Tenerife

In November Caroline and I went to Los Gigantes in Tenerife for a 5 day break. We did't really do a lot other than sleep and chill. We had a few evening meals out and spent time by the pool.

View from our 'balcony'

Barraquito - first of many

Our only excursion was a boat trip out to look for whales and dolphins. We did eventually find some pilot whales but they were quite a way out so we only got a little trip along the cliffs.

Insanely extensive supermarket booze section.

Los Gigantes - Day 2

On the Saturday, after a lazy morning, I booked a trip on the Flipper Uno, a Canarian made pirate sailing ship. Because why not? The boat was beautiful. And Los Gigantes is quite small so there is a limited choice.

Flipper Uno

Pirate ship

There were quite a few people on board and I really shouldn't have been so lazy that morning as most of the seat were already taken and I got there "early" or so I thought! Still I managed to grab a seat on the main deck so I was close to the water. 

This guys was staring all trip

Skull and cross bones

and cannons

Sailing

They really got into the pirate thing! (And one was very pretty - not the one in the next photo; he was just insane!)

This pirate was nuts!

The boat was bigger than the one the day before, so we headed out further and found a pod of pilot whales. It wasn't as good as the last time I went whale watching, but still fun.

Whale sighting

The pod

Coming up for air

After watching the whales for a while, we headed along the cliffs and to Masca Bay. I was looking for a boat that did a different trip, but they all do pretty much the same trip, just in different boats. 

Los Gigantes cliffs

The white boat is a reasonably big boat. 

They fed us and all drinks were free. Some people made good use of this as it included beer and wine. But we set out at 11.30am. That is just way too early for me to be drinking!

After stopping in Masca Bay, there was a chance to go swimming. I decided not to bother as I knew the water was quite cool and I was enjoying sitting in the sun. Though I did get a little pink. Whoops! 

Instead of the normal way to go swimming, they continued in the pirate theme and there was a swing to get in. I saw some people going on it several times. It was very popular.

Swinging...

... And falling

While they were getting ready to sail, they gave us what they called (and pardon the language) "piss of the shark".  The crazy one squirted it into your mouth. And just kept going. A lot of us ended up with it over us! We had no choose than to pull away or drowned! Though I think I managed to get about 3 shots out it. (I have no idea what the drink was but it tasted like a weak honey rum.)

Quick drink

And to continue the slightly nuts theme, on the way back the crazy one fed the seagulls. At first just throwing food (chips I think) to them.

Catching food

Then hand feeding them.

Hand feeding the seagulls

Then mouth feeding. It was an interesting spectacle but having had my food stolen by seagulls on several occasions, it seemed like encouraging bad habits. :)

Mouth feeding the seagulls

Got it

I spent the rest of the afternoon sleeping or chilling out with my iPad on the balcony. It was nice to to relax in the peace and quiet and warmth.
This time I check the time of the sunset and set out early. I do love the golden hour light.

Golden hour

For the evening I had booked a really nice restaurant, with ex-Michelin star chefs. My reservation wasn't until 9.30pm which was a bit late but worth it. 

As I was celebrating, I started with a glass of cava. They gave me a free starter, a cone of squid and an expresso cup of squid juice. I think something got lost in the translation. I was skeptical but it was amazing. I wish the cup had been bigger.

My main was, as again celebrating, fillet steak and truffle sauce (it was a very posh restaurant but tenerife style so still laid back, if that makes sense). For desert, I choose the mango soup because it sounded weird. But so good. If the restaurant hadn't been so nice, I might have licked the bowl! And the desert wine was perfect. 

Dessert - mango soup, coconut tapioca and sherry ice cream plus dessert wine!

Ready for a night out.

It was a lovely night and I finished with a moon lit walk on the beach which was right by my hotel. And the perfect way to celebrate!

Sailing and whales

Last weekend I took a trip down to the south part of the island to do some exploring. When I got up Friday morning, it was raining in La Laguna. :( But it sort of cleared up. I have been getting the buses around, which are cheap but take some time. It took about 2 hours to get to the south of the island.  

I managed to get to the boat at Costa Adeje in time to sit and have a coffee before we set off. The Blue Jack is a small boat and only takes 11 people out at a time. It was more expensive than some of the others, but they have 50+ people on board. No thanks.

Staking out my spot.

I ended up sitting right at the front of the boat. A perfect spot for one. I felt a little guilty blocking the view but there wasn't anywhere else to sit so tough.

Sailing away from shore

First we headed out to the fishery nets. I was a little confused by this (not very scenic) but the dolphins hang out there. Apparently they love sea bream which are grown in the nets and patrol for escapees (to just bite their way into the nets!).

Dolphin.

Happy swimmers.

After the dolphins decided to go off for a swim we headed further out. Some boats had spotted a pod of pilot whales. Because we were on a sail boat with the sail up and no engine, we just glided up to near them. They didn't seem to care and came to investigate and play!

Pilot whales

Racing us!

<Insert Jaws theme tune>

They came right up to the boat. They were about 3-5m long and not shy.

Saying hello.

Popping out from under the boat.

 I did jump a few times when one surfaced the other side of me.

Whale below

Surfacing.

Off for a dive...

... and back up for air.

I should point out that none of these photos are zoomed in. This one really made me jump! I was sitting right at the front and looked down just as he/she came up to say hi.

Hello!

After scaring me.

Had enough playing now.

After about 20mins, they decided we weren't interesting any more and swam off. It was so cool. Then the crew came round with drinks, which included Cava. As I was on vacation (even if it was only a couple of days), way not!

Cava with a view.

I look a little nervous in this shot as they were putting up the sail behind me and I was a bit concerned with going over board.

Happy (but nervous)

Shortly after, while we were sailing along the coast to our next stop, the weather clouded over. At least it stopped me from getting sun burnt. Although I did manage to burn the bottom of my feet. We couldn't wear shoes on the boat, and the floor was hot! I was walking very gingerly for the next few days.

Sailing.

Not the best weather.

We stopped in a cove for lunch (very tasty sandwiches and they made me some especially with GF bread which was very sweet) and a swim. I went in briefly and the water was warm but there wasn't a lot to see. It was too murky. Still I had fun sharing my lunch with the fish.

Fish lunch.

While we were there another boat pulled up. It was one of the larger boats and so crowded. I was very happy I was not on that boat! And by the looks on the faces of the others on my boat, so were they. On the way back the weather cleared up a little of course, so I still got to top up my tan.

Headed back to port. 

I was lazy (and surprisingly tired for having not done a lot) and got a taxi to my hotel in Playa  de las Americas. The room was nice, though the electrics were ... ad hoc.

Plug?

While lounging around, I got a knock at the door and a very nice lady handed me a surprise bottle of Brut and some chocolates. I am not entirely sure why but once I established it was for me, from the Hotel (not some pyscho who had seen me in the lobby and was trying to find my room number by following the wine - too much Criminal minds, I know) and it was free, I happily took them off her.

Surprise!

Apparently it was a "thank-you for staying with us" gift. Given that they were giving me free wine, I decided to over look the fact they assumed I must be a man (despite booking with my own name, which is decidedly not male). I enjoyed this over the 2 nights I was there.

Mr. Harris?

For the evening, I had done some research and found the "best restaurant in Playa de las Americas" according to Trip Adviser and booked a table. I was glad I did because it was packed and they were turning people away. I wasn't too impressed with Playa de las Americas. It was super touristy (not my thing) and made me appreciate living in La Laguna instead. I took a few photos before going for dinner.

Fountain

Main concourse.

Sunset

Bit like Vegas

The Hard rock was very popular.

My restaurant, Imperial Tai-Pan, was lovely. The sushi was really good and I got to feed my addiction to Hot and Sour Soup. It was bit more expensive than other places (a lot more than anywhere in La Laguna) but good sushi is worth it. (Though I think I paid more for 2 bottles of water than the sake.)