can surface as a pool ages. Newer pools include safety features that older ones are often lacking. A remodel would allow you to get up-to-date in this way by extending the shallow end, installing a better safety fence, or adding other needed safety features. This is a priceless type of renovation that will pay off for years to come.
4 Disastrous Energy Efficiency
Swimming pools built over ten years ago are nowhere near as economical and energy efficient as pools today. Though a renovation will cost you some money upfront, it will end up saving you in the long run as modern equipment allows your pool to function more efficiently.
5 Your Pool Needs Frequent Repair
If you find your pool is often out of commission, or you notice that you’ve been having to call for repair service more often than usual, it may mean that your pool is reaching an age at which it’s more cost effective and convenient to undergo a more major renovation, rather than constantly adding up small repairs. You may choose to replace just some of its main mechanisms, or undergo a more thorough remodel.
There is such a thing as too much pool
If you want more pool tips, log onto NW Pools. They have a fantastic blog with a lot of advice and information on how to keep your pool looking good.
Surf addiction? Looking for somewhere different with mind-blowing natural phenomena for some winter sun? Then consider a small Spanish-owned island off the coast of North-West Africa, it’s a surf heaven. Nicole Buckler finds the good stuff.
The capital, Arrecife, is not touristy at all, and you can find some excellent restaurants here.
Surf Lanzarote
Europeans, Scandinavians, and Russians know the island of Lanzarote well. The town of Puerto del Carmen on Lanzarote island is thick with holiday apartments built specifically for the package holiday traveller. Most of these travellers live in countries so sun-starved that tourists are there for one purpose – to get some solar rays on their skin.
Typical accommodation at the resort area of Puerto del Carmen
Perfect Surf Weather
Lanzarote is nicknamed the “Island of Eternal Spring” because of its guaranteed good weather all year round. A subtropical-desert climate can do a lot for the tourist trade. Such tourists don’t tend to leave the resorts much, or venture further than the unadventurous restaurants around their accommodation. All they want to do is uptake vitamin D while lying next to a pool. None of these people surf. So this means that if you are going to Lanzarote to explore the natural phenomena, then you will get an easy ride. You will actually get some sites all to yourself! We Gold Coasters are spoiled for sun, so we can concentrate on other things while there.
Because of its package holiday reputation, this is one of the most underrated places to holiday in the world. Outside of the McResorts is a natural wonderland of world-class beauty. The island is so spectacular, that it was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1993. And UNESCO don’t go around naming biospheres lightly.
A small church on an arid mountain in a tiny town called Femes
Volcano!
Lanzarote, one of the famous Canary Islands, has a volcanic origin. It was born through fiery eruptions. Solidified lava streams as well as extravagant rock formations are quite the sight to behold. And they can go on as far as the eye can see. Some parts of the island are so moon-like, that photos of the area were studied by Apollo astronauts before going to the moon so that they could get an idea of what they might encounter.
The otherwordly scenes at Playa de Famara
Beaches
The part-sand, part-volcanic-stone beaches are perfect for the barbequing of human flesh. This, combined with clear waters, makes Lanzarote the tourist attraction that it is. If you want to sneak off to a National Park beach, a must-see is El Papagayo, a collection of small bays with incredible crystal-clear waters and fine white sands — it could be the most gorgeous place on the island. Although, it can be quite a mission to get to it.
Papagayos Beach, inside a national park, is probably the most beautiful beach on the island
As well as needing a car (preferably a 4WD as the roads are not really roads at all), the best coves require visitors to climb down a sandy cliff to reach the alluring beach below. Only mountain goats or reasonably able humans can accomplish this feat. Clothes are optional here, so when in Rome…
Black Sand
Because of the volcanic history, there are several black-sand beaches on Lanzarote. This is an Instagrammer’s dream come true. If you’ve never seen a black sand beach before, you’ll be amazed when your feet sink into one. Check out the black sand beach of Playa Quemada (burned beach).
Another thing to know is that Lanzarote is one of the best surf spots in Europe. Known as the Hawaii of Europe, the best place to surf is Playa de Famara. It is a black sand beach under huge black cliffs that will seem otherworldly. It is not touristy at all in this area, and you can find some crazy little places to stay in Caleta de Famara, a coastal village next to the beach. But be quick, this place is starting to get on the map. In the last few years Famara has become the place to be for numerous surfers from all over the globe. The 6-star ASP event La Santa Pro is a leg of the world surfing championships. It was held in October at the beautiful beach of San Juan, a few hundred meters away from the village.
If you want to surf here, you can hire boards and wetsuits on the island. Remember, this is the Atlantic Ocean, not the Pacific, so the water can get cold at times.
Playa de Famara, said to be the best surfing spot in Europe.
Other Swimming Spots
The lagoon called El Golfo is something else. The neon-green body of water sits between a black beach and red cliffs. It started its life when sea water ran into an old volcanic crater. The green colour is from algae living its best life in the water. Around the edge of the lake, you can pick up pieces of a mineral called olivine – it is very popular with jewellery makers. Like vast tracts of Lanzarote, being there is like being on another world.
The strange colours of the lake at El Golfo
El Golfo is a small fishing village that retains an old-world feel.
The Hot Stuff
Timanfaya National Park is the hands-down highlight of any trip in Lanzarote. Timanfaya, meaning “Mountain of Fire” is one of the greatest geological phenomena you are likely to see. This region was devastated by intermittent volcanic eruptions, the last being in 1824. All life was nuked. The effect that this had on the landscape was, and is, incredible. It is a vast expanse of lifelessness that goes for as far as the eye can see. There are “seabeds” of dried lava which look like giant petrified slugs that go on for miles. It truly is an amazing place.
One of Timanfaya National Park’s spectacular craters.
At this strange-looking place, the ground is still scorching hot, so you aren’t allowed to just walk around like a lunatic. Any visitors must stay on a bus or be contained in guided tours. The ground is still so volatile and deathly dry that a human could die in a few hours of being lost in the park. But be sure to visit Timanfaya, you’ll feel small and unimportant in a good way.
The vast expanse of hardened lava seas.
As a side-note, the heat of the volcano is used for cooking steaks and fish in a restaurant on top of the lava flow, called, of course, El Diablo. More or less, the dead flesh is held over the lava until it is crispy and perfect. Free heat, I like it.
A restaurant in the volcanic area uses geothermal heat from the earth to cook up a Sunday roast
A demonstration of the geothermic activity is performed by throwing water into the ground resulting in a sensational geyser of steam
Wine Production
If humans ever wanted to learn how to grow grapes on the moon, they should come and see it being done in La Geria. This wine region looks like the lunar surface. It is desolate, seemingly dry as hell, and steep. But Lanzarote’s biggest wine-producing region has managed to make a wine industry thrive in the face of punishing adversity.
Lanzarote is windy. Legend has it that after several days in Lanzarote, the constant wind creates a biological response in humans of sheer anxiety. As well as allegedly making us all jumpy, the wind blows away the grapevine seeds before they can germinate. So the locals of Lanzarote dig deep holes in the hills of lava, and build rather odd-looking stone circular walls around the seeds so that they don’t blow away. These walls also hold in the scant dew that appears on the plants from time to time.
Crescent shaped, dry stone walls called zocos are built around the northerly edge of each grapevine pit to shield the vine from the prevailing winds.
Each zoco is built carefully to still allow the air to pass through the tiny holes and cracks to keep the plant well ventilated
It is truly extraordinary to see large expanses of these stone circles. But all the effort building these pods is worth it. The wine of lava from Lanzarote has a remarkable peppery taste and you drink a whole lot more of it than you remember, usually. If you ever take any of my crazy recommendations, take this one. It is seriously the best wine I have ever tasted in my life.
Water
Lanzarote is a “desert island” where most of the drinking water is imported in bottles. It is a seriously dry place where only cacti survive well. The rainfall is scant, but in Lanzarote there is fog fairly often, which is a saving grace.
The locals have developed an ingenious way of collecting water — they catch fog. They have erected huge vertical sheets of fine nets which sit on the tops of mountains. When the fog moves through the nets, it precipitates into water and runs down the nets into storage tanks. This technique of collecting “horizontal rain” provides an alternative source of freshwater. Along with the wind power turbines, the landscape is quite an interesting spectre, all in the name of living well in a harsh but achingly beautiful place.
The cactus is the most successful species on Lanzarote.
Cuisine
If you stay in the tourist towns, you can expect to be disappointed with the food. However, once you strike out into the areas where the locals live, you’ll be impressed.
The Spanish port areas sees the menu change to tapas, fresh fish and seafood cooked in the Spanish-Lanzarote way. And, you’ll find the famous Lanzarote potato with Mojo Rojo sauce — tongue orgasm kind of stuff. Anywhere out of the way, after a wild surf, is where the good stuff is.
A great way to see Lanzarote is to book a package holiday out of somewhere like London. That way, you get to see London and then you can get a cheap, direct flight from the English capital. Your accommodation will be thrown in for next to no extra cost. Otherwise, flights go from the Gold Coast via Doha in Qatar, while others are routed via Spain. Happy travels! ■
Museo Atlántico
This insane attraction is an underwater museum featuring more than 300 sculptural works by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor. It opened to the public in 2017. The art pieces sit 14 metres beneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean in Bahía de Las Coloradas, on the south coast of Lanzarote.
The underground art gallery is permanent and has been created entirely with pH-neutral materials. It is currently being colonised by marine life and makes for a spectacular dive in the Atlantic.
North-west Africa too far? Then how about Thailand?
Other Swimming Spots 
