Showing posts with label Beaches. Show all posts

Our adventure began when we got off at the Estacion de Guaguas in the sleepy town of Buenavista... it was still early by Spanish standards 11am, and none of the shops, including the bus station were open yet. We had talked briefly about what we wanted to do with our day, seeing the lighthouses at Punta de Teno seemed like a logical first choice - Kyle had done research and figured from looking at Google Maps it was about eight kilometers from the city and an hour each way. After having a quick bite at the only bar open in town we set off down the only road to Punta Teno. At first the walk was fun and exciting, passing banana plantations, tomato farms, amazing lookouts, all with the view of the azur ocean and waves crashing on the rocks as we ascended the steep terrain... and we climbed, and walked, and rounded curve after curve following the road as it moved with the mountain. Passing signs that threatened cars of falling rocks and landslides added to the excitement of our journey! As the elevation got higher the wind got nasty - you could compare it to skydiving - so much wind, so fast, that you need to scream just to exhale air from your lungs.

We came to a short tunnel that granted us passage... to an even longer tunnel, a scary long tunnel. Imagine walking a thousand yards through total darkness with the only light you see being a glimmer so small, you could cover it with your thumb. Every fifty steps or so Kyle took a picture with his camera flash so we could reorient ourselves in the blackness. After what felt like an eternity of walking through the earth, we found that a rough desert landscape awaited us on the other side. Luscious banana crops became foreboding cacti, but still we pressed on continuing curve after curve, crossing our fingers that lighthouses soon awaited us.

It wasn't until we approached the 9KM sign that we had reached our destination. Of course there was a parking lot full of cars and people everywhere - we both laughed as we thought back to the email from our host Pepe: "the best way to see the island is to rent a car, they're very inexpensive and well worth the money." Yeah, about that... apparently we prefer Nike cross trainers all the transportation this couple will ever need - to walk themselves to Avis or Hertz the next time we think about a quick hour walk!

Regardless of how difficult the journey was, the end result made it all worth it. We stood on the Western most point of the coast and looked out into the Atlantic (weird for an American to say). The ground below us was a rich earthy-red lava rock, jagged enough to tear up our shoes, but no less magnificent. In the coves below were boathouses littered with old wooden paddle boats, people sunbathed on the rocky outcrops, and others ran the steps to and from the lighthouse gates. Unfortunately the lighthouses were inaccessible, so we followed a path down to the water to sit and have lunch - two Snickers bars and an apple. As we ate, we watched kids jump from the ledges into the ocean below, it looked like so much fun! Unfortunately we opted not to take part in this, knowing the walk back would be uncomfortable in wet clothing.

The walk back was easier, knowing what to expect... but also more difficult, let's just say we're not as fit as we'd like to be. For some reason, Megan was dead set on hitchhiking, and held what she believed to be the universal, "I'm sick of walking, thumbs up, pick me up," sign. However, as cars continued to creep up and pass us, she tucked her thumb away and giggled - guess we both knew all along we were destined to walk.

Overall, the walk was well worth time and effort we put in. Two hours down, and two hours back up! We unknowingly covered a total of 21 kilometers (13 miles), and have a days worth of breathtaking photos that can only be obtained in such a manner. Starving, we walked through Buenavista which was closed for siesta (yes, the WHOLE town shuts down around two until five in the afternoon) so we rushed back to the Estacion de Guaguas, making it just in time to catch the 4:26 bus back to Puerto Cruz. As the bus carried us home, our stomaches grumbled, and we couldn't help but jump off at the beautiful seaside village Garachico - we had read that Bono Cards (bus passes) are valid for two hours after being clocked to allow for transfers. Taking full advantage of this, we rushed to the nearest restaurant we could find overlooking the ocean and guzzled well deserved Dorada's and papas arugadas con mojo!

Bloated, and not nearly sunburned enough, we threw on our swimwear and jumped into the ocean! Garachico is known for having "natural pools," where the ocean is damned up between the jagged lava rocks that dot the coast, and swimming is permitted at your own risk. The waves often crash into the pools and if you're not careful you'll end up with a mouth full of salt water. With ten minutes to spare we caught the next bus to Puerto Cruz, and the driver was nice enough to honor our passes, even though they were a few minuted expired. Lazily, we proceeded to fall asleep on the bus and then drug ourselves the rest of the way home.

It was the most exciting day on Tenerife to date. No doubt this is only the beginning - Punto de Teno, we will return to jump in your waters!

Xo,
M&K