Tenerife 2005

Ghost Town near Abades 1

Back again from a two week vacation on Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands.

The first all digital photo trip, with its own set of new challenges. Anyway, after some changes to my photo database and related scripts, the new images from Tenerife will be posted here in the photolog. Beyond simple vacation photographs I will try to show some different, maybe even strange aspects of Tenerife. And what would be a better starter than this ghost town ...

Ghost Town near Abades 2

Approaching the ghost town through Tenerife's southern desert-like landscape.

An astonishing number of buildings comprises this area, abandoned construction sites which are now slowly decaying. This is an almost surreal contrast to Abades, which is a totally uniform village consisting of white sort of show houses with red rooftiles.

Ghost Town near Abades 3

Into the ghost town with a view towards the lighthouse Faro de Abona.

Bare brickworks give the impression that the construction works had been abandoned in a hurry. Quite a difference to what you will see if you search Google for "Tenerife Abades". ;-)

Ghost Town near Abades 4

A somewhat eerie place.

The ghost town is actually an old leprosy patients settlement, which according to one of my travel guides has been given up in the 1920s. In addition, this seems to have been a restricted military area until some time ago, which explains why this area hasn't been handed over to tourism.

Pico del Teide 1

On the way up into the mountains, a view of the Teide along the TF-21, some hundred meters before the viewpoint Mataznos.

During our first week on Tenerife, the weather in the north around Puerto de la Cruz was quite cold and rainy. So after the previous escapes into the warmer south, hoping for good weather above the clouds, we tried our luck and drove up into the Cañadas National Park. At least the start of this day was promising, blue sky and just some picturesque clouds around the Teide top.

Pico del Teide 2

Up at the entrance to the Cañadas National Park, Clouds were gathering around the Teide.

Our hopes for good weather above the clouds were in vain. Bad weather was coming up from the south(!) and the road through the Cañadas was closed because of snow and ice. So much for eternal spring on the Canary Islands. ;-)

Pico del Teide 3

More luck a few days later, three knolls ;-) along the TF-21 through the Cañadas.

Finding a parking place here near the path up to Montaña Blanca turned out very difficult. Half of the local population seemed to spend this Sunday up in the Cañadas, improvised coasting on the snow covered slopes seemed to be most popular. This photograph was taken below Montaña Blanca, just around the corner of the path.

Pico del Teide 4

And a last view of the Teide from Paradores, some strange clouds are gathering again.

One of the main attractions nearby, Los Roques de Garcia, draws even more tourists, so it was pretty crowed. But just take a few steps off the road, then the dead shrubs and the view of this awe-inspiring mountain, and then you'll quickly forget the mass of people.

Punta del Hildalgo 1

Back a few days on the time axis, waves crashing on the shore at Punta del Hildalgo.

Here in the north-east of Tenerife, the wet trade wind is blowing directly into your face.

Punta del Hildalgo 2

There is only the open Atlantic Ocean north of Tenerife.

So even on a relatively calm day, the waves are very powerful. And here at the base of the Anaga mountain range, this is really an impressing sight.

Tourist Attraction

Not only the landscape, but also some buildings attract tourists.

Somewhat outside the busy center of the capital Santa Cruz, the Auditorio de Tenerife can be found, more a monument than a building, directly at the sea. But once the building enters your field of vision, you won't look out over the sea. What's this building, a - most likely English - couple of tourists was asking. Well, it's a concert hall, but one of a kind! More images can be found in the new album page Auditorio de Tenerife.

Outpost

An outlook from a decaying outpost at Pico del Ingles.

This continues the Tenerife series with new images from a second trip to Tenerife during our autumn vacation. After the ghosttown this ruined, decaying building at Pico del Ingles featured an interesting mix of light, shadows and landscape.

La Laguna Street

A visit to La Laguna, walking the streets during the Siesta.

Actually San Cristóbal de la Laguna, which is the complete name. The old town is part of the Unesco World Heritage.

La Laguna Facade

Seen near Palacio Episcopal while walking along Calle de San Augustin.

Not one of the major historic buildings listed in the travel guides, but somehow this facade caught my eye.

La Laguna Contrasts

Beside the massive construction works going on all over Tenerife, there is always a derelict building in-between.

Like this one on Calle Nava y Grimón, sandwiched between two nicely spruced neighboring buildings.

Back into the Mountains

View of the Pico del Teide on the way up into the Cañadas National Park.

The very same view as already shown here in the photolog from spring. But what a difference! ;-)

No Way Up

Finally in the Cañadas, the Teide seen from Los Roques.

Somehow, we weren't lucky with this year's two visits to Tenerife. In spring, during a very cold period the Teleferico was closed due to nasty ice and snow conditions up near the top. Now in autumn, it was closed for repair just during the few days we were there. Well, happens. We could've walked the way up of course ... ;-)

Pico del Teide

View of the Pico del Teide, the highest mountain not only on the Canaries, but of entire Spain.

Clouds coming from the west were rapidly moving across the mountain top, covering the summit entirely or partly in mist.

Zooming In

A break in the stream of clouds allows a closer look at the Teide top.

The different strata and colors clearly show the volcanic ancestry of the Pico del Teide.

Los Roques

The main attraction here, Los Roques de Garcia, a major landmark of Tenerife.

And of course visited by many tourists. ;-)

Los Roques the Canoncial Way

And of course, at Los Roques, one type of shot can't simply be avoided.

True, this is the typical postcard signature image of Los Roques, but I couldn't resist. ;-) At least the clouds around the Teide provide some welcome break in this scene.

Stray Dog

In the wake of the visitors, this dog is trying his luck in the Cañadas.

Some stray dogs, not that uncommon in Spain and the Canaries, were roaming the Cañadas near Los Roques and the TF-21 south of the National Park. This one at least gave a nice pose for the camera.

Cloud Finger

Strange cloud formations gathering at El Portillo.

On our way back to the entrance of the Teide National Park we stopped at the visitor center. Suddenly, ragged clouds with strange shapes came rapidly moving over a ridge.

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