Thinking this would be a short blog, so much went on it sprouted legs.
Arriving at Tenerife South airport a e32 taxi ride to a one night basic Andrea’s hotel in Los Cristianos was fine ready for the 09:00 Armas ferry to San Sebastian. Playa de las Américas was as little a ‘Las Vegas’ as Tenerife could muster, with a nod to those unable to walk between entertainments. We sat and listened to playingforchange.com – youtube one song clipped and preformed by many artists. Not seen this idea, superb, every day is a school day, with lots to listen to it seems.
Leaving the ferry the connection to bus#2 was literally confusing but entirely seamless and the e2.50 fare to Hermigua a snip. Climbing up to the Basalto luxury villa an explore to find lunch took us to a dejected Santa Catalina ‘beach’ kicking heels until the El Faro restaurant opened at 13:30. Bright but chilly and everyso slightly dog-eared, was this a good idea for January?
A bright Tuesday saw no reason not to begin a brutal 2 hour climb across to the impressive visitor centre, though ‘snack’ lustre, of Juego de Bolas and a circular return on CR132 via Agulo. 16km and 952m climbing. Ouch.
Having tested the climb a return guagua to Vallehermoso and a less severe circuit, only 255m ascent above the village was a comparative treat.
We found the drum beats heard across the valley were the village entertainers practising for their upcoming carnival show. Led by the owner of the local clothing store and his partner they really were well drilled if a little military-like. We saw them the next evening too. Good luck for the performances, you deserve it after that hard work Hermigua Dance Collective.
With low cloud preventing an El Cedro walk, a precipitous ridge walk to the secluded playa de Caleta sheltered beach continued with another 644m ascent.
For comparison pura aventura sells 7days for £1650 pp self-guided, so although that includes accommodation, breakfasts, a few dinners & packed lunches plus some taxi transfers, it helps measure value for money
- ferry 75e pp return
- 5 nights Basalto Villa 800e
- guagua journeys 5-6e return ×4
- dinner out x2 at the excellent Tasca Telemaco, tapas lunch at Vieja Escuala in Agulo, self catered x3 : pasta, fish & potatoes, risotto
The La Gomera walks are VERY well listed at ths site
An early guagua to San Sebastian meant we waited 3 hours in the sun for a busy ferry return to Tenerife with the ferry seeming to struggle to pilot a straight course no doubt explained by the strong seas. The Casa de Colon (Columbus) was closed so we missed a tour of their one? and only tourist attraction, but then so did the Aidaluna aida.de cruise ship passengers that had been spat out for their day exploring La Gomera (cruise e1100 pp for 9 days). The fair priced taxi back to Autoreisen car hire at the airport saved lugging bags to the #40 bus stop a mile from the ferry.
Climbing the steps to the Yolo hosted AirBnB apartment, the balcony offered a wonderful view of Los Gigantes and although the chill evening descended as soon as the sun set, there is little doubt this was the best apartment view we’d ever seen. We were entertained by the carrera nocturna 5 or 7km run, for sure a hilly test, but they looked to be having fun.
An early sunday run and walk allowed orientation around Gigantes/Santiago before collecting mum & baby, booking a tennis court on Monday to try out the courts before our competition on Wednesday
Tuesday saw a drive to El Teide which began clouding over by the afternoon, and two beaches Fanabe and playa del Duque. The aubergine lasagne was a treat to repeat. Wednesday started with a Lidl walk with a long way round because of crashing waves
Dinner booked for 6pm at Cielo y Mar proved a struggle to reach as the promenade was closed off because of rough seas. Still it meant views from the top table rewarded us with sunset over La Gomera and crashing waves below. Iberian pigs cheeks, sea bass and seafood spaghetti were all excellent with a ‘tart’ passionfruit and mango mousse and something cakey. Still it made up for a tough tennis test with two 80 yr olds Hugh and Willi reminding us that it’s best kept simple.T-ask behind the marina and the restaurant on the square look good to eat.
Live music offerings are popular in many bars and although good quality they very much seem to target brits abroad.The TUI hotel was rudely not for children, and the only British newspaper visible was the Daily Mail. So albeit for wonderfully warm days and sunsets there are things to maybe avoid.
A winding drive to above Santiago del Teide and a 3 hour walk with views above Masca as well as El Teide was a good morning’s outing
The world saw DJT continue pressure on Greenland and Iran, and claim to de-escalate Minnesota protests against ICE after two American citizens were shot. Labour stopped Andy Burnham from standing in the upcoming by-election and Keir Starmer visiting China secures free visa travel.
BTW some Spanish lessons: perro is dog; peligro is danger.Pulga (flea) is a roll rather than a bocadillo. Berenjena is an aubergine with the J pronounced Heh. meaning our resort along the coast was Costa Ad-heh-heh. We also know the Lluc monastery is yoo-k, hence Majorca in English but Ma’ll’orca in Spanish
