Tuesday May 27th Santa Cruz de la Tenerife.

Tuesday May 27th Santa Cruz de la Tenerife

Our marriage started here over 42 years ago

Not changed at all!!!

 Volcano Mount Teide in the mist

Sand Art floor in Oratova

No organized tours for us today we were on a mission. We grabbed a cab and set off to Puerto de la Cruz. It felt like we were back in civilization, modern cars, paved not sandy roads and actual buildings without corrugated shacks. En route, we had a couple of scenic stops for photos and then on to the town of Oratova. We passed through the new town (took 45 seconds!) into the old town with its cobbled streets, narrow lane-ways, wrought iron balconies, stucco buildings and old world charm. We had the best Cafe con Leche at a small bar and then across the road we visited an artisan house which included some impressive lace-making. We purchased an Oratova valley wine. We drove through the Oratova valley, past vineyards and an amazing aqueduct, way above us high up in the valley.

OLE!!!!

Once upon a time....

Happy to come back to were we started

Arriving at the Las Aquilas hotel we had to take a breath. Yes it was in fact the Alta Vista where we honeymooned 42 1/2 years ago. There were many changes..it was now painted red not white, the dining room has moved, and the pool enlarged from a rectangle to be a free form infinity pool. But it was still our place, full of memories and emotions. Quite an amazing experience, to see it again after all these years. After spending some time wandering through the hotel reminiscing about the fun time we had there when we were just 19 and 25,  we drove down into the town of Puerto de La Cruz. We walked around the seafront for and hour and half and had lunch, including the Tenerife salted potatoes and local beer, Cruzcampo. The half litre of Sangria went down well too.

Front of the 'Alta Vista' now Las aquilas

Black volcanic sand in Puerto de la Cruz

Our lunch spot.. la Bodega

A toast to us !!

Returning to Santa Cruz, we said goodbye to our taxi driver and walked round a local market with incredible fresh meats and vegetables. Chris told us later that the meat was half the price of Aussie meat. Alas, we couldn't bring it on board anyway. We wandered on, past the presidential palace (an eyesore) a vinoteca (More wine supplies) the old fishermans church, and the Church de la Conception. Found a small bar and had a Mahou beer. Back on board had a cappucino on the panorama deck and waited for the sail away, watching latecomers race to the ship for the 4.30 deadline. Soon as we set sail we broke open the champers we'd been keeping, and passed some over to our neighbours Wendy and Horst in the next cabin who were also watching the sail-away on their balcony.(coincidentally they were married on exact the same day we were!!) We had a nice dinner with Tracy and Chris and enjoyed the slightly funnier entertainment (Comedian/singer David Copperfield...not the famous one). Off for an earlier night after a lovely day. 

Back in Santa Cruz interesting sculpture

Cheers !!!!

Santa Cruz - Large 'round' square.. HUH??

Back on board

Leaving Tenerife

Happy after a great day