Canary Islands

Back when it was -15 degrees C here, we were desperate to get out of the cold and see some sunshine.  So we headed off to the Canary Islands for a week.

So nice to see the sun!

While it wasn't too hot (around 20-21 C / 70 F), it was a vast improvement over snowy, icy Luxembourg.

The beach was gorgeous:
 



The kids built sand castles,

splashed in the pool

built elaborate canals,

and enjoyed the local wildlife:

Unfortunately, we all got nasty colds while there but if you have to be sick, it's not so bad to recover while lying by the pool or beach with a good book.

Will, sick and feverish on day two

Kate, sick & feverish on day three

My view as I recovered

Fortunately, by the fourth day we were all sufficiently well to take a little submarine ride.  We saw some great fish:

Kate was really impressed!

Will was so impressed he forgot to hide from the camera!

We also visited a local market 

where Kate picked up a pretty Spanish dress

to wear to the hotel's nightly "Mini Disco":

One day we rented a car and drove around the island, which is literally covered with volcanoes:

We also got to see some very cool Spanish windmills:

It was really windy!

Will wasted no time in climbing to the top of the windmill:

But the highlight of the day -- if not the trip -- was the sand dunes of Corralejo:

Check out the pattern:

And isn't it amazing something can actually grow in that?


These dunes were incredible.  They seemed to stretch on for miles:

The kids deemed them perfect for climbing up and sliding  or rolling down:

Or, even better, having Dad race down the hills, dragging them behind:

They may still have some sand in their ears.

Well worth it, I'd say.