Your Tenerife Photos

Archives

• February 2004
• March 2004
• May 2004
• June 2004
• July 2004
• August 2004
• September 2004
• October 2004
• November 2004
• December 2004
• January 2005
• February 2005
• March 2005
• April 2005
• May 2005
• June 2005
• July 2005
• August 2005
• September 2005
• October 2005
• November 2005
• December 2005
• January 2006
• February 2006
• March 2006
• April 2006
• May 2006
• June 2006
• July 2006
• August 2006
• September 2006
• October 2006
• November 2006
• December 2006
• January 2007
• February 2007
• March 2007
• April 2007
• May 2007
• June 2007
• July 2007
• August 2007
• September 2007
• October 2007
• November 2007
• December 2007
• January 2008
• February 2008
• March 2008
• April 2008
• May 2008

Until now, enjoying a chop or two, barbecued in the open air at one of the island's network of beautiful recreational areas has been free - other than the cost of the food you bring along and, of course, the wine to accompany it.

However, this situation could change because, according to this report, Tenerife Corporation, via it's Councilor for the Environment, Wladimiro Rodríguez Brito, is continuing to study the possibility of charging for the use of these facilities.

There are bound to be a huge amount of complaints, but these places have barbecues made of rock, grill in place, wood already chopped, water laid on; tables and benches, adequate toilets, children's play areas, parking and more, so you just can't help feeling that, up to now, people have been a bit spoilt.

Though that issue is still "pending review", the same news item, almost in the same breath, also lists - as a definite - that visitors will have to pay (as we previously reported here) to visit the Barranco de Masca (Masca Gorge), just as they do already in the Barranco del Infierno (Hell's Ravine), in Adeje.

The reason given is still the need to provide guides because they're having problems with security / safety. They don't say when charging will begin.

With respect to the recreation areas, the councillor apparently commented that "What would be good is that citizens collaborate with something that causes them pain, with 3 euros or more, so that they don't trash the installations and steal the firewood, or use them with no control whatsoever ..."

If that's what happening, you can understand, but it's the old story, where the entire class gets detention, just because one child is naughty; everyone will have to pay, just because the few cannot behave in a civilized manner.

And, of course, someone stands to make a profit out of this. :-)

There's also talk of gradually decentralizing the financial management of these recreational areas to their relevant town halls and, eventually to possible privatization. The report also contemplates the total closure of some of these areas, where there are fire risks and potential difficulties for evacuation.

| Permalink | (1) Comments | Post a Comment

Derby on a small scale!The weather has been relatively crap - relatively - with *winter* rain arriving just as we approach *summer* and it seems quite chilly - for Tenerife; the elections are over, the dustmen are on strike, we'd really rather avoid the farming crisis, the housing crisis, the economic crisis, the employment crisis, the tourism crisis, rising prices, or the myriad of other taboo subjects ... So what else is there to talk about? Or look forward to? Ah yes, the football!

And it isn't likely to get much closer to "fever pitch" than this. With 31 out of 42 games played this season, CD Tenerife currently have a not-too-shabby total of 45 points and stand in 7th place (out of 22) in the Second Division of La Liga.

Tenerife won at home to Poli Ejido (2-1) on Sunday, scoring the second goal just 8 minutes from the end of the game, but they are having a better season than they've seemingly had for ages.

They've won 11 games this season, ten of them at home, but only 1 win away, which seems to point to where their "weak spot" is. And their next game, on Saturday, April 5th, is away and, a local derby against UD Las Palmas, in Gran Canaria.

The last derby between Tenerife and Las Palmas, in November 2007, at home at Tenerife's Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium to a near capacity crowd, ended up as a 2-2 draw, so the "uncertainty" of away performance and the pressure of a local derby, is sure to make this the subject of much twittering, before, during and after the game.

English speakers interested in going along, should consult fan club, Armada Sur, but be aware that tickets are only on sale until Wednesday [April 2nd]. Kick off at the 31,250 capacity Gran Canaria Stadium is at 5.30 p.m. and the match is to be shown on Televisión Canaria for those who can't make it in person.

For more upcoming events in Tenerife, consult our calendar.

| Permalink | (0) Comments | Post a Comment

On Good Friday, or Viernes Santo as it's known on Tenerife, I travelled to the Island's former capital, La Laguna, to watch the Silent Procession. I deliberately bypassed the gridlocked traffic vying for spaces around Plaza del Adelantado on the edge of the old quarter, so that I had to crisscross the old town's atmospheric streets to get to where the procession was taking place.

It was no hardship; I could happily stroll along La Laguna's cobbles for hours, soaking up the sense of history that oozes from every unevenly plastered old cottage and smooth basalt stone façade of aristocratic mansions.

The policy of having street lighting designed to reduce light pollution means that you don't get 'bright lights, big city' on Tenerife. Streets are dimly lit at best, bathed in soft, golden hues reminiscent of cinema's numerous depictions of Victorian London. In most European cities, the dim lighting would have had me quickening my step and glancing around nervously for danger lurking in the shadows, but not here. On these streets and alleys, it only enhanced the notion that I was somewhere else in time. If I had passed Harry Lime lighting up in a doorway, I wouldn't have looked twice. Every so often the darkness was broken by the inviting glow radiating from tascas whose modern chic interiors somehow complimented their colonial exteriors.

It's one of the things I like about La Laguna; although the old quarter is a wonderfully preserved treasure chest of old townhouses and mysterious convents with latticed balconies; an open air living museum, if you wish, it also has a modern underbelly which borders on bohemian.

The mix of old and new was evident all around. An abstract sardine tin doorframe fronted an 18th century townhouse; intricately carved wooden balconies from the 17th century were reflected in shop windows displaying the latest fashions. In Plaza del Adelantado old guys in fedoras shared benches with ultra modish students from the city's university.

The sky was clear and a bright full moon cast a silvery glow on the darkened streets, but a vindictive northern wind was racing through the streets doing a passable impression of 'The Day After Tomorrow' and the warm ambience of a tasca seemed a more inviting prospect than waiting on exposed streets which would have a brass monkey gulping nervously. However, I resisted their lure and took my place, folding my arms against the cold.

When the first of the hooded brotherhoods emerged from the darkness and passed silently in front of me, all thoughts of feeling cold dissipated; I was transfixed. For just under an hour, the hooded figures flowed silently by. The scene was almost medieval and yet around me, stylishly dressed Laguneros looked as though they could have just stepped from the pages of Vogue.

That's La Laguna. I think it's fair to say that, whichever way you look at it, it's definitely one of the coolest places to visit on Tenerife.


Copyright © 2008 Real Tenerife Island Drives. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be copied or reproduced without the written permission of Real Tenerife Island Drives.

Lying on a beach all day every day might make for a relaxing holiday, but memories of it fade as quickly as your sun tan. Island Drives is aimed at travellers who want to experience the real essence of Tenerife, not just its pools and beaches. If you want an unforgettable holiday as opposed to a good one, Real Tenerife Island Drives will make the difference.

| Permalink | (1) Comments | Post a Comment

Thinking of going self-catering on holiday in Tenerife? Considering moving to the Canary Islands? Then you'll want to know what things cost and how much they're going up, so you can budget your living expenses.

This report in Thursday's Canarias7 (via) says that the price of bread has risen (pun unintended) by 16.1% in the last year (at national level the rise was 11.6%), bringing the average cost of a loaf to more than 2 euros. Milk has become 25.4% more expensive (27.7% nationally), to reach an average of 98 cents per liter.

Dairy products in general have increased by 11.6% (10.5% in Spain) taking the average price of yogurts (I think they mean a 4-pack) to 1.12 euros and a semi-cured cheese to 10.03 euros. The price of eggs has increased 25.2% (double the national average, where the cost increased by 11.6%), reaching a price (per dozen) of 2.46 euros for XL size and 2.04 euros for large eggs.

Fresh fruit has gone up in the last year by 14.2% (9.8% in Spain as a whole), bringing the average price of apples and oranges to 1.93 and 1.46 euros, respectively (presumably, per kilo). Vegetables and fresh pulses have increased in price by 10.5% (5.5% nationally), which brings the cost of a lettuce close to a euro, salad tomatoes to 1.72 euros and mushrooms to 5.42 euros (per kilo.)

Poultry prices have risen by 8.7% in February (they had dropped since November 2007, when the annual rate of increase had reached 20%), putting the price of chicken at 3.35 euros (again, presumably for a kilo). Veal has increased 2.8% to an average of 18.75 euros and lamb (not that you ever see it here) has risen 10.5%. Only the prices of pork, cooking oil and spuds have reduced.

If farmers react to food price rises in the UK, they are doing so here too, with a blog, published from the island of El Hierro, covering the worldwide Crisis Ganadera (Farming Crisis), where they reiterate the 8% rise in food prices and highlight the discrepancy between this and the average rise in salaries, of between 4 to 4.5%. (Average salaries in the Canary Islands are already the second lowest in Spain at 1470.61 euros (about 1142 quid), per month.)

Compared to the average basket of groceries going up by 12 per cent in a year (17 per cent in two years) in the UK, plus an average of 15% in "unjustified" energy price rises and salary rises forecast (Anyone got actual data for the UK?) in 2007 of just 3.6%, you might wonder what there is to complain about.

However, one person, from the Canary Islands, living in Germany, comments that wages there are double, while prices are half those here in these islands.

Canarias Bruta also publish their Cesta Bruta (cesta being [shopping] basket), occasionally, which lists prices in several of the big supermarkets here.

Convert prices from euros to pounds sterling or into dead presidents here.

How does your area / country compare? Leave us a comment!

| Permalink | (2) Comments | Post a Comment

The Teatro Guimerá (website) in Tenerife's capital Santa Cruz is to present two performances to the general public, at 12:00 and 18:30 on March 29th, 2008, of Réplika Teatro's musical production of, "Alicia atraviesa el espejo" (Alice Through the Looking-Glass), Lewis Carroll's wonderful piece of literary nonsense and sequel to Alicia en el País de las Maravillas (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.)

Costumes, graphic design and scenery for the production are all by Spanish fashion designer, Ágatha Ruíz de La Prada (website), known for her original bright-coloured designs which represent humor, boldness, color and nature (making her style absolutely perfect for interpreting Carroll's wonderfully surreal stories visually, in my opinion.)

Adults, 18, 15 and 12 euros. Kids: 10 euros, via GeneralTickets (Via: ABC)

| Permalink | (0) Comments | Post a Comment

So as Britain prepares for an Arctic Easter, what does Tenerife have in store for this year's Extreme Early Easter? (If you want to find out why it's early, read this.)

A Heavy Cross to Bear

The top Easter "attractions" here are the Passion Plays or The Stations of the Cross (or Way of the Cross; in Latin, Vía Crucis) that take place in various towns on the island and, which reenact scenes from the last hours of the life of Jesus Christ.

Only a short hop from your resort hotel, in Adeje is one of the largest and best examples of this amazing quality street theatre, with detailed performances by more than 300 actors. This takes place on Good Friday, from around mid-day, though you may want to get there a little earlier to get a good spot. The entire performance is in the streets and squares of the town, public buildings taking on new roles for the day. It's also important enough to get televised.

Candelaria too is staging a Representación de la Pasión de Jesús, in the town streets and plazas, again featuring a cast of hundreds, the Municipal Choir, the Band of Cornets and Drums, 40K watts of sound and 150K of lighting to recreate scenes such as; The Last Supper, the hanging of Judas and the Crucifiction.

On a smaller scale, on Saturday, 22nd March, approximately 30 local actors will present a Pasion Play at the farmers market in Santiago Del Teide.

Penitent Processions


Holy Thursday procession in Puerto de la Cruz. Photo: palestrina55This step-by-step guide to Semana Santa (Holy Week) in La Laguna may be in Spanish, but it has lots of illustrations of the various cofradias (brotherhoods); who dress in Klu Klux Klan style garb, plus photos of some of the icons that will be paraded during the processions.

The brotherhoods, which date to the 16th Century, are faithful catholics who follow a particular image of Chirst, the Virgin or a saint and it is the penitent type who parade at Easter. More from the Holy Thurdsay parade in Puerto de la Cruz

Semana Santa events in Santa Cruz and La Laguna (in Spanish)

El Via Crucis de Icod de los Vinos, made by Tenerife artist, Santiago González Arbelo, known for his work on nativity scenes, is a model that represents the life of Christ, from birth to Crucifiction, in miniature. It's on display in the Casa de los Cáceres, near the church in Icod de los Vinos, until March 30th.

Meanwhile, the Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz is offering more secular Easter activities, including their annual corral de los conejitos (bunny enclosure) and other diversions for both grown-ups and children, until March 23rd.

Eggstra Easter Patrols

Take extra care while driving on the islands' this weekend, as there are a total of 351 Civil Guard officers taking part in special Easter patrols on Canary Islands' roads (in Tenerife, especially on the TF-1 and TF-5 motorways) starting today, Thursday, March 20th. And, in the fight against excess speed and alcohol abuse, their surprise feature, is radar and 9 unmarked cars at their disposal.

You thought Spring here was Eternal?

Spring Sprung too today in the northern hemisphere - Tenerife is about 28° North - but, it's already known as the "Island of Eternal Spring", because it enjoys a mild temperature all year round. Blossoms and spring flowers do appear at this time of year and, in theory, we should be getting into the drier season now. In theory, she says, so as not to tempt fate! :) So the BBC forecast rain for Monday, but that's not a bank holiday here. Today and tomorrow, Good Friday are.

OK, so there won't be that many Easter Eggs in Tenerife, except in stores serving visitors and expat residents, but who needs them when the "Easter Surprise" is a temperature of around 20 degrees?

| Permalink | (1) Comments | Post a Comment

No doubt you've found yourself in this situation before: you buy a two meter long python and all the store gives you is this thin, crappy plastic carrier bag that wouldn't even support the weight of two yogurts.

So you think to yourself, "What can I do to get this home through the many streets of La Laguna?"

And, after the appropriate amount of mature reflection, you come up with a plan:

"Oh yeah, I'll hop on my moped, wearing the python as a scarf!"

Never mind that neither of us has a crash helmet.

This news appeared in today's La Gaceta de Canarias apparently, but I've roughly translated this from an item at Canarias Bruta, which indicates that the only reason police were suspicious was the guy's of the lack of crash helmet.

We assume otherwise, he'd have been able to be "a bit more slippery?"

Once apprehended, the officers of the law then noticed that the rider had a yellow lump about his person, whereupon the said youf showed them the receipt, proving that he had indeed just purchased Hissing Sid.

We've had Snakes on a Plane, Snakes on a Blog; Suddenly Snakes in a Cartoon seems a bit tame, but Snakes on a Moped just seems, well, kinda ... Dare I say it? Yes, bloody typical of this island! Last time, as Canarias Bruta also remind us, it was a goat on a moped. That time the animal was wearing a crash helmet. This report of that previous incident (which reckons that Spain could win the World Championships in Surrealism), even produced an image to go with it! :)

Apart from wondering WTF people want these weird critters as pets for - what's wrong with a nice little, fluffy, pussy cat? - all I can add is this, by Python Lee Jackson. Snake transporting dream broken, as he pushed his luck too far ...

| Permalink | (1) Comments | Post a Comment

The meat at the Asadero Los Pedregales in the El Palmar valley above Buenavista del Norte in Tenerife came recommended, so I had to try it. This was the second time in reality, but the first time my camera was having a bad hair day. Last time, we tried the pork and the veal, which is why I had the beef this time and all three have been utterly delicious and as tender as babies' behinds.

But, if the meat was good, the real reason I went back was for the Tres Leches (Three Milk) pudding or cake, suitable for birthdays (or any or no occasion, for that matter.)

It was a mere coincidence that I'd seen a mention of this cake on the internet only a couple of days before my first visit to the Asadero around Christmas, so when it was offered, I had to try that too.

Personally, I think I deserve some sort of an award for not having strolled across the valley a lot more often, just to do a spot of "quality control" and check that it's still OK! Honestly, it is so good, you get withdrawal symptoms!

Tres Leches is though to have come from Nicaragua or Mexico and is popular in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Texas and now, as you see, Tenerife!

For those who want to try it at home, Tres leches cake, or Pastel de Tres leches (literally: "cake of three milks"), is a cake, - in some recipes, a butter cake - soaked in three kinds of milk: evaporated milk, condensed milk, and either whole milk or cream. Recipes: Tres Leches Cake or Tres Leches III.

If I have one criticism of the Asadero - it means Roast House so maybe this is no surprise - it's that you just get chips with everything and there's a distinct and total lack of anything resembling a vegetable on the premises. No salads even, just plain and rather "macho" meat.

Still, I suppose they stick to what they do best, which is the right thing to do.

But if you value your heart and health, this place is for high days only!

The Asadero doesn't have a menu, but the waiter rattles off a list of what they have on that day. This is good from a food point of view, because you know what you get will be fresh and of quality. If you don't know Spanish, you'll have to be adventurous or at least have the ability to point, because the meats are on display at a counter in the restaurant and are butchered to order.

There's no way I could have a starter because I wouldn't have room with steak that big and, in any case you get the usual bread and alioli to nibble at while your meat is cooking. I did have a small glass of the house red - that was local and like nectar - water and coffee. Total cost: 19 euros (just under £15).



The Asadero Los Pedregales can be found on the main road through the El Palmar valley, on the right coming up from Buenavista del Norte and going in the direction of Masca. It's on the 355 and 366 bus routes.

| Permalink | (0) Comments | Post a Comment

Whist I doubt we shall ever broadcast that much late-breaking news of international import, it's true that we sometimes delve into upcoming events on the island - often that are upcoming rather soon, because our sources hardly ever give us much warning - plus the occasional inclement weather alert.

If you're already in Tenerife, on holiday, how are you going to know about these potentially important announcements?

Easy: subscribe to the Secret Tenerife Mobile Version.

The mobile version contains the same headlines as we put out on this blog, our regular feed or via email, but both text snippets and images are cut down to size to fit the small screen. Being so much less long-winded: you may prefer this version permanently! :)

From there, you'll be able to decide if a headline looks important or interesting enough that you just have to stop and read the whole thing, urgently.

We assume everyone in the entire world has an internet enabled mobile phone that they take everywhere with them, even on holiday. Well, everyone in the entire world except us, so we must also assume you know how to use it.

Try not to break it and, please, do let us know if you find it useful.

If you're one of the nice people reading this blog via our feed, then you may not know that this addition is not the only thing we've done lately. As well as other new features, the site has a whole new - hopefully clean and clear - design. Why not drop by and take a look.

| Permalink | (0) Comments | Post a Comment

If you're looking for somewhere to stay in Tenerife this month, the H10 La Nina, one of the most popular 4* hotels in the prestigious area of Costa Adeje, is offering a 40% discount on Twin/Double rooms for stays from 5th - 19th March, when booked via Reserveahotelonline.com

Their press release says, "At this time of year, Tenerife is the perfect getaway. With sunshine all year round, you can sunbathe to your hearts content and forget about the nasty weather back home!"

... and I can confirm that, while some parts of the UK had temperatures of minus 3 yesterday, I'm looking at a thermometer telling me it's 22 degrees centigrade here in Tenerife - and I'm on the "cold north" of the island!

The hotel itself opened in June 2003 and offers you easy access to both shops and restaurants. Each room at the hotel offers a full en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, direct dial telephone, internet connection, Satellite TV, safety deposit box, balcony and mini-bar.

Rooms for disabled guests, and non-smokers are available on request.

The H10 La Nina also offers you the use of 2 fresh-water swimming pools for adults, 1 heatable during the winter months, 2 outdoor Jacuzzis, pool loungers and umbrellas and for the little ones there is also a children's swimming pool.

There's also all of the rest of the beautiful island to explore, but the hotel also offer an organised daytime activity programme, you also have access to Squash Courts, Billiards / Pool tables, table football and Ping-Pong! And if that's not enough then nearby water sports are readily available.

And, at the end of that long day in the Sun ... you can dine in any of the hotel's many restaurants. The H10 La Nina's Teide Restaurant offers buffet meals with show cooking from the attending chef. There is also a Lobby Bar located beside the foyer, the Drago Bar inside the hotel and the Choza Bar beside the swimming pool for snacks and barbeques. And to look after you once you've finished your evening meal, you can sit back and enjoy the evening entertainment and live music.

Finally, to make sure everything is to hand for you, the hotel also provides you with on-site Hairdressing salon, laundry, Internet Corner, Currency exchange, Car hire, Garage, Health and Beauty Centre and Shopping Centre.

Book now via www.reserveahotelonline.com

* Offer is subject to availability.

Click here to see what other hotels / offers are available in Tenerife

| Permalink | (0) Comments | Post a Comment

Beauty pageants are probably about as politically correct as fox hunting or bear baiting (although they have a Mister España contest too now, to quash any accusations of sexism), but if they're going to exist, all the better if we win them, eh? :)

And so it happens that on Saturday, March 1st, at the largest vacation and holiday resort in Europe; the Marina D'or development on the coast near Valencia, Patricia Yurena Rodriguez , Miss Tenerife, was crowned Miss España (Miss Spain).

It's the first time Tenerife has won the pageant for over 30 years, when Luz María Polegre Hernández won in 1976. The province won on three other occasions, all in the 1960's; 1963, 64 and 69.

The 1.79 m (5' 10") tall 17 year old - Patricia will celebrate her 18th birthday on Thursday - hails from Granadilla de Abona on the south of Tenerife.

Colin in Galicia says, "Truth to tell, though, there's not a lot of variation between the lovely contestants - same abnormal height, same long, dark hair, same brown eyes, etc., etc. All a bit mind numbing in its lack of variety."

However, since a recent article in 20minutos reported that the Canary Islands are "almost unknown" in Europe, even in mainland Spain and, the tourism sector is panicking about a drop in the number of tourists and spending, then (without falling into the trap of being proud, just because she's Canarian, though I agree we do suffer a degree of endemic mediocrity here) this win ought to be seen as a golden opportunity to get Tenerife's name back on the map - you know, so folk know there are still some beautiful things here, including the women.

Miss Tenerife is Miss España Hat tip: Mojo Canario

| Permalink | (2) Comments | Post a Comment

Tenerife photo gallery