Interviews

Passing the test

,
When the news came in May that British residents would no longer be able to drive in Spain on a UK-issued licence, Gareth Hull went back to school.

Hawk Patrol

Lanzarote's César Manrique Airport is one of the island's most important employers, with hundreds of staff visible at any given time. But there are ten workers who passengers rarely get to see – one man, eight falcons and an eagle who keep the airport grounds safer for passengers every single day.

The Toughest Challenge

Johan Wagenaar and Ilse Verlaan from Bike Sensations both took part in Lanzarote's Ironman earlier this year. For Johan, who has completed seven Ironman races, four of them on Lanzarote, it was nothing new; but for Ilse, it was her first time. We chatted to them about the experience.

Virtual circuit of Lanzarote

,
Iris Heath is walking Lanzarote's coastline alone in memory of her late husband John and in aid of Parkinson's disease. But she's doing it from her home in Bristol... We found out more.

Working toward a better Tías

,
Nicolás Saavedra is a busy man. The only representative of the Podemos party in Tías Ayuntamiento's governing group, he and his team have been in charge of the Departments of Social Services, Security & Emergencies, Animal Welfare, Equality and Fishing at Tías Ayuntamientos since 2019, during which time the island has been through one of the toughest social crises it has ever experienced. We spoke to him last month.

Sporting outlook

,
Alfredo Mendoza was placed in charge of the Sports Department at Lanzarote's Cabildo in November last year, after the collapse of the pact in Arrecife where he had been in charge of culture, fiestas and the local police. He arrived at the department just as the island was about to take a turn towards normality after almost two years of Covid restrictions on sporting activities.

Scanning the sands

,
Those tourist beaches must be full of luxury watches and diamond earrings, right? And what about all that pirate gold hidden around the island? We went to Famara beach to chat to metal detecting hobbyist and YouTuber Roger Guedes about Lanzarote's glittering treasure.

The height of excellence

,
Arrecife's Gran Hotel is a landmark – both in its physical presence as the only high-rise building on Lanzarote, but also as a standard of excellence. Hotel director Luis Miguel Morales has worked there for almost 20 years, so we chatted with him about the island's most instantly recognisable hotel.

Viva La Lucha!

,
After coming to a two year standstill during the pandemic, Canarian wrestling is back. With competitions now taking place every week all over the island, we wanted to find out more. So we contacted Charlea Bates-Morgan, a British 18-year-old who's been grappling in the sand circle for most of her life, and she took us to a training session at the Club de Lucha de Tinajo (Tinajo Wrestling Club).

The heart & soul of Lanzarote

Tucked away in the centre of San Bartolomé is the Museo Tanit – a jewel of a museum that deserves to be far better known. We visited the museum to discover some of the fascinating treasures within.