Our Travels: FRI. DEC. 4, 2009 - TENERIFE, CANARY ISLANDS

Fri. Dec. 4, 2009 - Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain (Day 5 of cruise)
We arrived on schedule for the day in this scenic location off the northwest coast of Africa. Our stop was in the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. (nestled on the slope of this mountain) Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a port city on the island of Tenerife, in Spain's Canary Islands. Santa Cruz has a population of 206, 593 within its administrative limits. The urban zone extends beyond the city limits with a population of over 500,000. It is the second largest city in the Canary Islands and the main city on the island of Tenerife.

These are harbor pictures taken as we docked.

Note the ships on the horizon...

The elevation of Santa Cruz is just a few feet slightly above sea level.

First glimpse of the town, Santa Cruz; after we boarded a bus for a tour to the Mount Teide area; morning rush hour

Because our time was very limited at this port (scheduled departure early afternoon) we chose to take a bus excursion that would take us to Mount Teide, 12,198 ft, a volcano that last time erupted in 1909. Outside the city, almost immediately we began climbing.

Then we could see Mount Teide for the first time. The land between us and the volcano looked much like the desert land around Las Vegas with black (probably lava) rock and low-growing desert plants.

We stopped for a picture and rest break.

On the next stop, we seemed nearer some of the mountains. (We were still very far away for these in the background).

But, the walk was easier to manage these formations.

Back in the bus, we became aware of climbing into the clouds. We were unable to see Mount Teide (12,198 ft)

The trip back was not so exciting. I think some of us slept a little.

Then, we returned to the city to see The Auditorio de Tenerife which is an auditorium in Santan Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain that was designed by architect Santiago Calatrava. It is located on the Avenue of the Constitution in the Canarian capital and next to the Atlantic Ocean in the southern part of the city. (If you have visited Sydney, Australia, perhaps you will remember a somewhat similar opera house there also sets near the ocean). The building is framed within the tenets of the late-modern architecture of the late 20th century. The majestic profile of the auditorium has become an architectural symbol of the city. It is home to the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra.