Volcano number 1

Hola! We have arrived in Tenerife after another choppy night on board. We suspect they aren't using the ships stabilisers as it wasn't this choppy even in the Baltic - not the best sleep so far.

We had to be up at 7am because our tour was leaving the ship at 8.15, but the port authorities seemed to have cocked up and a German ship had to enter the harbour before us, so we were late docking and late leaving. Finally at 8.30 we ventured off with only 15 other people for a hike in the Teide volcano national park. The coach took us to the base of Teide via a lookout point where the view of the volcano was spectacular, and we then made our way to the start of the walk inside the caldera.

Again, we were told 3 hours walking but it turned out to be only 2, but it was very enjoyable. We walked around the Garcia rock formation which was a pretty spectacular volcanic plug (we think) from the volcano that preceded Teide. The weather was a little windy and chilly when on the caldera floor, but once we got going and a bit of climbing started it warmed up and there were clear blue skies.

We estimated it was probably only 2 miles, 3 at a push but it was over the lava flows. It wasn't quite long enough for us, and there was quite a bit stopping and waiting for slow coaches, but it gave us chance to take photographs (sorry not on this device) and overall was exactly what we wanted to do in Tenerife - the first time for a long time we will be going home with a camera full of photos of rocks. (Actually not since before digital cameras came on the market have we taken so many rock photos!)

We were back on the ship by 2.45 so headed to the Belvedere for a quick snack. We had planned on having a sneaky sleep, but when we saw about Gary Speed on the news we have come down to the Rising Sun (pub) to watch Sky Sports, but sadly they are showing Liverpool v Man City so we're retreating soon for that sleep. We were told there was very little to see in Santa Cruz (yes another Santa Cruz) so we haven't bothered to think. About walking into the town here. Jon might have liked the new theatre though - designed to look like an upside down boat - its v nice.

Tomorrow is Gran Canaria and we have booked onto a half day trip up the the caldera (volcano number 2) since we're again been told there's v little in the port town we'll be docking at. It's not a hike, but at least we'll get to see some of the island that isn't a tourist trap.