Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain April 15, 2008

Tenerife is one of 7 Canary Islands which are really the tips of hundreds of volcanoes about 100 miles off Morocco. This island is triangular shaped and about 30 by 50 miles. The population is about 700,000. We debarked in Santa Cruz and immediately felt at home. It is a modern and efficient city and I could undertand the Spanish. We rented a car and drove much of the island. We passed villas and houses clinging to the cliffs. Little of the island is flat. It rises ultimately to 12000 foot Mt Teide which is the highest peak in Spain and 3rd largest volcano in the world. Roads were excellent. We had a Citroen C3- small but cool car which unfortunately had a bad front wheel cylinder or brake -not sure. The road to the mountain is steep and constantly hairpins. We saw every kind of rock formation and miles of lava fields. It was harrowing coming back down. The sea was nearly always visible. Trees flowering in bright reds and purples contrasting with homes which are boxy shaped and cantaloupe, bright yellow or ochre in color. What made it extra special was the bluest sky- no pollution. I could see why people move here. The Canary Islands are deemed the most pleasant place on earth to live. I could see why.