TENERIFE (E)    INFO & DIARY  1

I actually spend 14 days on Tenerife, way back in 1992, but I have no photos, no diary nor any recollection. I figured I had to return, especially as I was in transit anyway.
 
It is the largest of the islands in the Canaries archipelago with 2,034.38 square kilometres, and hold the capitals of the archipelago along the highest point in the entire country; Teide. It is also the most populated island with close to a million inhabitants along with 7,400,000 tourists every year. While they are generally found in the southern beaches, I will mainly explore the old towns and nature elsewhere.
The name 'Tenerife' likely originate from Tamazight, but there is no consensus on its correct interpretation, as the name given to the island by the Benahoaritas (the indigenous peoples of La Palma) was derived from the words teni ("mountain") and ife ("white"). And the 17th-century historians Juan

island's indigenous people was the Guanche Berbers, arravling from Africa around 200 BC, but traces of man can be dated back to 600 BC. The Spaniels started the conquest in 1464 and only succeeded 30 years later.
The main climates are the hot semi-arid/arid climate (Köppen: BSh and BWh) and the subtropical Mediterranean Climate (Köppen: Csb and Csa) inland or at higher altitudes. I hope for 24-26C along the coast, and fear considerable lower in the mountains. Tenerife is a rugged volcanic island, sculpted by successive eruptions throughout its history. There are four historically recorded volcanic eruptions. The first recorded occurred in 1704, when the Arafo, Fasnia and Siete Fuentes volcanoes erupted simultaneously. Two years later, in 1706, the greatest eruption occurred at Trevejo. The last eruption of the 18th century happened in 1798 at Cañadas de Teide, in Chahorra. The most recent eruption in 1909 formed the Chinyero cinder cone in the municipality of Santiago del Teide.
The island of Tenerife has a remarkable ecosystem diversity in spite of its small surface area, which is a consequence of the special environmental conditions on the island, where its distinct orography modifies the general climatic conditions at a local level, producing a significant variety of microclimates. This diversity of microclimates allows some 1400 species of plants to exist on the island, with well over 100 of these endemic to Tenerife. The fauna of Tenerife includes some 400 species of fish, 56 birds, five reptiles, two amphibians, 13 land mammals, thousands of invertebrates, and several species of sea turtles and cetaceans. I'll like to see them all.

DIARY
8/11 2025, Day1. I arrival from La Gomera at dusk, and despite I soon after have my car; a Dacia Sandero stepway, it is now pitch black - and raining. I race along the highway with 120 Km/h, and soon after find my hostel, in the suborns of the big city. Well, except they haven't heard of me, nor the €300, which I paid to Hotels.com, half a year ago. It is a bit of a pity, as it look so cosy here.

But the owner have a huge apartment, and here I get to stay with him. I just sit and update things, while I wait for the him to pick me up. We drive in his car to a huge apartment, where I get my own room, and share a kitchen with him. Pretty much everything I need - except Wi-Fi, the first two days.

I spend the evening wrapping up the last island, then re-plan a bit of this, as today became a bit shorter than originally planned.

9/11. Day 2. The day is all about the most western part. I walk back through the Sunday-dead town to my car. Where La Gomera did have it's share of shopping problems, I have five supermarkets within 50 meters here - and they are even Sunday open! It is in the edge of the historical town of La Orotava, another suborn of Puerto de la Cruz.

I the drive through the real charming, but also really narrow historical alleys, the almost vacant highway, along the coast. A bit of sun, a bit of drizzle and a giant rainbow. It touched down in the exact same spot, as a little settlement in touch by a sun-ray.
I see more houses, gas stations and shops in ten minutes, compared with the last 25 days.

Unfortunately, it seems like it is a bit too early to see Garachico, due to the lack of sun. I neuter the bloody car-camera, as I prefer to be the sole captain. Then I write diary – and loose patients.

It is truly a cosy old town, and with a good mix of restored and authentic buildings. The square in front of the cathedral have a little marked, and I get a bun.
I do most of the old town, with squares, alleys, a park – and unfortunately quite some parked cars. They do spoil not only the sight, but the illusion of passed times.

It turns out, the light rain concur over the sun, and at ten, I head off, slightly wet.
It is a ten kilometres drive through mainly banana plantations, to Buernavista del Norte, another old village. It seems to be enough to exchange the rain for some most appreciated sun, although not in the wanted amounts.

The cafes are busy with a equal mix of locals and tourists, and the church and lottery salesmen are ready. I do several loops through both wasteland, fancy colonial buildings and humble homes.

The me and the sun head on, unfortunately in each other direction. Half way to my next site; Punta de Teno, with it’s wild beach and giant cliffs, the road is permanent closed. From here, it by foot or public bus. Perhaps a sunny day, thank you.

Then the inland Parque Rural de Teno might hold some sun, along with the nature? But no, up here at 500 meters, the drizzle rules. El Palmar looks like a cosy little town, which I might visit along with the sun one day.

For now, I rather find the good weather, and that is most likely on the other side of the mountains. Masca, a tiny hamlet might be the answer.
At 800 meters, it is like pea-soup. I stop at Mirador Altos de Baracán, where it feels like the car could be blown over by the harsh wind.

It is a magnificent mountain road; TF-436 leads at first to the real popular hamlet Masca. Here are around 20 times more cars than houses. I hope it is a Saturday phenomena, but would like to return a sunny day.

The little twisted road then head further up, and get more and more crowded. And people can’t pass each other. Well, it is narrow.
The road pass a pass at a bit over 1000 meters, and winds it’s way down to Santiago del Teide. Here are sunny, and I turn in.

It is still a 925 meters height, but less windy. Here are not that many charming old buildings, but it is popular this Sunday. Some serious cremating is taking place along the riverside, and the bars are allied with huge motorcycles. I see it all, get a string to tie the GPS- thing together with the USB stick, and head on.
In an effort to improve the weather further, I head down to coastal Tancon, known for its blue rock ponds.

On the way down, I have to stop at little Tamaimo, to botanise a bit. Besides from the figs and almonds, here are six species of succulents – doing less good. It looks like the area is not that old, as here are lava tunnels and sharp shapes. The sun really kick in, as I approached the coastline.

I end up in Varadeo or Taicon, and figure, I better park before it is too late. I find the staircase to the blue ponds, but it is closed by the police. The beach is well visited, but only for the sun. The waves are way too big to be negotiated.
I do a loop among Russians and Englishmen along with Indian shopkeepers, selling cheep Chinese stuff at high prices.

I have seen quite some road-sighs, showing to Los Gigantes, but I fail to figure, what it is, unless it is two giant hotels?
I head home by the big coastal roads, and reach it at five. Apparently, I’ve haven’t been drinking enough, and suffer in bed till midnight – and then I get to sleep.
The highlights from Day 2.  All photos from Day 2.

               Time to head on in Diary 2.