Bienvenido a Tenerife!

A week ago Saturday and after ten days of sailing we arrived to this - our view from the dock in the Canary Islands. 

Technically a part of Spain, the Canary Islands are located off the coast of Morocco.  This is one of the closest countries to West Africa that is considered first-world.  Here in Tenerife the ship will get its annual inspections and maintenance done while the crew has some time to relax before heading back down the coast at the end of January. 

We had a few days to walk around and take in first world living once again before many left the ship for the Christmas holidays 

While enjoying a snack we got to see dinner preparations in the meat market..yum!

Haley and James were excited to see fresh fruits and veggies once again

and Jamie and I had a moment with our festive friend

Last Sunday we attempted to hike Mount Teide, both the highest elevation in Spain and the highest elevation in the Atlantic Ocean.  Mount Teide sits 12,198 feet high. We arrived at the cable car for a bathroom break (which you can also take to the summit) only to find out the cable car was closed due to 75 mile per hour winds at the top.

  The volcano last erupted in 1909, and you can see in this picture the lava that came down the sides.   

Despite the strong winds we headed up anyway. 

There were times when it was physically hard to walk forward due to the strong winds! 

 Due to a delayed start in the morning with our car rental, we knew we wouldn't make the six hour summit, but attempted at least a portion of the trip. 

Minus the craters and the extreme cold, I almost felt like I was hiking at home in AZ!

With our volcano rocks...pumice stone anyone?

Haley, me and the clouds

While it was cold, drizzly and a hard hike with the elevation, we will re-attempt the hike to the summit in January when we have more time...so stay tuned!

Two days after our hike both Jamie and I left Tenerife.  I'm just headed home for the holidays but Jamie left for good.  I'll miss you friend! 

After some crazy flying from Tenerife to Madrid to Paris to Detroit to Minneapolis, I am now enjoying my white Christmas in the frigid tundra of Minnesota.  Happy Holidays!