Teide, Masca and Garachico

As there was a bank holiday here on Tuesday and I HAVE to take my vacation days (according to the department who were most insistent as they don't want to pay me for the days), I decided to book the Monday off and spend a long weekend in Puerto de la Cruz. It is in the north part of the island and only about an hour on the bus, but I got a great deal  on an apartment with an ocean view and it saved a lot of traveling (and early mornings). The apartment was very basic but the view was amazing!

Sunrise in Puerto de la Cruz, from my apartment.

The Calima was really bad Thursday to Sunday. This is dust and sand that comes over from the Sahara and descends on the Canary Islands. Everything gets dusty and the sky is really hazy. But it can make for some good photos. And some bad ones.

Snow on Teide and Calima.

I got into Puerto on Friday night and basically just got food and chilled. Especially as my apartment is at the top of a cliff. And the supermarket is of course at the bottom. (I did not do this walk again after this first time. It nearly killed me.)
For Saturday I booked a tour around the North coast of the island and Teide. The tour was full but most of the places we stopped were not so it was well timed. Unfortunately nearly everyone else on the tour was German. And my German is even more limited than my Spanish which says a lot. So I didn't get to chat with people.
It was an early morning :( but a good day.
First stop - overlook for Puerto and Teide. The Calima killed the view of both. But the tour guide  pointed out a tree called a strawberry tree. No idea why as it does not grow strawberries but these little orange fruits which ferment in your stomach when you eat them and get you drunk. There weren't any low hanging ones to try this, and I was not keen enough to climb the tree. Though some did.

Strawberry tree

Next stop was where I went last time to see the sunset. Apparently this is the area where they filmed the "Clash of the Titans", which I haven't seen.

Martian landscape

But not dead.

The rock formations here are called the Roques of Garcia and are famous for appearing, in front to Teide, on the 100 peseta.

One of the roques de Garcia

I took a walk around and headed for the quieter areas. I had been in the busier areas, which include the steps used to film 'the 10 Commandments",  another film I haven't seen.

At some point on the way there, the tour guide pointed out the Finger of God formation. It was on the other side of the bus and everyone on that side seemed very excited. I couldn't figure out what they were looking at. This is the only thing I could see which sort of resembled a finger, but it wasn't very exciting.

"Finger of God"?

I did try to recreate the image on the peseta note. But they must have been able to climb of the rocks to get that shot.

Roques of Garcia and Teide

Love seeing flowers in December

On the way to the next stop, we pulled over at a truck stop. It was in the middle of nowhere. Literally. But very popular, because the food was really good. I can't say what it is because some people (likely reading this) are getting some of them for Christmas. (I managed to get most of the Christmas shopping done this weekend.)

Best food truck around

View from the Truck stop

For lunch we headed to Masca. From here you can do the hike down to the ocean and boat back to Los Gigantes, which I debated last month but wimped out. The road to Masca is interesting. And really not built for buses.

Road to Masca

The bends were a little tight. And for nearly every corner, the driver had to do a 3 or 5 point turn to get round it. And it is very well orchestrated. Only buses can either go up or down. Not at the same time. Thankfully some buses saw us coming and waited. There is no where to pass.

Little tight!

The drop was a little disconcerting at times. Not for those with travel sickness!

And steep

Masca itself is very pretty, though small. It is only about 30 years old and I think mostly built to cater to tourists doing the hike. But we stopped for a nice lunch overlooking the valley. I was put on a table with a very sweet German couple. But the conversion was more like charades!

Poinsettia.

View down Masca valley at lunch

One place I was happily surprised we stopped at (I have been wanting to go here and didn't read the tour info properly) was Garachico. It used to be a bay but during the last eruption of the volcano (1798), it was filled with lava and created a series of natural pools along the coast. They have built walkways so you can wandered around the pools and swim if you are luckily. We didn't have enough time for that sadly.

Garachico pools

Walkway

still 

The water looked very inviting and really clear. There were a few people swimming. The weather is warm but not the ideal swimming weather.

Super clear water

Stormy

And you have to be on the ball as occasionally a large wave will come over the wall and refill the pool. And knock you about a bit if you are in it! But it did look fun. :)

Replenishing the pools

Perfect for a swim

We had a reasonable amount of time at Garachico. A little more than expected I think as the bus had to go and take a girl to the hospital. (But she was ok and we picked her up on the way back). The town is really pretty and I recommend it to anyone on Tenerife. They have preserved all of the old buildings.

To the town centre

Church

Inhabitants of a hotel

Everything is getting ready for Christmas. I admit I am still getting used to Christmas lights and palm trees.

ready for Christmas

Town square

On the way back we stopped near Icod to see the Dragon tree. It is in a botanical gardens now so we stopped at a view point. They have no idea how old it is, though at least 500 years. And is apparently part of the lily family. And important around here. Though again I am not sure why.

Dragon tree

The trip was fun but a really long day. Over the weekend I ended up just eating at the apartment every night. I saved money and frankly couldn't face the hill! But sitting with dinner, a glass of wine and the view from my balcony was not a hardship!