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Today another bus was waiting for us – a cabriolet bus with an open roof (as such removing the masking requirement). We once more made our way up the Ctra. General del Sur, today with a stop at a viewpoint … Continue reading
This gallery contains 20 photos.
Having climbed the highest mountain of Tenerife, we were heading for the highest peak of La Gomera today. We were picked up bus, snaking our way up into the interior of the island. When we continued the drive, after a … Continue reading
We were picked up in El Medano around midday (well – after a bit of confusion of where to board the bus); it took us half an hour to get over to the port of Los Christianos.
The ferry made the 40km crossing from Los Christianos to San Sebastián de La Gomera in about an hour. After a quick transfer to the hotel, I went out, to have a first look around the small capital; La Gomera certainly had a more laid-back and slower feel to it.
I first made it over to the Church of the Assumption, from here on to the Mirador de la Hila with good views of the harbor and from here on to the Torre del Conde park. Dinner was in a local fish restaurant.
We had a free morning in El Médano, before heading to Los Christianos for the ferry over to La Gomera.
I spent the morning doing a final round in town, back along the beach and up the two mountains (Montaña Bocinegro and Montaña Roja) again.
This gallery contains 16 photos.
Today started in the most delicious way with a visit of a small producer of mojos, chutneys, chili pastes and fruit spreads. After a quick tour through the production facility (i.e. the kitchen), we could sample ourselves through the various … Continue reading
This gallery contains 12 photos.
Once back to the bus, we made the drive over to the base station of the Teide Cableway (Teleférico del Teide) at 2356m above sea level. The ride took a mere eight minutes and got us up to an elevation … Continue reading
This gallery contains 12 photos.
Today we were aiming high – looking at tackling the highest point of the island. We kicked it off in the morning with an uphill bus drive; we had our first stop after a 26km drive at the Boca Tauce … Continue reading
Today was the first day of group activities – and time for the first of many hikes of this trip. We first made it up into the mountains to an altitude of about 1400m above sea level and the small town of Vilaflor. Here we kicked if off with a quick tour through town, covering the Sanctuary of the Santo Hermano Pedro and the associated church, the town park – and the famous (well – on the island) local bakery (Dulcería Vilaflor), including a quick sample of their produce.
We left town and made our way out on a hiking trail going through the pine forest, that is typical on the island at this elevation. After about two hours we left the forest and found ourselves walking between vineyards. Wine was also the topic at the destination of this 8km hike – we were heading for Bodega Lagar de Chasna, where a wine tasting and some snacks were waiting for us (after a tour around the bodega of course).
After about two hours (and a bit of intoxication) we were picked up by bus, to get back to our base at the beach – with an opportunity for quick, refreshing dip into the Atlantic Ocean – before getting ready for some nice grilled octopus in a nearby seafood restaurant – what an upgrade to yesterday. 😉
November usually makes a good time, to leave the bad weather at home and have a trip elsewhere. As such – already back in March – I did go ahead, booking a trip to Svalbard … looking for the experience of all-day twilight, a great mix of outdoor activities and a chance, to get more than a glimpse of the Northern lights.
As it turned out, I was the only one, interested in that experience … the trip never took place – and I ended up looking for other options – ultimately deciding for a trip to the Canary Islands – covering the islands of Tenerife, La Gomera and a bit of Gran Canaria.
And now was the time – it took a flight of four hours, to get to Tenerife – and El Médano, a smallish tourist town with mainly surfers and kite surfers. After moving into my room, I got out, to explore town, walk along the beaches and make my way up two nearby small mountains – Montaña Bocinegro (36m above sea level) and Montaña Roja (171m above sea level) – to get a view of the surrounding area.
The group got together for the usual tour briefing before dinner; dinner was a bit of a disappointment, pretty much a canteen buffet – from here it could only get better (and – spoiler – it did).
My more regular readers may remember that – over the years – I have done (more or less) regular visits over to the San Francisco/ Oakland bay area, to visit Lisa, who I had met back on my first trip to Antarctica – and whom I have stayed in touch with ever since. During Covid visiting was (obviously) out of question – but as things were clearing during the year, we decided to go ahead and I got myself a ticket to the bay for a week in late September/early October.
During Covid Lisa had moved from Oakland to San Francisco – so there was loads to explore: from house and garden to the neighborhood – with steep roads and the one or other viewpoints out to the city and the bay – and businesses around (incl. a newly discovered seafood place just a few bus stops away).
In San Francisco we covered the Exploratorium after dark (i.e. in the evening and kids free with easy access to all exhibits and experiments) and the De Young Museum (incl. the exhibition on Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs).
We also did the (meanwhile customary) trip down to wine country – heading South for Santa Clara county and the area around Hecker Pass – with stops (and tastings) at three wineries. My favorite here was (once more) Hecker Pass Winery with its Italian-style wines, family-tradition and a philosophy, giving the wines more time than in other – more commercial – wineries. Just down the road, also Sarah’s was convincing, especially the superb selection of pintos (which to me felt overpriced, especially compared to what is available in Europe).
No trip to San Francisco is complete without a trip out to the bay. We used the ferry, to make it over to Oakland and Jack London Square for another bit of wining – with the focus now on (mostly) Zinfandels at the tasting room of Rosenbloom.
Otherwise there was plenty of time, to catch up on things, enjoy the great food, San Francisco has to offer (incl. a to-die-for-cioppino), some (more) wine – and (re)meet Lisa’s family and friends. Needless to say, it’s been a great trip and time – a great THANKS to the host.
Disclaimer: there were no flowers in my hair – due to a lack of the latter.
