Last full day on the island March 21st

 Quiet day, went for a walk, stopped for coffee on the street.  Walked sone more -  bought a couple of things.  Walked again this afternoon, then I was determined to get in that pool at the ocean.  Sun was out in the morning, but by 4 pm it was chilly!  So the water didn’t feel cold at all!  I think I am the only one from the whole group of 34, that had a swim in the pool!   So tomorrow, we pack up, back on the bus for 3pm, and head to the airport.  It really has been a great trip!  But look forward to getting home.  

Right in— did it for you Jodie!  You said you would love to swim here! 

Getting in, it was very slippery 

Carefully! 

Decisions— should I do it! 

Coffee, an Americana Grande, for Neil, cappuccino for me! 

Saw these crazy plants lots of times— assume they are weeds! 

Very pretty 

Neil got this guy to come down to his hand, but he didn’t take the chip— too fast for me to capture the pic. 

That’s about the biggest thing on the island, other than in the zoo.  No snakes!  

All there homes have the red tiled roofs. 

These are Canary pines, which they are very proud of.  Before I showed a pic of the whole pine forest that was burnt last year, on the mountain side. 

March 20th, Wednesday.

 Ouch— one more full day on the island!  Today another great day— no bus trips scheduled, so we walked a good hike (just Neil and I) to the  Macdonalds, where we picked up the yellow train, that would take us to the Loro Park which is a zoo!  Spent the whole day there.  The exhibits were great— the list is too long to tell all the things we saw, but the 3 shows, the Orcas, Dolphins and Sea lions, were absolutely amazing.  I wish I could send some videos on the blog, but will have to wait till we can show them in person.  The display of the Emperor Penguins was a highlight. It was a huge area,  snow covering the rocks, and snow coming down from the ceiling.  Needless to say it was behind glass- all enclosed. We think there must have been 250 of those big birds, it was very impressive.  

Curious Meerkat

Hippo, there was supposed to be a baby, but we didn’t see it— unless this was it!! 

The dolphins

Before the dolphin show started, the flew these 2 large parrots, back and forth over our heads

It’s amazing that they can train Orcas— killer whales 

That’s a lot of body to get into the air

Beautiful 

Just to show the crowd!  So many people! 

The white tiger

Hard to see but this is a sloth, hanging all fours from the tree branch. 

An anteater in the background, not sure what the white thing is. 

Anteater again. 

Sea lions

Chatted with us. 

The trainers were great with these guys, giving them lots of hugs

The only view we got of the lions!  Can you figure out the male?  The lion king.

The yellow train, that took us to the zoo!  

Monday the 18th, Tuesday the 19th.

 Monday was a leisure day, a group of us went out for lunch— a change from eating in the hotel.  There was a mini golf course right there at the restaurant, so had a fun time!  Yeah— I know fly have way around the world— to play mini golf!!

So today, Tuesday, once again on the bus, this time heading for the north east side of the island— and of course there were volcanoes, but this time we did not go up one!! Our first stop was in Candelaria, the site of the Patron Saint of the Canary Islands.  We visited the basilica, where the Madonna is front and Center.  Beautiful building.  Outside along the sea wall, were statues of the first peoples to come to the islands- from Africa.  It is not known how they got here, not even a legend about it.  They were quite tall, in comparison to the Spaniards.   Then we travelled to the capital of the Canary Islands—the port city of Santa Cruz.  Walked around the central square, and toured a lovely garden.  Got lots of info from the tour guide—they have no fishing industry here— evidently the waters are too deep. Average salary for the ordinary worker- 1600-1700eros a month.  Then he told us that an apartment would cost around 2000.  He said young people are really having a difficult time.  Strange though, we never saw a homeless person, or homeless shelters.    Maybe they just don’t show us that part of the city.  2 million people live on the island and 6 million visitors a year!   Tourism is VERY important- to their livelihoods

Santa Cruz

Self explanatory! .     . Two old people in front of a sign.  

The central square in Santa Cruz, surrounded by statues everywhere.  They are proud of their forefathers— they don’t remove theirs, like we do in Canada. 

Floral working clock in the gardens

In the gardens, a tribute to fertility! 

Beautiful Bougainville arches, the birds were singing— it really was lovely.  

Tulip tree, should have gotten a close up of the flowers.  Very pretty

In Candelaria, these are the statues of the first inhabitants from Africa

More

Crabs, on the rocks, every once in a while a wave would splash over them.  

The dome in the basilica 

Very ornate 

The basilica.  

Playing mini golf

.  A couple of people got a hole in one!  It usually took me 5 shots!! Neil had trouble with one hole, and had to quit at 10! But on the rest he did well, mostly 2 to 3. 

St Pattys day— March 17th

 Another bus ride to mountains and thru many tunnels thru the mountains.  Our main reason for the trip today, was to see the thousand year old “dragon” tree, and looking at old churches and a nunnery housed in a 17th century building.  Then we proceeded to the charming town of Garachico, located deep in the valley flanked by forested slopes, and rocky  coastline.  Finally we stopped at an incredible viewpoint looking over Porto  La Cruz— where our hotel is.  Back to the hotel by 130pm.  Our guide told us today that Lord  Nelson, from England, tried 3 times to conquer this Island— it would be  British instead of belonging to Spain.  It was so sunny when we out on the trip, and we were looking forward to going for a swim, when we came home, but it clouded over, and got really chilly, and rained a bit- so much for a swim.  Tomorrow is a leisure day!  

Crazy colourful houses

From our viewpoint overlooking Porto La Cruz

More Porto La Cruz, but notice the ‘fog’ in the air? According to our guide that is really sand dust, coming from the Sahara Desert! 

We were way up there! 

Stunning views

Something we haven’t seen before!  

This is the gate ( or a replica) to the old town of Garachico,  a walled village built by some man (?).  This village was completely destroyed by one of the volcanos

These are walkways to the natural swimming pools that are used in the summer months.   Right now the pools are too rough- big wave

Info on the gate to the old town. 

Narrow streets

Driving a big bus thru these!!! 

A 17 century old house, with the original wood doors window.  

Views to the valley

Dad found a friend!  In June they light fires on the beach— some kind of special day, — they right a wish on paper and then burn it.  Evidently this guy will be used as fire wood!  

Here it is the 1000 year old ‘Dragon’ tree.  The trunk is hollow, and has been vandalized by kids.  Now they have it closed off, and a fan inside to keep the moisture out, to keep it from rotting.  

This is another ficus tree, once again the big strinie things that are hanging - when they root it will be one another tree. 

Crazy designs in the trunk of the ficus 

Another costal view.