“And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.” Isaiah 66:19
Tenerife is one of the Canary Islands located just 200 miles off the coast of Africa. Landscaped by volcanic activity, Tenerife is home to Mt. Teide, Spain’s highest peak at 12,300 feet with a caldera that is 29 miles across. Dormant since 1909, Mt. Teide is the world’s third tallest volcano, after Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa in Hawaii. Mt. Teide National Park is covered with spectacular volcanic rock formations, large fields of obsidian shimmering in the sunlight, and breathtaking lava flows.
(Mt. Teide)
(Rock formations)
(Obsidian)
(Lava flows)
According to mythology, just beyond the Pillars of Hercules (Gibraltar), one could find the remnants of the ancient city of Atlantis whose survivors were known as the Guanches. Tenerife was believed be the Garden of Hesperides where Hercules killed a 100-head dragon, known as a radon, which guarded the island. This dragon’s blood seeped into the soil and turned into the dragon tree. Today, these trees are found throughout the island, and its sap is bright red. It’s massive trunk supports the twisted branches that resemble the numerous heads of the dragon.
(dragon tree)
(botanical orchid gardens)
Five interesting facts about Tenerife:
1. Volleyball is one of Tenerife’s most successful sports.
2. The Guanches were actually a tall, red-haired people who migrated to Tenerife from southern France.They were conquered by the Spanish in the 15th century.
3. Columbus actually was not permitted to land on this island for supplies in 1492 because the Guanches didn’t like his appearance. Apparently, their bearded European look was too similar to the Guanches themselves!
4. Witchdoctors are prevalent here with modern medicine mixing with traditional practices that include prayer, plants and other “witchery” to cure diseases.
5. Sadly, Tenerife is often remembered for a horrific airplane accident involving two large jets in the late 1970s.
(Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, clock tower, opera house with curved roof)
(Puerto de la Cruz)
Beautiful scenery pictures! Thanks for sharing!