Tenerife

 

We had a different European adventure this winter.  Looking at prices to fly to England to visit mum, we found out we could fly somewhere warmer for the same price or cheaper, and mum and Liz could have a break away from home.

 

We chose Tenerife for ease of travel and price, but without really knowing much about it.  It was really interesting to learn about the history of the Canary Islands during home-school over the Christmas holidays, and it was a treat to visit a place so different to anything we’ve ever experienced.  It was the first time the boys had traveled to a place where few people spoke English, and it was a good experience for us to be slightly out of our comfort zone.

 

Weather wasn’t hot, but it was easy to be outside and active.  We braved local buses and spent 4-5 nights in three different villages in the North of the Island.  All the places were within 30 miles of each other, so there was little travel time, and we explored on foot from each location on long and short day hikes.  The mountains are rugged, wild, and steep.  Terrace farming, incredible plants, and endless ancient hiking trails between villages.  

 

We had a few days in the South of the island to get over jet lag and meet mum.  Fairly built up, but lovely beaches and a good place to catch our breath, play in the surf, and watch the kite-surfers.  We stayed in a camp site right on the beach, a nudist beach.. and one of my favorite Leif quotes is: "mum, aren't you proud at me for not staring at all the naked people?" 

Thank you liz and mum for such a lovely holiday together.  Lots of great memories made.

The village of Tagananna (meaning 'surrounded by mountains') in the North.

Mountain vinyards, steep steep roads in the town, and lots of orange cats!

Our most ridiculous travel day.  It took 6 hrs for us to move 7 miles between villages.  We waited for the bus for 2.5 hours for bus, then had a fairly epic hike to our next home.  Granny was a trooper.   It was also my birthday, and day to remember!  We arrived exhausted, and ate potatoes and tinned sardines for supper.

Our favorite place.  Benijo.  Beautiful home, incredible hiking, and a powerful surfing beach within 15 minutes walk from the house. 

Old Guanche caves

Steep windy roads... crazy to drive and especially ride a bus on...

Ancient trails and steps

Looking down on a trail we did that cut across terrace fields before descending to the coast.

Incredible plant-life

Cave houses

Walking on top of the cave house we stayed at

Scary steep trails and big drop offs. 

We did a few long, 12+mile hikes with a lot of elevation, and my knees and hips were feeling it.  

Liz coming up a trail from the ocean

Lots of games of cards, reading, and painting together.  Very special to have time together with no schedules or other life to juggle.

This picture makes me smile.  This was a 'down day' after a long hike, and the boys were restless and went off a solo trail run together.  They were energized whereas Liz and I were really sore and moving slow!  They came home soaking and peaceful, with only one bloody knee.  Great to see them initiate something they both needed and just go off and do it.

The amazing Auntie Liz.  

Very special times together before Liz heads off to Syria in April.

Outside the airport--- very different to the curb outside Anchorage airport.