[Photos taken 02 – 03 February 2023, posted online 30 September 2023. Warm fall this time around, wondering when a storm will tear the pretty leaves off the trees.]
Since we were looking for peace and quiet, we found a good Black Friday deal at an adults-only hotel, granting us “platinum” status, meaning we had access to a nicer breakfast area, a roof-top pool, and happy hour.
We left now formally-adult Anna (19 years old!) in charge of her siblings, which I will admit to feeling slightly guilty about, but it all worked out.
On our second day, three of us went and e-biked 32 km, visiting Masca Valley. It was a lot of fun!
Thursday 02 February 2023
Tenerife ocean view!
The day began at 6 am, with a pickup. The weather was not lovely.
Goodbye bag, for now.
We’ve gotten to the stage in life of having access to the airport Saga Lounge on occasion.
Patiently waiting…
Finally, we were boarding!
It was very windy, so windy that an airport employee told us it was just below the maximum allowed wind to use the airplane-stairs.
People waiting in the bus for enough space the stairs.
Goodbye somewhat snowy and quite windy Iceland.
Hello slightly cloudy Tenerife!
Palm trees!
The airplane stairs in Tenerife don’t need roofs!
At our hotel, the Guayarmina Princess, a name we could never get quite right!
The platinum package included a glass of bubbly in the lobby!
The newest fashion in hotel room design: a freestanding bathtub in the middle of the room! Husband not included!
The room seen from the balcony.
We could technically see the ocean from our balcony.
One couple decided to get the full sea view, it did not disappoint.
The hotel was pretty darn big, and had a huge atrium going all the way through the upper levels. This is looking out towards the ocean.
I went exploring… Here I am chilling on a patio.
I got lost on the way back to the room, and stumbled upon the gym. It was large, but didn’t have any windows, so it was not very attractive.
Dinner at a nearby Indian restaurant. Poor Halli didn’t get his food along with the rest of us!
The lower back entrance…
Friday 03 February 2023
The next day was an early rise, and I discovered that the breakfast buffet had a chef that was making omelets to order.
These two energizer bunnies had found an e-bike touring company, and with one available free slot, I joined them!
We drove north-north-west wards, along the coast.
The bikes were on a trailer.
All set, on my full-suspension bike!
Whereabouts we rode. We were staying in Adeje.
We rode an easy path to get acquainted with the bikes, and then stopped at a parking lot, as we crested a hill.
Whoa, cool view!
View with human.
The path continued downwards into the gorge. We kept meeting these bikers, they would pass us on the downslopes, and then we’d pass them on the hills.
Serious plants!
The road was all hair-pin-turns, I was so happy to be biking and not driving down!
The road down.
A little settlement in the middle of nowhere.
Many photos have been taken from that spot.
Our guide was clearly an experienced biker, and did a good job setting the pace.
We continued onwards, taking a right, and heading up the hill to a lookout point.
A human kept sneaking in onto the photos!
Looking at a map.
There was a lot of geology to be read from the hills.
The regular bikes had caught up with us again!
As we crested another hill, the plant-life changed drastically. This side gets a lot more rain!
The road ahead.
Enjoying the gorgeous view.
Very steep! No riding straight down!
Another lookout point.
Some paths are closed to bikes.
Maps are awesome!
The plant life was so radically different, it was like we’d transported to a different country!
Three amigos.
This path led into a proper forest, and we rode through tree tunnels for a long while.
A vista-point, close to the end.
The paved road told us we were close to civilization.
Bikes going on the trailer. We’d ridden 31 km.
The circle we rode. We started in the upper right (Erjos), and rode southwards.
Driving back down a hill that we biked down. That’s Mount Teide in the distance (I think?).
We arrived back at the hotel around 2 pm, and ate a late lunch at this fine establishment!
We found Finnur and the others by the Bali-beds on the rooftop.
The view from our Bali-bed. You had to reserve your bed the day before.
Between 5 and 6 pm there was a happy hour for the platinum club on the lower deck.
There were lots of nice places to hang out.
How to disguise an elevator shaft!
A gathering spot at the lower back exit.
Walking along the boulevard.
We ate at the same restaurant we’d eaten at the last time were were there, and we sat at the same table even!
The hotel lights turned blue in the evenings!
An interesting design choice!
About to go play cards. I was utterly exhausted, and went to bed early.
