. Day 6 – December 8, 2017 – Tenerife,
Canary Islands, Spain
Once again we’re up early to catch the bus for a tour around
the northeastern portion of this island of
…
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| Beautiful mountain view of Taganana, Tenerife, Canary Islands |
Tenerife … The Canary Islands are an archipelago of islands
created by volcanoes just 186 miles from the east African coast which have
played an important part in European history, especially an important trading
port for Spain. It has been under Spanish control since 1496. This island is
the largest, most populated of all seven islands and also hosts the largest
mountain in all of Spain, Mount Teide, elevation 12,198 feet above sea level. It is interesting that there are five
micro-climate zones, depending on the elevation, in such a small island.
Tourism is their largest business, hosting over 6 million visitors a year; but
depending on the elevation, they also export papayas, strawberries, pineapple,
bananas, avocadoes, potatoes, chestnuts and almonds. All agriculture is done by
hand because of the small, steep plots on which they are grown. They also grown 24 different kinds of grapes,
however they do not export any of their wines … most of it consumed locally or
in other parts of Spain. I was surprised
at how arid it was closer to the ocean and at the rugged mountain terrain
created by successive eruptions throughout its history. And the many beaches
are generally of black volcanic sand, except the one beach where they imported
sand from the Sahara Desert to attract more tourists!
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| Small black sand beach near Taganana |
Taganana … Our bus travels first along the shore but always
climbing, climbing, climbing up a rather modern but narrow road that winds its
way up the mountains and swings around ravines … the bus often utilizing the
entire road to make the turns, often causing oncoming traffic to stop or even
back up! There seems to be very little development along here. We end up on the
northeastern part of the island to a remote village of Taganana, where we stop
at a small black sand beach with a traditional restaurant across the road. Waiting for us on the tables there are
bottles of their local wine, baskets of their fresh bread, bowls of delicious
green olives and, best of all, samples of their outstanding local goat cheese
called majorero with its very smooth texture and nutty flavor. I’m almost embarrassed
to say I devoured the remaining cheese on the plate after the others left the
table! (Bob noted that we have yet to
see a goat, nor a place where a four-legged creature could even stand up!) What a treat this has been! We also happened to chat with a nice
gentleman who lived above the restaurant, a Frenchman who’s lived here for 18
years. So we learned more about what it is like to live on the island … very
interesting and educational.
As we head back, we drive through the vegetative areas in
the higher altitudes, through Anaga Massif known for its sheer cliffs, laurel
forests and bio-diversity. Our last stop
is at …
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| Typical terraced farming area on Tenerife |
San Cristobal de La Laguna … This City has been designated as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its streets barely changing since the 16
th
century and with many of the historic buildings preserved. We stop at a market …
a super, super market, that is. There
are rows and rows and rows of vendors, each selling their special grocery items
… some sell cheeses or breads or pastries or fish or fish or huge fish (lots of
those stalls) or chicken or lamb or other meats or spices or vegetables or
pastas or flavorings or alcoholic beverages. Very cool!
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| More mountain tops in Tenerife |
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Flamenco dancer
Not a very good
pictures, but you get
the idea! |
When we get back to Oceania, it’s time for a nap before
heading up to Afternoon Tea where we meet Skip and Cheryl and Steve and Barb.
They walked into town today for some shopping and a sampling of the local
cuisine for lunch. Jerry and Michelle
were on an all-day tour up to the volcano, so we didn’t see them until dinner. Before
dinner, however, we were greatly entertained by local flamenco dancers … three
women who put on an excellent high energy, talented show, along with the
accompanying guitarist and bongo-type player. After this, because everyone has had a busy
day and no one felt like changing for dinner, we again ate up stairs for buffet at the Terrace cafe … still hard to pass up the lobster, but I had steak with shrimp
instead, besides all the other delectables and desserts! We’ve been Blessed
with yet another glorious day exploring the wonders of God’s creation!
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| All of us at dinner at the Terrace Cafe |
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| How truly Blessed we are! |
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