Last day on the Island

Saturday was my last day in Tenerife so Rodrigo and I borrowed a friends car and went up to the North most part of the island for the day. The weather was absolutely perfect and my t-shirt got a last outing.

The north past is covered by a forest called Anaga and it was so pretty and quiet.

View of La Laguna from Mirador de Jardina.

Rodrigo loved the car and kept calling it the small Ferrari.

Small Ferrari. 

View down to Santa Cruz from Mirador Pico del Ingles

We had planned to stop in Cruz de Carmen but it was packed. And with the usual Tenerife parking. i.e, anywhere and everywhere, who ares if it is a legit parking space?
So we carried on to Taganana. I was so glad we did. I love Taganana! It is beautiful.

Taganana beach

On the way down we picked up a hitch-hiker, an elderly man at the bus stop who had left his bag on the bus and was stranded.
Taganana used to be a port where the English would stop and pick up food, in particular, their barrels of Tenerife wine.

Roque de Las Bodegas (Wineries Rock)

There is a walkway around Roque de Las Bodegas. But it is risky. Last time Rodrigo was here, he got soaked by a wave. Thankfully we were there at the right time and avoided the same fate.

Walkway

Hoping now to get soaked again

I did do a quick run to the end of the walk way but it was very quick. I was not risking my camera more than necessary!

Risking run to the end

Waves! Run!

We found a place for lunch, and like everyone else in the restaurant, had their seafood special. The garlic prawns disappeared very quickly and did not make it to the photos. The green peppers were a surprised (we were given the wrong dish) but nice. And the fish was amazing. (I of course had to inspect the fish head - that thing had some teeth!) With of course the required Canary Potatoes.

Lunch!

After lunch we sat on the beach, letting out lunch digest. While Rodrigo tried to nap, I got some nice photos of the waves and the beach. I love being my the sea and will probably miss this part most.

Where we were standing. 

Waves

Flotsam

Driftwood art

Town of Taganana

After Taganana, we carried on around the coast to San Andres for ice-cream and Playa de Las Teresitas.

View over Playa de las Teristas

Nearing sunset

At the top of the hill, for the view over Teresita, there were a group of old broken down buildings. And as this is Spain, graffitied. But cheerful and well done.

Colorful

Outlook, complete with bench.

cute

Perfect window view

Back at the bottom, we parked and walked along the beach to the jetty. The sea was so different to Taganaga, almost like a lake. And the perfect beach for families. We planned to walk along the jetty but it was cement with rocks in and neither of us wanted to put our shoes back on. So we just walked back along the beach.

Along the jetty

Teresita beach

Heading back to San Andres.

The last stop was Candelaria. But first we decided to wash Elena car to say thank you for letting us borrow it. We were like 5 yr olds going through the car wash. They "recommend" you don't stay in the car but don't say not too. Rodrigo put the code in and then ran like lightning, getting back ingot he car just in time! So much fun.

Red at night ...

Candelaria was pretty and lit up. We had planned to stop for dinner but we were still full from lunch. So just wondered around looking at the Christmas lights.

Candelaria lights

Light tree.

Rodrigo dropped me at the airport Sunday morning to fly home. The plane was most empty so I had lots of seats to myself! Which was good as Iberia don't give you  lot of room anyway. The landing was interesting. About 30 seconds before touch down, the plane served and tilted violently, throwing everyone about, and then skidded and wobbled down the runway, the wings almost hitting the runway. A little near-death experience - always fun.
We put the trees up on the evening, with my Dad helping to MacGuyver the main tree so it doesn't look so tiny. (It's a shorty!) We have 2 trees: a real 'classy' tree inside and a fake 'throw it on' tree in the porch with all out old childhood decorations on.

classy tree

'tacky ' tree - love it!

Bajamar

After spending all last weekend working, I had to get out this weekend so Saturday afternoon (after the needed morning of laundry), I get the bus out to Bajamar, on the north coast. I am amazed how cheap the buses are here! It's brilliant. And given some of the driving I have seen, I think I will be getting them a lot instead of attempting to drive. 

The sea front is a small beach and some "natural" pools on the front. And a lot a really awesome waves. :)

There are some people in the right bottom corner for scale.

Along the coast.

Between the beach and pools is little lighthouse. Wonder around there at your own peril. You are likely to get wet.

Lighthouse.

The pools were packed. Everyone else had the same idea as me. I would have loved to have gone in the pools but I just couldn't find anywhere to sit and leave my things (where they weren't going to get wet anyway).

Pools

chilling

waves!

Not many in the pools ay high tide.

busy day

I walked along the sea front either way as far as I could, trying to find somewhere to sit. I saw some people on the rocks and jumping off them. Personally I think that is insane! I guess they were locals who knew what they were doing. I hope anyway.

More waves.

coastline

I ended up sitting for a while on some stairs leading up to the hill top. It was in the shade and quiet. And had a great view.

Enjoying the peace and view

It had the added bonus of a lizard visitor. Who was happy enough to sit and pose for photos as long as I didn't get too close.

Poser.

headed to a hole

Are you looking at me?

This is my best side.

Once the tide started to go out, the beach got a lot bigger so I managed to find a spot before it filled up.

Beach chilling.

Same view at low tide.

I loved swimming there, though it got trickier when the tide went out and exposed the rocks. I just sat down and floated/crawled. It was interesting watching people try to get it. I don't understand why they didn't just sit down, because it didn't really get any deeper or less rocky.  

Swimming.

After a few hours, I left and found a bar. And drank the worst glass of wine ever poured. I think it was cut with vinegar. Though given that the bar tender decided I was from East Indian, so maybe it was cut with antifreeze.
The bus back was packed and the driver insane. He started counting the change. While driving. Next time I am going to sit near the back if possible. So at least I won't see doom bearing down.
Rodrigo is back now so I no longer have the place to myself. :( But he cooked dinner (he is a good cook) so maybe it won't be too bad. :) We ended up sitting playing cards and drinking wine until early this morning. So feeling a bit tender now.