Madrid and Tenerife (Canary Islands)

Heading home for the summer from the UAE, we took a short side trip to the Canary Islands. On the way, we stopped off in Madrid.  We enjoyed our short time in Madrid.  We saw the Palacio de Cibeles and walked for ages, just admiring all the architectural detail.  Then we found a little outdoor cafe and had some tapas.

Palacio de Cibeles

Details of ceiling

Sidewalk Cafe--one of hundreds!

First sighting of Tenerife as we flew in

Tenerife is in the chain of the Canary Islands.  These are located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 kilometers west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. 

One of the most interesting places on the island is Mount Teide, located in the Teide National Park, a World Heritage Site since 2007.  Mount Teide is the third largest volcano in the world and is the highest mountain in Spain at 3, 718 meters.  In 2010, Teide became the most visited National Park in Europe and the second worldwide!!

You can just see the skylift heading up the right side of Mount Teide.

Heather points back down to where we first entered the park in our car.

Skylift

We enjoyed our pool each day and the different beaches.

Some of the BLUEST water we have ever seen!

Sitting by the pool looking up at the mountains in the distance.

Eating out

Visiting the Monkey Club after hitting the casino.  Heather and I made about 90 Euros at the slots!  Kim made some....and then lost it!  :)

Los Abrigos:  we ate out and enjoyed a lovely view of the topless women sunbathing.....

Sunrise over the water with Montana Roja (Red Mountain)

After not driving for a solid year, I was elected to do the driving in Spain.  When we arrived to get our car, I found out it was a stick-shift!  I drove up and down the hills (to the highest point in Spain), and as you can see, I did an awesome job parallel parking.