Saturday, May 31, 2008
Orishas give Santa Cruz Carnaval a bonus boost
Santa Cruz' carnaval is to get another boost, when Hip Hop Conga, the official tune of Carnaval 2008 (with all it's references to the city, the fiesta and the word shared by Cuba and the Canary Islands: guagua (bus)), written and performed by Orishas (the Cuban hip-hop band, who we saw in Los Realejos at the beginning of the month) appears as a bonus track on their fourth album, Cosita Buena.
Crappy photo, I know, but it proves I was there at their amazing concert on an open-air basketball court - squashed surrealistically between blocks of flats - where, as Andy says, they went through their entire repertoire.
Actually, they did Hip Hop Conga twice (because of the local relevance, naturally) and, I think Yotuel might have mentioned the upcoming album release - about a dozen times or more. :-) Fair exchange (of promotions) is no robbery!
Labels: Carnaval 2008, Carnaval 2009, Orishas in Tenerife
Friday, May 30, 2008
Santa Cruz' Monstrous Carnaval 2009
Corpus Christi was only yesterday, it's still officially Spring, we haven't had summer yet, let alone autumn, or heaven forbid let's not talk about Christmas at the end of May ...
And yet here they are, making plans for next February's carnaval already. Surely, this is proof that the partying in Tenerife never stops?
We learn that a poster design has been chosen for the Santa Cruz Carnaval 2009, which on it's own would not be monstrous news, but the reports also tell us what the theme is to be.
It's entirely optional - come in whatever costume you like - but if you're planning on being here for carnaval you might like to have a costume to match the theme, which next year, will be el cine de terror (Horror Films). Didn't Puerto de la Cruz do that theme already?
It does all seem a bit premature, but who are we to complain? The news reports give us a clue to the reason for getting an unprecedented move on, saying that this year the fiesta is going to get "exterior promotion without precedents."
With that prospect, we're sure the carnaval will be monstrous - as in huge - and you'll be in good company. (Better than being organized mañana!) It also gives you chance to book well in advance, because nearby hotels will fill up.
The poster, which was chosen from amongst 111 entries, is by Gonzalo Luis Álvarez Fernández and entitled "Bailarina Monstruosa" (Monstrous Dancer).
Yes, we're fully aware that the poster depicts Herman Munster in a bra and tutu, with pink wings borrowed off a Christmas angel, but believe us when we tell you that such an outfit would be considered quite conservative at Carnaval! :)
We don't think it matters how well you dance at carnaval, or not ...
"Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening; live like it's heaven on earth." -- Mark Twain
Santa Cruz' main parade is on Shrove Tuesday, February 24th, 2009.
Click here for a selection of hotels in Santa Cruz.
Tenerife Carnaval Dates from 2008 to 2025
Labels: Carnaval 2009
Corpus Christi in La Orotava 2008
Sunshine and blue skies for yesterday's Día de las Alfombras (Day of the Carpets), to celebrate Corpus Christi in La Orotava.
The above was taken in a relatively quiet moment during the siesta hours, but earlier the queues of people had been at their usual standstill, as thousands of people flock to see these amazing works of art.
Above right, this colorful combination was this year's offering from the Monteverde family, who originated the carpet making custom in Orotava back in 1847.
Left is the main, 850 sq meter, carpet in the square in front of the town hall.
Below, a few more images.
But, keep your eyes on Jose Mesa's and Jack Montgomery's photos, because they were there too. Along with Andrea Montgomery, most convivial company. Those of you who didn't venture out missed a great annual event. You also missed my shout at the bar, which comes around a lot less often! :)
The Día de las Alfombras next year will fall on Thursday, June 18th, 2009.
Labels: Corpus Christi
Mixed Messages: Masca's Road to Recovery
A strange sequence of events on Tuesday morning, starting with the cat getting me up early (note to self: must clip his nails again), caused me to do something I'd been meaning to do for months; catch the bus to Masca to see for myself (and report back), how the village is recovering from last year's fire.
Masca, as the second most visited place on Tenerife - because it is so amazing and beautiful - captures many people's hearts, but almost everyone I know here has family in Masca and, the spine chilling part is that it was only the change in the wind that took the fire there, instead of into the valley where I live. Part of me, therefore, had been merely procrastinating normally: the other part was actively avoiding seeing any heartbreaking destruction up close.
Back in November, I'd gone only as near as to overlook the Masca valley, which you will see here was brown - and that was NOT an autumnal hue. The extent of the burnt areas was just so vast it was hard for me to take in and, still is. 
More comparisonsThis video was shot in the immediate aftermath of the fire and here are some comparisons between the area of the fire just 3 weeks afterwards in August 2007 and shots from 4 months afterwards, in December 2007, taken by José Mesa, who tells me he took another set of photos, 9 months after the fire, on Monday.
Left are two palm trees near Masca that are easily recognized by their attractively curved trunks and, what I saw on Tuesday was much the same; lots of palm trees with "exotic" black trunks and "regulation" hair cuts. Most of rest is slowly greening up, but I think you'll agree, comparing the image taken this week with one taken around 15 years ago, that everywhere is much browner than it used to be. That is not just caused by the fire, but from climate changes.
And seasonal differences, of course. And it's not to say that it's all bad, because some ecologists opine that the fire has aided in doing cleaning that nature badly needed. I agree, but it's a bit difficult to maintain that kind of positive attitude when someone gets you up at 5.30 a.m. and a wall of fire is coming your way.
Even so, as Andrea Montgomery pointed out in her blog post, entitled The Eye of the Beholder, last December, anyone who hadn't known Masca before the fire, simply wouldn't know the difference. And the tour guides aren't telling them either.
If you do know and actually look for the signs, as I was doing, they're obvious.
Then, when you consider why those palm tree trunks are black and then notice how many of them are and how close to the houses in the village they are, you suddenly have a lump in your throat and are wondering how the *expletive* there is anything left of Masca at all. 
Where reconstruction work is still being carried out to buildings that were fire damaged, such as to the restaurant La Fuente, the casual observer would probably come to the conclusion that these were regular "improvements", or that they were simply having an extension built.
And all this is good, for Masca, in the sense that visitors have been largely unaffected.
But, just to play devil's advocate for a moment and, human nature being what it is, I think there's a grave danger that such unapparentness of the damage could lead to a bit of "memory shortening".
This is already showing locally, because the town hall has published leaflets advising people to keep areas around houses weed-free and, of course, they're anything but. Just after the fire, they all knew that abandoned land full of easy burning material was a danger. Now that it's passed, it's out of sight ...
The town hall has already come under criticism from the opposition, because, back in February, works on restoring buildings that had been damaged, seemed to be taking a long time. And, from what I saw this week, they still are.
Those issues aside, the biggest "carnage" that Masca has suffered is that I was charged 30 cents (37%) more for coffee there than I would be in a non-tourist bar elsewhere locally. Everywhere I looked, there were notices warning of a charge of 50 cents for use of the toilets by non-customers. Whist I don't doubt there are plenty who take liberties, it's quite another thing to treat all your potential customers as though they're unwanted invaders and I found it off putting. I might use a loo, then become a customer, but not after being subjected to suspicion, locked doors, serious inconvenience ...
Not just Masca, but everywhere HAS to address this problem, because it sucks to be treated like "we don't really want you, but we do want your money."
The gorge was reopened last year, despite the missing bridge, but it has recently been confirmed by the Tenerife Island Corporation, that the gorge is to be gated and a charge to be levied. This has drawn criticism that ordinary folk; locals, poor people, will no longer be able to visit the Masca gorge.
And then, if no money is charged, how can we expect anywhere to provide professional services, guides, security, etc? (Toilets would be good! :-) 
Masca isn't what it was when I first used to go there, to get away from it all, 15 or so years ago. Then show me somewhere, anywhere, that is!
Someone who had been to Masca 15 years before me, would have seen it less developed still.
15 years before that and they probably would have had to make their way there by donkey!
The point being that, for someone who has never been there before, Masca is still light years away from anything they know; is magically, fictionally beautiful and is very certainly Shangri-La.
The best news: maybe they weren't as noticeable as before, but there's more people now, more restaurants, more traffic, work being carried out ... but in Tuesday's cool early morning, I could hear that some birds - which the fire and lack of vegetation had driven away - were back.
Picture This - Masca. Images of Masca 
More images of Masca
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Granadilla celebrate Centenary from Canaries Day
On Friday, May 30th, the whole of the Canary Islands will celebrate their "national" or regional day; the Día de Canarias (Canaries Day), which we've described here before.
In San Miguel and Granadilla de Abona on the south of Tenerife, the Canaries Day celebrations, according to Blogtenerife, are to be "todo lo alto" (at the top, large, maybe even OTT).
Activities, starting with Friday's day of customs and traditions, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., that are centered around the Museum, La Casa de El Capitán, C/ El Calvario, San Miguel de Abona, include arrastre de ganado (pulling with livestock), tasting of typical Canarian products, as well as a domestic animal show.
There is also the XX Feria de Artesanía Canaria (Canarian Crafts Fair) in the C/ Arquitecto Marrero (map), where you will also find the Casa El Traspatio, rural hotel and the Museo de Historia de Granadilla de Abona (Granadilla History Museum), in the Historic Centre of Granadilla de Abona
Granadilla's Centenary 2008
The reason these fiestas are being celebrated so largely this year, is because they mark the start of the Fiestas Mayores de la Villa de Granadilla de Abona (the town's main annual festivals) in honour of San Antonio de Padua y Nuestra Señora del Rosario (the former being the town's patron saint, for whom the church is named), which coincide with the Granadilla's Centenary from being conceded the Título de Villa (Title of Town), by King Alfonso XIII, in 1908.
More than 60 events during the 21 days of the fiestas, also include a wide variety of sports and games; music, comedy, pop and rock concerts, glittering pageants to choose the fiesta queens, as well as religious services.
Amongst these ongoing fiestas, on Sunday, June 8th, is the traditional romeria, at which participants will wear the colorful, local costumes and much barbecued meat and local wine will be consumed; the XXXII Romería en honor a San Antonio de Padua. At the town hall's website, you can also download a huge 24 page program of events for the 21 days of celebrations (PDF).
The whole series of spectacular events reaches its noisy climax with the Granadilla Rally on the weekend of the 21st and 22nd June.
Those of you staying in the south of Tenerife, Granadilla de Abona is only one exit beyond the airport, so it's not far outside of your usual tourist area. No distance by car, can be reached by taxi, or for the cost and environmentally conscious, the 416 bus (Adeje - Granadilla) passes through San Miguel and can pick you up in Los Cristianos, Playa de Las Américas or Torviscas.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Free food tasting in La Orotava on Thursday
If, as I am planning to do, you aim to go to the Día de las Alfombras (Day of the Carpets) on the 8th Day of Corpus Christi in La Orotava, on Thursday, May 29, then you should also know that there could be some free grub on offer. 
There's an agricultural and gastronomical event, Agrotava, also going on in the town during May and part of June and, as part of those celebrations, in the Casa de la Cultura San Agustín, alongside the Iglesia de San Agustín (Saint Agustín Church) in the corner of the Plaza de la Constitución (map), between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, they're offering a tasting of wines from the Orotava Valley region.
To ensure the wine doesn't go to your head, pop up the steps to the Sociedad Liceo Taoro, where, from 10;30 a.m. onwards, you should also be able to enjoy the opportunity to try some typical, local food products.
The idea, we're told, isn't to encourage freebie seeking gluttons (who us?), but this could be a wonderful opportunity to try something new and different.
There's a PDF leaflet (in Spanish) with these and more events listed, here.
Meanwhile, here are some images from the Corpus Christi celebrations in La Laguna last Sunday, including their flower carpets and some of the food that was on offer there. And, here are more photos from the smaller, but no less pretty Corpus Christi celebrations in San Juan del Reparo, Garachico.
Images: Berthold Werner
Labels: Corpus Christi
Ride the Tenerife tram for free Wifi
In Kentucky, they're dying to get free Wifi: in the cemetery (Via Microsiervos).
In Tenerife you don't need to do anything nearly as drastic, nor wait quite as long (which is a first for these islands), because some of the Tenerife trams began offering free Wifi to passengers (Via ABC) on Saturday, May 17th.
Four trams - which they say are clearly labelled and the capability will be announced (in Spanish, naturally) at all the stops - were fitted with 3G broadband Wifi for a one month trial period. The official release says that once the pilot project is concluded, they will confirm the extent of future coverage to the rest of the fleet, in total 20 vehicles, and for an indefinite period.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Hansel and Gretel at the Teatro Guimerá
Well, here's exactly what you need in a time of economic crisis: an admonishment of the hardships of [medieval] life and a more stern reminder that there's often a high price to be paid for dreams ...
Sadly, invitations (which presumably means it was free for Tenerife's hardship suffering folk) for tomorrow night's one and only 6 p.m. performance, at Santa Cruz' Teatro Guimerá, have run out.
Nevertheless, it's an excellent example of the sort of thing that goes on here quietly (organized by the Canarian Government's Education Council, with help from the Culture Dept.) and that you could enjoy, if only we knew in time.
NGR Producciones' description tantalizingly begins, "To explore a forest and suddenly find a house made of chocolate, with the doors made of marzipan and the roof tiles of caramel, must be a frequent dream amongst children ..."
What do they mean, "amongst children" as if they were the only ones? :)
Worth looking out for performances like this, I think, because although this originally Germanic tale will no doubt be presented in Spanish, since the story is familiar (see English synopsis), they provide an excellent chance to practice listening to the language and improve comprehension, whilst having fun.
Be careful of those unknown old ladies (you never know what me might get up to) and keep your eyes out in the island's enchanted forests for lost children. :)
Saturday, May 24, 2008
I'll go to the foot of our stairs
Two cruise ships dock in Tenerife this weekend, bringing with them a total of 5,000 passengers, report Europa Press. And they're taking them on four guided routes of the capital, says a communique from the Society for the Development of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Another 3,600 of the visitors are of British origin, aboard the Independence of the Seas, currently the world's largest ship, which returns to the island on Sunday. Meanwhile, on Saturday, 1,400 French, Italian and German tourists docked aboard Costa Cruises', cruise ship, Costa Europa (which was at the time the largest ship to be launched sideways.)
"The note reveals," continues the report, that "all of them [the passengers] will be attended at the foot of the stairway by 5 tourist information officers who will offer information on attractions, inviting them to see Santa Cruz and the principal commercial, historical and gastronomic areas of the city."
I'll go to the foot of our stairs, for readers who don't come from the North of England, is "an exclamation of surprise" and mine is based on complaints we've heard in the past about the town being shut when ships dock.
Tenerife Prepares to Celebrate Corpus Christi
The actual date of the Corpus Christi feast was on Thursday and in some parts of the Canary Islands, such as Mazo on the island of La Palma, the event is celebrated then. Here in Tenerife, most of the celebrations will take place tomorrow, Sunday, or on the 8th Day of Corpus Christi, next Thursday.
As in previous years, in many towns and villages in Tenerife, as well as the grander celebrations in the island's former capital, La Laguna, the carpets and processions for Corpus Christi will take place tomorrow, Sunday, May 25th.
The culmination of these spectacular celebrations, however, involving carpets of flowers and of sands brought down from Mount Teide, must be those in the town of La Orotava, which will take place on Thursday, May 29th. From early in the morning on that day, local families will make flower carpets in the main streets of the historic center of the town. See photos of Corpus Christi 2007.
On this occasion, the main carpet in La Orotava; the 850 square meter carpet made in the square in front of the town hall (which last year gained an entry in the Guinness World Records), being made by 22 alfombristas (carpet makers), is dedicated to Christ, Saint Peter and Saint Paul, as pillars of the church. For the first time, because of its declaration as a World Heritage Site, the Teide National Park will also be represented in this carpet.
On Sunday, in the Plaza del Adelantado in La Laguna also, there'll be a market with proceeds going to support Cáritas, the charity who look after the homeless. Both days will draw many thousands of people, both locals and tourists.
Tenerife se prepara para celebrar el Corpus Christi
Labels: Corpus Christi
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Where do you go for lost property on Tenerife?
We don't didn't know, but we can tell you where to find Lost Minds - at a skate park in Punta de Hidalgo. :) Actually, having mentioned it, it would be cruel not to also tell you where to find the list of Lost Property Offices in Tenerife. If you spot any lost marbles rolling around anywhere, they may be mine ...
Pilot Whales Are "Cheetahs of the Sea," Study Finds
Short-finned pilot whales off the Canary Islands race like cheetahs after prey over long distances in the deep Atlantic waters, new research reveals. Researchers monitored the whales near Tenerife. Full report in National Geographic News ...
Short-Finned Pilot Whales, Tenerife Photographic Print | More ...
World's Largest Cruise Ship Visited Tenerife
ABC report that the Canary Islands are one of the most attractive places in the world for cruise liners to stop off, announcing that, during 2007, a total of 961,586 cruise passengers visited these islands.
Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas is back in Southampton for the UK Cruise Convention taking place from May 19th to 21st (where these figures were presented), after visiting the islands this month.
Independence of the Seas, which is currently the world's largest ship at 154,407 gross tons and 1,112 feet (339m) long, visited Tenerife, with 3,600 passengers aboard, on May 10th, during her maiden voyage. The 15-deck ship can accommodate 4,370 passengers served by 1,360 crew.
She then called in at Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) and Arrecife (Lanzarote) before heading back to the UK via Lisbon in Portugal and Vigo in Galicia, Northern Spain.
Photos: Independence of the Seas in Santa Cruz, saying " Good Bye" and docked in Las Palmas on May 11th, 2008.
She's joined in Southampton by the Queen Victoria, which had visited Tenerife, on December 31st, 2007, during a festive trip; the QE2 and other ships that visit these islands on occasion. The objective at the convention is to promote the islands' ports, underlining the tourist attractions, museums and excursions.
Royal Caribbean ships to visit Europe in 2009
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Gloria Estefan to perform in Tenerife
Blog Mojo Canario, write that the famous Cuban singer is to arrive on the island in the second half of September to offer a macroconcierto (huge concert), to present songs from her most recent album, 90 Millas as well as many of her biggest hits.
For all the criticisms - particularly when Tenerife opens yet another 5 star hotel with golf course and we yawn while the island tells the world it's changed from the crappy tourist image of old - you know something, Tenerife has changed from that crappy tourist image it had a decade ago.
Back then, when my best mate was doing a Gloria Estefan tribute show (which was none too shabby, actually), we took it as fact that the real Gloria Estefan would never stoop to visit. And back then, I'm sure we were right, but the island has done much to provide the facilities and attract some very big names in the last couple of years, among them; Shakira, Ricky Martin, Elton John, Paulina Rubio, Juanes, Marc Anthony, Orishas.
Gloria, and husband Emilio, visited the island in February to receive a prize from Spanish radio station, Cadena Dial at the Auditorio de Tenerife in Santa Cruz, when she announced her desire to perform in Tenerife. And, it seems both of them were impressed with the island, which they say "reminded them a lot of Cuba."
Gloria's concert will probably be at CD Tenerife's football ground, the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium, they say, but there's still everything to confirm.
When will Siam Park Tenerife open?
WikiAnswers asked (and so have lots of other people), but nobody answered. The latest rumour was that Siam Park was to have opened before the summer on May 1st, but the official site still says it's coming soon. The unofficial site says, "we have been advised by the parks administration that the park WILL open this summer".
Exactly when is still anybody's guess, it seems.
The Proyecto Siam Park blog (in Spanish), maintained by students at the University of La Laguna, seems to have the most up-to-date information.
And Steve Race, writing in the Evening Gazette in the north of England, speaks of the impending opening, saying, "On a big hill, just north of Las Americas, there?s a huge beacon pointing to the change. It?s called Siam Park, a water adventure park which, it?s claimed, will contain the widest variety of rides in the world."
Indeed, various descriptions of the park's forthcoming rides and attractions involve superlatives such as first, biggest, widest, etc. By the time it does open, it will have also set the record for the longest ever case of mañana effect. :)
Mike Souter has a photo of Siam Park, Tenerife, nearing completion here. We can't help noticing, if you look closely at the detail in the foreground, that it confirms this opinion, that it's basically made of cardboard stone.
My opinion is that folk too stupid to discern the difference between Thailand and Tenerife (yes, both start with the letter T, but after that, the similarities end) hopefully, won't ever leave their country of origin. 70% of package holiday Brits never visit modern tourist attractions such as a water or theme parks, so that just leaves the 30% of you who do. Obviously, you know that this is not representative of Tenerife, but you'll enjoy the rides. One day!
Here Comes Summer in Tenerife
It's only May and the weather is still mixed - here in the mountains of the "cold north" it's dull, chilly, misty and had even been raining this morning - but as we're reminded that schools will be out by the end of next month: most classes will finish on June 20th here, it's time to start thinking about summer.
And since most visitors will do no more than baste themselves and slowly spit roast around a pool, the first thing we should mention are ways to deal with sunburn.
Nobody is going to take my advice that the only safe way to deal with it is to NOT get burnt, so instead, try these Cheap and Simple Sunburn Remedies that Really Work (via Lifehacker). Hummmm... We think vinegar is a bit stinky too.
British tourists should certainly have plenty of Asprin, tea and milk on hand and, Aloe Vera is grown (wild and cultivated) here on the island (with pretty yellow or orange flowers), so there are plenty of products you can buy which contain it. Aloe Vera after sun lotion is particularly good, in my experience.
(So is plastering yourself in natural yoghurt, although this works better when you aren't all tender and burnt and, can get someone to lick it all off again! :)
The Guardian suggest that Coffee and plenty of exercise could cut risk of skin cancer. Tenerife may have the coffee, but we're not sure about tourists capacity for taking exercise. Recent studies have determined that what yer average visitor means by "We love walking" is actually just an amble along the prom. 
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Tenerife's Turning Japanese
Either it's Turning Japanese, or just having a fit of The Vapors, but for the current fortnight, it's Semana Temática de Japón (Japanese Theme Week) in La Laguna.
(Yes, we worked out that's 2 weeks too. We don't know the reason, except that this is Tenerife! :)
Mayoress of La Laguna, Ana Oramas and the Japanese Consul in the Canary Islands, Takeshi Mochizuki, opened the third edition of this exhibition, that runs until May 25th, at the former convent of Santo Domingo, on Monday. 
The exhibition, according to the town hall's communiqué, provides a tour of Japanese culture, with free workshops in writing, traditional costumes, music, manga (comics), Ikebana (flower arranging), traditional Japanese games, as well as concerts, film projections, conferences and exhibitions of shiatsu massage or martial arts. There is also an exhibition of valuable kimonos, traditional dolls and manga comics on display.
Of note is a concert of traditional Japanese music with Satomi Morimoto in the former convent of Santo Domingo, on Saturday, May 17th at 8.30 p.m.
The earth really moved in parts of Tenerife
A minor earthquake, with an epicenter 24 kilometers to the east of Tenerife, off the coast of the island's capital, Santa Cruz, was felt in some areas of the island this morning, although there have been no reports of any damage.
View Larger Map
The epicenter of today's earthquake has been located at 28.44 degrees north, 16.01 degrees west and, at a depth of 33 kilometers.
The earthquake, which measured 3.4 on the Richter scale (classed as minor), occurred at 08.45 hours local time today (07.45 GMT). Immediately afterwards, the emergency line 112 received multiple calls from residents in the area, from Santa Cruz to Tacoronte, saying that they had felt the tremor.
The director of the Canary Islands' Geophysical Center, María José Blanco, told Spanish newsagency, EFE, that seismic movements of moderate intensity, such as today's, occur several times a year in the fault system that lies between Tenerife and Gran Canaria, but that this time it had been felt by more people, because the epicenter was closer to the Tenerife coast than usual.
In October 2007, an earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale, was recorded 50 miles to the south of La Gomera and was noticed very lightly in some areas of La Gomera and the west of Tenerife. María José Blanco had again underlined then that tremors of around the 3 level are relatively frequent.
The biggest earthquake in recent history affected La Laguna and Santa Cruz, on May 9th, 1989, reaching a magnitude of 5.2. Although it was reportedly felt in the whole of Tenerife and parts of Gran Canaria, again, there are no reports of damage having been caused. Nevertheless, we are told that it was largely in response to that event that a budget was obtained to set up a network of scientific measurement to keep an eye on seismic activity on the islands.
Movimiento sísmico de 3'4 grados a 25 kilómetros de la isla de Tenerife
Un terremoto de 3,4 grados sacude Tenerife sin causar daños
La tierra tiembla en algunas zonas de la isla de Tenerife
Monday, May 12, 2008
Could the Canary Islands Impose Limits on Purchases of Second Homes?
On Friday, the Canarian Government was busy denying that they had planted the idea in Europe over limiting or regulating the acquisition of second homes in the Canary Islands, but continues the report, they do not discount doing so in the future.
Although, territoriosred point to an article in La Provincia which says that the European Union won't permit limitations on the purchase of second homes, except in very specific cases, they go on to give examples of how, a Canarian (and presumably any other foreigner) wanting to buy a property in Denmark, for instance, would have to be resident in that country to be able to do so. There's potentially nothing rotten about this; the same condition is expected of a Dane.
In Malta, the government demands a period of legal establishment of at least 5 years, before purchasers can buy a summer home on the Mediterranean island.
The EU is reported not to like words like limitation and restriction (especially when they would go against the free movement and free establishment principles that the EU is all about), but based on those examples, it may still be unlikely, but it's not impossible to imagine that some sort of special rule might, at some point, be allowed in the Canary Islands, based on the size and limitations of the territory. Some of the Greek islands, I believe, allow EU citizens to purchase property, but disallow those from outside the union from setting up there.
And, don't forget that there may be precedents in the facts that the Canary Islands already have special status for taxes; enjoy special concessions because of their "ultra periphery" (being a long way from everything) and are also treated as being outside of the EU for Duty Free and Customs purposes.
Anyway, I didn't catch the run up to this, nor what might have been said to make them have to react with a denial, but it's one to watch as, clearly, if a change were to take place, it could seriously affect foreign property owners.
Tenerife to host Women's Water Polo Super Final
The Australian women's water polo team are amongst those expected to qualify for the 2008 FINA Women's Water Polo World League Super Final that takes place in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, from June 10 to June 15, 2008. (I'll avoid all the obvious jokes about how water polo is a bit unkind on the horses!)
Urban and resort building model short-sighted
A psychologist, biologist and ecologist (one person, but three "ists" must count for something), has classified Spain's urban and resort building model as being "pan para hoy y hambre para mañana", a common saying in Spanish which basically means "sacrificing long-term gain for short-term benefit." (Via)
Photo: ahisgett
Brits becoming tired of tired old Tenerife?
At the XI International Tourism Forum, celebrated on May 9th at the luxurious Gran Hotel Bahía del Duque, in Costa Adeje, experts are reported to have said that renovation is fundamental for Tenerife's fate and that the sector can overcome the current crisis through the generation of new products.
There was general agreement amongst attendees, apparently, that as a destination, Tenerife has become somewhat obsolete and renovation would create a better image in both the national and international markets. Currently, 25% of the island's accommodation is more than 25 years old and, it's proposed to spend 840 million euros (around £675 million) on bringing it up-to-date.
Although, Joan Molas, President of the Spanish Federation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation, has said that it was all very well renewing the hotels, but that it was also necessary to improve what he calls the "third division connections" that Tenerife has, referring to airlines and routes that serve the island.
That same article reports that UK visitors this summer look to be "following a stable line, in relation to previous years," 1.9% up on forecast.
Meanwhile, in another report from the forum they're saying that Tenerife should promote itself in the Nordic market, after wearing it's image out in the United Kingdom and point to the "frankly difficult" economic situation in the UK.
There's almost an inference in there that we Brits will be considered too cheap and poor for the "new and improved" Tenerife. (They may have a point.)
Quoting Ignacio Vasallo, the Director of the Spanish Tourist Office (OET) in London, explains, "Tenerife is the top tourist destination for British tourists, with almost as many visitors annually as the whole of Italy; it's a love story, but it also produces fatigue, so there are motives to be preoccupied."
What he is saying, makes it clear that Tenerife still wants British business, but he realizes that the island needs to smarten up and also to hedge its bets against the risk of this tiredness setting in, in epidemic proportions.
Tenerife hasn't had a crisis in the Nordic market, yet, although it needs to take care, because deficiencies do not go unnoticed. For instance, as Susanne of the Scandinavian Country & Western band, who play in Los Cristianos, points out on her blog, tourists complain or feel cheated when bars serve cheap, immitation spirits in place of well-known brands in an effort to make more profits.
Others are, rightly, saying that the Government, the Island Corporation and Town Halls, etc., as well as the hoteliers, need to be involved. I'd agree, it's a complicated issue in which attitudes, as well as images, need to change.
Photo: leemcarthur
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Waves & Stars - exhibition of nocturnal surfing
At the risk of sounding like I'm making a cheap joke, nocturnal surfing sounds like it could be related to horizontal jogging and, if you Google the term (at your own risk), I think you'll find that I was not the only person, with my mind in the sewer, to make such connection. :)
The Waves and Stars event, by complete contrast, is an exhibition of surfing (good clean fun in water), done in the after dark hours.
There's also going to be a Greenpeace film about climate change shown, a concert, an exhibition of dancing, fire jugglers and more ...
Saturday, May 17th, from 7.30 p.m.
Playa Martianez, Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife.
Exhibición de surf nocturno Waves & Stars
The Canaries must be prepared for storms like Delta
One of the world's top experts in hurricanes, Cuban-American, Dr. Lixion Ávila, president of the committee on tropical cyclones and tropical meteorology, part of the American Meteorological Society and, longest-tenured senior specialist weather forecaster with the US National Hurricane Center in Miami, has made a "profound" study of the storm, Delta, that hit the Canaries in 2005.
Recently in Madrid for a meeting on subtropical cyclones, organized by the Spanish Meteorological Agency, La Opinión de Tenerife took the opportunity to interview Lixion Ávila (read chapter and verse there, in Spanish.)
The take away is in the headline, in that Ávila says "The Canaries must be prepared for storms like Delta." They happen, sometimes. They aren't a mystery. And, Ávila doesn't put them down to global warming either.
What seems to be at odds with the ability to be prepared (like Boy Scouts) - the article mentions - is the tendency that the local administrations have to "mutism" from the fear that talking openly about it will affect tourism.
Meanwhile, while we're talking about Tenerife weather, yet again, comes the news that the Canaries beat the temperature records in April.
As tourists, that might sound wonderful to you, but in some parts of Tenerife, that early heatwave saw off up to 80% of the potato crops.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Tenerife chimps return to routine monkey business
The chimpanzee who went out to a bar, has returned to routine at the zoo, reports Diario Tenerife.
Their report also tells us it was the daughter who spent a couple of hours in a nearby bar on Friday, after escaping from the Oasis del Valle zoological park in La Orotava, in company of her mother.
Adolescent vandals, huh? :)
One of the staff from the park told Spanish news agency, EFE, that the chimp is fine and has returned to normality, commenting that the injuries the two year old suffered, after burning herself on a grill in the bar's kitchen, are minor.
The mother, apparently, took her carer by the hand and presented no problems in being taken home. The daughter probably felt lost and scared without mum and, may have chosen that bar as it's the same colour as the zoo center.
This is the first escape of a similar nature from Oasis del Valle in the more than 20 years it's been open, this employee underlined. Until a couple of years ago, they did have tigers, panthers and other wild animals, but the owners are moving towards making it into a farming school, in which there are mostly domestic animals, although they also keep ostriches, camels and llamas.
Sex, drugs, alcohol and humping cars in Tenerife
Europeans get drunk 'to have sex', reports Captain Obvious at the BBC, which seems like no news at all!
Of course, that's followed up with the grim pronouncement that "the UK has one of the worst reputations for binge drinking and underage sex." And, we see plenty of them doing it in Tenerife, don't we?
The British do have this reputation, not entirely undeservedly from some things I've seen and heard, from which it is frequently assumed here (though the assumptions are frankly ignorant) that we're all loose / willing.
Therefore, I was most interested to read the results of this study, carried out in 9 European cities, which found that in Liverpool, 30% had drunk alcohol and had sex by the time they were 16 compared with 37% in Palma, Spain.
Pot, kettle, black, huh? (Well, unless that merely means 7% more youngsters in Palma, Spain are honest about it!) Even more interesting to note, though is that Diario Tenerife have chosen to run the same news report, in Spanish.
What neither version does is to give the percentages for all of the cities, but on what is given, it looks like the British are the least offenders of the lot! 
Cars multiply in Tenerife
While looking for a suitable image for the above story, I was presented with this other option (right).
So that's how come there are 690 cars per 1,000 inhabitants in the Canary Islands? Or maybe if I say that there are 69 cars per 100 people, you'll get the irony? :)
Actually, sexual innuendo aside, it's a disgusting statistic, when looked at alongside the world average of 164 vehicles per 1,000 inhabitants.
The average in Spain is 471 vehicles per thousand inhabitants, on a par with the European average of 472. Tenerife is worse with 720 vehicles per 1,000 people, not far behind the United States' appalling number of 765, though at least we haven't reached Lanzarote's level of 875, where we have to assume that even dogs have their own cars and toddlers drive themselves to nursery.
Of course, we have a large car hire fleet, but that surely is not the only answer, because other tourist destinations must too. The good news is that vehicle registrations have dropped recently on the island. The bad news is that this is usually reported as being a negative thing, related to the economic crisis.
24th Palma Canaria Norte Rally
The crowd goes wild for #2 José María Ponce's BMW M3.
"Liveblogging" the 24th Palma Canaria Norte Rally, only 'coz it comes right past the door and the road was closed to traffic today, so I have no option, but while in previous years the rally took us by surprise, this year I was ready for them! 
#14 Escuderia Club ADEA. Driver: Evelio Rodriguez. Copilot: Samuel Martin. Vehicle: Mitsubishi Evo 8
#11 Escuderia Team Sinco Sport. Driver: Roberto Negrin. Copilot: Zebensui Valiente. Vehicle: Mitsubishi Evo 8For a change, I was even up before the "capacity crowd" (of five blokes) had assembled at the bottom of our lane.
They were well prepared for the day with their huge bocadillos for breakfast and, tell me they are rally fans who go to all of these events around the island.
And I was pleased that I was ready in time to see the #1 car, a Citroen Xsara Kit Car, of this year's favorite, Ricardo Avero (La Laguna) flash rapidly past and get the shot above of #2 José María Ponce's BMW M3, because even I know that invoking the name of Ponce in relation to rallies on these islands is the kind of act that draws fans to pay homage (in a way we Anglo-Saxons might think was a bit mushy between straight adult blokes.)
Nevertheless, the names of Gran Canarian brothers, Antonio (Toñi) and José María Ponce, have been synonymous with the sport in the Canaries for many a year now: José Maria having won the Spanish Rally Championship for Drivers with the BMW M3 in 1991, with both achieving many other world class classifications.
At Toñi Ponce Sport, you can buy models of their cars, including a limited edition slot car version of the green BMW M3 pictured above. (Via: Rally Fans Club)
Bit of excitement too when a police helicopter appeared over the mountain pass coming from the direction of Masca and then zig-zagged down the route through the valley in pursuit of one of the cars. We doubt the driver is a known fugitive. Safety perhaps, or the Guardia Civil is moonlighting for a local TV station?
A total of 98 cars will be whizzing past today apparently. We (that is, the dog and I, because she barks at the unfamiliar noise if she's indoors), took a break after the Renault 5 at #34 and not long after, the road was reopened again.
Spectators are gathering again at the roadsides now for part two.
Map of the route of the Palma Canaria Norte Rally
Labels: Tenerife Rally
Tenerife Rally Calendar for 2008
As today's Palma Canaria Norte Rally is the first major event in the Tenerife Rally season each year, this provides me with a reminder and an ideal opportunity to tell you what else is coming up on the schedule ... all the rest of which are in much more accessible areas for visitors to reach for a fun day out.
At the website of the Federación Interinsular de Automovilismo de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, you can download a calendar of the season's fixtures (PDF). To save you the trouble, the main rally sport events in Tenerife in 2008 are:
Jun 21/22: Granadilla Rally
Sep 13/14: Adeje Rally
Nov 15/16: Tenerife Rally
Jul 12/13: Arona Hill Climb
Oct 4/5: Tamaimo Hill Climb
Oct 18/19: San Miguel Hill Climb
Dec 6/7: Guía de Isora Hill Climb
Watch this space and our calendar for more details.
Labels: Tenerife Rally
Friday, May 09, 2008
A Chimp walks into a bar in Tenerife
Two chimps, mother and daughter, according to the Civil Guard, escaped from zoological park Oasis del Valle in La Orotava, Tenerife yesterday and one of them spent two hours in the bar Los Rechazos (ironically, the name of the bar translates to The Rejects.)
April 1st has gone, December 28th hasn't arrived yet this year. You just can't make this stuff up!
Sources at the Civil Guard, says the report, said that at 15:30 hours they were alerted by the zoo that two chimps had escaped and added that one of them was found and captured by the agents on the roof of a neighbouring home.
The other chimp entered a bar in the Camino de Los Rechazos (The Rejects Walk), where she caused alarm amongst the 20 or so clients, declared Moisés Álvarez, one of the bar's owners. Álvarez explained that around 2 p.m., a chimp of medium size opened the door to the bar and entered, running towards the kitchen, where she also burnt herself and cut her legs on some shelving she destroyed. Many customers left, but two people had tried to get her under control, but were unable to do so because of the animal's strength.
The bar was left without television too, after the chimp's rampage, but presumably customers will have plenty to talk about in the meantime.
There's just no end to the comments you can make about this:
"Everyone's entitled to a wild time, a few drinks and a laugh, at least once, even chimps and chimps are our nearest relatives, remember."
"With the price of drinks, it's no wonder she wanted to smash the place up."
"I know a couple of girls like that in La Orotava, if they're the same ones ..."
Apart from the obvious jokes like A Chimp walks into a bar... punters will also be asking each other, "Hey, do you remember the day a chimp came in here and vandalized the place?" Bar owners in the tourist areas of the south of the island have probably been having very similar conversations for years already. :)
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Live Maps of Santa Cruz and La Laguna, Tenerife
While provider of images for Google Earth, Grafcan, are once more being criticized for their lentitude, yesterday, Microsoft launched some important updates to their Live Maps coverage of Tenerife and the Canary Islands.
Now you can see bird's eye views of Santa Cruz and La Laguna in Tenerife.
Playa de Las Americas - Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje were released in March.
territoriosred show a view over the Auditorio de Tenerife, the Castillo Negro and the Torres Gemelas (Twin Towers) in Santa Cruz, this shows you the building site that was / will be the Plaza de España; the project for Santa Cruz' main square that is 4 million euros over budget has been delayed once again.
Global Marijuana March 2008 in La Laguna, Tenerife
Something else for you to do this holiday weekend in Tenerife, is to join the hippies for the Global Marijuana March in the leafy Plaza del Adelantado, in La Laguna on Saturday, May 3rd, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Global Marijuana March (GMM) is an annual rally, held since 1999, at different locations across the planet. It refers to cannabis-related events that occur on the first Saturday in May, or that weekend, or thereabouts. Marches, meetings, rallies, raves, concerts, festivals, info-tables, etc.
237 cities have signed up for the 2008 Global Marijuana March and, the poster for the local gig promises entertainment, including DJ Billy Flux.
Although technically illegal in Spain, possession and consumption in private places is not generally prosecuted.
Supporters are in favour of a change in policies worldwide against drugs.
Or as this anonymous quote outlines, "Las drogas causan paranoia, confusión y una perdida total de contacto con la realidad en los políticos que nunca las han tomado" (Drugs cause paranoia, confusion and the total loss of contact with reality in politicians who have never taken them.)
More information (in Spanish) at http://www.cannarias.com
Tenerife Calendar for the Month of May 2008
May begins with Día del Trabajador (May Day), a national holiday on the 1st and, since that falls on a Thursday, you can be sure that lots of people will also take the Friday off and make it into a long weekend. In anticipation of which, many fiestas and events have been carefully planned to fill up this free time ... 
The northern town of Los Realejos is certainly the place to start the month of May in Tenerife this year. First, there's Festival Flypa 08: the town's annual International Paragliding and Free Flying Festival, that runs from May 1st to 4th. But, if jumping off a cliff suspended by a bit of string from an old sock isn't exciting enough for you, there's always the accompanying concert schedule.
Heading the bill on Friday, May 2nd is Cuban originated hip-hop band, Orishas (MySpace), who already provided the official tune for Tenerife's Carnaval, Hip Hop Conga, taking part in the Gala for the Selection of the Carnaval Queen and performing live in Santa Cruz Plaza Weyler on Domingo de Piñata back in February of this year. In August 2007, Orishas had been in Tenerife once more, performing outside the Auditorio as part of the fusion music festival, Festival Mumes.
Of course, it's not [only] Tenerife that has made Orishas worldwide famous: that probably owes much to "Represent, Cuba" - Orishas featuring Heather Headley, which is on the soundtrack of 2004 musical, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.
Which all goes to make it sorta quaint and extremely surprising (no, really, it's the real deal, not a tribute act) that Orishas should be playing the Polideportivo San Agustin (San Agustin Sports Center) in Los Realejos this coming Friday, May 2nd, for a mere 5 euros (about 4 quid.) Starts at 9 p.m. and includes the Disco Móvil MINGO SHOW, with music from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s too. Woooo!
Fiestas de Mayo (May Festivals)
At the same time, Los Realejos, along with Santa Cruz, celebrate Fiestas de Mayo (May Festivals) or Fiestas de la Cruz (Festivals of the Cross). In Santa Cruz these mark the founding of the city in 1494. In Los Realejos on the night of May 3rd is a huge "firework battle" - fought out between two streets in the town, considered one of the biggest fireworks displays in Europe. There are also Fiestas de la Cruz in Güímar.
Fiestas de Mayo in Los Realejos 2008
Fiestas de Mayo 2008 in Santa Cruz
More Events in Tenerife in May
From May 9th to 24th there's the Festival de Música Brasileña (Brazilian Music Festival), Tensamba. Friday, May 9th at the Sala NUEVABASILICA in La Orotava, is the Salsa Open 2008. Also on Friday, May 9th and Saturday, May 10th, there's the Arona Jazz Festival 2008, from 8.30 p.m. in the Plaza de la Iglesia (Church Square), Los Cristianos. And on Saturday, May 10th is the 24th Palma Canaria Norte Rally.
Día de las AlfombrasYear Corpus Christi Día de las Alfombras 2008 22 May 29 May 2009 11 June 18 June 2010 3 June 10 June 2011 23 June 30 June 2012 7 June 14 June 2013 30 May 6 June 2014 19 June 26 June 2015 4 June 11 June 2016 26 May 2 June 2017 15 June 22 June 2018 31 May 7 June 2019 20 June 27 June 2020 11 June 18 June 2021 3 June 10 June 2022 16 June 23 June
Corpus Christi this year falls in May and the biggest celebrations are held in La Orotava, where the Día de las Alfombras (Day of the Carpets) - made of sand and flowers in the streets - is held on the 8th day of Corpus Christi, i.e. the following Thurdsay from the date of the religious feast itself. In 2008, the Día de las Alfombras falls on Thursday, May 29th. The calendar provides the dates until 2022, for those who like to plan ahead!
Around 100,000 people crowded into the streets of the town to see the sand and flower carpets in 2006 and, I'm sure the number had increased last year.
La Orotava families, many still with the same surnames since the 15th Century conquest of Tenerife, start making the flower carpets from the early hours of "carpet day." Late morning to early afternoon is the best time to see them working on them and virtually complete. The central sand carpet made in the square in front of the town hall (pictured) made the Guinness World Record for the Largest Sand Painting; the 859.42 square meter "alfombra" or carpet of sand created in the town of La Orotava in Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) in June 2007.
In the early evening the procession walks all over these ephemeral carpets and destroys them, so the "window of opportunity" to see them is very short. Don't miss them, because even if you have no religious interest, as works of art, they are breathtaking.
As well as the big Día de las Alfombras in La Orotava, almost every town and village also partakes in this fiesta and makes carpets, often with salt and flowers, generally on the Sunday either before, or after Corpus Christi.
Día de las Alfombras Corpus Christi 2007
And at the end of the month, on May 30th is the Día de Canarias (Canaries Day), the annual event and local holiday, which celebrates "Canarianess" and remembers the anniversary of the first session of the autonomous Canary Islands Parliament, of May 30th, 1983. Its roughly the equivalent of England's St. George's Day.
Día de Canarias - Canaries Day
More Fiestas in May 2008 in Tenerife | More events on our calendar
Labels: Orishas in Tenerife
