Spirit of Discovery blog

A 250 mile hop south overnight brought us to the Canary Island archipelago, and more specifically this morning, Tenerife. I had promised everyone plenty of sunshine today, as the local forecast had indicated yesterday.

However, to my concern I noted the odd shower scattering the horizon whilst swinging the ship at the harbour entrance and backing down to our berth. The temperature however, at 23 degrees in the mid-morning, was nothing to complain about. Brollies were placed at the gangway, for those concerned they might be subject to a random downpour ashore.

Those who were keen to dash ashore after breakfast did just that, but for the more religious souls – and those who were in less of a rush to get off – our travelling Reverend held a traditional Sunday morning church service up in the panoramic Britannia Lounge.

There was no real need to rush down the gangway today, for we remained in port until 21:00, giving those who wished the opportunity to wander the streets in the evening, or enjoy a local sunset drink or dinner, the chance to do just that.

Today’s included excursion offered the chance to bumble around the local city of Santa Cruz, and promised some interesting sights. The more adventurous might have preferred to head to the southern part of the island, where the dizzying landmark of Mount Teide stands tall and high at some 12,000ft. Fortunately one doesn’t have to be a mountaineer to scale this peak, for there is a road winding all the way up (hence the name of our excursion – ‘Easy Teide’).

A dark but quiet evening saw us sneak out of the harbour once our ‘stargazing’ excursion returned just after 21:00. Overnight we would head south-eastwards, around the south of Gran Canaria, and then approach the port of Las Palmas from the south at around 07:00.

Kind Regards
Captain Kim Tanner

Written by Captain Kim Tanner