I decided to split this into two separate posts because it ended up being longer than expected!
Our second trip outside of the United Kingdom was to Tenerife over U.S. Veterans Day weekend (10 – 13 Nov). Tenerife is the largest of the seven Canary Islands and the most populated. We flew into the Tenerife South Airport because it was cheaper and touristy. The original flight was from 0640 to 1120 but we had a schedule change to 0830 instead. We then had another schedule change which ended up being 0930-1410. I’m glad that we had the change because no one wants to be at the airport at 0400 in the morning. I heard that RyanAir does this often, so be aware if you book with them.
View of Tenerife from the plane 
Food from the restaurant 
Red Mountain
Saturday – Touchdown
When we landed, we headed straight to the Airbnb which was in El Medano, about 10-15 minutes from the airport. It was beautiful and spacious: right outside of the beach, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and not too far from the center of town. We were starving so we walked down the street to this restaurant called “The Metro King” that sold these humongous burgers! I wish I had a picture of it because they were gigantic.
After eating, we roamed the town to find some things to do later on. It was getting kind of late so we picked up some food from a local grocery store and headed back to the Airbnb. We sat on the patio, had a few drinks and laughed, and enjoyed the warm weather. We played some games (in Spanish!) that the Airbnb host had around the house (Pictionary, taboo, etc.). Surprisingly we did better than expected. During Pictionary we ended up in a heated discussion about some of the verbs which was hilarious because the arguers were on the same team. We lost.
Sunday – Nature
We were outside for the majority of Sunday – hence the subtitle. We hit the beach for a few hours which was amazing, but let me tell you, that water was FREEZING. Anyone who knows me knows I hate the cold and I don’t really like water, so cold water just doesn’t do. I got in to about my ankles and gave up. Instead, I bathed in the sun while everyone else bobbed up and down in the water like ice cubes. While they froze their booties off, I just did what I do best and people watched. There was a topless lady not far from me, an older gentleman dating someone way younger than he was, and a family that let their kids run across the beach naked.
After everyone decided that the water was finally cold enough, they joined me on the beach and we started to play random beach games. Tons of sand pictures were drawn and cartwheels were flipped. Davoo and I got into some Olympic challenge (as usual) where we crab walked, handstood, and other simple things. Somehow Gian and Davoo got to wresting on a beach and Megs drew a circle around them as a ring. Gian should have easily defeated him but I think he was just scared to try. I wrestled Davoo and was also scared, but only because I almost body slammed him to the ground which would have basically ended his life. I played gently instead. I won, of course.
Flavored Icees! 
No Turning back 
Handsome fellas 
view climbing up
After going back to the house and probably eating, we decided to hike up Red Mountain. While on the way there, we stopped on the boardwalk and got some snacks (liquor icees) which were pretty good. Now, before I go on about this mountain, let me tell you that these pictures do not do it justice. We thought this was going to be a small little hike up and down a hill, but boy were we wrong.
When we were walking to Red Mountain, I thought it wouldn’t be that bad because there were people running the trail, breathing like it was no big deal. They clearly had been training for that mountain for months because we couldn’t walk it without gasping for breath every few minutes. Okay, I’m exaggerating, but there were definitely parts of the mountain that you basically had to climb up. Half of our party decided that they wouldn’t continue to the peak. It was absolutely beautiful at the top of the mountain though. It was surrounded by beaches, but we were so high up that the people on them looked like little specs. Gian, Davoo and I were chilling on the top (because after you climb a mountain for 45 minutes that’s what you do!) when then Megs and Linds joined us! I was happy that they continued because we were so close to the top and the view was spectacular.
I thought going up the mountain was bad, but going down was even worse! The path was nothing but rocks, dirt, and sand, so the slightest moves and you were sliding down the hill. There was a moment when I slid, and as I ungracefully glided down the mountain, runners continued to move like it was nothing! My pride was hurt.
view from up high 
Tripleta 
Paella
In total, from the Airbnb to the mountain and back, Google says it took a little over 3 hours. That was one heck of a hike.
I’d like to say we ended the day at a restaurant on the water where we ordered Paella. We were in Spain, so obviously we were going to have Paella. It was good, but it wasn’t as amazing as I wanted it to be. It was probably that the service sucked.
#Lessonslearned – If you’re traveling with a group and you see tickets are cheap, buy them. We paid nearly half for our tickets than some others on the trip.
