What to know about La Graciosa?

The island is part of the Chinijo Archipelago. The population is about 752. Tourism is the main industry along with fishing. Every year, tourists flock to the island for its tempered climate and its sandy volcanic coasts. The island has a school, lyceum, post office, supermarkets, medical center, pharmacy, bank, port, beaches, bar-restaurants, and a square. Streets and roads on La Graciosa are unpaved sand. Motor vehicles are strictly prohibited and limited to a handful of licensed vehicles for special purposes. Access to the Island is by a 35-minute ferry crossing from Orzola on Lanzarote to the harbour in the village. There is a campsite on the Island situated on Playa del Salado at the western edge of Caleta del Sebo.

The island is extremely arid and entirely made up of bushes and dry soil. Its length is 8 km and its width is 4 km. There are no natural water sources on the island; desalinated water has been piped directly from neighbouring Lanzarote. There are several isolated mountains on the island, the tallest of which is Agujas Grandes rising to 266 m. Playa de la Cocina is a well-known beach in the southwestern part of the island.

www.wikipedia.com

How did I feel on the island?

Wow!

I took a day trip from Lanzarote to visit La Graciosa which was one of the best days during my travel journey. I couldn't wait, first of all, to get away from Lanzarote, second to be out in the ocean with the ferry boat, and third to experience a small developing island with only a handful of people living there. I arrived with childlike curiosity and excitement.

I absolutely loved the raw untouched surfaces, the desert, and the wide open landscape that just freed me up. Beautiful, open, loving, unfiltered, pure energies moved in me. I kind of felt one with the universe and that is why I think that La Graciosa could be the 8th centre which is outside of our body above our head that is connected to divine love and spiritual selflessness. It really felt that way! Now all the below chakras are open and working in proper order and on La Graciosa I reached a point of "I've arrived". This is home in the universe. El Hierro was home in earthy life. La Graciosa is the home of homes. Even the colours looked divine and clear! I saw the most beautiful blue ocean and the most peaceful and inspiring coast out of all islands. I didn't touch the food in my bag during my trip because I was fed the view. I wish I could stay more than just a day to embrace this feeling longer and walk around the whole island. It was really just magical! I could see myself falling asleep under the wide starry sky and just feeling at home with the stars. I'll definitely make a comeback and try the camp side! I am already over the moon excited by this idea.

PLAYA DE LA COCINA

I met a French sailor who came snorkelling with me and discovered a sleeping shark in the bay. It was a smaller-sized shark that I didn't want to disturb so I just wondered it from the surface of the water. It was exciting though! Later I went to see the sailing boats and jumped on the deck of José's boat for a quick look before the ferry set out. I think I would love sailing. I'd love to try!

GALLERY

The coastal walk from the port to Playa de la Cocina.

There are no cars to hire or bring to the island. You can only walk or hire a bicycle. As there is sand everywhere I didn't see the point of hiring a bicycle and thought it would just be an extra burden on my shoulders to carry and look after it so I walked. There was a man in front of me with a bicycle but not once he was sitting on it. He either pushed it next to himself or, as you can see in the picture below, he carried it on his shoulders. This proves that the best way to discover the island is on foot. Prepare water, food, a swimming costume, and sun protection (+camera if you like taking photos). That's all you need.

The water, he crosses over on the photo, dried up by the time (in about 4 hours) I walked back from the bay to the port.

HOUSES AND UNPAVED SANDY STREETS

I tried to be artistic in capturing myself in the desert but it was too late to experiment with poses as my battery was running low and I needed to save at least 10% to navigate myself back to my accommodation.

I returned to Lanzarote with the last ferry when at sunset and something absolutely wonderful happened! The Sun created stunning red light with the rays peeking through the clouds, a dramatic sky dance, as it was going down behind the ocean. Everybody turned around on the ferry and started to take pictures/ videos. The captain stopped the boat allowing us to watch "our movie" and when the sun went down completely they started the engine again and we, the passengers, were clapping thanking him for stopping the ferry and letting us stay present in this magical moment. As we set off the red lights were still coming through from behind the mountain chain on Lanzarote making it look as if the island was on fire and the clouds above the redness appeared to be the smoke. I couldn't take photos due to my low battery and I didn't regret it because I could fully be present in the experience. So much beauty and gratitude moved in me. I felt connected and my loneliness feeling ceased with it.

Thank you for reading and following my journey! ♡ Hope I could inspire you to travel either to the Canaries or to other breathtaking locations in the world. Be connected, be open, and be your truth. Let yourself heal and grow with the experience. You are always led where you need to be. Trust.