Tenerife

Our first stop in the Canary Islands was Tenerife.  We were impressed by the terrain and climate which is both tropical and rugged, a mix of Hawai'i and Northern Arizona, we thought.  Tenerife also features Spain's most visited national park, home of the El Teide volcano and lava-rock landscapes and formations.  We took a hike through one of the park's most dramatic craters.  At 7,000 feet and 87 degrees and Rosie on our (okay, Scott's) back, it felt like quite a feat.

(We're glad someone found this hike so relaxing.)

Tenerife also has some archeological sites, including an excavation of Mayan-style pyramids which had a fascinating museum and visitor center and a much-appreciated children's play area in their café.  (Norwegian anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl has theorized that there was contact between the old and new worlds long before traditionally assumed.)

Despite being heavily touristed, Tenerife was nearly completely free of Americans.  We met up with our friends Sabrina and Richard though, and felt right at home.