We went to breakfast early today and got to see the moon go down and the sun come on the lovely, modern city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife before we were finished eating.
Dale saw more of the city on his tour today than I did but we both enjoyed the volcanic landscapes around Mount Teide, the 3rd largest volcano in the the world and the highest peak in Spain. Mt Teide rises out of the caldera (15 k in diameter) of Las Canadas which erupted long ago. The scenery inside the caldera was beautiful and ever-changing as we walked and rode through it.
Krystal and I enjoyed walking up a hill for a better view over the other side and saw some of the ubiquitous Tizon lizards while we were there.
The area was covered with Red Tajinaste plants, which were just starting to bloom, grow only in that area and can be up to 9 feet tall.
The Canary pines which cover many of the volcanic slopes there are certainly survivors. After the recent fire which covered much of one side of the area they quickly shoot out new branches all along the trunk and this particular specimen was exhibiting a strong will to live with the majority of its roots exposed for what looked like a very long time.
Our tour proceeded around the island on a very steep, narrow and winding road — the Road to Hana doesn’t hold a candle to this one! And our driver clearly relished the opportunity to help us experience it in all of its extremes.
A couple of times our driver did a fist dump with the oncoming bus driver as we held our breath and went off the road for his benefit. The scenery was beautiful here, too, and we had a lovely lunch with a view along the way.
It was my kind of day, seeing God’s amazing creation!
Your pictures of Tenerife reminded me that 45 years ago I stocked a George Otis book on our Inspirational Book Racks called “Terror at Tenerife,” about an airport disaster when two Boing planes collided. I must say that while the harbor doesn’t remind us of Arizona, at least 20 of the pictures do! Hope to see you when you get back!
Beautiful landscape photos. God created a magnificent landscape for us to enjoy.
you like it because it’s so much like Arizona! the sunrise was magnificent! truly! did you see any canaries?