Tenerife, what a delusion!

... continues from Fuerteventura trip

 

Destination Tenerife

One hour of flight and the second part of our holiday can begin. Difficult to say but we arrive earlier than expected and therefore we should wait a quarter of hour, the guy in the rental? Air arrivals. Well this time it was Holiday Autos? Raffled? a charterer other than traditional Orlando Rent A Car. The name is already an entire program and not having an office at the airport we have an appointment with a representative for the 16 in? Air arrivals to the airport. The weather is not good but we will do l? Habit: the north of Tenerife has a very different climate from the south coast. More arid and dry southern, more humid and rainy the north. In addition, the airport was put on? Hill that is often shrouded by the mists that descend from Mount Teide, a volcano that with 3,718 meters of height is the highest mountain in Spain!
Oddly puntuale guy comes in Orlando. Fill the forms at the counter making a bar (!) And then guides us in the underground parking of the airport to deliver the keys of our car: a red Renault Clio. There says nothing of the car and leaves, saying three important things:
? we had ten minutes to leave the car park without paying (it had paid him for us)
? the return would have had to leave the keys of the car in the mailbox that had been installed on a van inside the Orlando airport, not forgetting to include the parking ticket!
? The machine is in reserve and then left the parking lot tells us to go running to make gasoline along the motorway. Of course it makes us aware that we are free to bring the car in reserve and not with the full? Miss us more!!
Having said that he went and had already spent 3 minutes! At least he left us a map of Tenerife. We load your luggage and leave the parking maze? Credo che ce l? We have made in a matter of seconds than the expiration of 10 minutes!
Take the motorway leading to the capital Santa Cruz and then head towards? Autopista del Sur towards our final goal. We realize that the name motorways could not be more appropriate: there are 4 lanes for the portion that leads to the capital of Tenerife and two lanes plus emergency on the motorway del Sur. They are all free but very busy. The limit of 120 km / hour is not respected by anyone and you will find yourself glued to your cars sit at speeds unthinkable. A little? how our highways! We do full on the first distributor and also control the pressure of the tires because I get the impression of having caciotta 4. Instead of being a 2.2 to 1.5 are! I doubt is that the rest is ok since I had not had time to check after check and this is the sad record:
? Mancava l? The radio antenna so it was impossible to listen to music if not with its Cd
? Lacked the owner's manual of the machine
? But more serious was absent movement of the book!
? The car had its interior filled with sand
? The tergilunotto was inoperable due to worn rubber
? Although it is a displacement of 1.2 bar and air conditioning arrived at 120 km / h for miracle
Fortunately c? Was the spare wheel! I must say that I felt rather put in motion, with the promise of making a formal protest to my return to Italy.
Our final destination was the Green Park Resort in Golf del Sur on the Costa del Silenzio between El Medano and Los Cristianos. About 100 km away from the airport. With a? Hour we arrived at the second airport of the island, the Reina Sofia (Queen Sophia). 4 km from the airport we left towards the coast and heading towards the area of Golf del Sur. This is a huge complex, which houses dozens of residences and hotels of all types and all species. The main attraction is the golf course of 18 holes which is located at the center of that area. The second attraction is the airport and take off where abide dozens and dozens of flights per day (including night unfortunately!). enter the complex and rather easy to find the Green Park well marked. From the outside it looks like a beautiful complex with three swimming pools, restaurants, pubs, bars and shops and services (laundry, library, supermarkets, etc.). At the reception on a boy two decades with little fluent English tells us that the room is not yet ready, doing the cleaning! At 5 pm?? Vabbè advantage and do a tour of the residence and discover that it is really very big, with hundreds of mini apartments with cooking area.
After a half? Oretta go back to find the boy that he gives us the key to the room, the infamous post 112 on the first floor. Let's go a little fearful, as if aware of the tragedy that would be consumed shortly .. we open the door is the apartment is quite spacious but the hygienic conditions are immediately affected. Everything is dirty, the bathroom Italian style after the war is almost unusable, the same kitchen and the bedroom conceals a final, acceptable pitfall: the sheets are clean but not used by previous tenants! The despondency assails us but my girlfriend looks at the situation and hand down to reception where a mix of Italian-English-Castillo says the boy that the sheets and pillows should be changed immediately! You, little surprise, tells us that he would do everything possible and that we would provide all you need. 7 to take the sheets and the change (alone), while for the cushions and linings for the need to await the arrival of the supervisory board that has the keys to the warehouse. Let's do a walk and the car come out of the area towards the sea. Indeed, the sea is about 3 km from the resort and it is not unthinkable to get there on foot. Very disappointed add further grief to the sea there is no beach, just rocks. We walk for several hundred meters in search of a small beach, also of black sand, even on land, but nothing! all inaccessible rock! We are practically in tears when the prey back to the resort. After several ups (get the pillow to cushion it was not easy) we have at least necessary for the night, CLEAN! Reached the primary purpose we decide to leave from there to eat something and try to rest. We head towards Los Cristianos, the famous seaside resort on the island, along with Las Americas. Los Cristianos fingers about 10 km from where we are but when we arrive it is already dark and we do not see the sea. If you are waiting for a small fishing village, then left to lose: it's a crazy conurbation, with buildings of 10-15 floors, shopping malls to do envy the Carrefour area of shops and restaurants style Rimini. It 'an indescribable chaos of machines and people: finding a place in the center is difficult.

The first delusions

Unfortunately, the first pass almost sleepless night. We discover that the nearby Reina Sofia airport is open practically all night and charter flights from around Europe arrive and take off at any time. Only towards the end of the holiday we would have started to do l? Habit.
In the morning we go to the pool bar of the resort and we all have breakfast? English. Having applied for about 20 variations to the menu standards (!) The poor maid enters the ball and a continental breakfast to pay € 2! Conscious of the clamorous error we decide not to go over there to have breakfast to avoid being recognized!
Ask the guy at the reception any advice for a bit of beach, and he directs us to the Playa de la Tejita in the municipality of El Médano. Located a few kilometers (about 4-5 from the resort) up north. The reference is of course the airport and a large peninsula Red (Punta Roja appunto). The beach is great (we find that it is virtually one of the largest of the whole island) and the sand is black, as the island formed by the Teide volcano, which dominates the landscape in the southern part of the island. C? Is a strong wind and stay with? Towel to the ground is almost impossible. The beach is equipped with deckchairs and umbrellas (fixed straw). Each piece took a freight costs 2 €. We avoid l? Umbrella and take two road almost opposite the sea. It is Sunday and c 'is many people. The roads are taken independently by the bathers. Every so often goes a little man who signs on the street and asks you for money. Selling various signs if you understand or not paid.
At the end of the beach toward the north c 'is a little long beach a hundred meters where it is practiced in almost obsessively nudism. The show, compared to Fuerteventura, it's almost sad because dozens of naked bodies and sticky is fighting a few tens of meters, display of almost a cult? Exhibitionism. Prior to this cove c 'is a bar offering refreshments to the swimmers with drinks and sandwiches. The day is beautiful and we decide to spend it all on the beach. Swim is pretty funny because of Mounting even if the water is pretty freddina. The tide also plays jokes not bad, given that all? Sudden two tsunami waves style almost overwhelm those who were avventuranti with deck chairs and towels too close to the shoreline. You have no idea of the laughs that this apocalyptic scene aroused because usually go to the beach! We fortunately we did not show up but for a mere matter of centimeters! At lunch there at the refreshment bar. The sandwiches (giant and facts on time) will cost € 2.5. The offer is varied: from lomo (pork cooked to the plate) to the tortilla espanola (potato omelette a) ce n 'is really for everyone. Drinks at the right price and one can of frozen cerveza.
In the afternoon we visited the nearby village of El Médano. Lonely on the c? Is written? Country with a rather sad enough beautiful beach suitable for windsurfing enthusiasts?. The truth lies in the first and last part of the description. The beach sognatevela its quite nice, much better than de la Tejita. The beach is rocky and mostly very small. People are crowded in small spaces where there are rocks and the wind ve also found them on the head? Around this wonder we sit in a zumeria where we decide to enjoy a nice fresh fruit juice! This is the Zumeria Sotavento. A nice juice of your choice with a mix of several fruit costs € 2.9 It is worth it for the goodness both are great! We need an Italian boy who is six months living there! Incredible how the Italians to adjust to any place!
At the end of the day we return to the area Sunday and although we put ourselves in search of a supermarket to do some? spending and, above all, buy products to clean our apartment. It is an open 7 days out of 7 from 8 to 23 and then buy everything necessary for our stay of one week, at least for breakfast and Drinks menu. Obviously, we buy too many cleaning products including sponges and flakes. At our return to the residence there is a spectacle unimaginable before: in the corridors of our English friends have l? Habit of leaving rubbish bags outside the door, waiting for the women cleaning them taken away! Imagine you in the summer heat of the Canary Islands in these long corridors and closed without windows these giant bags that blacks bell'olezzo which propagate in the air? Course of cleaning ladies who are certainly not paid for the garbage bags to leave this "rot" until the odor from the body become almost putrefactive and direction impietosita send someone to take them off.
Spend two hours to clean everything, but everything. Eventually, health tornano white and the back kitchen. The pipelines are used as the pots. This cleaning, it will discover with the passage of days, we were able to take advantage of a change of sheets and towels almost every day! Why? The cleaning women are obviously accustomed to an audience of British barbarians, we all know that not just fans of hygiene in the absolute sense? Then saw the results of cleaning have maintained decent standard of our accommodation. This does not authorize me to recommend this postaccio horrible! Among cleansing shower and a restaurant, late and we do involuti towards Playa de Las Americas which is a couple of miles from Los Cristianos. There are a huge premises, fast food, bars, pubs and discos. Struggling a bit to find parking because it is not easy to navigate. Indeed, apart from the map that you have the street names do not exist or is given by the best hotels that we found. So Avenida Marriott is because there is the famous American hotel chain! Incredible, everything is artificial and increasingly we have nostalgia of Fuerteventura. We stop along the way of clubs and being very late to go take a kebab on the fly and do two steps. We're really cooked, and we look forward we discover to be the 2 am! There are many people around (not just young people for truth) that seemed to do the 10-turn and go to sleep.

Fun at Aquapark

Given the disappointment at the beaches and marine decide to enjoy a day of relaxation all? Acquapark. We enter now in? Line of thinking that there will be lots and lots of people but we prefer to go on Monday to wait for the weekend or discounts on Wednesdays where we think there is much more confusion. The Acquapark is located in Costa Adeje, just past Playa de Las Americas. If you are living in a hotel you will find (at our c? Was) the park offers a free shuttle bus that takes you there and resumes. The park opens at 9.30 am and closes at 18 but we were already at 9. And do not believe it but c? Era row! In a half hour and she caviamo after paying l? Daily entry for the modest sum of € 22 per person entering the park. It is of course an organization estorsiva nice and good and have a locker we have to pay € 3 and the other on the streets? Other € 3! The park is very large and attractions are genuinely funny. I am not a great frequenter of water parks but this seems to me very beautiful. There are games to suit all tastes and all ages. Even every half hour c? Is the ability to make a mini diving under the guidance of an instructor. The people are great and you start to make a file even half hour to make a game, whatever it is? The heat soon became irresistible and the spectacle of young English completely burnt in a row under the sun I must say that is pretty hilarious, even though I realize to be a bit masochistic! Attention because for a couple of games you must have a small dinghy or a donut. If you want to? Staff? throughout the day where others pay € 9, and since we do not just want we discovered that a particular shift system, there are however some gommoncini and donuts available to everyone. We are able to make all games with the system and we have saved € 18 that many are not. C in the park 'is also a dolphinarium and there are two shows a day with the dolphins. We decide to go to that of 15 and being 13 we try to eat something. All the kiosks inside the park have taken d? Assault and then the prices? For a hot dog and greasy bisunto ask € 6.5? Stuff from the Spanish for a foil to roast chestnuts! Then we remember that just in front of the park there are several pubs all? Scottish Open, British, Irish? But surely, we say, prices will be better. Do we issue a pass to come and go in front of? Entry to enter the terrace of a Scottish pub and eat a giant hamburger with a mountain of fried potatoes. Dorada beer mug in ice cream and spend € 12 in two! In the face of the management of the park! And we enter the race to dolphinarium for the show. Attention because the seats are not numbered and once the full gallery is closed the access. This means that if you find the despicable individuals who want to see you twice you may not see it at all! So just l? Loudspeaker announcing the show to run perdifiato to the Dolphinarium. Also because the show really deserves is very beautiful! Takes about half hour and you will discover what they can do these cute animals. You know it is very sad to see them in the tank and the same feeling ce l? We had at Miami Doplhin U.S. but the instructors seem very loyal to these animals that you try to forget this? another circus wanted from the man.
At 18 you are literally beaten out of the park and go there if you do not manage to make even the shower! Then all traffic to exit the maze of streets leading to the motorway. It seems any Sunday in August in Rome, aligned to the sea?
In the evening we decide to rely on our Lonely placet to go and eat a traditional dish in Spanish cuisine. Between Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas in? Hinterland have reported several typical restaurant. But we have difficulties to find them because in this part of city street names are given by the names of the residence and often there are the house .. in the end we find the local area are overflowing. We ask the waiter what c? Is to wait and tell us in the wrong way that we have to wait? But what is? Boh, asking another if we can give the name to put in file, since c 'is that so many people waiting and he candidly tells us that there are lists? The list is self from people who wait. Ask who is the latest and you are after them! But that is silly? After ten minutes we have confirmation that not ever eat because the line is not respected (the Spanish are the same, unfortunately for the Italians in this and other situations that were not his?) And then raise the heels, and go on. Randomly parallel to find another place that is called Asador Castellano. Obviously there? Is? Address and is not even listed on the ticket that is issued at the end of dinner. We will give a phone if you want to go 922-750273 The place is nice with a beautiful terrace that overlooks the parking lot, unfortunately. But the area is quiet, the staff pleasant and Spanish cuisine such as Spanish are the patrons. We study the menu and we do recommend something from them and to take an octopus Galician (Raw and marinated with lots of spices) and a full two-Lecha. This is a huge portion of meat? Bring a shank of pork (I think) cooked in the oven. But really good too! With water, a beer and a coffee we spend € 45 in two. Please note also of another thing: in Spain we always pay the cover, sometimes VAT is not included in the price (and fortunately the Canaries is only 5%) and the salty bread you pay! We have a portion paid 1.8 € exaggeration real because you do not wear a certain strand!

Island Tour

We make a tour of the island to see for yourself what the guiding hand and the various forums are not saying, or that the island has no beaches, and especially not a beautiful sea. We leave for good now with? Autopista del sur we go to Santa Cruz.Lasciamo thick again, the motorway to go to the coast to check? Existence of beaches whenever the guide Lonely or the map that we received from the charterer shall indicate the presence. But we increasingly disappointed: in fact, are reported as beaches real dumps, and other times it is 10-15 meters of volcanic sand with a dark sea and not at all inviting. Moreover, since these places outside the beaten track locations you spill all the inhabitants of the island which of course does not even dream of spending a day at sea in the crowded beaches of the south of barbaric hordes of tourists. Hygiene conditions that we see in different countries to the north are dilapidated to say the least: these villages along the coast often have not even completely paved roads and dirt in every corner. Just before we turn to Santa Cruz for? Autopista Norte de La Laguna for Assigned Orotava.Il The heat is felt, and every time I turn the air conditioning of catorce guido that I can not do more than 80 km / hour. C? Is to consider that much of the road that connects Santa Cruz to Puerto de la Cruz is uphill and then? La Orotava is a pleasant town on the west coast of the island. Free parking is virtually impossible. Let's go to the underground car park which is located near the Iglesia de San Augustin, and € 3 to let the car cool. We do a walk in this lovely country, the day is windy el? Altitude at which we are (about 400 m) makes the walk enjoyable. What is most interesting to see the houses are typical of the island some of which date back to 1600. The most famous is the Casa Molina (or the Casa del Turista) where you can visit for free (at least on the ground floor) to see the cloister and make purchases of small handmade souvenirs. We go to eat in a place indicated by the guide is called Tapis Bar-Restaurant in Avenida José Antonio 6.Il bar is quite wide and the two ladies who are running hasty but cordial. The sandwiches are all cast, and you can practically apply it as you like. The price to pay is derisory: two sandwiches and two Coca-Cola will cost € 6.20! We continue towards Puerto de la Cruz and cross vast fields of banana trees. Shortly before reaching the town we find a banana open to the public. It's called El Cheeks and pay 7.5 € per entrare? Us I do not recommend the big but if you want income. In addition to the banana plants which you can see for free on the whole island, there are dozens of plants and fruit trees that you can hardly look on? Alone. Pineapple plants of the Mediterranean, the cocoa plant, etc.. C? Is the chance to sample the famous liqueur banana and of course buy some souvenir.Se you want to buy the liquor that is typically the place for you, because on the whole island we did not find places to sell it for less. However a 750 ml bottle costs about € 7 (to the airport of Puerto de la Cruz l? I saw a 15 €!). Furthermore, c 'is the projection of a video in several languages with the explanation of how to grow a banana plant and reap the benefits directly into your garden at home. Indeed bulbs are sold bananas to be able to plant where you want (if you live in Bergamo sees tough? The temperature must be constant at 25 ° C for the whole year round!)
Around 16 we arrived in Puerto de la Cruz. The town is not bad has a picturesque but when we reach the sea? Beh beach neanche l? Shadow. Even after the boys are swimming in scoliosis of the town, Mounting having fun with that break on the rocks. Some hotels have pools filled with natural sea water? So do swimming in the pool pretending to stare at the sea. Further south is one of the Loro Parque major attractions of the island, as the advertising that you will find anywhere. This is a park where there are several types of birds and other animals. Again, the ticket of entrance is affordable? Approximately € 25 to enter one day in the park. We decided to defer all but the face? Entrance to the park is the beach La Romantica! irca 100 meters of black sand, wedged between the homes of Puerto de la Cruz, with beautiful large and Mounting of course those 3-4 thousand bathers who try to earn a square meter of living is on the beach and water. We continue towards the south in an other location indicated by the map to the presence of a beach. We promise that is? Last time I leave the path to not see a beach. We are in San Juan de la Rambla. Here even the beach? Shadow? Then we stop in an agency travel along the street and ask, since we may have been wrong road. The lady who runs The agency is very gentle and explains that the beaches on the island are not in the sense that we understand. Are the only ones in the south, where there are large groups of tourists as the only north and just above Santa Cruz, but totally artificial (then understand what it intended by this definition!) Beaches that the map (and even the Lonely) Points are only small areas of soil or volcanic sand that have been generously included in the computation of the beaches? isola.Poi looking at our eyes disheartenment tells us where we come from .. we say that we come to Rome from Fuerteventura and she now tells us that if we seek the sea and beaches, then we must go back there! We rely on the road, now became late and we head towards? Other places of tourist resort island, Los Gigantes. But this time there illusions of finding a beach. The highway linking Puerto de la Cruz, Los Gigantes climbs for tens of kilometers. The machine makes a brutish toil on these hills and formed a beautiful tail behind me, but honestly I can not just get stronger. The spectacle that has overtaken us in front of the climb is beautiful. There are two huge mountains that drop sharply to the sea and among the two clusters of Los Gigantes and Puerto de Santiago. The name of these two promontories Giants if they truly deserve, as are large and beautiful sunset imponenti.Un, even if the show behind us is to tens of multistorey buildings, capable of hosting thousands of people. Characteristic of anything. Even Puerto de Santiago is nothing which is of course the beach which has a fascinating name, Playa de la Arena (which courage) I will not even describe. When we arrive in Los Cristianos is now almost 10 and we have no desire to go to our apartment and then being able to look at the menu nuovo.Mentre a? American steak house, we realize that for c 'is a Spanish restaurant. Inside there? Is so many people, let a? Look at prices that seem affordable. We plan to take one? Alone? but the urge to run is not quite so much and then enter. It was the discovery of our visit to Tenerife, a Spanish restaurant offering local dishes at very modest prices. We ask the waiter a tip and he tells us peremptory: zarzouela! This is the version? Soup? of paella or a great fish soup, whole fish with a lot

Los Cristanos and the English' guests

We decided to spend the day lying in the sun not to nulla.Siamo a bit tired, there are still many miles and do not turn back more tired than when we partiti.Decidiamo then go to? Beaches? the south, and do a tour to see which of Las Americas and Los Cristianos might work. First, it is almost impossible to rent an umbrella or cot. C 'is also a part of each beach to bathers but the crowd reaches levels style? Rimini? in August? then decimated to just rent the necessario.Optiamo to the beach in Los Cristianos which is called? Las Vistas?, because larger and less crowded than Las Americas. Let us say immediately that the color of the sea will not invite some to make nice swim today but do not want to complain. The beach is well kept, clean and super organized with showers, public toilets, disabled access, and a lot to offer any kind of fun in the water. First l? Of rent? Umbrella of bed and can not be separated. Or if you want to rent only the deckchairs (perhaps because the hate? Shadow) you can not do. The deckchairs are traveling with? Umbrella and each piece costs € 3. Umbrella and two deckchairs total € 9. Not cheap but you can be. The plant closing to 18.00 and do not plan to stay beyond that seen at 18.00 o'clock start all cleaning activities of the beach and the coastline for the next day. If you have not bored you that? Choice: jet ski, parasailing, canoes, pedal boats, trips on a sailing boat, etc.. etc.. Do not hesitate: if you do not find your business and ask for marina will be offered. Everything is possible and everything has a price, however! The jet ski costs 40 € per 20 minutes (45 € if you go to two) the same for paragliding. If you want to save then you have to do is swimming in water cloudy Las Vistas, trying to find a place to not be targeted by balloons, racchettoni, etc..
Of course behind the beach you will find dozens of pubs British, Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish, etc.. where you can Magyar standard of food to fast food, drinking beer iced spending as Mc Donald? s.
In the evening we decide to return to Los Cristianos and try some typical Spanish restaurant, maybe some nice pub where there are no tourists and where the staff does not have the menu in 20 languages. Pedestrian walking in the center of Los Cristianos at the end of Avenida Luis XXIII on the right c? Is an uphill with a local anonymous. Some wooden table outside a small bar inside. We read the menu outside (only in Spanish) and we are convinced. The manager is an old man of at least 80 years, very slow service, almost nerve-racking for the time that passes between? And ordering the dish. We see that we are the only patrons of the restaurant and some doubt it begins to rise from the belly? Order two and expect good paella 40 minutes? Then the old man appears with two of piattoni paella with fish and chicken. The view is great but the taste? Say that the envelopes of Buitoni are definitely better! Not that is bad but the fish was clearly frozen and the rice was not mantecato just seems to eat Chinese white rice and frozen fish. Bad dinner, the price thankfully does not betray the expectations and with the € 25 ce caviamo.Per return your mouth back to jail the Green Park take two and pass a cocktail? Oretta pool to gossip. But the evening started badly, ends worse for tradition. In the middle of the night near the British begin a fierce debate between an el? Residence of the other! Volano big words and insults? Triggering the reason is that younger people often go to disco and back at 5 am doing an incredible uproar? Furniture being moved, screams, blows on the walls? Up at 7 to collapse when the tappeto.Ma night a neighbor has no more right and (rightly in my opinion) did the crazy, screaming and threatening the nearby? all alone? alba, the situation is returned, without of course that none of the staff of the residence was moved a finger to restore order or call the police!

Las Teresitas and Santa Cruz

We decide to go and see a beach north of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Obviously, before this trip we ask the staff of the residence that we confirm that this is one of the most famous beaches of the island. In fact, Las Teresitas appears on all the brochures of Tenerife and it seems quite nice. Ok, that done, we leave towards Santa Cruz. There are about 120 km to get to the beach but we take l? Opportunity to give? Look at Santa Cruz. The capital of Tenerife is a chaos of crazy machines, work in progress, roads to 4 lanes in the direction of travel? It is not easy to get out unharmed. We fail after wrong road at least 4 times? Find the north to San Andrés small village right on the beach of Las Teresitas. From Santa Cruz will be a dozen miles, during which it runs along the harbor (huge) and a quarry of pozzolana (giant). Behind the beach a long couple of kilometers c? Is a large car park but please note that you are close to the capital and if you go in the weekend? Andateci very soon then why? Becomes large enough parking for everyone!
The beach is of white sand, but to carry over or comes from the nearby island of Fuerteventura. Realize it because the ground is hard, compact, and also at the beach c? Breakwater is a barrier to prevent the sea can take away the precious booty gained by toil and ingenuity of men. The beach has experienced numerous palm trees, is equipped with many kiosks they see food and drinks, baths and showers, and the inevitable rentals sdraio.Vi agrees settle in the north of the beach, towards the end because in the central and southern crowd lots of people. The sunbeds cost € 2 per piece for the whole day and I think they should hire at least one. The wind fairly taut and steady all day makes your stay on the beach if you are not the problem raised by the sand.
The sea is clean enough but the presence of the breakwater to a few tens of meters apart from being unsightly, it makes the water very low and not suitable for swimming. If you go to Las Teresitas you can not go on the cliff that overlooks to take some photos. Follow the road north and after a few bends you will reach the cape in front of San Andrés. You can admire a spectacular view and you will realize also that the beach below the headland called Playa del Burro is actually a kind of handkerchief full of people who dispute the square meter. In the afternoon we went to take a trip to Santa Cruz in the pedestrian part of town. We are very fortunate to find a place the machine next to Plaza de España, even without paying anything. The center is all pedestrian: Calle Castillo, Calle Bethencourt Alfonso, Plaza de la Candelaria. All shops selling souvenirs and electronic materials. For the electronics, photographic machines and digital cameras, c 'is to do a small engraved. In the resort as Los Americas and Los Cristianos you will find dozens and dozens of shops for the most part run by Indians who sell electronic products at very affordable prices. Example of the Sony Cybershot 5.1 megapixels at 90 €? I was about to buy something more than once but in the end I said to myself: if placed in homes costing as imagined in the streets of a non-tourist, such as can be Santa Cruz? actually the prices that are found in the streets of the capital are higher. Also very cheap compared to Rome, but certainly higher. Why? I discovered the mechanism for tourist-fraud case and I want to warn those of you who like me are tempted from the electronic purchasing VAT-free. The shops that sell these products at the lowest possible price sell products USED! But deny and swear in front of their God that this is new merchandise, brand new with a guarantee that complete (in Spanish for each product purchase). And all used stuff, guys not Fall: I l? I discovered by accident. In front of a window, a woman asks in Spanish, the price of a camera and the seller confirms the very low price. She asks him if it is new stuff and he says that all the price is not used while the price (price in line with or even superior to what can between true in Rome) is new! To confirm that I was wrong to understand the conversation I ask the shopkeeper the price of the camera (the same as the Spanish lady) and he confirms the price. Wonder if it is used goods and he said that the goods on display is all new. My conversation was in English and then could not understand that I was in terms of understanding the Spanish (very near the Italian sense of the phrase is quite similar?). Then all the shops you find in tourist areas, selling used goods that you sell as new. Two questions you may you doing right now, because the Spanish lady had told the truth? And as they do give you a warranty on a product used? First answer: the lady might have read the warranty in its language and would have easily discovered that this (second question) is not the official guarantee of the manufacturer warranty but the shop in Italy that is less than toilet paper! After discovering the mechanism of cheating I waxed see the product thoroughly exposed and actually I noticed scrostature small, the stripe on chaissy. Products are probably the major shopping centers keep on display (see Mediaworld) and they then buy and sell: in the worst cases are used and repaired and then sold as new. In confirmation of this notice that none of these merchants will give you the packaged product, but so will the window and tells you that this is the latest product remained in the shop: TOO EASY!
Back to Santa Cruz: the city is nice, but nothing of that. The shops are beautiful, c 'is a lot of confusion around. Near the center not miss the fumer Doña Papaya (Calle Callao de Lima 3). Reported by Lonely placet is worth the visit. A good milk shake? Combined? or mixed with fruit so you will pay € 1.65. Behind the counter c 'is a pile of fruit ready for smoothies, incredible. Take a table, ordered and spend half hour of your time to see the people entering and ordering smoothies of all kinds?
The day is coming to terms and then go back to our accommodation. But now the 21 and then we do? Let's go to Los Cristianos and decide for an ethnic dinner. In the pedestrian center is an Indian restaurant, King of India. The staff is really nice, since the patient will have to explain the dishes one by one unless you're practical. In the end we spend in two € 36 including tip and drinks, eating like pigs? Perhaps we really ate too much! Also because the program for the day after announcing intense.

Pico de Teide

We came all? Last full day of vacation in the Canary Islands and as the icing on the cake we have kept for the latest day visit (compulsory) at the Teide volcano as that the highest mountain in all of Spain. Seeing him from the bottom there is aware of his height. Located in the southern part of the island but in fact affects the whole climate of Tenerife. E? often shrouded in clouds and is likely to go to the summit not to see anything? this is one of the reasons why l? we held for the latest day? day earlier did not seem favorable to a tour of the mountain. Even on the morning of August 26 just does not seem favorable but the time has expired and we can not postpone. We start with good time and go to San Isidro. The road climbs and climbs fast are felt on the Clio. I long stretches at first (!) And formo behind me a small queue SUV ready to overcome them as soon as they have opportunity. Let Granadilla de Abona to take the C-821 that passes for Vilaflor and Boca del Tauch arrives direct wing of the National Park Las Cañadas del Teide. The landscape is truly beautiful and as you pass the salt is different? Layers? mountain: pines, firs and then the desolation of the Cañadas, the vast plains that are more than 2,000 m above sea level formed by lava and volcanic ash dating all? last eruption in 1798. The countryside came to the base of Pico del Teide is incredible: it seems to be suddenly landed on the moon. Even more conspicuous is the casting from the side of the volcano very long 1 kilometro.Con the car will arrive at the base of Pico to 2356 m. try to get there early otherwise you will have two problems: the parking lot (too small for the amount of tourists who come to visit the volcano) and especially the queue to enter the cable car that takes you to the summit. We arrived around 10.30 (as that used to climb at least 1-1.5 hours by car) and we waited 30-40 minutes. But the return l? Waiting was expected to come two hours!
Remember that salirete over 3500 meters and then you do not like the British tourists? Magliettina and slippers because then you risk of dying of cold! Jeans and sweatshirt and k-way are in my opinion mandatory. Also since time is changing with wind, rain and fog (no joke). The waiting time to enter the cable car we took lots of water and wind chill donated generously by Mother Nature. The cable is the modest sum of € 22 per person and takes you all? Altitude of 3555 m in eight minutes (so you have a place to sign? Entry). We also give a remembrance pins and will make you a photo (squalid) that if you wish to withdraw must pay nearly € 10. Only reached the cable car you will find friendly multilingual signs that you felt that you can not just go up on the cone of Pico. Or reach an altitude of 3718 m maximum. In fact, to climb to the top requires a permit issued by the park office which is located over 100 km away (!) Or Santa Cruz. So if you want to climb the cone have to go to Santa Cruz and make a request. The authorities issue a maximum number of daily to avoid damaging the delicate ecosystem of the volcano and thus the risk of your permit allows you to climb when you are already back in Italy! Obviously, large groups of tourists have one? Before? Mafia since these require permits with big advance and then you see them marching towards the summit. In fact, I have realized that we had difficulty making the 200m final. The air is very thin and difficult to climb with little oxygen are not minimal. You must be at least trained and equipped in mind the terrain el? Marine clothing and no mountain that you arrive in the Canaries. In any event for all those who feel able to do so, let me l? B option to cable to reach at least the 3555-meter volcano, the journey on foot. Totally free not only allows you to save the 22 € but also getting to the? Excellent exercise. The climb takes about 5 / 6 hours (as indicated by signs placed at beginning of the path) and if you still want to make a regenerative Sgambata you can always buy a ticket? One way? that is one way for € 11 before falling to walk toward the parking lot. The descent along at about 3 / 4 hours. The ticket of the cable allows you to do, when you get to your destination, a journey of 40 minutes to the lookout. Go plan, because every effort is centuplicato from the absence of oxygen. There are many people who sit and wait several minutes before you recover the strength to continue. Along the route there are several guides that give you relief when you need to. To avoid the barbarian hordes of tourists to the summit of the volcano, the ticket has a time duration that I think is an hour and a half, which expired you must go back. The wind is very strong and difficult to assure that you will find the strength and motivation to stay longer than planned. However the fact remains that pay € 22 to be tied to time in my opinion is excessive. The weather was beautiful but we managed to see La Gomera, the island that faces Tenerife. Many clouds and strong winds have made the stay on Pico just not easy. Returning towards the sea, we stopped at the City Vilaflor highest in Spain at well 1500 meters above sea level. I assure you after? Del Teide altitude seemed to be already on the beach. We stop in a small room to eat a sandwich (bocadillos) to € 1.80 and pepito (sandwich with cooked products) to € 2.10. The local people there wanted to go is in front of all? Single gas station of the village.
Come to the apartment we decide to go l? Last part of the afternoon on the beach and go back where we started or at Playa de la Tejita. Have been 15.30 and the time turned to bad. We take two chairs and we hope that? Guy does not move to take the money? But we do have to say that coming? Cabbage we have to pay? Passes in front of us, we look and says nothing! In fact our deckchairs were? Marked? and therefore we do not have to pay? as we had guessed l? archaic payment system provides many flaws!
The final dinner tonight as we go to eat? Excellent fish from San Luis to Los Cristianos. We wanted to close with a good memory and we just managed!

The coming back

Day of departure. Our flight is at 19.00 and will take us to Gran Canaria where at 3 o'clock in the morning another flight will be with us in Madrid at 7.30 am where we will do the latest deals to Rome! What a great day ahead! But in the end we are happy because we enjoy in full the latest day and then have the whole Sunday to rest and to fall in? Line of thinking of the return to work.
Let your luggage, we leave from the residence with the temptation to call the piece of feedback and how to compile it? But then we said that we are not interested, there will not be back no more and then we dropped. Climb in the car and we head towards Santa Cruz. We want to spend at least part of the day at the beach in Las Teresitas. We take a while? sun, we take a swim and a nice shower, we dried the costumes and then eat a sandwich in one of the kiosks that are located behind the beach. The kiosk is called El Ultimo because it is the latest in the series! And it is certainly one of the most affordable: bocadillos (any type) and a € 2 cans (any type) € 1
Let's go to San Andrés and the square of the country take a final zumo: specialty of the house with orange, pineapple and banana (€ 2.10). Let's make a visit to the town of La Laguna which is located between Santa Cruz and airport. Incenses the leadership this country describing beauty and ancient history. Frankly we just do not disappoint? Very nice but nothing special. The small cathedral does not open the hour indicated to us is being done late and we decide to go on. We stop at Decathlon along the motorway for a last attempt to shopping but even this falls on deaf ears, with prices aligned to those Italians.
We arrive at the airport at 18:00 we leave the car with the system described: parking and keys in the mailbox (!) And then we check in for Gran Canaria. C? Magone is because the end of the holiday is always very sad? Arrived in Gran Canaria spend 7 hours running between shops (open all night, more than Fiumicino!) And sleeping on the sofa. Thousands are the tourists who crowd the airport during the night, with dozens of charter flights that show, in English and German homeland. Our part puntuale Iberia and then we get to Madrid from where we start to Rome. This fact, 15 days have flown. Tired but satisfied we return home, enriched by this latest experience. With the promise that we will return to the Canaries again, we are just entering the blood!
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Hello to all and good Canaries