Tenerife, Canary Islands

 I did like this statue in the small harbour at Puerto de la Cruz

This building was on the Plaza Espana where we ate lunch.  It had a garden growing over it!

Tenerife didn’t really inspire me to write, but I don’t want to let my fans down.  All three of you.

We docked in the capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, on a cool and overcast morning.  So far, not so good. Then onto a coach for the drive over some mountains through La Laguna and the Orotava Valley to Puerto de la Cruz, a very touristy, coastal town on the other side of the island.  The rainy side apparently.  Here we visited the orchid gardens of Sitio Litre, a private house with a public garden.  Lots of familiar plants from home, including two very large feijoa trees.  The highlight of this garden was the 600 year old dragon tree that sat in a corner of the courtyard.  There was a small cafe at one end, so we drank bad coffee, ate stale cake, and relished the quietness and prettiness of our surroundings.  Agatha Christie spent a few months staying at this property where she was inspired to write “The Mysterious Mr Quin”.  Anyone got that book languishing in their library?  I’d like to read it.

We had an hour to stroll along the town boardwalk.  Choppy sea broke onto giant volcanic rocks and stony, black sand beaches.  Some punters were determined to make the most of their resort holiday. They perched uncomfortably in togs, on their towels, white skin appearing even whiter in the drizzle.  They had to be British!

By afternoon we were back at Santa Cruz, in sunshine, sitting outside a restaurant on the main square.  We had just ordered beer when who should wander past, suitcase in tow, but Cam on his way to check onto the ship.  Amazing.  He plonked himself down and joined us for lunch.  In my case, that would be grilled squid, fresh and tasty cucumber and tomato, and the island specialty - papas canarias.  These are jersey benne style potatoes, boiled in very salty water, served at room temperature with what I think was a red pepper dip, and a green herb dip.  Not too sure but it was simple and delicious.  

We had a chuckle when Cameron told us that the word “camerones” which you see on all the menus, translates to “little shrimp”, and was the main reason all the girls laughed at him in Spain when he used to introduce himself. He changed his name to Peter.

It was Saturday morning so the city was closed up and quiet, although there were lots of families out and about.  Nearly every girl between 10 and 18 wore short, short, shorts and very long, straight hair.  Practically a uniform.

All in all, a nice day.  Always good to stretch one’s legs and eat food other than on the ship, and of course great to have Cam with us now.