Canarias
Introduction for Canarias
Over the past 30 years, I have managed to visit the Canary Islands twice. The first time was in 1987 when Spain offered an inexpensive airline pass of which I managed to take full advantage. On that first trip, I visited Tenerife, El Hierro, Santa Cruz de la Palma, and Gran Canaria. Each of these islands – plus the ones I have yet to see – offer different landscapes and opportunities for the visitor.
I rented a car in the city of Santa Cruz de la Palma and Tenerife proper, and was able to make a circuit around both islands, visiting the spectacular Caldera de Taburiente National Park on La Palma and the volcano, Mt. Teide on Tenerife. El Hierro was the first I flew to … but then I left after a single day. During the time I was there, I don’t remember the sun appearing once; the cloud mist was overwhelming. And the population and touristic infrastructure were far smaller than I had imagined. It is, however, a good place for hiking, assuming you have the gear and the time.
La Palma is where I took the most photos a few of then are included here. After that, I flew off to Gran Canaria to visit “Gay El Dorado” or Maspalomas as the Spartacus Gay Guide called it. My excitement was short-lived once I strolled along the gay beach. Again, the weather was not ideal for beach-goers: I recall seeing a few lesbians trying to keep warm. (Almost all of the North Atlantic beaches I have visited can be temperamental except perhaps at the peak of summer.) I didn’t stick around and headed back to the capital Las Palmas de Gran Caniaria, on the next bus. Only later I realized that “El Dorado” must have meant – for the Spartacus editors at least – the dark rooms in the many bars of Maspalomas … not really my idea of any “El Dorado.”
I was just recently I was back in Tenerife where I took the pictures you see included here.