This is the highest point in Spain and the world’s third largest volcano, and we went up there! Yes, this is something that 1,000’s of tourists do every year but I bet not that many are as afraid of heights as I am. Apparently the ride up there was magnificent, I wouldn’t know as I had to shut my eyes for large parts of the journey but on the occassions I did open my eyes I was impressed by the sheer magnitude of the geological repercussions of previous eruptions. When we reached the caldera I was gob-smacked, it’s huge, far, far larger than I had ever envisaged one to be and a true reminder of how insignificant we are and how powerful nature is. Being a true pleb I texted Amy and Jack to let them know that Nanny and Granddad were standing in a volcano. This was not a scare tactic but something that I knew they would be hugely excited about as they both (thanks to Nanny) got a fascination with volcano’s and I have promised them that when they are older we will go and see an active one. I am actually re-thinking this promise as I had not included in my plan the necessity of achieving a great height! I shall have to start investigating where I can find a ground level, magma producing, fire-spitting volcano.
I now want to become a vulcanologist, or a geologist. This always happens when we go rambling on our holidays, I find something I want to know more about. Lyme Regis, yes, I’m going to be an paleontologist; Menorca , I’m the next Indiana Jones (I am still totally entranced by the amazing sites on this island), heaven only knows what made me settle on midwifery as a career.
Anyway. Tenerife. Friendly, warm, relaxing and a visit to Mt Teide well worth the effort. Car hire, at this time of year, reasonable, 60 euros for 3 days. Petrol, cheap, about 65p a litre. A meal out for two, one with an extremely healthy appetite, at a good restaurant, complete with non-frugal supply of drinks, 35 euros. Would we go back? Definitely, but only at this time of year as it is all too easy to imagine what it may be like in the high-season.
Did you have the hot chocolate with brandy in at the little café? Lovely! I’ve also done Teide at night on a stargazing trip – just magical. Glad you enjoyed it!