It's been a super Saturday on the island of Tenerife. The real irony and something that makes the Canary Islands seem more like Hawaii is that I am sitting here in Tenerife looking out and I can still see Gran Canaria island in the distance. So we really didn't travel too far at all. I'm no expert and my google maps is turned off but I'd guess it's about 30 miles away. Maybe I'll bring my paddle board next time!
I'm pretty sure that late last night we just cut the engines and drifted for a few hours. I guess I should have brought a fishing rod as well.
As soon as we were off the ship this morning we headed for what turned out to be a fabulous bargain. We were docked in Santa Cruz which was still waking up when we set off around 9:00 am (Spain doesn't start it's days too early). For around $1.30 each we took a forty minute tram (street car) ride to the UNESCO world heritage city of San Cristobal de la Laguna.
The ride was very scenic as we passed small communities, a major university and climbed higher into the mountains. When we arrived the town was also still waking up. It was around 10:00 now and as you have probably figured out Spain stays up late and sleeps in even on "business days". Most of the small businesses even in the larger cities still have siesta time for 2-3 hours in the afternoon. Nothing wrong with that concept!
The town had a very interesting cathedral and bell tower. It has maintained it's original layout from the year 1500.
While it was fairly warm in Santa Cruz where we caught the tram we had climbed quite a bit. Walking the streets of Laguna we were kind of chilly. Of course the locals had on coats and jackets while we were parading around in shorts.
After a bit of roaming we headed back to the tram station for the ride back to Santa Cruz.
We got off the tram at the main pedestrian street Calle de Castillo. Shops, restaurants and cafes were now open and doing a bustling business on a late Saturday morning/early afternoon.
At the local market we bought killer beef empanadas and a stuffed potato that rivals those we get in Ybor City (Tampa). We enjoyed these while sitting on a bench in the middle of the market enjoying a variety of sights, sounds and smells.
The day wrapped up with more of the national drink of Spain, (sangria of course)fresh olive tapas and a leisurely stroll down the beautiful tree lined waterfront promenade..squeezing every bit out of the day as possible.
Speaking of squeezing every bit of the day, I think a couple of folks might have enjoyed the day a little too much and been left behind.
When the captain says we leave at 4:00 you'd better be on board. It's 152 miles to Lanzarote, that's a long swim!
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| The National Drink of Spain plus some outstanding olives |
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| There were several trees with these crocheted wraps on them, pretty cool looking |
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| Entrance to the Public Market |
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| Bell Tower-San Cristobal de la Laguna |
