We had one day of touring on Tenerife which is one of the Canary Islands of Spain. The ship docked at Sant Cruz de Tenerife. The islands are volcanic and formed as the plates moved over a hot spot such as the Hawaiian Islands and The Indian Ocean islands we visited last month.

The Tenerife Opera House, reminiscent of Sydney

Our tour had us drive up to the Teide National Park and visit Mt Teide which is over 12,000′ high. After getting out of town, we drove through pine forests and above the clouds and had views like being in an airplane.

One of the other canary Islands is in the distance in this view, and town below

Here are some views of the peak from the road up. There is a gondola on the left side of the peak in this view and some snow skiing in the winter!

We made a stop at a Visitor Center and Botanical Garden.

We drove by some observatories which apparently are right up there with Maui’s Mauna Kea for importance.

Stretched our legs in some moonscape-like terrain.

And eventually arrived at the main Visitor Center and viewing spot.

The 12,000′ Teide peak is in the distance. We’re standing at about 6,000′.

Meanwhile, back at the ship, the gas station action was on-going with another $500,000 or so worth of fuel.

And back on board, we need to say good-bye to our two room stewards who have been cleaning our room twice a day since we arrived 3.5 months ago. They are going home after Morocco. Edwin is from Honduras. Galhi is from Indonesia.