Puerto de la Cruz was our next stop. After a quick guided tour around town, we were given free time for our own explorations and/or ice cream.
Back to Tenerife – Garachico
Today we had an early start, looking to get on the 07:00 ferry back to Tenerife.
When we got back to Los Cristianos, a bus was already waiting for us – and we continued the journey heading for Tenerife’s Northern side – with Garachico being the first destination. Here we first had a stop, to enjoy the view from top – to then continue to the verge of the village, with good vistas of Castillo San Miguel and getting a closer look at the natural swimming pools along the Caletón. It was on into the village with stops at a park, the church of Santa Ana and on to Liberty Square for a second breakfast (supporting a local school class in their effort to finance their class trip).
A walk – passing by the church to nuestra señora de los Ángeles – got us to the bus parking on the other side of the village, from where we continued the journey along the coast.
Into the Valley of the great King …
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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
From Killing a Bus to the Top of the Island
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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
On to a new Island – La Gomera
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.
Leaving El Médano
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.
On the Edge of the Teno Mountains
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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
Cheating our Way up the Volcano
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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
Around the Roques de García …
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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
Hiking – from Pine to Wine
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. 😉
