 From
Diary 6.10/12. I have pretty much seen all I wanted, and only do a tour around the fertile north-western mountains, to enjoy the weather and nature. It is mainly huge canyons, but here are small fields in many places. It seems like the
invasive plants do better here, even the Opuntias and
Agavas, both numerous. It is hard to find an area without a
little
I have driven the area before, but now, I have the time to find some plants from this habitat. The invasive Oxalis pes-caprae and the native Sonchus acaulis are flowering here for a first. I make some long strolls out the caminas, which don't seems to be used that often. One leads to an old
cable cart, found next
I do walks in the open
areas, in the forest - made up by pines, chestnuts and Eucalyptus
along with some trees, I can't identify by now. I do the slightly moist
areas and the shadow side of the rock walls, along the road. It is so
weird, I find the I pass several calderas; craters. If they are big enough, the flat button is farmed. One area is dominated by smooth hills, made up by fine gravel, and covered in green grass. I only see a few herds of sheep and a single black & white diary cow. I also see a few fields with lettuce and cabbage. I turn around quite
close to the coast, down I have enjoyed that more, than the café con leche for sure. But now, I am pretty sure, I have seen the better part of the island, which can be explored by car. I have so far driven 2200 kilometres on an island, 45 kilometres across. But I do have to admit; I have done nothing to limit the amount of kilometres, as I enjoy the driving, both on the highway and the narrow gravel roads. HIGHLIGHTS.
11. Another great drive up through the fertile foothills, then the pines and the more barren top by GC-130. I stop several times, once to have a few photos of the almond trees, which are flowering here.
Another I reach a clearing with green grass and a huge number of bulbs, not flowering yet, but I guess it is Pancratium maritimum. Quit close, two types of mushrooms are thriving.
I park a bit outside, and
do most of the central part of town, before I find the main street,
dominated by dulcerias. I try another one, but it seems like
their assortment
I sit and enjoy the sun for quite some time, before I get restless. Then I explore some of the lower parts of town, and have a peek into the rather large church. Christmas is here, both in the church and in front of the houses. A Then I reach the arid
succulent belt, with some amassing views over the almost barren
mountains, in the light mist. They don't check the car at all, but I
have to wait quite some time for the shuttle to the airport, as it
is getting the annual electronically Well, the flight is a good half hour delayed anyway, and I get to process the photos of the day, and start the diary. HIGHLIGHTS of the day.
Another great tour have
come to an end, and it went out quite as expected. I have driven
2298 kilometres, made 3854 photos and spend €1219, which is €100 more
than expected (petrol), but still half of what I
use to spend for a day's
adventure.
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house
or inhabitant cave for that matter. I also cross through small
villages from time to time.
to a nicely flowering African Aloe.
Bit of an odd constellation, especially as the cart is up in the
air,
and have wheels. I can't shake the feeling; every time I spot an
interesting plant, it is an invasive species. 
same plants, but in different stages of life.
of San Juan.
Then I head back, once again
by the smallest roads possible. And again, I have to turn
around a few times, as they are too small. I have been looking for a cafe all day, but end
up in a Spar supermarket, on the way home. Guess I once again have found a
patchwork of small roads, unfamiliar with tourists.
Besides from
all the great views, the few interesting plants and the weather, one
thing stands out: Then cakes I got in Tejeda. It is just over the
peak of the island, and I have to test a few more cakes.
attempt to catch a crater with the camera, but there are always
shadow somewhere. I reach the pines, and then the rather large area,
which have been burned down recently. The pines looses the lower needles,
that is all. The succulents, on the other hand, are burned to a
crisp.
Then
I pass over the top, and the landscape gets real barren. Never the
less, here are still a few scatted villages. A bit further down, it
turns green again. Then I reach the beautiful white village of
Tejeda.
are quite the same. I pick two, and let the lady
serving me, choose the third. Just as great as last time I was here, and
defiantly the drive worth. Well, it is worth itself.
bit redundant, I
head back for the car, and start the drive back to the car-rental
company. I choose another route, by GC-60 and then GC-65. Close
to the peak, I pass some almonds trees, still bearing fruits.
driving license check.
