TENERIFE, CANARY ISLANDS AND THANKSGIVING!

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Aboard Regal Princess
Stateroom C512
Thursday, November 24, 2022
75F, sunny

Happy Thanksgiving from the Horizon Court aboard Regal Princess!

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

TK's early morn photo

Happy Thanksgiving from the Canary Islands!!  We are enjoying warmth and sun as we explore Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Cruz!

 

Part of the port

The "Wave" is in the backkground, a notable landmark

It is the welcome center and an auditorium

"The Wave" a little closer--taken from the bus

The Canary Islands are a string of 7 major Spanish volcanic islands and some minor ones about 180 miles from the coast of the northwest African continent, known for their black sand beaches. Tenerife is the largest (and youngest geologically).

 

We docked in Santa Cruz on the island of Tenerife. From what I understand, it is the capital of the Canary Islands. The population of Tenerife is about 2 million people with almost 3000 square miles. The Canary Islands boast that they have the best climate in the world—mostly sunny days and mild temperatures. Some crops grown here include bananas, oranges, coffee, dates, sugarcane, and tobacco. There are elevations above 2400 feet with appreciably cooler climates.

 The Ancient World once believed that just beyond the Pillars of Hercules (the Rock of Gibraltar) were the mountainous remnants of Atlantis whose survivors lived on the island now known as Tenerife. Who knows?

 

Today we booked another Princess cruise, this time a bus trip to Puerto de la Cruz, a seaside city, Tenerife’s premier resort since the turn of the 19^th century.  We walked along the streets, soaking in the sun, palm trees, the posh hotels, the quaint cafes where people were watching the World Cup, and the seacoast where people were surfing.  There are four cruise ships in port and many guests made their way to this charming area.  Because there was German food offered in many restaurants and pretzels and stollen bread offered in bakeries, we figured many tourists who visit here are from Germany!  This area would be a wonderful getaway for Europeans.

 

Along the coast on our way to Puerto de la Cruz

After we  had a cup of very strong coffee, we shopped, spending our last euros.  

 

Strong strong coffee here!

Aloe is grown here -- somewhat like Aloe Aruba in Aruba

TK's favorite

Believe it or not, TK found a mall!

A street of Puerto de la Cruz

Along a street of Puerto de la Cruz

Another street of Puerto de la Cruz

Janie

Janie at the seacoast

TK at the seacoast

Close up of volcanic rock at the beach--

Beach with black volcanic sand in Puerto de la Cruz

TK elected not to surf, but these people did!

Surfing!

Too soon it was time to meet the bus for our return to Santa Cruz. 

View of Santa Cruz de Tenerife with the volcanic mountains in the background. 

Goodbye Tenerife, on to Fort Lauderdale next Friday, December 2!

TK's Takes:  We did a good thing by going to Puerto de la Cruz, not much going on in Santa Cruz today.

TK's "Guess What This Is Called On The Menu Contest" for today.  

Email Janie or text Janie or TK with the correct answer

Prizes will be awarded!

There were no winners for yesterday's "Guess What This Is"

Answer: Beef Stroganoff

Tonight we know we will have turkey and ham and pumpkin pie, but no matter what, it won’t be as good as being with our family.  Internet will be very bad during the crossing so I am not sure how much I will be writing or even if there will be things exciting enough to share! That said, Dear Readers, we are thankful for you.

 

Happy Thanksgiving to all!