From City Streets to Island Peaks: Farewell to Madrid For Now, Welcome Tenerife
As we boarded on the flight from Madrid-Barajas Airport, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and also nostalgia.
Madrid has been a whirlwind of architectural wonders, cultural experiences, and photographic opportunities. On the opposite side, Tenerife presented itself as a vacation area, as the locals call it ‘the eternal spring’.
I felt photos wouldn’t turn out well. Fortunately, it wasn’t actually the case. Still, the abrupt landscape change from Madrid’s cityscape to a diverse island made me want a break from the camera, and instead reflect on the previous trip.
First Few Days, Accommodation
First part of the trip we stayed in the southern area of the Canary Islands, and we dedicated the second part for exploring Tenerife Nord.
Teide was also one mandatory landmark, and one good reason for revisiting this island in the future.
The southern part represents a huge contrast opposed to the Northern area, overall each with its very own beauty. And some negative aspects as well.
It stood out as a place affected by exaggerated construction. We saw many new buildings on the horizon, and nature making way for mono agriculture.
Even the paradise can be ruined by man’s touch.
Everything Has a Touch of Orange
Many small towns resemble Europe’s old towns, each with a unique charm. An always sunny area, desert-like.
The resorts are more diverse than expected. Some areas were almost entirely filled with accommodations, while others seemed to also make room for the forgotten locals. Of course, Both with their own charms, but the latter was easier on the eyes, and in general a place where you did not have to research too much to find a good restaurant.
Another positive aspect of the south are the gorgeous, ashen beaches. Some remote and wild, some downright packet.
And for a few days at least, even walking near the coastline was something worth doing. Near Los Christianos and the Playa De Los America, we felt like kids again. Yes, the median age of tourists was really up, for us to be considered Chicas / Chicos at 30 something years old by everyone.
Even if someone visits only the Northern area of Tenerife, it’s worth taking a trip to the south for Los Christianos. At least because Americans seem to have built their own mini USA into this place. Artificially, of course.
Overall, the entire island had that warm orange color in both architecture of the locals homes and in cities centers. This was more prominent in the north, but also present in the south.
From Urban To Natural Landscapes
Finally, i was ready to embrace the unfamiliar landscape. Unlike the urban landscape where buildings are the central part of a photo, here, In Southern Tenerife I’ve struggled to incorporate it. Buildings polluted great-looking landscapes, and probably locals felt the same.
A tourist getting annoyed that other tourists come here. What a cliche’!
Until the last day in Tenerife South, I did not manage to fully became accustomed to the environment. Therefore a shift to the photography style was needed. Concentrating on the coast and the sea made me grab my camera everywhere with me, yet again.
Overall, the Southern part is great for visiting, but with a few landmarks in mind, every day or so.
Resorts can be fun, even if they occasionally feel like the ones in “Dirty Dancing” but packed with older adults. Although a limiting experience.
However, the south offers more than that, a lot of desert like areas, hiking areas, a couple of comfy towns, and, of course, a road towards Teide.
The island left an overall a positive mark and a new appreciation for the orange tint and shades of red.