Corralejo – A day that touches all the senses
There are days when you wake up with the feeling that everything could be perfect – the aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the kitchen, the first rays of sunlight tickle your skin, and the thought of capturing stunning photos that will make the day unforgettable lingers in the air. This is how our day in Corralejo began, a day that soon turned into a spectacle filled with quirky and touching moments, where desire and reality wrestled in the most astonishing ways.
The morning started promisingly: as I swirled the aromatic coffee in my cup and felt the warm steam gently caress my face, the crispy scent of freshly toasted bread spread a warmth that transported me back to carefree childhood days. Amid this harmonious start, Sandra prepared for the trip with professional precision – every movement carried a silent anticipation, as if she wanted to capture the perfect shot with every touch. But soon, we realized that even in such idyllic moments, reality had its own surprising twists.
As Sandra eagerly organized our equipment, it became clear that multitasking sometimes has its pitfalls. With a piece of toast in her mouth and a mischievous grin, she asked, "Did you pack the 70-200mm lens?" My answer, spoken between chews, sounded uncertain: "Hmrf… yeah… I think… or maybe not…?" A scrutinizing glance from my wife – a look that can say so much without words – told me that I had likely mistaken the lens for a sandwich. This humorous moment, tinged with slight embarrassment, set the tone for the rest of the day, which turned out to be a blend of chaotic adventure and affectionate togetherness.
Barely a few kilometers into our journey in our trusty "Bobby-Car," the magical world of the Corralejo dunes unfolded before us. The sand, a breathtaking golden hue, shimmered under the blazing sun, while gentle waves of fine grains made the vast landscape appear like a living, ever-changing painting. With every step, I felt the warm, almost silky texture of the sand beneath my feet and noticed how tiny grains landed on my skin like little kisses. The landscape was not just visually stunning but a true feast for the senses: the taste of salty air, the soft whisper of the wind sweeping through the dunes, and the delicate crunch beneath our steps on the dry surface.
Amidst this impressive scenery, Sandra decided on an extraordinary photo experiment. Dressed in an elegant deep blue evening gown that sharply contrasted with the golden sand, she posed with a mix of grace and slight defiance against the relentless wind. As the dress billowed wildly, blending with the sand, Sandra looked like a character from a surreal fairy tale – as if she had traveled from another time into this modern desert landscape. I stood ready with my camera, both focused and fascinated, trying to capture the perfect moment – while also making sure not to lose my footing as my feet slowly sank deeper into the soft sand.
"Helmuth, you look like you have no feet left," Sandra teased, laughing as she struck her next pose. Despite the playful jab, I felt a deep sense of connection growing inside me – a feeling that turned all the little mishaps and inevitable messiness of life into something charming and lovable. "Call it artistic grounding," I replied, hearing the chuckle in her voice.
After this amusing yet intense experience in the dunes, we made our way to the sea, where the interplay of light and water opened a new chapter of our adventure. The water acted like a liquid mirror, transforming the bright sun into a cascade of sparkling rays. As Sandra lay in the shallow waves, I felt the cool, refreshing water on my skin and listened to the gentle lapping of the waves as they washed over her. It was as if nature itself had choreographed a silent ballet – a performance in which I, involuntarily, played a leading role. A particularly playful wave caught me off guard, and suddenly, I found myself in an unintentional balancing act that looked like a mix of Kung Fu and classical ballet. Between fits of laughter and moments of near drowning from giggling, Sandra shouted, "Helmuth!" – a call that, in that moment, drowned out everything else.
After the chaos had somewhat settled, and I shook the water from my hair, checked the cameras, and enriched the shoot with some fantastic photos, the impressions of the day were deeply embedded in my mind. By now, the sea had not only claimed our feet but also our swimwear and even the most delicate patches of our skin – a persistent, tingling reminder of nature’s power that would stay with us for a long time. As we dried off and basked in the sun, I smirked and asked, "Tell me… are we really the only ones here wearing swimwear?" Sandra glanced around, observing the sprightly seniors strolling confidently in rather revealing outfits, and nodded. We both shook our towels with amused disbelief, took one last look at Lobos Island and the many kite surfers, and began our trek through the dunes back to our "Bobby-Car."
Hungry and exhausted but enriched by the day’s sensory experiences, we made our way to Yacht Club La Vela – the best restaurant on the island. The moment we entered, we were enveloped by an intoxicating aroma that blended the fresh, salty scent of the sea with the warmth of aromatic herbs and freshly prepared fish. The first bite of perfectly grilled fish, accompanied by a glass of exquisite white wine, sent a wave of delight through me, a sensation that could only be described as paradise. "Sandra," I whispered reverently as the flavors overwhelmed my senses, "this isn’t just food – this is pure ecstasy." She smiled with full, satisfied cheeks and replied, "That’s why we will never leave this island."
The evening was perfectly rounded off with a leisurely stroll along the harbor. As we wandered through the mild evening air, we discovered amusing details: shells sculpted by nature, sand formations stuck together as if glued, resembling popcorn – a small, humorous reminder of Fuerteventura’s untamed spirit. As the sun slowly dipped into the sea, painting the sky with a spectacular display of orange, red, and gold hues, we reflected on the day in quiet contentment.
The blend of quirky humor, breathtaking nature, and intense, sensory experiences made this day unforgettable – a perfect photograph, chaotic and full of surprises, yet ultimately beautiful. The memories of the fresh fish’s taste, the tingling of salt water on our skin, the tickling of warm sand beneath our feet, and the enchanting scent of herbs and sea breeze remain vivid, inviting us to discover and experience Corralejo again and again.
