Santa Cruz de Tenerife 31.01.2017


Image for Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Tenerife is not just beaches and mountains. There are also a lot of towns and villages through out the island. We decided to visit most interesting today. And we started with Garachico.

Photo 1081
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 1081
(cc) by Rushan

The most important event in towns history happened in 1706 when a volcano nearby erupted and almost completely destroyed the town. Fortunately most of the citizens survived. However the coast here now is quite rocky.

Photo 1082
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 1082
(cc) by Rushan

The Atlantic swell makes swimming inadvisable for all but the very brave. Though there is no beaches here anyway. For those who want to swim there is a swimming pool.

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(cc) by Rushan
Photo 1083
(cc) by Rushan

Locals enjoy their siesta:

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(cc) by Rushan
Photo 1084
(cc) by Rushan

On the island there is so many old cars. Incredible amount. Looks like it's not easy to deliver here a new one. However I saw here a car with Ukrainians number plate. They got here somehow..

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(cc) by Rushan
Photo 1085
(cc) by Rushan

In the city centre there was school even. There were unexpectedly too many children for such a town (population around 5000 people).

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(cc) by Rushan
Photo 1086
(cc) by Rushan
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(cc) by Rushan
Photo 1087
(cc) by Rushan

Another strange thing here is that here there are too many scuffed, rubbed houses which requires at least some renovation. It's not abandoned, but looks depressing. Especially when just renovated and an old one houses are standing next to each other.

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(cc) by Rushan
Photo 1088
(cc) by Rushan

On ocean coast one can easily find crabs. It looks like it's not allowed to catch them. Pity, it could have been a great dinner.

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(cc) by Rushan
Photo 1089
(cc) by Rushan

After Garachico we went to La Laguna. The full name is San Cristóbal de La Laguna. A bit long, huh? So everybody just calls it La Laguna and everything is clear. A long time ago it was an island capital, but after a while due to economical issues this function was transferred to Santa Cruz.

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(cc) by Rushan
Photo 1090
(cc) by Rushan

Here is calm, no tourists crowds, and very beautiful.

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(cc) by Rushan
Photo 1091
(cc) by Rushan

In central part there are many temples. Cathedral, Royal Church and church of Saint Marie. Just in 5 minutes walking from each other. Spanish looks really religious.
And they believe not only by Bible rules. This is the first country where after a couple of minutes switching channels on TV in apartment I found several (!) channels where witch tells the fortune by cards in real time. Awesome.

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(cc) by Rushan
Photo 1092
(cc) by Rushan

The city is included in UNESCO world heritage list. City centre is pedestrian only. No cars allowed. It's very picturesque here. That's why La Laguna is also called "Florence of the Canary Islands".

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(cc) by Rushan
Photo 1093
(cc) by Rushan

Next to the city there is an island capital: Santa Cruz. I mean Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It is possible to get here from La Laguna just by tram. Or by car. It's amazing with parking places on the island. Even in the capital centre it is possible to find free (!) parking place. Just amazing.

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(cc) by Rushan
Photo 1094
(cc) by Rushan

On Square of Spain centre is under the water. It looks like a seaside and even people like to lay around like on the beach. Though it's forbidden to swim here.

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(cc) by Rushan
Photo 1095
(cc) by Rushan

Some buildings look really interesting:

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(cc) by Rushan
Photo 1096
(cc) by Rushan

From here a walking street goes in the town. Everything is quite usual. Shops, street performers. City is quite small. Just around 200 thousands people. But it's a capital (:

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(cc) by Rushan
Photo 1097
(cc) by Rushan
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(cc) by Rushan
Photo 1098
(cc) by Rushan

Nearby there is a swimming pool. Right on the ocean coast. And people go there and pay for the entrance. I saw it. Amazing.

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(cc) by Rushan
Photo 1099
(cc) by Rushan

So there is a stuff to do for any kind of tourist.

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(cc) by Rushan
Photo 1100
(cc) by Rushan