Another view of the magnificent, snow-capped Teide from the hamlet of Teno Alto.
Photo: By Agrestius
Steve Andrews talks about this pyramid that wasn't and an easy stroll to Teno Alto here, while we also found this diagram fascinating as it shows the height above sea level, in meters, at various points along the usual walking route from El Palmar to Teno Alto and also includes the incline percentages on each section.
A beautiful walk in the green west of Tenerife in the Teno Mountains, from El Palmar to Teno Alto, via the Tabaiba Pass and back to El Palmar again.
Via: Teneriffa Wandern - Rundwanderung Teno alto (In German)
Grab yourself a beverage, sit back and relax or get up and dance – your choice – but however you do it, enjoy these 33 wonderful minutes from Santa Cruz’ Carnaval’s Coso Apoteosis (Main or Grand Parade), which took place on March 8th.
Another successful year for the Carnaval de Día (Daytime Carnival) activities that took place in Santa Cruz on the final Saturday of carnaval week, March 12th.
Photo by Las Maravillas De Malay, who have more images here …
The highlight of this year’s Carnaval de Día (Daytime Carnival) activities on Saturday, March 12th, was Flashmob Canarias, which achieved the new world record largest flashmob in history. Until someone does something bigger, of course, but if you look at the size of the crowd as the camera pans over it in the video, I think you’ll agree, it will probably be some time before anyone does. It also gives you an idea of the size of the crowds at carnaval and yet, relatively, only a handful of people require basic first aid during each all day / all night session.
Via: La Metro Project
Chirche: A Living Museum for Tenerife
"All the villages and towns of Tenerife have their own fiesta (some have two or more, in fact), and each has its own distinct flavour. They usually include a procession, music, a mass and general merriment. The tiny village of Chirche ten minutes, vertically, from Guia de Isora, does things a little differently. They turn the entire village into a time machine and turn back the clock to the early days of the 20th century for just one weekend in the year."
Tenerife and Canary Islands visitors soar
"The number of foreign visitors to Spain’s Canary Islands soared in February, official data showed Tuesday, as sunseekers shunned rival resorts in Egypt and Tunisia because of anti-government uprisings there."
Canary Islands Enjoy Best Tourism Month for 15 Years
"More than 930,000 tourists visited the islands last month, a huge increase of 22.4% in comparison to the same month last year, according to the regional Department of Tourism. These figures make February 2011 the best month for tourism throughout the Canary Islands since 1996."
Walking on La Gomera, the Secrets of the Rainforest
"The mirror calm waters of this beautiful hidden lake were broken only by the ghostly silver sculptures of dead trees and the slight ripples caused by neon-coloured darting dragonflies. It was a scene that was pure Louisiana swamplands rather than La Gomera rainforest and all that was missing was an alligator and the theme tune to True Blood."
Adeje launches campaign to force owners to clean up dog mess with fines of up to €3,000
"There is a new campaign in the municipality of Adeje as the Ayuntamiento starts to force dog owners to clean up after their pets. Round signs, in the form of a road sign with a dog doing its business and a diagonal line across, will be stuck on pavements, and radio adverts will soon be heard on local channels."
Topless And Clueless On The New Santa Cruz Tour Bus
A lack of planning makes the new tourist bus service sound like a scene from Carry On Abroad! Still, T.I.T., This I Tenerife.
Michael Bolton & the New Mount Teide Visitors' Centre
"Tenerife Magazine’s round up of some of the most interesting news stories of the week "
"There’s a reason why Masca is the second most visited place on Tenerife and it’s the same reason that Teide National Park is first on that list – it’s quite simply breathtaking.
Few places on the planet can boast such a dramatic setting as Masca, nestling in its fertile blanket at the confluence of two gorges beneath the colossal peaks of the Teno Mountain Range."
The Cable Car Ride up Mount Teide
"Each time it reaches a pylon the car gives a judder and a small drop which goes straight to the stomach and all 35 of its multi-national passengers make the same whoooo noise; the universal language of nerves barely concealed beneath a veneer of bravado."
Weather Forecast for Tenerife from 21st March to 27th March
"Normal service should be resumed this week."
"A bad day at the office by any standard, CD Tenerife went down 2-1 to a poor Cordoba side and finished with just 9 players on the pitch. "
If you get a move on there may still be time to get to the capital to see the gathering of classic and vintage cars in Santa Cruz de Tenerife this morning.
Postponed from March 13th, because of bad weather, this annual event sees these wonderfully preserved vehicles gather in the Parque García Sanabria (see map) from 10 a.m., then parade around the city from mid-day.
As you can see, as well as the cars, most of the drivers and passengers also dress in period costumes in keeping with their vehicles. Last year some 40 examples were on show, which is quite a number, given the size of the island.
Watch some of them in this video from the gathering in 2008:
Photo by pacoveratf
Dancers in Mexican costume at the carnival opening parade in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on Friday, March 4th, 2011. Love the movement in this image.
Photo: By StarObs
For my money, this is one of the best slices of Tenerife carnaval you’ll ever see, because it doesn’t just show you a parade, it lets you live the atmosphere.
You can hear the all the different sounds; the music, the batucadas of the drums and the noise of the crowd mingling together. You can also see how the public and the parade are not separated, making this a participation event, not merely a spectator sport, which, for me, is an important distinction between Tenerife’s totally accessible carnival and others where one would be a mere onlooker.
Especially when you’re a bloke and not used to it. We warned you about the cobbles! Frankly, we’re surprised there aren’t more photos of competitors in the High Heels Marathon in Puerto de la Cruz falling arse over (false) tit, so to speak.
More images of the spectacle here …
Photo: By Alejandro Amador Via: El Puerto Project
Edited highlights from the craziest night of the carnaval celebrations in Puerto de la Cruz, the Mascarita Ponte Tacón 2011, which dragged in (pathetic pun) more than 35,000 spectators, curiously, to watch blokes getting drunk and falling over.
Who woulda thunk of making a fun event out of such a thing, eh?
Would you like to take a look inside the Teatro Guimerá with all it’s opulence of a bygone age? Here at La Metro Project is an image and a short video.
One of the witches in this year’s performance of Las Burras de Güímar (The Donkeys of Güímar). Read this to understand what it’s all about. (You know, I wished they’d called me: I could easily play the part without the fat suit! LOL)
Photo: By Mataparda
A corner in Teno Alto. The calla lilies grow practically wild around these parts and can usually be seen in abundance around this time in the run up to Easter.
Photo by: pabni
This past week we’ve seen some really stunning, spectacular and surprising images from the “big snow” in Tenerife, but of all that I’ve seen, this one has to take the prize.
The original measures 1280 x 960 pixels, so it would even make a desktop wallpaper.
To see it, visit Gabriel’s blog here and click on the image there to enlarge.
Head of predictions for State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, Fermín Eliazaga (remember that name in case he’s wrong, LOL) says that Spring 2011, which will arrive at 00.21 hours on Tuesday, March 22nd, will be normal with regard to temperatures and rains and any significant variations are not expected, except in the Canaries and the Balearic Islands, where the thermometers will register higher than usual for the time of year.
Tenerife, often referred to as the “Island of Eternal Spring”, with a near perfect climate; mild temperate and moderate at all times of the year, does however, have seasonal differences in climate and these are most notable in the valleys of the upper reaches and on the north of the island, which burst into abundant displays of multi-coloured spring flowers. Like everything else that grows in Tenerife, nature doesn’t know how to do things half-heartedly, so the displays are spectacular.
It’s the best time of year to visit places like the Teno Mountains, the hamlet of Teno Alto or the Monte del Agua in particular. Just imagine a warm, balmy day, the smell of real fresh air and flowers and nothing but the sound of birdies twittering … beats traffic and hover mowers and the smell of exhaust fumes any day!
Photo: Yolanda Moreno
Today we say Happy 385th Birthday to Hermano Pedro or San Pedro de Vilaflor, also known as the "St. Francis of the Americas", the First Canarian Saint, who was born in Tenerife’s highest village, Vilaflor on March 21st, 1626.
Photo: by Jens Steckert
Michael Bolton concert in Adeje Golf on 8 July
"Canarias Live Sun Festival, who brought Elton John, Rod Stewart and Simply Red to Tenerife, have announced that Michael Bolton will be performing here on 8 July. Once again, the concert will be held in the Golf Costa Adeje. "
Extras wanted to film Clash of the Titans 2
"Extras are being sought for the sequel of Clash of the Titans, to be called Wrath of the Titans and again being filmed in Tenerife."
Planning a Walking Holiday in Tenerife
"Walking on Tenerife is rapidly becoming the holiday choice of more and more people as the word gets out about its diverse landscapes, stunning vistas and ancient paths where you can walk all day and barely meet another soul."
Here's an image you won't see often: man walking down snowy road in Tenerife
Buenavista Golf Voted Second Best in Europe
"The prestigious German magazine, ‘Golf Journal', has awarded Buenavista Golf with the title of second best golf course in Europe, following a poll."
Accesses to Teide have been re-opened from the south
... but remain closed in the north via La Esperanza and La Orotava.
Where on Tenerife is this? Photo Challenge #3 2011
"Here we have clear blue skies and seas mixing with dramatic coastal scenery and in the middle of it all lies a wonderful infinity pool built into the rocks."
Tenerife Carnival Diary #8, Carnaval Closing Parade & the Real Deal
"The creature dancing in the rain had us spellbound; not because she was a Dalmatian with a girl’s head (that’s commonplace); she was doing a sizzling hot routine that turned the rain to steam as it hit the ground."
Forget sandcastles. We were building snowmen in Tenerife yesterday.
In Tenerife Everything Changes And Everything Stays The Same
"There are some news stories in Tenerife that keep coming around every few years like Haleys Comet, one of these old chestnuts is the future of Los Tarajales beach."
EU may force Spain’s hand over retiree benefits
"The EU may force Spain’s hand over retiree benefits. The European Commission took Spain to court for refusing to grant pensioners from other EU countries who live temporarily in the country access to free medication."
Weather Forecast for Tenerife from 14th March to 20th March
"Well we got what it said on the packet and surprise, surprise a couple of carnaval events were cancelled in Santa Cruz and in Güímar, helping keep the tradition alive. One wit in Santa Cruz suggested on Twitter that rain should be included in the official carnaval agenda in future. "
The Carnival is Over, Tenerife’s Crazy Week of Fun in Pictures
"It was loud; it was brash; it was colourful, it was crazy and it was even a bit wet. But most of all Carnival on Tenerife was a lot of fun and Tenerife Magazine was in the thick of the action to experience the best bits of Tenerife’s most outrageous week-long party."
Surprisingly Snowy & Mercedes Benz’ New Model in Tenerife News of the Week
"Snow on Tenerife at this time of year isn’t really a big deal; there can be snow on Mount Teide till June. But when the clouds lifted on Monday everyone was surprised by just how far down the hillside the snow level had reached. Roads through the towns of Benijos and Aguamansa (around the 1000 metre mark) in the north of Tenerife were turned white and snow completely covered the town square in La Esperanza, something that no-one there had ever witnessed previously. "
Tenerife Carnival Diary #7, The High Heels Marathon
"By Friday night when I expected my enthusiasm for Tenerife carnaval to be very much on the wane it completely surprised me by heading in the opposite direction and soaring into the carnaval spirit stratosphere. There were a couple of reasons for this."
Rain, storms and snow over 1,400 meters (that's low) in Tenerife today.
Temperatures are expected to drop and will oscillate between a chilly 13 and 19 degrees centigrade.
How to Play the Waiting Game in Tenerife
"... sometimes when we are not rushing from place to place, appointment to appointment, office to supermarket to post office to gas station to home, we have time to experiment a little and discover new stuff - which is one of life’s greatest pleasures :=)"
Tenerife Carnival Diary #6 All That Jazz with Melissa Aldana
"By the time we arrived it was standing room only; good to see that some ‘alternative’ music could draw a decent crowd."
A Gentle Touch And A Slap In The Face For CD Tenerife
"If you have a rabbits foot, lucky shoes, or a four leafed clover maybe you could send it to CD Tenerife, they need all the help possible after a third straight defeat, this time 2-1 at Numancia. The referee was bad – actually he really was but apart from that Tenerife paid for their lack of killer instinct in front of goal."
If you’re in Britain you might not be too surprised to see your roads and gardens covered in white at this time of year. In La Esperanza (see map) in Tenerife, where hail fell in the early hours of Monday morning and ice formed on the roadsides (captured in the various images with this report), this isn’t usual.
And an arco iris (rainbow) as a bonus! The Volcán de Las Arenas is one of the Montes de Güímar, above the Güímar valley and which last erupted in 1705.
Not sure if it’s ever had snow before. The *gran nevada* (big snow) is certainly keeping the local press busy in the archipelago. This report in Canarias7 says that Monday’s snow has probably been the most snow that has ever fallen in the Canary Islands. Never before has so much snow fallen over such a large area, nor does anyone recall there ever having been snow below 1000 meters before.
And where it didn’t snow, sleet or hailstones fell instead.
The wave of cold air, which, thankfully, left the Canary Islands on Tuesday, say AEMET and, which caused the lowest temperatures that the islands have registered in the last 40 years, was due to the presence of an air pocket, sitting over the archipelago at an altitude of around 5,000 meters, full of cold north air at a temperature of 30 degrees centigrade below zero. This isn’t usual!
Photo: By Mataparda
Looking for something to do this coming Sunday, March 20th? Then we have just the thing for you, with this nice easy 4 hour stroll in the Teide National Park.
Taking advantage of the news that Tenerife has once again been chosen as the backdrop to the filming of the second instalment of the Clash of the Titans, adventure group Patea tus Montes have planned this themed Route of the Titans in the Teide National Park.
The price, of 18 euros per person, includes transport both ways, which sets off from La Orotava and La Laguna at 8.30 and 9 a.m. respectively, guide and optional accident insurance (Sightings of Mythical Greek figures may not be guaranteed.)
Places, are limited, so prior booking is essential. (Spanish required)
Via: Tinerguia
Photo: By Snapjacs (Clash of the Titans – Tenerife Movie Set Photos)
This Thursday, March 17th, Día de San Patricio (Saint Patrick’s Day) is to be celebrated in La Laguna.
Starting at 8.30 p.m. activities include a parade, with dance troops, which will travel around the streets from the Plaza de La Concepción to El Cuadrilátero. At 9 p.m. Celtic fusion band Mar del Norte give a concert in the Plaza de la Concepción and, from 11 p.m. Rex Deus will be in concert in the Plaza Víctor Zurita. As they say, it’s a grand excuse to dress in green and loiter around La Laguna.
Just when you thought it was safe to go up in the mountains … (it is, honest), along comes this report, which appears to have got buried in all the carnaval razzmatazz and weather wobblies recently.
A team of experts has been studying the emission of water vapour being produced since the end of February in the area of Los Benijos in La Orotava, where the temperature surpassed 30 degrees centigrade.
Experts from the Canarian Volcanology Institute are asking for caution, because, they say, these emanations are *not always* accompanied by seismic activity.
The director of the Tenerife Institute of Renewable Energy, says it’s easier for these emissions to reappear than to appear for the first time, after confirming that they have the same characteristics as those which appeared during 2004 and prolonged for a year, creating a seismic crisis on the island of Tenerife.
Photo: By ultracuerpo
The main carnaval week in Tenerife, being the equivalent of Wimbledon Fortnight in the UK – i.e. a magnet for rainy weather – has meant that once every few years in Tenerife, one or two of the events get postponed, but this does mean that there are a few things to look forward to still:
This Saturday, March 19th, at 9 p.m. in the Plaza de San Pedro in Güímar, you have another chance at getting to see a piece of carnaval street theatre called Las Burras de Güímar (The Donkeys of Güímar, where witches turn into donkeys and back again, until the Inquisition turns up and barbeques them along with a sardine), which was suspended last Friday due to the heavy rains.
And the following weekend, we have it on authority, on Sunday, March 27th, you’ll be able to see the wonderful old classic cars gather at the Parque García Sanabria in Santa Cruz de Tenerife for their annual exhibition and outing. We assume that times are as before.
March 2011: Teide gets a serious snow covering from the storms of the last few days, where at least one report says that snow fell as low as 900 meters above sea level and Tenerife Magazine’s Jack Montgomery commented that snow had reached as low as Benijos in the upper reaches of the La Orotava valley (a first?)
Photo: El Teide via Blog-Tenerife
Taken from the Roque de los Muchachos, on the island of La Palma, you can see the tip of Mount Teide peeking up above the sea of clouds in the distance.
Photo: By internets_dairy
A fascinating aerial photo showing Puerto de la Cruz up to Mount Teide, with a band of cloud at mid-altitude - horizontal accumulation of stratocumulus clouds, which occurs at approx. 500 to 1,500 meters - across the north of Tenerife.
Up in the mountains, it’s sunny and clear, but one would pass through the cloud to get there and be able to look down on a sea of clouds. The upper parts of La Orotava, would be under cloud and down on the coast is clear again.
Via: Mundofotos
Accesses to Teide have once again been closed today due to intense snowfalls last night
Tenerife Carnival Diary #5, Burial of the Sardine
"... burly six foot blokes in black evening gowns and high heels standing outside one of the fishermen’s bars chatting to each other as though it were the most natural thing in the world."
Unto Arona A Child Is Born, Auditorio Infanta Leonor Opens Its Doors
"The new centre is at the back of the cultural centre in the heart of Los Cristianos and was a scene of frantic activity today as last minute preperations were made for the 8pm civic opening."
New contact details for British Consulate
"The British Consulate has announced the launch of Consularline, a new Customer Contact Centre which is an important development for British Consular services within southern Europe. "
Taxi drivers to strike in April against illegal transport services, particularly “airport runs”
"Some 2,100 taxi drivers in the Canaries have announced strike action in April in protest at the continued intrusion of unlicensed vehicles taking their business, particularly on airport runs. The action has been announced for 15, 16 and 17 April throughout the islands with the exception of El Hierro."
"Work is currently underway to produce Tenerife's latest tourist attraction - a large-scale eco-museum and hamlet."
Unsettled weather for next few days with increasingly heavy rain and strong winds
"It’s going to be an unsettled few days with rain and wind increasing as the weekend progresses, though Aemet has not raised any alerts. "
Tenerife Carnival Diary #3, Santa Cruz Street Party
"Tiny… and that’s despite there being up to 30,000+ people at the nightly street parties in Puerto de la Cruz. That should give you some idea of the scale of celebrations in Santa Cruz."
Saturday Night at Santa Cruz Carnaval 2011
"As soon as we heard that Ministry of Sound were going to be appearing in Santa Cruz on the first Saturday night of Carnaval 2011 it was a foregone conclusion. We would be there."
"Tenerife may be one of the world’s most popular winter sun getaways, but when the novelty of lying half naked on the beach while the folks back home are shivering in their boots wears off, where can you go to see something more than sun, sand, sea and theme parks?"
Access to Teide via La Esperanza closed because of ice on the road.
Tenerife Carnival Diary #4, The Carnival Queens Part 2
"My first attempt to photograph the carnaval queens in Puerto de la Cruz hadn’t exactly been successful. Luckily there was one more chance to meet the queens in the lovely little Plaza Iglesia last night before their appearance at the closing parade on Saturday."
Even A CD Tenerife Defeat Doesn't Silence The Santa Cruz Carnaval Beat
"At 4-0 down with rain lashing across their Santa Cruz stadium the game was over for CD Tenerife, the fat lady was singing. In fact the fat lady was a fat hairy man who was not only singing but also dancing along with many other weird and wonderful Carnaval characters. A late consolation goal for the home faithful was greeted like a World Cup winner by the die hard remainder of the 17,586 crowd. The Carnaval song book was being given a thorough workout and even soggy wings, fur and party frocks failed to dampen the enthusiasm."
Mediterranean diet habits getting lost in Tenerife
"Lack of exercise and the Mediterranean diet is causing obesity in Tenerife and the Canary Islands"
Speed Limit Penalties & Futuristic Hotels
"Apparently there’s no truth in the rumour that the Tenerife authorities, having learned what their rival neighbours are planning, came up with the opposing idea to create a dumb hotel where no-one remembers your name, they get your order wrong at the bar, bring you food you didn’t want and then overcharge…but then scrapped plans when they realised that model was already in place."
Weather Forecast for Tenerife from 7th March to 13th March
Carnival on Tenerife hits its full stride this week, so it should come as no surprise to seasoned veterans that a mix of sun cloud and the ubiquitous carnival rain is predicted for every day wherever you are on Tenerife. The good news is the place with the least chance of rain is the capital Santa Cruz on the day of the main parade.
Oh Happy Day When The Church Sailed Into Tenerife
"Loud, proud gospel singing is a key part of Elida’s voyages and it’s what lured me off the sand the previous afternoon to join a large gathered crowd on the promenade at Los Cristianos old beach."
Los Indianos, Santa Cruz de la Palma, Carnival Programme for Monday and Tuesday
Tenerife Carnival Diary #2, Choosing a Carnaval Costume
"The final place was the best. La Mansion Magica is part carnaval shop, part carnaval exhibition. Entering is a bit like stepping into a haunted house at a fairground; it’s dark and gothic with displays that can include anything from Imperial Stormtroopers to the Terminator. As well as costumes there are accessories that wouldn’t look out of place at an S&M shop – PVC and fishnet figures a lot. "
Many old-timers, or classic cars, like the one shown will be gathering at the Parque García Sanabria in Santa Cruz de Tenerife this morning from 10 a.m.
Photo: By extranoise
It’s Tenerife, it’s carnaval and so the fun continues with yet more curious festivals that would make a night at your local BDSM fetish club seem a little dull by comparison.
Should you decide not to watch a bevvy of blokes in costume drag, racing around Puerto de la Cruz, over obstacles, in pole-dancer shoes, then you still have a choice of various other carnaval entertainments on offer.
In Güímar, for instance, witches will once more turn into donkeys at their Carnaval closing festivities known as Las Burras de Güímar (The Donkeys of Güímar).
This piece of street theatre only dates back to 1992, but was born with the objective of making the Burial of the Sardine celebrations more popular, drawing upon various local beliefs related to witchcraft, including the belief that witches were able to transform themselves into donkeys in order to gain entry into the homes of the country folk, in order to cast their spells.
The play begins with the appearance of some strange women in various balconies and windows. Once the sardine has passed in front of them, they transform into donkeys. They make their way together to the square, where they scare the lights out of some peasants, who work out that they are these famous Burras.
So they turn back into witches and form a coven, invoking a demon, who appears as a large figure with a skull for a head, accompanied by numerous imps. The witches dance with the demons, filling the plaza with noise, until the sound of religious music is heard, which indicates the presence of the Inquisition.
At that moment, a group of friars, accompanied by a Bishop arrive, who begins an exorcism, calling upon the Archangel Michael for help. The latter appears in the sky, accompanied by various angels and fight against the big demon. Once the demon lies defeated on the ground, the Bishop orders the burning of the witches on the bonfire along with the sardine. (And everyone lives happily ever after.)
It’s tonight, Friday, March 11th, in the Plaza de San Pedro in Güímar (map), starting at 9 p.m. And of course it’s free. Just think how much you’d have to pay for the drugs to have an equivalent experience anywhere else! 
Also tonight and also at 9 p.m., this time in Garachico, there’s the Quema de Don Sansusino (The Burning of Mr Sansusino), where the fish has turned into a figure.
The funeral party will leave from the chapel on the Calle Nicolás de Ponte and will proceed along various streets in the town, before arriving at the port. There the much awaited Miss Sansusino 2011 contest will be held, in which residents and visitors will participate in electing the “widows” of the carnaval. And based on experience of what carnaval widows are usually like, we can be reasonably certain that none of them were actually born female, however they are dressed.
After that, in the Plaza de la Libertad, there will be dancing to a disco.
Photo: By Mataparda
Carnival revellers dancing to a live band in the street. Notice the group of “blond ladies”, dressed in red: the one facing the camera wears a beard. This is, of course, perfectly normal attire for carnival. Truly, anything goes.
Photo: By invisiblemappingcom
"Amanecidos" or "All-nighters" after a long night of intense Carnival merry making, dancing and drinking in the streets of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands: aprox. 9.30am. (There’ll be a lot of those about this week!)
Photo: By Elena Machado
While I’m sure my friends on the spot in Puerto de la Cruz will be going along to this event on Friday, I just couldn’t help comment on it ...
It’s clear to see why this would be one of the *unique highlights* of Puerto’s carnival and certainly lots of fun. This year is the 17th edition of the Mascarita Ponte el Tacón and, also this year has a new course.
And it’s no short course either, as you can see from the map here.
Along that route too, if you’re unfamiliar with it, there are sections with multiple steps and slopes and loads of cobble stones. It’s bad enough in flat shoes!
The race is open to anyone (generally male) who wishes to participate, provided they can pass the test at inscription, which requires that either their platform or heel measure more than 15 centimetres. I looked it up: in old money, that’s 5.9 inches, coincidentally (or not maybe) exactly the same length as the average adult erect penis, according to a study conducted by LifeStyles Condoms.
So, you’ll have a bunch of blokes (with or without average appendages), wearing the equivalent of pole dancer shoes, hobbling around an obstacle course in the streets and squares of Puerto, in fancy dress and almost certainly aided (or hindered) by copious amounts of alcohol. Why on earth would you miss it?
Friday, March 11th. Starts at 10 p.m. in the Plaza del Charco.
It’s always called the Burial of the Sardine, even though the effigy is actually cremated and, this event will be taking place simultaneously tonight in both Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Cruz, where this image was taken. The curious tradition, which signifies the end of the carnival celebrations and excesses and the arrival of lent, as well as a return to ordinary, everyday things (like eating sardines).
Photo: By Alejandro Amador
Puerto de la Cruz town hall has prohibited swimming, but not closed the beach.
A veritable plague of jellyfish has left bathers on the Playa Jardín in Puerto de la Cruz in Tenerife unable to take a dip.
Lifeguards say they have had to remove hundreds of these creatures from the water’s edge in the last couple of days.
The jellyfish measure up to 20 cm across and can be dangerous, thus the town hall, to avoid people receiving painful stings, have decided to prohibit swimming.
Via: RTVC
Today is THE big day of carnaval in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the day of the Coso Apoteosico (Main Parade) in which many thousands will take part. Here’s one of the participants – one of the candidates for Carnival Queen – from last year’s parade.
Photo: By Hodowca
The biggest carnaval event today is going on over in Santa Cruz La Palma, where everyone will get into a talcum powder fight. Read all about it here …
Photo: By rosillaescrig
Just in case there isn’t already enough to keep you occupied 24/7 from the regular program of carnaval events in Santa Cruz (and you should check our calendar too, as I added in many more of the events from the official calendar yesterday and just reading them exhausted me), there’s still more!
The wonderfully named blog, Dónde Coño Vamos Hoy (which is more or less, “Where the f*ck are we going to go tonight?”, although coño actually translates to a word of four letters, equally beginning with a C that we’d rather not utter in English – in Spanish it’s less rude than blast or damn), inform us that the Moon Club in the Parque Maritimo in Santa Cruz (close to the recently re-named Auditorio Adán Martín) are holding After de Carnavales (After Parties), tonight, March 6th and on Carnaval Tuesday, March 8th and on March 13th.
Afters de Carnavales 2011 @ Discoteca Moon Club | Donde Coño Vamos Hoy
Not to detract from the reason for the protest, which was held in Santa Cruz on January 20th – surely necessary in this time of economic crisis, when employers look to save money on wages and by making precarious, short-term employment contracts – for rights and dignity in work, but I was also struck by the beauty of the movement of the flags, captured so artistically by Jose Mesa’s camera.
Photo: by Mataparda
Los Gigantes Beach Preparing A Sandy Welcome
"Dangling from coils of rope, workmen in hard hats drilled into the cliff face as curious tourists pressed to see through the metal fence sealing off Los Guios beach in Los Gigantes on Tenerife’s west coast. It looked like a military assault course but it is preparation for the planned Easter re-opening of this most beautiful and iconic beach, closed after 2 sun bathers were killed in November 2009 by a rock slide."
Titsa Buses, Jolly Green But Not Always Giant
"There was a momentous event at Los Cristianos bus station on Thursday as a crowd of dignitaries gathered, not just the fact they didn’t get their pockets picked but also the arrival of 2 new micro buses, ready to improve their excellent services. "
Tenerife Carnival Diary #1, the Election of the Carnival Queen
Jack braves the cold night air (15 C) to get photos from the gala in Puerto del la Cruz.
Maria Leng Finds A New Goal As Canary Islands British Consul
"Island life is nothing new to Maria after just over 2 years as Vice Consul to Ibiza but this time she has 7 islands to cover."
Dragon Tree - Possible World Heritage Site
"The mayor of Icod, Diego Afonso, has been assisted by all political groups in Tenerife to call on UNESCO to honour the Dragon tree as a World Heritage Site."
"Banksy eat your heart out, the art is alive and well here in Santa Cruz de Tenerife!"
Traffic comes to standstill on TF1 as lorry falls onto carriageway from overhead bridge
"A driver was injured today when his lorry fell from a bridge over the TF1 onto the carriageway below. "
Mind The Gap, Soft Goal For Cartegena Defeat
"Not even a delayed debut for big striker Igor and a typically lively substitution from Kome (pic) could get Tenerife back in the game."
Spanish health and food agencies warn of Salmonella affected batch of baby milk
"According to the health authorities, the manufacturers have recalled any unsold tubs of the baby milk even though there is no analytical confirmation of Salmonella infection, but anyone who has bought one should not use it. The batch has an expiry date of August 2012."
Carnival Mix Up and Threat to Firework Displays
"And the TIT (This Is Tenerife) of the week award goes to… Arona Council for the second week running."
An Insight into Tenerife's Eco-System
"Organisers of Azul Marino, an exhibition touring Europe, hope their influence will help raise the profile and understanding of the unique marine eco-system of the Canary Islands."
Buying homes in Tenerife are back in vogue for buyers from Northern Europe
"After years of absence, Northern European buyers are back buying homes in The Canaries, if data from local real estate companies is to be believed. "
Puerto de la Cruz Gears up for Carnaval 2011
"Anyone visiting Tenerife over the next month is quite likely to find themselves witnessing events that are a little out of the ordinary as Carnaval 2011 hits the island like a tropical storm in costume."
Weather Forecast for Tenerife from 28th February to 6th March
"Carnaval on Tenerife is, however, later this year and whilst in theory that should make the chances of the weather being good even better, anyone who knows carnaval season will be aware that it always seems to rain at some point during carnaval week. It’s like a law of nature. The good news is that even on the days when there’s a chance of rain, sunshine is also predicted."
Property enquiries to Tenerife and Canary Islands increase
"The number of searches for Spanish property in January this year was 37.05% higher than last year according to overseas property portal Homesgofast."
The Real Adeje Knocks Socks off the Coast
"Most tourists and many ex-pats think they’ve visited Adeje when they visit the island. Sure, the coastal resorts of Costa Adeje are a vast improvement on the way Playa de las Americas used to be, but Adeje “proper” is light-years away in style and atmosphere. If you think of Adeje as a county and Adeje village/town as the county seat, then you will get the idea."
Here’s last Wednesday’s 3 hour Gala for the Election of the Carnaval Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, condensed down into an eminently watchable 15 minutes, where you get a glimpse of the candidates in their huge, spectacular costumes and see the all of the winners announced, in reverse order, through the maids of honour and finally the new queen for 2011, Naomi Cabrera Pulido, with suitable fanfare.
(It crossed my mind that, if the frocks shown on Channel 4’s recent Big Fat Gypsy Weddings show weren’t quite fancy enough for you, then here’s your source! :)
The Cruz Roja Española (Spanish Red Cross) last night treated a total off 99 patients in the field Hospital del Carnaval, which, as ever, has been set up in the island’s capital.
During this year’s first night of the Santa Cruz Carnaval celebrations, they were called upon to assist 91 adults and 8 minors for various causes.
Amongst the adults, 50 needed to be treated for alcoholic intoxications and another 6 for intoxications provoked by the consumption of “stupefying substances.” :)
Another 4 were treated for “common illnesses”, 16 for injuries caused by falls, 10 for injuries from aggressions and the remaining 5 for other causes.
Out of the total, only 4 people needed to be sent to hospital.
In the case of the minors, there were 7 cases due to the consumption of alcohol and just one youngster treated for trauma. A girl of 14 won the prize for the youngest patient attended last night as a consequence of the consumption of alcohol.
The number of people who needed the services of the carnaval’s first aid post on the first night of the festivities last year was 71; 63 adults and 8 minors.
And in either case, as we say every year, the numbers and severity seem incredibly low and tame compared to the average Friday / Saturday night in any UK town.
Via: Canarias24horas
By which I mean Mount Teide (3,718 m) towering above the Pico Viejo, the Roques de Garcia and the vast desert in the cañadas crater in the Teide National Park ... and not that "guiri" standing there spoiling the view. Oh, gosh it's me.
Friday, March 4th: Santa Cruz Carnaval takes to the streets, with the Cabalgata Anunciadora (Opening Parade) from 7 p.m., followed by a firework display. Those are the main "spectator sport" events that I believe you could be interested in seeing as a casual visitor. After those you still have all the fun of the fair to be had, dancing to a wide variety of orchestras and sound systems in the streets, a veritable mountain of street food to enjoy, after parties and much more.
