Spain

Fuerteventura: Costa Calma

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My recent island travels have taken me to São Tomé e Príncipe and Cape Verde, which were all about exploration.

This time I visited Fuerteventura in Spain’s Canary Islands, where the emphasis is on sun, sand and relaxation.

I stayed at Costa Calma in the south-east of the island, settling down to days of hotel buffet meals, lounging around and sunset wanders.

But there was photography too, capturing the essence of this popular destination.

Would you like to kick back and take it easy here?

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Fuerteventura: Island architecture

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I recently went on a good old-fashioned beach holiday to the Spanish island of Fuerteventura.

It’s a destination blessed with a sunny climate, beautiful beaches and has relaxation at its heart.

But on Fuerteventura’s Costa Calma, especially popular with German holidaymakers, I became fascinated with the resort’s architecture.

Could your attention be turned away from the beach? CONTINUE READING BELOW

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I stayed at the SBH Crystal Beach Hotel, a large confection of concrete and marble made for hundreds of holidaymakers.

It was a layer cake of whitewashed tiers, confusing to navigate, but boasted a beautiful view over the long beach.

The coast has been developed over the years with several large hotels and a little resort town, packed with white and pastel buildings guarded by sturdy desert plants.

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The neighbouring Taro Hotel took the prize for architectural exuberance, topped with peaked concrete slabs like southern Fuerteventura’s rugged mountains.

Down on the beach, the bright yellow lifeguard pods became something of an architectural obsession in their own right.

This little getaway reminded me of family holidays to Spain in the 1970s and 80s, when the big hotel was king and you didn’t have to go far.

The beautiful skies, stark lines and rich colours were a joy to photograph – it wasn’t all snoozing and swimming on this sunshine break!

Has your simple beach holiday turned into an architectural joy? Let me know :)

Fabulous Fuerteventura

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It’s a little speck of Spanish territory off the coast of Africa that contains photographic riches beyond its size. Clear blue skies, light to die for, intriguing natural features and eye-catching architecture.

This definitive album from my stay there features some shots I’ve yet to unveil – and there still some left over. It’s an indication of the influence this island exerts over your compulsion to click.

Click first image for the full gallery experience

You can find out more about Fuerteventura in these other posts:

Gone fishin’

El campanario

Corralejo colour

The dunes

Canarian sunset

Gone fishin’

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My trip to the Spanish island of Fuerteventura involved some people watching. The other tourists – particularly fellow British ones – are always a source of fascination and bemusement.

But on the shores of the colourful town of Corralejo, it was another species that warranted photographic attention. Fishing is a popular pastime, and cuts across nationalities and age here.

During one lunch in the sun, I observed a young Spanish man on the shoreline, his blue shirt melding with the azure waters as he deftly hauled in a catch, barefoot and without fear of the rocks. And of course he was totally unaware that he was being photographed as he went about his task.

Another scene from the jetty sees British visitors milling about as two people are fishing. By chance I captured a young woman absorbed in the act of taking a photo – just like I was.

Click first image to launch the gallery

This marks the last of my posts from the island. An extensive gallery will follow soon, including several shots which have not yet been featured.

El campanario

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Fuerteventura bellOn the outskirts of the Canarian town of Corralejo, there is a modern complex which houses a cluster of shops and restaurants. It’s been built in traditional style, and has at its heart a bell tower – campanario in Spanish.

Not only does it chime every hour, but provides a wonderful viewpoint over the entire seaside resort and beyond. It’s easy to see Corralejo’s twin wind turbines (Fuerteventura can be very blustery), the harbour and across the sea to Lanzarote and the nearby islet of Lobos.

I clambered up several flights of stairs on a couple of occasions, the more memorable being for the end of the day and a dramatic sunset.  The viewing platform was always empty. A very handy resource for a photographer looking for some elevation.

Click first image to launch the gallery