TENERIFE

is the highest of all the Atlantic islands,it is also the largest of all the Canary Islands.Never too hot summers,never too cold winters make it an ideal holiday destination all year round.Years ago I had spent a week on the island and what I remember the most was the visit to the El Teide mountain,the highest mountain in Spain [Canary Islands are Spanish,they were colonized in the 15th Century].El Teide is a dormant volcano.I also remember walking in the Orotava Valley.But it was late autumn or early spring and the Valley not at its best and this is one place I would love to see gain,but somehow have never got round to it when coming to Tenerife on a cruise,as I would love to spend a day there,but the tours offered are too short.Also I would like to go there between June-September and I never cruise to the Canaries in the summer. One day. At midday I took a walk to the centre,it takes good 20 minutes,but who is counting when the sun shines and the world seems such a wonderful place.I have walked the streets well travelled,visited the shops seen before [Zara,Bimba & Lola] and stopped in the one and only Desigual,my nephew's wife's favourite.There is now a massive Desigual branch in Regent Street,London,so when I walked into this one, it was just to look around,but there was the most delightful short jacket I could not resist and I also picked up a T-shirts for my 2 nephews.I stopped for the most delicious pan pizza with the simplest vegetable topping,freshly pressed orange juice and latte,then took a slow walk back.Feeling in seventh heaven I fell asleep! It was one of those short and sweet naps that come out of the blue and end just as fast and when you wake up for a brief moment you have no idea where you are.Quick shower and a walk up to the 16th floor to return a library book-Tippi,By Tippi Hedren. The first 24 pages I liked very much,the rest not at all. I think Ms Hedren gave herself far too much credit for being a better actress than she really was,she was a two trick pony in my opinion - Marnie and The Birds-and only because Alfred Hitchcock coaxed some acting out of her.That she has to sully the dead man now when he is not here to defend himself,is quite unseemly. The Crow' Nest is a massive lounge at the front of the ship,next to the Library,at sea the views from there are magnificent. I had a glass of Chilean merlot while amusing myself with my Toshiba until 8,then walked the 10 floors down to the restaurant,where I had the most excellent dinner - Middle Eastern mezze, followed by roast duck with trimmings and a side salad and then the best baked apple ever. What more could a girl want? Gran Canaria,tomorrow's port of call is just a stone throw away,so today we remain docked in Tenerife until 9.30.