Yesterday, left Chicago to a sleepless flight, I was too awake and instead of sleep spent the time with movies, watched the classics – the Danish girl, creed and the intern. We landed before dawn and I had a glimpse of interesting peaks just north of the capital.
I landed and had to get quick to the gate, with 18 minutes per signage after passport control
18 long minutes including descending to the center of the earth, taking a 5 minute train (within the airport) and back up, I had a short connection and made it just in time for boarding, without time to get a drink (long lines). The next leg was a short 2 hours where I dosed on and off and managed to finish the 1st book I brought. "Back from touichi", I have not read this great book in years.
The fun began in Tenerife north airport. A normal person may assume that there would be a currency exchange at the airport. Well there isn't. After 18 hours on the road , and another bus ride ahead, with no sleep, I was not in the mood for no currency exchange.
The information kiosk told me that my bus would be leaving in 5 minutes, 4 minutes after I got my luggage and ran out and indeed no exchange. The bus arrived and I tried to exchange dollars at a poor rate, but no other tourist wanted it, I ran to the bank, they told me they do exchange only if I open an account, I passed on that, the bus does not take a credit card. Finally, the taxi concierge, suggested I buy something at the café in dollars and get change back. Much to the dismay of the counter person, I purchased gum for 50$ and had enough for the bus south, and even managed to get on the bus just before it departed. It took 10 minutes to load and unload and I was running back and forth trying to solve my issue. Finally on board, I could relax and enjoy the strange views of Tenerife, at first impression it is a tropical desert. The northern areas remind me of Caribbean islands, lots of green small scattered houses, massive hills and the south is just as hilly, with lots of low bushes, cacti and other's and those hills seems unfriendly to hikers. Keep on the trail or be thorned…
I reached the south airport and took a cab from there to the hotel. I assumed that if I would rest, I would not be leaving the hotel today. So I collected moti, who was there since the previous evening and we took a cab to los christianos, the start of the beach promenade. Now the day was nice and warm, and the sun was out. We walked along the promenade to caleta, passing about 12 beaches, each of them unique, some sandy, some basalt and most are a mix of the two. Lots of surfers, swimmers, bars, restaurants and many many tourists, this is a happening place, we walked for over 2 hours and covered about 9k, just a short warm up walk to start the trip.
We sampled very good ice cream and treated moti for the traditional booboo, he got a splinter in his finger and we purchased tweezers at the pharmacy. The pharmacist, was very eager to help and to put some iodine on the booboo afterwards.
I took lots of photos, of the various beaches, nearby Gomera Island and the mountains all around.
After this great walk, we took a cab back to the hotel and now after a steaming shower I am here on the roof. Amit should arrive shortly, we plan to try some local food tonight, watch the soccer game and go to sleep early, 11k tomorrow and 450 meters elevation down, then up…
Cheers from top of san Miguel.
No comments:
Post a Comment