Tenerife 2012 Day 6 - Moisturising & Volcanos

Although I may still have the looks of a late thirty something (!) this is some 10 years short of the truth. Like a lot of modern men, my daily routine, has for the past few years, involves moisturiser and in particular when in the sun.

Despite no one else seeing the contents of my wash-bag I still, like others, have to have a product that is manly and in no way connected to ladies beauty products. Hence Rock Face or Bulldog are my choices. Undoubtedly masculine and rugged. The fact that the contents are exactly the same as Nivea or L'Oreal it is ok for men because the packaging says so. Marketing that we poor men will fall for every time.

Looked out of the window this morning to see that Mt Teide had erupted. Reality - low cloud and a very high mountain (12,000 ft I think).

Oh well, last night tonight. Dinner will be Andalusian Buffet. Each night has been a different buffet which in reality have been exactly the same apart from the rice in the paella*. Yellow for Spanish, white for Italian (risotto), with egg for Chinese and missing completely for American.

So guesses please for tonight?

* when I say paella this is a loose description based entirely on the pan it is presented in. The contents bear little in common with the national dish. Hint to Chef - crab sticks placed on top of the rice do not constitute the seafood in a paella, they are what Kerry Katona would call party food.

Tenerife 2012 Day 5 - National noise levels & lizards

Staying at a multi-national hotel is always interesting and I have to say far more pleasant than a UK only establishment.

We are always quite prepared for the individual quirkiness of each nationality and not forgetting the Brits have quite a few of their own.

This hotel is 70% Spanish, 20% French, 9% English & 1% German.

The French are aloof and stylish as always, the Germans very reserved due to the minority (the fact that there is an abundance of sunbeds is ruining their early morning entertainment) and the English are in the main old.

This leaves the Spanish who are as noisy as ****. Talking at 98db even when they are sitting only metres apart, with wild arm gesturing you would think there is a riot underway.

However, the Brits, not to be outdone, have brought in the cavalry in the form of a couple of Geordie families. You have never heard so much bullshit, and at head numbing volume, being spoken in and around the pool. Mrs CT and I are now on operation "Avoid sitting near to or having to talk to the Geordies"

Lizards on the other hand, are nice quiet and gentle creatures. Here is one that came to say hello this morning.

"Ooh that's massive!" exclaimed Mrs CT. I just wish she always got that excited upon viewing something that is obviously no bigger than 6 inches.

Tenerife 2012 Day 4 - When in Rome or Los Gigantes

This is the view from our balcony. The gardens and general flora and fauna are mature which is something I could apply to the rest of the hotel and most of its residents.

Mrs CT and I took bus 463 for the short journey to Los Gigantes ( The Giants). It was here some 15 years ago that we got engaged when in the aptly named Hotel Los Gigantes A hotel that has now become so tired they have shut it, gutting it and reopening later in the year. Disappointingly the resort has not moved on in all that time. Same shops full of junk and tatty tourist restaurants. I just hope that the Canaries wake up, like Majorca has, before is too late.

Mrs CT by the marina with The Giants in the background. The best place we found was The Harbour Club, a nice little collection of apartments with a jolly good wine/tapas bar attached.

This last photo is my attempt to "do in Rome what the Romans do". No joke, the beer is Mrs CT's and the cold Jezez Fino is mine!

Tenerife 2012 Day 2 - Ooh it's hot and Saints lose

First full day in the Canaries and gosh it's warm. Hitting 30c this afternoon Mrs CT got fully lathered this morning in "Once a Day" lotion. Never works. Both of us somewhat glowing this evening. Some of us more than others looking at the Lady of Red.

Not completely happy as my team are runners up yet again. Northampton Saints losing out in the last 5 mins to Harlequins. At least I had a perfect excuse to escape the sun and go to The Blarney Stone for a few beers and TV.

Talking of beer, how good is it when the beer pump is your side of the bar. Oh yes self service drinks.

Tenerife 2012 Day 1 - Evening

Mrs CT somewhat fascinated by half naked blokes dancing with fire.

Now bring on the half naked girls and I might tear myself away from the beer for a couple of minutes.

We have one of the 8th floor rooms at the top of the hotel, sea view and all that. The night time illumination on our balcony is interesting though!

Tenerife 2012 Day 1 - Arrival

Several things accomplished upon arrival 1) it's very warm 2) the all inclusive beer/wine is nice and chilled 3) my early evening/sports bar has been identified...…oh and the hotel is quite nice as well!

The Blarney Stone, local Irish type sports bar.

Look at this amazing flower!!

Tenerife 2012 Day 1 - Departure

So here we go, off to the sun and away from the rain. LTN is its usual heaving inefficient self. Queues for security are 1 hour - so express tickets are an advisable purchase.

Check-in queue 30 mins not helped by passengers unpacking and packing bags at the desk. You could have done this at home. Read your ticket, it tells you how much weight you can take. If you cannot work this out for yourselves I am not sure you should be allowed on a plane.

Chocolate and beer mmmm

See you later xx