The Third Largest Volcano in the World - Mt. Tiede on Spain's Canary Island - Tenerife

April 23, 2025 - Day 96 of John and Gino's Great Adventure Sailing Around the World in 108 Days on the Beautiful Queen Anne's Maiden World Voyage

We made it (almost) to the top!

The big adventure of our day-long stop on the Canary Island, Tenerife was a journey (nearly) to the top of Mt. Tiede - the third largest volcano in the world. The two hour coach ride on a narrow, two-lane road was one the most frightening and treacherous drives we have ever experienced. The 12,198 foot peak is the highest point on Spanish soil.

Before the journey began we explored the Spanish port city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife where the shipped docked. Immediately, it felt like we were in Europe even though the Canary Islands are off the coast of Morocco, North Africa. Later on in the coach we learned from our guide that the Canary Islands have a population of little over two million people but seventeen million tourists visit the islands each year making tourism its main industry.

A glimpse of a part of the city.

In a city square we came across the “Monument to the Fallen” commemorating those who died during the Spanish civil war.

At the base of the monument were these two guards holding swords.

A pretty park!

“The Circle of Friendship XII of January” building houses cultural events and is of the 2nd empire style of the Canary Islands.

We enjoyed some coffee and a little breakfast.

Sunlight on the building at the end of the street.

A government building.

Statue of the Mackerel. Santa Cruz began as a small fishing village where mackerel was the most abundant fish.

Onward and upward to Mt. Tiede:

Our drive up and down the mountain included views like this. Here you can see some of the city alongside the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

This is called the sandwich. The differently colored layers are from different eruptions of the volcano and can be either hundreds or thousands of years apart.

Photo taken at a stop along the road. The peak is to the left. The valley is thousands of feet below the cloud cover.

Waiting for the cable car to take us up. The ride is only 10 minutes.

At the top and this is as far as people can go…unless you are an expert climber, make reservations and pass several tests. It's very cold and windy with snow dotting the side. Notice the white top (no - not Gino’s hair!).

According to legend…we learned the the original people of the island - the Guanches - who were herders and shepherds believed that Guayota, the king of evil lived inside Mt. Tiede (warm or hellish). He kidnapped the god, Majec (the god of sun and light) and took him down inside the mountain. The Guanches pleaded with their supreme god, Achaman, for mercy. Achaman responded and defeated Guayota, rescued Majec and plugged up the volcano (trapping Guayota) with a white cone.

The white buildings are the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands. In addition to Chile and Hawai’i the Canary Islands are the best three spots in the world to observe the skies. This institute houses over 60 telescopes from 19 different countries.

Looking down into one eruption location with its crater. The last eruption was in 1905.

Back down at the cable car station where we can breath normally once again.

Awful picture…but on the way back to the ship we caught a quick glimpse of the Tenerife airport - the location of the world’s worst air disaster. 583 people were killed when two 747’s collided on the runway on March 27, 1977. 61 people survived.

Evening sail away - from our balcony. This is a favorite picture because the couple on the lower balcony are people from England with whom we have enjoyed spending time - Sally and Allen.

We have only three days left on our beloved Queen Anne - our home away from home for the last 96 days. On Sunday we arrive in Southhampton, England for the day where we will transfer to the Queen Mary for our final leg of our great adventure. Queen Anne sails on to Hamburg, Germany where she completes her maiden world voyage. Since we embarked in New York on January 18 we are returning to New York on Queen Mary on May 5 to make it a true world voyage.

On Monday, the day after we board Queen Mary, we stop in Le Havre, France for our final land excursion of the world voyage. Gino will be going to the beaches of Normandy and the American military cemetery (I have been there.) which follows his visit to Pearl Harbor and the American military cemetery in Manila - both on this voyage. I will be on an adventure tracing the footsteps of William the Conqueror at several sites in France.

Stay-tune for a post following our visit to France and then one or two mystery/fun posts as we sail across the Atlantic Ocean on our way to New York and home to Boston. Cheers!