Shrove Tuesday might have been the "end" of carnival in the strictly religious sense, but Tenerife Carnaval isn't over yet ... by a long way as the party is still going strong this weekend in both Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Cruz.

Mascarita, Ponte Tacón

Tonight from 8.30 p.m. in the Plaza del Charco in Puerto de la Cruz, the now infamous Mascarita Ponte el Tacón or Men's Marathon in High Heels   (more photos here) is taking place, which we're told has now reached it's 15th annual edition. Some 200 fools in unconvincing drag will attempt to get their leg over obstacles in high heels   (this image will help you visualize the spectacle), as the public looks on bemused mostly, I imagine. There are prizes too - not unlike in Canine Agility Championships - for the fastest, the most tenacious and so on ...

The main parade of Carnaval in Puerto de la Cruz (see photos from 2008) takes place on Saturday, February 28th, starting at 4 p.m. (ish.)

Sábado de Piñata - Carnaval de día

Sábado de Piñata (Saturday), in Santa Cruz the most important Carnaval de Día (Daytime Carnaval) in the world will be taking place, according to Radiotelevisión Canaria.

It might be because it's the only designated daytime carnival in the world - we haven't checked - but nevertheless an afternoon full of spectacular shows (see program) can be expected in the Plazas del Príncipe, La Candelaria, Europa and Weyler. The biggest act English speakers will recognize is Craig David. As a finale at around 4 p.m., there'll be the biggest exhibition of sound fireworks ever to have taken place on the islands.

This noisy celebration that was baptised "gran traca" when it appeared for the first time in Tenerife last year, is like the mascletas (bang fests) of Valencia.

Coso Infantil

Although the live music and fireworks extravaganza of daytime Carnaval is what's being promoted most about the final weekend of carnival in Santa Cruz these days, there are other, more traditional, events taking place.

One I highly recommend is the Coso Infantil - Children's Carnaval Parade - from 6 p.m. on Saturday, February 28th. It's just like the big parade, but with  added CuteOverload. Well, I mean, just look at these little elephants! Could you resist hundreds of small people dressed like this? Of course not! The route is Calle Numancia, Pilar, Villalba Hervás to the Plaza de La Candelaria.

Concurso de coches antiguos

On Sunday morning, is the XXXVIII Gran Concurso en la Ciudad de Automóviles Antiguos (I make that the 38th edition of this gathering of Classic Cars), which meets at the Parque García Sanabria (see map) at 10 a.m.

Then at mid-day, the cars will leave from the Parque García Sanabria to make a circuit of the city, passing through the streets of Numancia, Pilar, Plaza del Príncipe, Villalba Hervás, La Marina, Avenidas de Anaga and Marítima, ending in the car park of the Club Náutico de Tenerife (see map).

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Carnaval Tuesday, the big day in Santa Cruz and the weather was relatively kind for the Coso Apoteosis - the Main Parade - which took place in the afternoon under a dull, but thankfully dry sky, given that a pre-alert is in place for possible rain throughout the Canary Islands.

If you've missed it, the Main Carnaval Parade will take place in Santa Cruz on Tuesday, February 16th, 2010.

In La Orotava, in the morning, the XXXVII (I make that 37th) Rally of Classic Cars took place, which later went on display in Puerto de la Cruz.

Meanwhile, at 9.30 p.m. in Puerto de la Cruz, there's the Gala Trans-gresora 2009, which has nothing to do with transgressions and everything to do with cross-dressing. Mind you, I thought Carnaval was ALL about cross-dressing.

And as Tenerife Matters say here, "Expect a lot of fun, a lot of bitchin and a soundtrack which will probably include 'It's Raining Men', 'I Will Survive' and 'I Am What I Am'." (Or Yo Viviré, which is 'I Will Survive', in Spanish, sung by Celia Cruz and I'll just mention it because it's better than the original. :)

Labels: Carnaval 2009

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Like Diamond Geezer, I don't want to "sound like a grumpy Mail reader", but some behaviours just don't belong in public places - and not in church - whatever cultural excuse.

Police were called Saturday, when a "devilish apparition entered and took over the temple"; the church of La Concepción in La Laguna.

This apparition, says the report, took the shape of two youths located at the back of the church, who, while mass was being celebrated, began caressing and touching their genitals. The congregation got most upset when the two began showing each other their "sexual attributes", with not a stitch on to cover them.

Their obvious sounds of heavy breathing had managed to stop the service.

Parishioners were scandalized and the curate was at the point of suffering an attack of hysteria (in the medical, not comical, sense) and the whole thing almost ended in a lynching. The two were arrested and charged with public indecency.

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Telling you what's going down on Carnaval Monday in Tenerife province - i.e. today - can surely only serve one purpose - to whet your appetite for future years - unless you're already on the islands and at a loss for something to do, in which case, you might like to consider any of the following ...

Día de los Indianos in La Palma

Hop over to the island of La Palma and rub shoulders with folk who travel all the way from South America to join this celebration, the biggest day of the Carnaval in Santa Cruz de La Palma - held every year on Carnaval Monday, i.e. the day before Shrove Tuesday - the Día de los Indianos.

Which as Sheila in La Palma explains, celebrates the return of Palmerans who had left the island in search of a better life in the Caribbean and, later returned from Cuba (hence the typical style of white clothing), stinking rich. And, she says, "If you dress up and join the parade, the town hall will provide talc."

Isla de La Palma Guide also have details on the celebrations here, there are more Indianos  here, here and here and the fact that AFP/Getty Images have several here, here, here and here, gives you some idea of the importance.

If you can't make it this year, don the clothes you bought for the last White Party, put on some Cuban music, fix yourself a mojito - maybe just the latter would do!

In a previous post here we showed you the official promotional video for the fiesta, as well as the recipe for the authentic mojito, direct from the cocktail's birthplace, the La Bodeguita del Medio in Havana, Cuba.

Dance Carnaval Santa Cruz

Meanwhile, tonight in Santa Cruz de Tenerife - in the Plaza de La Candelaria from 9 p.m. - is the FREE, seven hour long open-air disco spectacular, Dance Carnaval Santa Cruz, with, Real el Canario (pictured), along with four iconic US acts; DJ Craze, Ron Carroll, Armand Van Helden and Roger Sánchez.

Carnaval Parade in La Laguna

Meanwhile, if you're searching for a carnaval parade to watch and can't wait until tomorrow, La Laguna has brought back - after many years of absence - it's Carnaval Cavalcade, today, February 23rd, Carnaval Monday, around the historic centre of the town, starting from the church of La Concepción at 5 p.m.

Between midnight and 2 a.m. tonight, the Bulan Restaurante Chill-Out are giving away free beer.

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In the resorts, no doubt, there are all sorts of discounts on the Full English Breakfasts and Roast Chicken dinners, but if you're reading this blog, I will assume (maybe foolishly) that you're up for trying some of the local food when you're abroad - something that's no longer quite as laughingly cheap as it used to be.

So, if you want something that fills you up and doesn't cost a fortune today, look out for the various offers available, such as this "M€NU anticrisis", which surely requires no translation, at a typical roadside bar / restaurant.

You'll find these modest establishments all over Tenerife, where workers go for lunch and where filling, home-style cooking is served at reasonable prices. Eating here is more like getting an invite to someone's home.

This one is at the restaurant La Viña, on the main road between Tacoronte and the Valle de Guerra and, says the big banner hanging out front of their establishment, they're offering a hearty menu of lentejas (Canarian lentil stew) to start, followed by bistec con papas fritas (steak and chips), bread and a cuarta de vino (a quarter of a litre / 'bout half a pint) of wine, all for a mere 8 Euros, which as we know, these days works out to just a whisker under 8 quid.

We suggest that you WALK from Tacoronte to the Valle de Guerra, in order to work that lot off, not to mention not driving after the half-pint of wine!

Similarly, Lo Que Pasa en Tenerife report on Desayunos anticrisis (Anti-crisis breakfasts), where a dulce (sweet - I assume some sort of pastry: the local answer to a Danish) and a coffee are being served for just 1 Euro / 1 Pound ish.

If you've found any of these bargain menus being offered in Tenerife, especially if they're somewhat off the beaten track so that readers can enjoy some alternative scenery, whilst we can drive some traffic towards family businesses that must surely be feeling the pinch, let us know and send us your photos of the restaurants, the meals you ate or the surrounding countryside.

NB: For those of you who really can't afford to go out, or sadly aren't anywhere near Tenerife, try watching this video from the blogs at newspaper, Canarias7, Entremesas: Gastronomía y Rock&Roll, showing you how to cook Lentejas Sinatra (My Way). It's simple, cheap, filling and healthy - we know, because we've been cooking that way already at Secret Tenerife Towers for years!

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Last night, after two rainy setbacks, the weather gods decided to give Puerto de la Cruz’ Carnaval a break and the stars shone down from a clear sky on the grand Gala to elect this year’s Carnaval Queen.

The deserving winner was the delightful Elsa Eichner representing Casino Taoro in her costume (more like work of art) Gota a gota.

Mederso Martin was crowned first dame of honour with Naira Rodríguez, Desiré Regalado and Katia Rodríguez being chosen second, third and fourth dames of honour respectively.

The firework display which announced the crowning of the Carnaval Queen was also the signal for the band to start tuning up in Plaza Charco and for the DJs in the dances area to power up their sound systems as the surreal milling throng of smurfs, vampires, pirates, witches, etc., were able to finally start to celebrate Carnaval 2009 in earnest.

Jack Montgomery, co-author of Going Native in Tenerife and Real Tenerife Island Drives, was reporting direct from Puerto de la Cruz, where dedication to duty (or something) kept them out at this event until 5 a.m., apparently.

Labels: Carnaval 2009

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A news report today says hopes that the lost city of Atlantis had been found 600 miles west of the Canary Islands on Google Earth have been shattered. Let's face it, it doesn't take much to shatter a theory that appears in The Sun does it? :)

But I do think the hope-dashers are being somewhat hasty ...

Never mind "proof" that Tenerife has long been associated with the Atlantis myth, The Sun were probably taking as evidence the fact that the theme for Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 1994 was La Atlántida (Atlantis).

The bloke with the BBQ fork and a liking for a Rare Blend of Whiskey, we must deduce is Poseidon, who we know was bequeathed this legendary island. And there's a striking resemblance in the volcano to the rear of the scenery too and yet still, Tenerife appears not to have grasped the implications of the story that Atlantis sank into the ocean "in a single day and night of misfortune".

(We go for News in the Sun's (not to be confused with the right-wing British tabloid) theory on the misfortune that "alien visitors stopped coming when the inter-planetary space pound lost a third of it's value against the Euro.")

Here are more photos from Carnaval in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 1994

Labels: Tenerife Carnaval

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Puerto de la Cruz Carnaval suffered an early change to the published program yesterday, when their Gala for the selection of the Carnaval Queen, usually held on the Thursday night, had to be postponed due to bad weather. The Gala should now be taking place tonight, Friday, February 20th, but I guess that again, it depends on the rain.

The revised 2009 program (the main events anyway) is as follows:

• Friday, 20th February: Gala for the Election of the 2009 Carnival Queen
• Saturday, 21st February: Proclamatory Parade
• Wednesday, 25th February: Funeral of the Sardine
• Friday, 27th February: Men's Marathon in High Heels
• Saturday, 28th February: Coso - Main Parade (4 pm)

In addition to those, starting from tonight, each and every night until Saturday, February 28th, inclusive (except Thursday), there's a Gran Baile (dance) in the Plaza del Charco, Calle La Marina and Calle Perdomo, from 10 p.m. onwards.

We managed to see some of the Coso, Carnaval Parade in Puerto de la Cruz last year and the weather was doing funny stuff then too. Andrea Montgomery writes about her and Jack's experiences at Carnaval in Puerto de la Cruz here.

For future planning purposes, the dates of Carnaval in Puerto de la Cruz are one of the very rare examples in Tenerife that - barring disturbances for the weather and other things beyond the control of mere mortals - follows a regular and predictable pattern.

Normally kicking off on the Thursday before Shrove Tuesday, the Burial of the Sardine is on the correct day, Ash Wednesday and Carnaval celebrations come to a climax with the main parade on the Saturday after Shrove Tuesday.

However, Andrea Montgomery says that the high heels drag obstacle race is rapidly becoming the favourite Carnaval event in Puerto and is always worth seeing. She also says that it's outrageously politically incorrect and, since correctness is so way out of hand, take that as a recommendation!

Labels: Carnaval 2009

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On Carnaval Monday, February 23rd, 2009, the Bulan Restaurante Chill-Out, C/ Antonio Domínguez Alfonso (La Noria) No 35, 38003 Santa Cruz De Tenerife. (Tel: 922 274 116) are having a Fiesta de la Cerveza (Beer Festival) and from midnight to 2 a.m. they'll be having free beer to give the crisis a kick up the bum.   See map.

Labels: Carnaval 2009

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More would, I'm sure, but for that to happen, a bit of advance notice would be handy, you know, because people need to give employers notice to book time off from their jobs, therefore they need to book their flights, hotels or holidays, months in advance ...

And failing some advance publicity (and we don't mean just posters inside the town, "preaching to the choir"), maybe stick to a regular schedule?

Nah, frustratingly, Arona has never heard of these alien concepts.

After translating the program for a reader the other day, I thought I'd go through the archives to see if a pattern would emerge that would allow us to say "take the date of XYZ and add XX days ..." to arrive at a method for people to predict when these fiestas would take place each year. I thought it did, but it doesn't work.

Taking the dates of Shrove Tuesday (the most reliable and verifiable point in the Carnaval calendar) and the dates of the main parade of Los Cristianos carnaval (which is the event that is probably of most interest to spectators) over the last few years - those few I could find online - plus the date listed in this year's program, I plotted how many days there were between the two dates.

As you can see from the table above, usually, the Los Cristianos carnaval main parade happens 12 days after Shrove Tuesday, i.e. the second Sunday after "Pancake Day" for those who've forgotten what Shrove is about elsewhere.

And then they go and muck things up, because this year it's all happening a week later, with the main parade 19 days after Shrove Tuesday instead.

The good news is that the basic format for the core 5 days of the Los Cristianos carnaval did not seem to vary in all of those years, being:

• Thursday. Gala election of the Junior Carnaval Queen.
• Friday. Carnival Ball for the Senior Citizens and Grand Gala election of the Carnaval Queen.
• Saturday. Carnaval Ball.
• Sunday 5 p.m. ish. Gran Coso Apoteósico del Carnaval (The Main Parade)
• Monday. Burial of the Sardine, followed by the Widow's Ball.

And our recollection is that this has been the case for many more years too.

Some of the events leading up to it; the presentation of the candidates, opening parades, etc., which this year are happening on the weekend before the core events of carnaval, have previously been held mid-week. It's that difference, clearly, that is pushing it all onward 7 days. The trouble is that one cannot predict whether future years will be organized in the way it's being done this year, whether they will revert to the old way, or something else.

Planning ahead: Certainly, Los Cristianos carnaval main parade should not happen earlier than the 12 days after Shrove Tuesday, because their carnaval cannot start until Santa Cruz finishes and releases the fairground rides.

If you plan to be there for that date and book for a fortnight, you'd still be around if it is all moved onwards a week. Watch our news or check with Arona town hall nearer to the date each year to be absolutely sure, but know that this will almost always be too late to plan, unless you take a chance on last minute availability.

Better yet, write to Arona town hall (in English) and suggest that they "get with the program" so that you, as a visitor (after all, you are supposed to be important to them) can get information in time, or count on a regular enough schedule to be able to plan and book your holidays in advance to enjoy their carnaval.

No, seriously, we don't need to rant and whine at them (though it's tempting), but the more people who point out the defficiencies, the sooner the penny will drop that a bit of simple information can positively impact falling tourist numers.

Photo: raymondo182

Labels: Carnaval 2009

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The United States has its first black President and now Santa Cruz de Tenerife, has elected its first black Carnaval Queen. The 18 year old Ana María Tavárez Mata, representing newspaper El Día, with a costume entitled Embrujada (Bewitched) designed by Leo Martínez, was chosen from among the 18 candidates in last nights almost 3 hour long gala.

Labels: Carnaval 2009

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With this year's Gala for the Election of the Carnaval Queen in Santa Cruz happening as we speak, how about a blast back to a Carnaval Queen of the past - from the year 1994.

Mª Candelaria Rodríguez Pacheco, then 20 years old, won with a costume entitled "Diva" and designed by Marcos Marrero, in representation of (patronised by, in other words) all the gaming casinos on the island.

This old image is one of several I had knocking around from back in the days when cameras has film in them - do you remember that?

What I couldn't remember was which image was of the queen, or those of her attendants, or even what year it was.

Heck, I managed to remember that it was in Santa Cruz. That's something!

Anyway, just by chance the other day, I found this video at YouTube, which clearly shows this same girl in this costume, who was the Reina del Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife 1994 (Carnaval Queen of Santa Cruz 1994.)

That was a significant year, as the commentary reminds us, as it was also the year of the 500th Anniversary of the founding of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 1494.

Labels: Tenerife Carnaval

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The word playa in Spanish, as you may or may not know, simply means beach, but in the case of Playa de las Américas (literally, Beach of the Americas) it refers to the whole resort town. In the case of Playa de Los Cristianos, it is again being used to refer to not just the sandy bit next to the boats, but to the whole town that once was a simple sleepy little seaside village and ye olde fishing port.

My how things have changed in Los Cristianos.

Who would have thought that Playa de Los Cristianos would have it's own folk song, composed by Fernando Estévez, dedicated to it, speaking of this rinconcito marinero (little fishing corner) and gente pescadora (fisherpersons).

What caught my eye were   the images that accompany the song in this video, which are just as quaint, many in black & white and hail from days long gone. In particular, I did a double-take when I saw the twin towers of the Torres del Sol, taken from the Los Cristianos side, with a great expanse of emptiness on the peninsular behind them.

That bit today is the burgeoning resort area of Playa de las Américas.

Even more surprising is that postcards as short a time ago as the 1970's show it in that state. It really should make one stop and think what one's demand for a tourist mecca in Tenerife has done to this little corner of the island in a mere 30 years.

More to the point, is what we can avoid doing to the rest of it.

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Hallelujah! In the nick of time, with just a few days to go, finally, we can give you details of the program of events for the Los Cristianos Carnaval 2009. Here goes:

Friday, March 6th, 2009. 20:00 hours. Events kick off with the Presentation of the Candidates for the Carnaval Queen at Los Cristianos Cultural Center.

Saturday, March 7th, 2009. 19:00 hours. Cabalgata Anunciadora (Opening Parade) along the Avenida Rafael Puig in Playa de las Américas, from the Avenida Francisco Andrade Fumero (near the entrance of the Hotel Conquistador) to the  C.C. Gala Shopping Center. It terminates with a "gran batucada" (incessant drumming) from all participating groups.

Thursday, March 12th, 2009. 20:30 hours. Gala election of the Junior Carnaval Queen in the Fair's Enclosure (in front of the   Valdés Center.)

Friday, March 13th, 2009. 18:30 hours. Carnival Ball for the Senior Citizens in the Los Cristianos Cultural Center. 21:00 hours. Grand Gala election of the Carnaval Queen in the Fair's Enclosure (in front of the   Valdés Center.)

Saturday, March 14th, 2009. 19:00 hours. Carnaval Parade around various areas of Los Cristianos. 23:00 hours. Carnaval Ball with the orchestra, Sensación Gomera in the Fair's Enclosure (in front of the   Valdés Center.)

Sunday, March 15th, 2009. 17:00 hours. Gran Coso Apoteósico del Carnaval (The Main Parade of Carnival), with a parade of all the carnival groups, Queens, etc., from   Aptos. Paloma Beach, via the Avenida Juan Carlos I, to terminate in the Fair's Enclosure (in front of the   Valdés Center.) At the end of the parade: Carnival Dance with Orchestra Wamampy in the Fair's Enclosure.

Monday, March 16th, 2009. 20:00 hours. Burial of the Sardine parade, leaving from the Los Cristianos Cultural Center, to the Los Cristianos beach. This is usually followed by the Widow's Ball in the Fair's Enclosure (in front of the   Valdés Center.)

In addition there's the fun fair, fireworks, stalls and lots of yummy street food to be enjoyed, so while carnival is on you can just go for an evening stroll amongst the stalls and funfair rides.

Slideshow of Los Cristianos Carnaval images | More Carnival photos

Frankly, it's absolutely sinful that a carnival anywhere, but especially one with such huge tourist potential as in Los Cristianos is kept so "secret".

NB: Please do not trust the plethora of sites I keep coming across who insist that a carnival cabalgata is "a parade with horses," because they've obviously never seen one. They probably haven't even been to Tenerife! Alright, maybe that's what the term cabalgata (cavalcade) meant in history and you might assume some link with the word caballería (cavalry) as soldiers who fought mounted on horseback, but in Tenerife carnival terms it just means a big parade, of people, floats ... Maybe the odd horse gets into the general melee, but not as a rule.

Photo: by baob555555

Labels: Carnaval 2009

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This week, Carnaval arrives proper in Tenerife. Today, Wednesday, February 18th, 2009 sees the huge Gala de elección de la Reina del Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2009 (Gala for the selection of the Carnaval Queen) and her attendants, held at the Centro Internacional de Ferias y Congresos de Tenerife. Starting at 9.30 p.m. Canary time - same time as the UK, the (usually 3+ hour) gala is to be televised live by Televisión Canaria (RTVC), nationally, internationally and even by internet, as well as via accredited international media, including the Italian national network RAI.

ABC also tell us that a "Túnel del Terror" (needs no translation: carnaval's theme is horror movies) will create atmosphere for the gala. It is a dark passageway, 15 meters in length, to be installed on the terrace of the congress centre.

(If you have another 3 hrs, 5 mins to spare, you can already watch last Friday's gala in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria online at TVE's answer to the iPlayer.)

Before the 2009 Carnaval Queen is crowned, here's a last look at the winner in 2008, Nauzet Celeste Cruz Melo, in a costume depicting Queen Elizabeth I (of England) entitled, "La Edad de Oro" (The Golden Age)   Nauzet Celeste, reina del carnaval de Tenerife, Tenerife ya tiene a su reina del carnaval, Nauzet Celeste Cruz Melo es la nueva Reina del Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

On Thursday, February 19th, Puerto de la Cruz will then select it's Carnaval Queen. On Friday, February, 20th, there will be the Cabalgata Anunciadora (the evening, opening parade) in Santa Cruz. Likewise, on Saturday, February 21st, there's the Cabalgata Anunciadora del Carnaval in Puerto de la Cruz.

Indeed, there'll be carnaval events somewhere on the island for most of the next few weeks, but if Carnaval itself isn't enough for you, the after party, After Carnaval 2009, starts at 5 a.m. each morning at Discoteca Dreams in Santa Cruz,  from Sunday, February 22nd through to Sunday, March 1st.

Labels: Carnaval 2009

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On Sunday, 15th of February, from 5 a.m. onwards, the doors of the Santa Catalina convent in La Laguna will be opened for the faithful and the curious to queue around the block for the chance to view the uncorrupted body of Sor María de Jesús (Sister Maria of Jesus) (1643 - 1731), popularly known as La Siervita.

María de León Bello y Delgado was born in El Sauzal on March 23rd, 1643 and entered the convent in February of 1668. She spent a year as a novice, then took up the habit full-time for the rest of her life. Contemporary texts apparently claim that shortly before she died, she "fell into ecstasy", while retaining a pulse for more than 24 hours. In January 1734, she was exhumed and her remains found to be intact, with wet clothes, flexible and a natural colour, it's said.

The luxurious glass-covered coffin she can be seen in was donated by La Laguna born pirate, Amaro Pargo, her friend in life and benefactor of the convent.

However, we learn that the body is located ten meters away from where viewers are able to pass and the lighting isn't too good.  And despite numerous claims, there are no scientifically verified cases of genuine incorruptibility.

But as this post points out, "to be able to spend almost 300 years right next door to La Laguna town hall and still remain "uncorrupted" is a worthy miracle." :)

  Sor María de Jesús (La monja incorrupta de Tenerife)

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A reader writes to ask, "Is the big carnival parade day in Los Cristianos on the 8th March 2009?"

Actually, we don't have a clue what the program is yet for the Los Cristianos (Arona) Carnaval. All I can tell you is  that it runs from Saturday, March 7th to Monday, March 16th (from Arona town hall's website).

You gotta love the next bit after they give the dates, where they say, "In early 2009, you can see here the program of events for the fiestas." Yeah, well we're a month and a half into 2009 now boys and girls and there's no blinking sign of a program of events, beyond just the start and finish dates.

As Tenerife Matters muse, "Still what’s the rush, this is Tenerife after all and it’s not as though Arona gets a lot of tourists who would like to know such things!"

Clearly people do want to know, because someone has bothered to ask.

Of course, we are talking about Tenerife here so, naturally, all timings should always be interpreted loosely, but it has been my experience, over the years, that the Los Cristianos (Arona) Carnaval is probably the least well advertised of just about all events on the island. It's not an admirable record really. :)

I remember when I worked in Los Cristianos, I generally wouldn't know when Carnaval was on until I saw the fun fair - usually then only because I wanted to park in the car park, only to find it closed - and put two and two together.

Anyway, it may be foolish to make assumptions about anything and especially not in relation to Tenerife, but if their Carnaval does follow the general order that it has in previous years (see last year's program), that would suggest that the main parade is more likely to be on the following Sunday, March 15th.

When - IF - we get more details on that program, we'll let you know here!

Labels: Carnaval 2009

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Cheery little piece here just in time for Valentines Day ... says that Canarians are those who (among Spaniards) are the most likely to sell gifts given to them by their ex's, for vengeance.

That's quite apart from the numbers who also sell those gifts for the money, to forget bad memories, just for the hell of it and even to buy something for their new boyfriend / girlfriend. So, unless like me, you much prefer to remain single, forever, get it right on Saturday, 'coz it looks like splitting up as friends is not likely to be on the cards - nor is getting your gifts back! :)

Carnaval swapping anyone? Nothing to do with throwing in your car keys, but an idea that someone in Adeje has come up with. They're offering their luxury apartment on the south of the island in exchange for a flat in central Santa Cruz while the Carnaval is on, so they can enjoy the party.

Given the noise complaints from Santa Cruz residents in recent years, they should get a response. To think there was this simple solution all along! :)

In other Carnaval news, English singer, Craig David is said to be among those performing at the Carnaval de Día (Daytime Carnaval) spectacular that will be taking place in Santa Cruz on the afternoon of Saturday, February 28th.

Meanwhile, the Junior Carnaval Queen was crowned last Sunday.

A new group of sculptures has been unveiled in the village of El Palmar, paying homage to the village's unique custom: the Baile de las Libreas (Livery Dance) ... which involves an incarnation of Dusty Bin, six blokes dressed in the Chintz curtains, a LOT of fireworks and zero regard to health and safety. :)

The sculptures can be seen on the roadside at the entrance to the village: the dance it commemorates can be seen at the annual fiestas each September.

Teide Controls?

The authorities are threatening to establish controls on entering the Teide National Park, after the thousands of people who rushed up to see the snow at the weekend also left a heap load of trash behind them to stain the landscape.

Snowy Teide at the w/e.

Also last the weekend, Colin Kirby became A nut among the almonds as he did the Almond Blossom Walk and CD Tenerife pack them in for another victory.

Tenerife Winter: "We know that this is not a popular subject, but as a matter of fact it's been the coldest winter in 36 years here on South Tenerife." 

The rain is never to everyone's taste as the rains that have fallen over the last few days could harm the potato crops: the 12 million kilos of spuds that are cultivated in the north of Tenerife could perish, if it doesn't stop raining.

However, reservoirs on the islands are at 100% capacity, which guarantees irrigation water for the summer. Certainly looks like there's a surfeit of water after all the recent rain. And my goodness, you should see the height of the sea at Garachico during the recent alerts (Via: Villa y Puerto de Garachico.)

Self-Service Babies

What's with giving birth in petrol stations recently? Yes, it happened when a Christmas baby was delivered in a petrol station in Icod de los Vinos and now, this week, another Tenerife baby was born in in a petrol station in Arico, with assistance given by telephone to the person accompanying the mother. No idea if the delivery was leaded or unleaded, I mean a boy or a girl, but both are said to be fine.

Goldilocks and the 3 bears

How do you fancy listening to children's classics in English? Well, you can thanks to a new initiative for 2009 by Surjit Kaur at the Biblioteca pública (Public Library), Calle Comodoro Rolín 1 Parque La Granja, 38007 Santa Cruz (see map). The first is "Goldilocks and the three bears", on Sunday, February 15th, at 11.30 a.m. There'll be another on one Sunday each month.

Ropa Vieja - it means "Old Clothes", but it has nothing to do with recycling your old garments, as this is a Canarian stew with "everything" (good for leftovers) in it; meat, potatoes, pasta, chick peas. This is what it looks like and the recipe (in Spanish.)

You'll know Canarians don't suffer paraskavedekatriaphobia (where that applies instead to Tuesday 13th), when I tell you that it has been announced that the works on the Port of Granadilla have been scheduled to start Friday 13th.

Ecologists in Action explain why they're opposed to the port, while there are accusations of "retouching" being done to the official reports to pave the way.

• Kiss Flights has announced that it will begin a summer service between Bristol Airport and the popular Spanish island resort of Tenerife.
• The Canaries continues to be one of the few places where cock fighting is legal!
• The experts are pessimistic about the evolution of the Canarian economy in the coming years, with three quarters saying it will be negative.
• Some 1,200 self-employed closed their businesses in the Canaries in January.
• The courts award a payment holiday to Quality Resorts Hotels, owners of Xibana Park and La Paz, in Puerto de la Cruz, as they go into voluntary liquidation.
• The island has 53 black spots on 22 main roads: the TF-1 and TF-5 autopistas (highways) having the most and the largest concentration of accidents.
• The price of new homes in the Canaries could fall by 20% in 2009, it's claimed.

Must see: Fascinating image, taken from the Teide Observatory on Tenerife, on January 23rd, showing (amongst other things), the Milky Way, Venus, the distant Andromeda Galaxy and the Pleiades star cluster. (Via)

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As if the weakness of the pound against the euro wasn’t enough of a strain on the straw on the proverbial camel’s back in relation to tourist figures for Tenerife; the fickle nature of the weather hasn’t helped the situation and the clouds which have gathered haven’t just been of the metaphorical doom and gloom variety.

The sun hasn’t shone quite so consistently in the south this winter and the unthinkable has happened; rain has actually reared its head, prompting some ex-pat residents to go as far as describing the normally arid countryside as looking positively lush.

Reaction from some British visitors to temperatures being lower than normal highlighted the chasm in expectations between holidaymakers to the north of Tenerife and many of those who choose the south during winter months.

The world and his dog will tell you that the north of Tenerife is cooler and wetter whilst the south basks in year round sunny tropical weather. This perception can be somewhat of a double edged sword for both parts of the island.

The north’s ‘cooler’ reputation deters enormous numbers of potential visitors looking for the promise of guaranteed sunshine, but it does mean that those who venture there are generally looking for something more than a sunny seaside resort.

It’s probably fair to say that the many British holidaymakers to the south expect (or have been led to believe) that there are 365 days of sunshine a year. When they don’t get what it says on the packet, some become almost mutinous. There has been comment after comment on various community forums from people who swear they won’t be back; incredibly taking the unusual patterns this year personally, whilst ignoring the adverse weather conditions affecting most of the rest of Europe.

There are valid reasons for these differing expectations. The south is arid, warm and sunny (usually); the north is more lush, rain is more likely in winter and it is cooler (or, as us northerners like to say, less warm – let’s keep this in perspective). But there are other factors which can put a little ‘spin’ on things and distort the picture that bit further.

Take the meteosurfcanarias webcam image for Puerto de la Cruz; it’s the weather as it is and it’s hard to tell even when it’s sunny. Compare it to the image for Fañabe in Costa Adeje; unbroken blue skies, the perfect seaside scene … except it isn’t the actual weather. You have to click on the image to see that.

Many weather forecasts for Tenerife south are taken from Reina Sofia airport on the coast. A lot of forecasts used to illustrate weather and temperatures in the north are taken from the Los Rodeos airport; an area about 600 metres above sea level known for its ‘cooler’ temperatures and unpredictable weather and as different from the coastal temperatures in the north as … say Vilaflor’s would be from coastal temperatures in the south.

Tenerife’s range of incredibly diverse micro-climates means that weather forecasting for the island is never going to be an exact science, but there are still plenty of people out there who subscribe to a simplistic ‘south – hot and sunny; north cool and cloudy’ formula and any reports which suggest otherwise must clearly be wrong.

A shining example of this recently was the Tripadvisor member who posted a question titled ‘The REAL weather…’

Unable to believe forecasts of low temperatures (15 degrees) and rain in Los Cristianos, she desperately asked resident members to tell her, “…what the temperature is really like?”

And that’s the real problem when your ace card in attracting visitors is the golden orb in the sky; big Momma Nature doesn’t always play ball.

However, even allowing for the inconsistencies in Tenerife’s weather this winter, you can be sure of one thing; it’s still a hell of a lot warmer than the rest of Europe.

© Jack Montgomery

To make things really easy for you, the brand new ‘Going Native in Tenerife’ guide gives you a comprehensive insight into 38 different towns and villages across Tenerife and tells you the best bits to see and the best places to eat. Along with local food, best-buys and a guide to the island’s many colourful fiestas, ‘Going Native in Tenerife’ will tempt you to get out and discover some of the beautiful places that exist on Tenerife.

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The Cabildo (Island Corporation) on the island of La Palma have come up with some controversial, crisis beating business and marketing ideas, such as topless female car wash attendants and Baywatch style girlie lifeguards. Socialists consider these suggestions sexist, for some reason. /sarcasm

How is the recession affecting Tenerife? According to Leslie Beeson at Tenerife Lifeline, "Although the situation may look bad, it is no worse than elsewhere and better than many other places. The recession has prompted many more people to consider Tenerife as their future home. Perhaps it is best summed up by one couple who are relocating at the moment, “At the end of the day, I’d prefer to be broke and warm in the Tenerife sun than broke and freezing my ***s off in Birmingham!” (I'll certainly agree with that last statement.)

Popular Tenerife Dolphin and Whale excursion company closes down, report Canary PR. "Sadly and due to the current economic climate that is being experienced the world over, Freebird Sailing have now ceased to trade.  Freebird Sailing were well known in Tenerife for Dolphin and Whale trip excursions and their commitment to helping Atlantic Whale Foundation."

Lavengro in Spain on British jobs for British workers, "Of course Brits go to work in other other countries, but that’s right because they go there to show the foreigners how to do things, or at least to be picturesquely humorous."

As one does, so I'd probably better shut up now! :-)

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Lots of snow on Teide today, as seen by the Bradford Robotic Telescope's Teide-Cam. More webcam views at the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias - IAC - Teide Observatory. It snowed above 1,800 meters in Gran Canaria and, La Palma too has snow at the observatory, Roque de los Muchachos.

Access roads to Teide, La Esperanza (TF-24) and La Orotava (TF-21), continue closed for the weekend, because of the heavy snowfall in the last few hours.

Disney on Ice

Given the snowfall, one wonders if it's necessary ... But news is that Disney on Ice is returning to Tenerife with Princess Wishes, with 9 shows, between April 17th and 21st, at the Pabellón Santiago Martín de La Laguna (La Hambuerguesa). Tickets are available from the El Corte Inglés store in Santa Cruz, or their online ticket sales. 

CD Tenerife v Eibar

As the contest (and the betting) at the top of the La Segunda hots up, CD Tenerife are at home at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López on Sunday, February 8th, to bottom of the table Eibar, who've been having poor results away from home. Kick off is 5 p.m.

Puerto de Granadilla

On Friday, the declassification of the sea grass, Cymodocea nodosa, was published in the Canary Islands' Official Bulletin. Hardly surprisingly, according to Ben Magec-Ecologistas en Acción (Ecologists in Action in Tenerife), this is "one of the most evident presumed illegalities in the recent history of the environment in the Canaries." The word I used was surreal, but that was just politic. The United Left are taking initiatives to Congress to have the Granadilla Port project stopped. [Photo: by Mataparda]

The catfight between Tenerife and Gran Canaria may recommence imminently as President of the Tenerife Island Corporation, Ricardo Melchoir, announces that on all the old maps, Gran Canaria appears, simply as Canaria.

The European Commission has approved the new aid scheme for maritime and air transport of agricultural goods from or to the Canary Islands, which are to rise from 50 to 100 percent of the cost, the Government's Ministry of Economy and Finance announced.

Will this be reflected in lower consumer prices in the shops, I wonder?

According to this report, there are close to 100,000 Canarians with uncommon addictions. Among the peculiar obsessions listed are an addiction to slot machines or a dependency on internet Social Networking sites like Facebook. If the latter is an "addiction", you can probably add another few noughts onto the number of addicts! :-)

Forestry officials intercepted some French tourists with half a dozen plants of the protected species of Anaga violets. Elsewhere on the island, campers were caught lighting fires right inside the forest.

Only 55% of Canarians aged between 20 and 24 reach the educational level of Superior Secondary, which is equivalent to A'Level, I think. It would be news, I think, if we could compare the percentage with other countries, but I have the nasty suspicion that, in Britain, it might be in single figures!

The global launch of the new 2009 Husqvarna TC 250 took place in Tenerife on the special circuit in San Miguel de Abona, which has already hosted 5 international trials with the best riders in the world.

Here's a scathing (though not entirely undeservedly so) piece in Spanish talking about artists with little or no popularity in the UK (the latter), who come to the south of Tenerife to imitate stars and asks if the south is ready for another landing of false Rod Stewarts, Elvis Presleys and Freddy Mercurys.

A group of astronomers have discovered a planet somewhat bigger than the earth and the Teide Observatory in Tenerife, was the first to confirm the sighting. Sadly, for those who want to get off this planet, it won't be habitable to humans.

Britons living in Spain 'not prepared for when dream goes sour', say the Telegraph. "One of the biggest problems is that people don't integrate into the local community," she said. "They have to be made aware that to make things work it takes strong commitment to learning the Spanish language and fitting in with the local way of doing things." It appears Tenerife agrees too ...

The Tenerife Island Corporation is to work with the population to promote the integration of immigrants. Well, that should be easy enough: they only have 5 centuries worth of insular attitude to break through to to succeed ...

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Pa' calientar motores, (to warm up the engines) in anticipation of Carnaval in Santa Cruz, more precisely, the Dance Carnaval night on the Monday, February 23rd, DJ Real el Canario is offering a (152.74 MB) Carnaval 2009 Mix, available here free.

In other carnaval announcements, Tenerife Carnaval 2009 on the tele: Radio Televisión Canaria (RTVC) are to televise no less than 21 events of this year's carnaval in Santa Cruz, both inside the Canary Islands archipelago and outside the islands; via channels 96 an 98 on TDT in mainland Spain and via satellite to the rest of the world.

More than 470 police will patrol the Carnaval in Santa Cruz this year.

Labels: Carnaval 2009

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Rita Martín, Councillor for Tourism of the Canary Islands' Government, hath spake [roughly] thusly, reports Miguel at Canarias Bruta:

... my largest preoccupation with a market as important as the United Kingdom from which we receive 3,200,000 tourists in the Canary Islands, something that no other destination in the world receives, is that we must continue to have British tourists or we must reinvent another country that will send us the same number of visitors.

Which is true, basically, but sometimes stating the bleeding obvious reveals a distinct talent for making yourself look ridiculous instead of clear.

This is one of them, I think.

And "reinvent"? WTF? Yea, reinvent, not just invent.

Whether British tourists are liked or not, or if the islands are just resigned to putting up with us, I can't rightly determine from these textual words, but is the Canarian Government saying they "invented" the UK then? Quite a lot of things that most governments utter seem to be total fantasies, but I'm really not sure how I feel about being a "figment of someone's imagination", are you? :-)

Suggestions for new countries so far from Miguel are Guirilandia and Turistonia (Guiri being a somewhat derogatory term for a tourist. On the Isle of Wight and other remote parts of the south of England, they'd call them grockels.)

The really bad news, as Ms Martín goes on to say, is that things have changed a lot in the last 3 months - this reveals why the authorities have been so keen on having meetings with Thomas Cook and TUI - because currently, the number of flights programmed for the summer will not fill the number of beds available in hotels and apartments in the Canary Islands.

Aha. Obviously, if this is the case, this is likely to have a negative knock-on effect on other business sectors; bars, restaurants, excursions, etc., that are also reliant upon a goodly influx of tourists for their livelihood.

Again, I'm reading between the lines, but it looks to me as if the authorities in the islands have been desperately begging the tour operators to put on more flights - something that may not be realistic, if people don't want to book them.

The Canary Islands Government had better reinvent somewhere soon, with as many tourists AND some money, 'coz there's a crisis in the UK, you know.

Speak proper English, like wot I does ...

Hardly for me to say, but I'll add my 2 pence worth and suggest that someone who does deal with markets as important as the United Kingdom should speak better English than this - the only word I understood was "Lanzarote!"

It seems to me totally ridiculous that, at least twice in this interview, Ms Martín had to respond to members of the public that, public money has never been used to pay for English lessons. Why not? Do they think it a waste of money then?

Surely, being able to communicate effectively with the global business world - which, whether they like it or not, speaks English, wherever it comes from - is the number one thing that will improve the Canary Islands' professional image and competitiveness and, ultimately, help create jobs for Canarians.

It's not clear whether the glass is half full or empty either, when:

Tourist campaigns against the crisis (and meetings with central government) are announced for the UK, Germany and the Spanish mainland. (Who all have their own crises, of course ...) They make it sound almost military! Yet ...

According to Monarch, the holiday and flights specialist, destinations both inside and outside the eurozone are performing well so far in 2009. In releasing its holiday trends for this year, Monarch noted that the Canary Islands continue to be a popular winter choice, with Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria appearing in the top five of their "What’s hot for 2009" list.

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Here's a curious (yes, even stranger than usual) piece of news to emanate from Tenerife's authorities, first from the President of the Island Corporation, Ricardo Melchior, then confirmed by Santa Cruz mayor, Miguel Zerolo.

News is that, should CD Tenerife manage to be promoted to the La Primera (First Division) at the end of the season, then fans will be allowed to take a dip in the lake in the shiny new Plaza de España, under "exceptional circumstances."

We reported earlier that municipal police patrols in Santa Cruz had been given express instructions to fine anyone who bathes in the lake, which continued saying, "the fun of dipping your toes could cost between 60 and 300 euros."

Last time that Tenerife Football Club went up into the first division, the celebration took place in the Plaza de La Paz, apparently. Of course it would be exceptional news if they pull it off again. The blue and whites are currently in second place in the league and need to finish the season in one of the top three spots to win promotion. But how long is it until the end of the season?

What seems curious to me isn't the bathing business at all (though I will never understand why they built the bloody lake in the first place if they didn't want people in it), it's the timing. Do you suppose announcing that those will be treated as exceptional circumstances is a hint that carnaval will not?

We only have a couple of weeks before the Santa Cruz holds it's first carnaval since the new plaza opened, when we'll see how many drunken bodies get fished out of it each morning! Human nature ... it just has to end in tears.

Photo: by Mataparda

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The organizers have announced that all of the places for Saturday's Ruta del Almendro en Flor (Almond Flower Route) in Santiago del Teide have been taken. Santiago del Teide town hall, say they were forced to reduce numbers this year to improve quality, so guides have a better opportunity to explain more clearly to smaller groups of walkers, all the details of the almond trees, the surrounding area ... If you were thinking of going independently, at least you know  the blossoms are out.

An exhibition, Canarias otra mirada: Viajeros, Exploradores y Naturalistas  (Canaries another view: Travellers, Explorers and Naturalists), showing the development of scientific investigation work in the Canaries during the 18th and 19th Centuries, is on display in the Ex Convento de San Francisco, Garachico, from January 30th, right through February.

The project aims to show the investigations carried out by leading scientists and naturalists (including Alexander Von Humboldt and Sabin Berthelot amongst at least sixteen leading researchers) who visited the Canary Islands during that age of enlightenment, to study botany, zoology, geology, volcanology, anthropology and astronomy, among other branches of research science.

Charity, Comfrica (the name comes from an amalgamation of compromiso (promise) and Africa) are organizing two benefit gigs in Tenerife, on February 13th and March 13th, both in the island's capital, Santa Cruz. The first of those is at Dreams (Avenida De La Constitución 5, 38003 Santa Cruz) and the second is at the Casa de la Cultura (Cultural Centre). Entrance prices are a meager 7 euros and 5 euros, respectively.

As Miguel suggests, whether the acts performing are good, bad or indifferent (I've never heard of most of them), matters a whole lot less than being there to add support.

Comfrica, who have been working informally for some time, but have now decided to take the step forward to formalize their status, offer services of education and employment in Senegal, whilst in Tenerife, they undertake humanitarian work with groups of immigrants in the retention centres.

Two baseball games for your sporting pleasure, Saturday, February 7th, at the Centro Insular de Béisbol (Island Baseball Centre) at El Burgado, Puerto de la Cruz. 11:30 Dr. Click – Motovalle and 15:00 Dr. Click – Canaritos. Clearly this is a new sport for the island, which they're working very hard to have recognized and supported.

More information (in Spanish) from Federación Canaria de Béisbol y Sófbol

III Festival La Guitarra 2009 (Guitar Festival 2009) with Brazilian guitarists, Yamandú Costa   and Duo Assad (The Assad Brothers) of Sérgio and Odair Assad February 27th and 28th, Teatro Leal, La Laguna.

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Salsa Tenerife have published a list of the 23 orchestras and artists who are going to be playing for the dancing in the streets during Carnaval 09 in Santa Cruz, on the two stages in the Plaza de La Candelaria and Plaza del Príncipe de Asturias - 10 concerts with more than 50 hours of music - between February 20th and 28th (in addition to the seven hour long open-air disco spectacular on the 23rd, Carnaval Monday), all Canarian, except Billo's Caracas Boys, who also played at last year's Carnaval de Día on the Domingo de Piñata.

Billos have filled the Santa Cruz' Plaza de Toros (Bull Ring) a few times and, when sharing the stage with the late Celia Cruz in 1987, achieved a mention in the Guinness World Record when the Carnival Tuesday ball in the Plaza de España, managed to attract the amazing figure of over 250,000 people.

The mostly local lineup is one of the budget saving measures that Santa Cruz town hall have implemented this year. Not that it would make a fat lot of difference to an island utterly dependent upon bringing in tourists by plane load, but I suppose keeping local saves a few air miles too.

The list starts with Mingo Show (no, that's mingo, not minging), who already performed at carnaval for the previous three years and bill themselves as "el primer grupo de animacion de Canarias" (the Canaries' best hosts.) Who, who have seen them, could possibly forget the Mingo Show who supported Orishas in Los Realejos last May, with DJ Sweet (the Canary Island's #1 Feminine DJ, stretching the term DJ to almost the same limits as the lycra in her cat suit) ... especially not their Flypa Song (no matter how hard one tries to get it out of one's head.) All that said, you can't knock 'em, because the public adores them and they certainly know how to get a crowd going.

The concerts in the Plaza del Príncipe (on the 21st, 23rd and 28th), all start at 21:00. Those in the Plaza de La Candelaria, will begin at 21:00 hours on the 22nd, 24th, 27th and 28th. In the Plaza de La Candelaria on the 20th, 21st and 25th they start at 23:00, after the Main Carnaval Parade, The Rhythm and Harmony Contest and the Burial of the Sardine, respectively.

Carnaval de Día (Daytime Carnaval), which was such a huge success last year, is planned again this year, for Saturday, February 28th, 12 mid-day to 5 p.m., with, says the official Carnaval Program, "stellar performances" on the stages in the Plaza de La Candelaria, Plaza del Príncipe, Plaza de Europa and the Calle Castillo. They don't list who will be giving those concerts, yet.

Labels: Carnaval 2009

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High seas, strong winds and heavy snowfalls have all been on the weather menu again this week in Tenerife (as they have elsewhere), with various - some reports say dozens - of people  trapped inside the Teide National Park, because all of the access roads remain closed. Because there were several people in the area, reports say that the Refugio was opened so they could spend the night.

The Parador Hotel in Las Cañadas del Teide, it's also reported became a makeshift barracks, for tourists who were surprised by the intense snowfall.

The Cabildo is discouraging people from undertaking the trip up to Teide, by any of the access roads, during Saturday and wish to underline the danger that the machines, working to combat the ice and snow, present to motorists. (British visitors should not, therefore, rush up Teide to see something they could not have seen in surprise snow at home, but instead start collecting salt.)

The sea front road in Garachico was again closed to traffic and, there have been rockfalls on various mountain roads in Arona, San José de los Llanos, El Tanque, Masca, San Juan de la Rambla and the Anaga Mountains.

Hundreds of passengers were unable to leave the Canaries earlier in the week. The weather provoked disruptions in the islands' ports and airports, at the same time as airports in Britain were closed due to the surprise snowfalls there.

Weather alerts on Tenerife's coast, have been going up and down between yellow (risk) and orange (bigger risk) like a whore's drawers, or for that matter, with the height of the waves, which I've seen listed as 4, 5 and up to 6 meters. (Have a thought for the 67 immigrants sighted off the south of Tenerife today, in an, undoubtedly, rickety barge, who crossed from Africa in those seas!)

Currently, the alert has been ended at sea, but remains in place for high wind.

Espectáculo marino (Marine Show), images of the waves crashing against the fishing harbour walls in Puerto de la Cruz, mid-day on Thursday.

(Photo: Más nieve (More snow) by freakyman in 2007)

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Venezuelan musician, Oscar D'León (who returned to Tenerife, minus the hair, to play at Adeje Latinos in November 2008), shown here in concert on May 8th, 1993, on the Playa de Las Teresitas, with an audience of 300.000.

As Mojo Picón say, it was a night to remember that set the precedent for later concerts, held at the Las Vistas beach in Los Cristianos.

I do remember those times. As an interesting contrast, that was the same year Michael Jackson played in Tenerife, on Sept 26th, on his Dangerous World Tour, where even Wacko Jacko only managed to draw a crowd of 45,000.

D'León was the first latino to sign a contract with the BBC.

Via: Mojo Picón: Remember the Time: Amanecer Latino

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(Punta de Abades, Arico. Photo: José Mesa)

You know, I just can't get my head round a Coastal Law that can't be budged and insists on bulldozing a couple of "innocent" little houses, but then is nowhere to be seen (and environmental protections step aside) to allow the building of a bloody massive industrial port. So, now the party's over, it's back to your regular serving of snark, aimed squarely at the island's political shenanigans.

It's probably not for me to tell you what to be indignant about, but no matter what anyone says, logic and instinct must tell us that smelly industrial port facilities and beautiful bits of virgin coastline just aren't compatible.

Anyway, you can see and decide for yourself:

With a picture being apparently worth 1,000 words (the exchange rate may be less in the current crisis), here are some 483,000 on Tenerife's coast from Punta de Abona to the Montaña Pelada (with some stunning coastline and cute little typical white houses in small coastal settlements, plus the odd ruin, some junk and an army of wheelie bins!), of which a section of the photos, referenced on the map, are of the coast that will be destroyed by the Granadilla port.

If your broadband connection can get a decent wind behind it, I'd suggest pouring the beverage of your choice and cranking up the Slideshow.

Even then, as José says, these don't do the problem justice, as it isn't the silent beaches and deserted coves that will be ruined (though having big ugly, dirty ships chugging past them isn't exactly going to be a scenic improvement), the most important impact of the construction of the Port of Granadilla is on the marine ecosystems, which, once lost, will be lost forever.

... and that's always the point when it's suddenly discovered just how utterly vital to the overall scheme of things that those seemingly small and insignificant little bits of nature actually were. Too late.

Scientists are against this project, ecologists are are against it, residents of all nationalities are against it. Yes, I signed the petition against it too, years ago.

As José says:

"This project has had a social response unlike any other in the history of the Canary Islands. Demonstrations challenging the construction of the Port of Granadilla are there to embarrass the politicians (if that's possible), who hypocritically speak of the importance of promoting citizen involvement."

And, yet on Wednesday, President of the Island Corporation, Ricardo Melchior, calmly aimed both barrels of the figuratively loaded 12-bore at the island's feet, to declare that "the works to construct the port of Granadilla could start next week," ... after the Canarian Government's Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning, Domingo Berriel, (conveniently) signed an order to declassify as an endangered species, the Cymodocea nodosa: the declassification required to allow the construction of the port of Granadilla to go ahead. This whole concept of "there's an ecological inconvenience and we'll just sign it away with a bit of paper" nonsense is just too surreal for my head to cope with.

(Via: here and here)

 What do you think?

Labels: Puerto de Granadilla

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There was much fanfare as Facebook turned 5 years old yesterday and today, February 5th, 2009, it's the turn of Secret Tenerife to celebrate it's 5th Blogiversary, meaning it was 5 years ago today, since the first post on this blog, dated February 5th, 2004. Insert joke about time flying when you're having fun. It also goes supersonic with age!

Five years is a heck of a long time on the internet, where, as The Phoenix Real Estate Guy reminds us, "blog years are similar to dog years" (in those, I'd be dead), so while we've been overwhelming people with information here for half a decade now, we've gone on to become, "The most detailed English language website on the island ..." according to Going Native in Tenerife.

Borrowing the title of one of my all-time favourite tunes, What a Difference A Day Makes (Esther Phillips), which I didn't know until I was searching for a link to the song yesterday, was originally written in Spanish as, "Cuando Vuelva A Tu Lado" (When I return to your side) - so I guess that makes it relevant! :)

Clearly though, the difference that one day made, from February 4th, 2004 when Facebook was launched and February 5th, 2004, when Secret Tenerife appeared, was absolutely crucial. Facebook now has 15 million active daily users. Though for a one-person hobby-site, Secret Tenerife hasn't done bad, growing to an average of well over 1,000 daily visitors and, only last week, welcomed the half-millionth visitor - 514,187 people and 895,861 pages served as of Feb 1st.

Facebook also has 24 million pieces of content shared each month. Ours only  seems like it, with 2,366 Posts (+ umpteen static pages), as of Feb 2, 2009. Even then, I'd hate to count the words and especially not the number of Spanish words I've had to read to produce the seriously shortened English translations!

Anyway, Facebook were encouraging people to help them celebrate by giving thanks to the people in their lives, so at the risk of this sounding like an Oscar acceptance speech of dramatically theatrical proportions, I'd like to mention some of the countless people I've come into contact with, either "virtually", or in "real life" and who have helped and inspired me to achieve these 5 years.

Mentions and thanks going out, mostly, in no particular order:

First, I must mention authors, Jack and Andrea Montgomery (Real Tenerife Island Drives and Going Native in Tenerife), who truly are the proper all-weather type of friends, having even put me up in times of need on more than one occasion.

Incredibly, as well as writing for websites, magazines and books, running a guesthouse for assorted family, friends and felines, they manage to maintain no less than 4 blogs; Living beneath the volcano, Real Tenerife, Going Native in Tenerife and now another in the Stockport Express - not to mention the fact that they also go out to all the fiestas they write about and personally walk the walks, which are to be the next set of guides they'll be publishing. Then Andrea apologises for a miniscule delay in replying to a message I'd sent her on Facebook! :)

José Mesa, who I finally met on Carpet Day in La Orotava (Corpus Christi) last year, deserves an entire section to himself for his inexhaustible supply of superb images of Tenerife, available under Creative Commons licence (a subject for which I consider him my mentor and guide, prompting me to see things from a fresh point of view of plenty, rather than of protectionist scarcity), as well as the chance to see many issues important to the island through his camera lens.

Julie Hume, who's currently learning Spanish from sugar sachets, had published articles of mine on her comprehensive site, eTenerife, long before I went to the expense of buying a domain for Secret Tenerife and really put concerted effort into the idea.

Likewise, John Beckley, MD of Sorted Sites (they're on Facebook too), first got in contact many years ago. Sheila Crosby, who lives on that other small rock in the Atlantic, the island of La Palma, is someone else who has extended the digital hand of friendship across the sea, since well before this site was born. 

Whilst I miss his humorous scribbles, it's understandable why Leslie Beeson has been too busy casting out a Tenerife Lifeline, which as the complete guide to relocating and living in Tenerife, necessitates a lot of data processing for annual updates.

The late John Mills of BBC Radio Norfolk, who invited me to take part in a live linkup - to talk about Canarian bananas - during his show for the 25th BBC Children in Need Appeal. Sean Dodson, who chose to link to Secret Tenerife's weather page - that link is "the gift that keeps on giving", as that one page alone received (a typical) 745 visitors on Feb 1st - in Best of the net: Why Tenerife is a big hit, in the Guardian newspaper.

Itahisa a.k.a. * Xay * and José Ángel, a.k.a. Cestomano, with whom I passed a really great day on the 2ª KDD of the Flickers-Tenerife group, in Garachico.

Víctor of Villa y Puerto de Garachico, my new friend in that town, who not only links here, but recommended Secret Tenerife to friends who live in England.

Gregorio Díaz y Fernanda Rodríguez, the Heroes of Las Portelas, who I'm fortunate and proud to have had as generous friends and even kinder neighbours; Jesus and Elvira from the Supermercado Las Cuevas in El Palmar, who provided me with many years of information, encouragement, free deliveries and genuine friendship; José (pictured) from the Restaurante Mesón del Norte, with whom I'd worked previously on the south of the island, Fran at the excellent Bodegón Patamero. Paulino Alonso Panero, who kept in touch after we corresponded about his Three Days in El Palmar.

Journalist, Bernardo Sagastume, with ABC in the Canaries who interviewed me and keeps in contact by email. The folks from the Albergue de Bolico, who were kind enough to link to Secret Tenerife, so I don't mind returning the favour.

Even the many politicos and their mothers I've met on various occasions.  :)

Singer, Michaela Sydney, my former neighbour in Birmingham, who brought Gloria Estefan to Tenerife (I mean, before the real one visited herself last year) and met her husband on the island, reintroduced me to the vices and virtues of Facebook and has often put up with listening to my wealth of useless facts about the island in person and still does, voluntarily.

And in the stylee of the 2006 Time Person of the Year - and I know this is typical of such lists - but it truly would be pointless bothering to produce this site without YOU - whether you're a first time visitor, or regular reader, many of you who I've corresponded with, others I've met in person and, as it usually goes (but it is true), are far too many to list individually.

It's an interesting coincidence too that the first ever post on this blog should carry a link to a story in The Times by award-winning travel writer, Joe Cawley, who is currently "jumping from one writing project to the other with all the grace of an epileptic buffalo" (his words, from his Facebook status).

As you can see from the title of that article from 2003, Tenerife up north: Discover another side to Tenerife, through his recent 1-and-a-half minutes of fame, Joe has clearly been expounding the virtues of Tenerife's other side for at least as long as I have. Coincidence not least because, as his Facebook profile reveals, February 5th is also Joe's Birthday.

Oh and you can find Secret Tenerife's page on Facebook here.

PS: To go with the virtual gift in the Facebook Gift Shop you can send to your Facebook friends, why not celebrate Secret Tenerife's 5th Blogiversary too by sending your friends a free Tenerife postcard from our exclusive selection here.

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The current weather alert in the Canary Islands was extended until midnight Monday and upgraded to orange (important risk) around the coasts of the archipelago, where there's a 4-5 meter swell, especially on the north of the islands. In Tenerife, a yellow pre-alert is in effect, due to high winds.

Unlike the UK, as far as I'm aware, transport in Tenerife is still working, despite the island's lack of gritting lorries and the unexpected nature of weather. :)

Juan Sebastián Elcano in Tenerife

For your visual delight, here's a collection of superb shots (by maduroman) of the Spanish Navy training ship, the Juan Sebastián Elcano, the four-masted topsail, steel-hulled schooner, which at 113 metres (370 feet) long, is the third-largest Tall Ship in the world, on her recent, 7th visit to Santa Cruz, in January. The stormy skies make the photos look like paintings. And there's no doubting where she is here, with the tower of the Cabildo building and the Auditorio in the background.

Maduroman includes some interesting additional facts with the images: Even the four masts have names; Blanca, Almansa, Asturias and Nautilus after the 4 training ships which preceded her. While being built, the project was given the name of Minerva (the Roman name of Greek goddess Athena), which is used for the ship's figurehead. And her sails are British designed and made.

Saint Valentine in a crisis

The commercial celebration of the day of love has given hotels and resorts the excuse to offer special packages, which if not particularly original, hope to alleviate the effects of the crisis. Packages for three days of romantic luxury at almost €30,000 per couple (lingerie, violinists, chocolates and champagne included), are among the most evocative of Valentine's offers at a variety of southern Gran Canaria and Tenerife hotels. Clearly, the single red rose just isn't good enough these days. Crisis, what bloomin' crisis?

The Five Star Hotel Bahía del Duque in Costa Adeje has reinvented Valentine's Day to offer a "Proposal Weekend" for couples who fancy popping the question in some considerable style, at the price of 29,800 euros per couple.

Hint: watch whales and dolphins, not birds and bees ...

The exclusive weekend starts with a limo to collect the couple from the airport, butler service, Michelin star food, spa treatments and all the usual romantic touches, a ring for her and watch for him ... and for those who still need a clue, a private whale watching excursion. Why? Costa Adeje, we're told "is one of the whales' favourite mating spots, because of the temperature of the sea."

Now we know what "having a whale of a time" really means! :)

It was announced at the travel trade show, Fitur, that Tenerife is to invest 80 million euros in the regeneration of the island's beaches and promenades.

Other strategies being planned for tourist promotions over the next few years, are to capture the attention of younger tourists, those who travel solo, or in groups, as well as families. This is as well as pushing all the natural, cultural, sports and other alternatives to sun and sea that the island offers.

It may not have been to everyone's taste, but Tenerife did "cheap sun" for many years and, you have to admit that it did it very well. It's been very disappointing that most people failed to notice the island's real attractions and, diversity can certainly be a good thing, but reading through their laundry list, I do hope that, in desperation to drag in any old customer it can find, Tenerife doesn't lose it's way trying to be everything to everyone and ends up pleasing no-one.

Does anybody actually know anything about Tenerife? Asks Jack Montgomery, as he finds that even locals don't know much about the island. 

Tenerife's football team, Club Deportivo Tenerife, manage to remain in the promotion zone - they're now in second place just three points behind league leaders Xerez - after an away win at Tarragona (0-1) on Sunday. Or, as Colin Kirby puts it, Angel keeps CD Tenerife knocking on heavens door.

Carnaval in Tenerife is not Santa Cruz: Here are programs for carnaval events being held in La Orotava and Granadilla.

Hard to believe? The Minister of Industry and Consumer Affairs says his department hasn't received any complaints of irregularities regarding electricity providers since monthly billing came into force in December.

2,000 youngsters chasing just 50 posts in the new Canarian Police force probably shouldn't be news, given the current state of unemployment.

Dealing with Mortgage Problems. In the current economic climate both residents and non residents of Tenerife may face problems in repaying their mortgage. It can be a scary position. Tenerife Lifeline's Leslie Beeson has calming advice.

Meanwhile, according to classifieds site, Facilisimo.com, the price of second-hand housing increased in the Canary Islands in January, if only 0.65%.

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The yellow weather alert has been extended until midnight Sunday and to cover the whole of Tenerife, where high seas with 3-4 meter waves are expected, especially on the north of the island and strong winds with gusts of up to 75 kmph. Another report says a borrasca (low pressure area) is going to keep the weather unstable until Wednesday. Good time for ... 

Museums operated by the Tenerife Corporation's Organismo Autónomo de Museos y Centros; the Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre (Museum of Nature and Man), Museo de Historia y Antropología de Tenerife (The Tenerife Museum of History and Anthropology) and the Museo de la Ciencia y el Cosmos (Museum of Science and the Cosmos) were visited by 162,000 people last year, an increase of almost 12,000 from 2007.

Interestingly, although there was a decrease in the number of school kids visiting the museums in 2008, there has been an increase in the number of tourists going to Tenerife's museums (37,000 up from 30,000), 31,000 of whom made those visits independently, rather than in organized groups (6,000.)

Going Native In Tenerife author, Andrea Montgomery (who has yet another new blog in the Stockport Express), describes visits to a couple of these museums in Things to do in Tenerife when it rains. More Tenerife museums are listed here.

Chicharrero de Corazón

This year's Carnaval song is available for download, free, from Santa Cruz' tourism and leisure website, performed by murga group Ni Pico Ni Corto and mixed by Tenerife DJ Ray Castellano.

No need to search - just go to the site and the song plays automatically, repeatedly, though once will probably be quite enough for anyone. Actually, I have to say I've heard plenty of worse things than murga meets electro-house, or whatever it is. :)

Wikipedia even provide you with the lyrics and their translation.

"Chicharrero/a" is used colloquially to refer to the people of Tenerife, generally only the inhabitants of the capital, Santa Cruz nowadays. The term "chicharrero" was once a derogatory term used by the people of La Laguna, once the capital of the island, in reference to the poor inhabitants and fisherman of Santa Cruz.

Puerto de la Cruz in Tenerife is to become the first open-air gymnasium in Europe next week with a pioneering project, "DOD: Deporte, Ocio y Diversión" (Sport, Leisure and Fun) bringing a variety of sports activities, all day from early morning to the town's beaches and green areas; Playa Jardín, Playa  Martiánez and the Parque Taoro and that will continue for the rest of the year, initially free.

The Canary Islands are one of the three Spanish regions where sport is least practiced too, by 36.3 percent, seven and a half points below the national average of 43.8 per cent.

143 more births were registered in the Canaries in 2008 than in the previous year. Of a total of 17,553 births in the archipelago, 7,943 were in Tenerife province, 7,129 in Tenerife's two main hospitals. Of the 4,165 babies born in the Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria hospital, 52% were boys and 48% girls, while at the Hospital Universitario de Canarias (HUC) , the 2,964 babies born, 1,530 were boys and 1,434 girls.

Between 2002 and 2008, health care provided to foreign tourists and Spanish mainlanders cost the Canarian Government almost 50 million euros.  Minister of Health, Mercedes Roldós, explained that this attention isn't funded by the State. 

Granadilla Port: Saturday's Diario de Avisos carries the headline that, "Nothing will impede the start [of the works] in Granadilla", referring, of course, to the contentious port that nobody wants, apart from the powers-that-be who have managed to persuade the EU is so important that has to be built in an area supposedly protected by the European Union for its unique ecosystem and where most of the fish which are caught in the south of the island breed.

Not to mention all the beaches that stand to be destroyed. As La misteriosa isla de San Barandan, say here, "Los turistas estarán encantados de venir a una isla "industrial" (Tourists will be enchanted to come to an industrial island.)

Can Granadilla now be stopped?

On Friday, Alternativa Sí Se Puede published an article, producing some very interesting comparative figures that show, not only will the Granadilla Port only create 45 jobs (er, no, not the 500 that the president of the Ports Authority in Tenerife mentioned to the press recently), other projects, 120 times cheaper will create more.  

Row brewing about fish farms locations, after countless complaints from tourists regarding the location of the fish farms being too near to tourist beaches.

Party Alternativa Nacionalista Canaria (ANC) are opposing the privatisation of services such as water and refuse collection in Icod de los Vinos.

The price of 95 octane petrol, the most popular on the islands, stood at 0.68 euros per liter in the Canaries, on average at the end of January, an increase of 10.8 percent compared to 0.62 euros per liter from the previous month, according to data compiled by Europa Press from all petrol stations on the islands.

Isla Baja will have a new five-star hotel in Buenavista, linked to the golf course, available before the end of the year. The hotel in Buenavista, currently under construction, will house 117 rooms and a spa. To be managed by Vincci Hotels, who already have two hotels on the south of the island, the new hotel complex will directly employ a hundred people and contribute to revitalizing the local economy, cuisine, wine, culture, traditions and popular festivals.

Tenerife at your feet, outdoor activity company El Cardon, based in Buenavista del Norte, offer a wide range of themed hiking routes, as well as several other activities, specifically aimed at tourists.

Rock star: The volcanic attraction of Tenerife - The Independent, says "it's the dramatic volcano at the island's heart that really takes your breath away."

... so it's timely that next week the second edition of a program launches to inform the population about volcanic phenomena.

More than meets the eye - The Irish Times, explains, there's more to do on the Canary Island than lie on the beach. (As we've been saying for years!)

Holiday Extras, tell us, that airlines are slashing fares to offer tempting holiday deals to destinations around the globe, pointing to lower fares on routes, including flights to popular holiday destinations such as Tenerife.

Is the economic crisis really that bad? A report by the Association of British Travel Agents suggests that despite the doom and gloom more than two-thirds of consumers are adamant they will have their annual holiday.

Tracy met Kevin on a group holiday in Costa Adeje on the west coast of Tenerife in May 2008. First time sailor to cross the Atlantic from Tenerife to Bermuda.

Eye candy: Wide Photos: Paragliding in Tenerife, Spain, SummitPost - Baracàn -- Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering, Pictures of the Teno Mountains - Tenerife

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