Sleeping in is fun. We got to sleep a little late this morning. We didn’t have to be anywhere until around 9 this morning so we were able to catch up on some rest. Bert, Catherine and Carla met us at Casa de Marcos this morning and we were picked up by Rotarians Tomas and Ricardo (doesn’t that make you think of I Love Lucy?)…more on each of them later. We arrived at the Musuem of Military History, where we were met by Tong. The team had decided last night to wear our yellow polo shirts but as Tong walked up, we realized that she didn’t get the message. Tong had on her purple shirt with matching purple and white pants. We cracked a few jokes but it didn’t really matter one bit. We were eager to find some café because we are now addicted to it. Tomas, who is the President of the Anaga – Teide Rotary Club (the one sponsoring our tours today) and a labor relations director for the government, walked us down to a small diner on the corner while Ricardo, who is last year’s GSE team leader to Argentina and founder of the Anaga – Teide Rotary Club and retired businessman, tried to find somewhere to park along the street. We ordered some coffee and sat outside and admired our picture and article in El Dia, the local newspaper. Out of the blue, Rotarians began showing up. Ana and Alecia both speak English very well and tell us about an upcoming trip that they are planning to Miami and New York. Ana is taking an English class in the University and has an exam tonight and wants to practice with us today. Christina, the wife of Ricardo and mother of five (also works in a bank), appears out of nowhere and has coffee with us before she has to head back to work. After the café, we are led back to the Museum of Military history and told all about the rich heritage of the island. 
The group is very proud of the protections that their army afforded them against the conquerors in early battles. They even have the cannon that blew Nelson’s arm off in a battle for the Canary Islands. The museum is crowded with guns and knives from early times (Gene Fulton could spend days in here) but we don’t have much time to look around and have to head out. 
Our tour guide gives us books and gifts and we are on our way. Next, we drive down to the Museum of Natural History and learn how the islands were formed and what the early settlers were like. This place was very interesting because we were taught about the Guanches people who first settled the islands. Augusto showed us around and told us all about the settlers and some of the different theories of how they ended up here. The final thing they showed us was mummies that had been discovered in the islands and had been preserved in this museum. We all took pictures and will have bad dreams tonight.
After a stop in the gift shop, we met some more Rotarians for drinks on a quaint little street right beside the oldest known true house on the Canary Islands. Rotarians Patricia and Joaquin join us as we enjoy a couple of cool refreshments with olives, peanuts and potato chips. 
After some good conversation and a tour of the old house, we head to the beach area for lunch.
Around 3:30 we arrive near the ocean and have lunch at a small little fish restaurant adjacent to the beach. The place has an incredible view and even better food. We begin the meal with potatoes (as always) and sample a few appetizers including octopus and tuna.
After that, the main course is served and is similar to the fish that we had on our first night on the island. Dessert was served as ice cream frozen inside of a hollowed out lemon and café. We enjoy the company of our new found friends and end up staying at lunch until about 5:30 pm.
On our way out, Patricia tells me, Carla and Chris that the beach that we are going to is artificial and she would like to show us a natural beach. We hop in the car with her and take off while Bert, Catherine and Tong go with the others to the beach nearby. Patricia drives us up the mountains and down this winding road until in the distance we see a beach with black sand glistening in the sunlight. We park the car and discover that this beach is natural in more ways than one and take in the sights.
The beach was down in a valley and you could stand in the ocean and see the mountains right above you. We sat down near the cabana and admired the beach and all of the people that Patricia referred to as locals. After a little while, she led us up to the bar where we were served fresh watermelon, papaya, bananas, kiwi and lemon (some of the best fruit that I have ever put in my mouth) and met Charley the bartender. Charley told us that we should come back every day to this beach because it is special. We decide to head back because we want to meet up with the others.
We arrive at La Cambinos Playa and quickly change into our swimsuits and jump in the cold water to cool off.
After a quick swim, we wander the beach and enjoy the feel of sand between our toes. Catherine approaches a guy with a kayak and asks if she can have her picture taken in the kayak and the guy obliges. We snap the photo and head back up to change back into our presentation clothes for the Rotary Club meeting tonight.
We get changed in the little changing rooms and jump in the cars that head to the center of the city. We arrive at a small bar where we meet up with more Rotary Club members for some beverages before the meeting. Christina returns for drinks as well as Tomas’ daughter, Elena, and his wife, Pepy. We hang out until time for the meeting and then head to the Sheraton Hotel where we will be presenting this evening. The hotel has a nice space set up for us and Chris readies the presentation. This group is a bit more relaxed than the last Rotary Club meeting and asks us to do the presentation from our seats today.
We are introduced and make our presentations flawlessly. Tomas decides that everyone should then go around the room and introduce themselves to us. Most speak in Spanish (while Catherine translates) but a few tried in English. Bert makes the presentation of the gifts to the leaders and we are driven home by Ricardo.
Today was a relaxation day that was much needed as we are all starting to drag a little mid trip…
The group is very proud of the protections that their army afforded them against the conquerors in early battles. They even have the cannon that blew Nelson’s arm off in a battle for the Canary Islands. The museum is crowded with guns and knives from early times (Gene Fulton could spend days in here) but we don’t have much time to look around and have to head out. Our tour guide gives us books and gifts and we are on our way. Next, we drive down to the Museum of Natural History and learn how the islands were formed and what the early settlers were like. This place was very interesting because we were taught about the Guanches people who first settled the islands. Augusto showed us around and told us all about the settlers and some of the different theories of how they ended up here. The final thing they showed us was mummies that had been discovered in the islands and had been preserved in this museum. We all took pictures and will have bad dreams tonight.After a stop in the gift shop, we met some more Rotarians for drinks on a quaint little street right beside the oldest known true house on the Canary Islands. Rotarians Patricia and Joaquin join us as we enjoy a couple of cool refreshments with olives, peanuts and potato chips. After some good conversation and a tour of the old house, we head to the beach area for lunch.Around 3:30 we arrive near the ocean and have lunch at a small little fish restaurant adjacent to the beach. The place has an incredible view and even better food. We begin the meal with potatoes (as always) and sample a few appetizers including octopus and tuna.
After that, the main course is served and is similar to the fish that we had on our first night on the island. Dessert was served as ice cream frozen inside of a hollowed out lemon and café. We enjoy the company of our new found friends and end up staying at lunch until about 5:30 pm.On our way out, Patricia tells me, Carla and Chris that the beach that we are going to is artificial and she would like to show us a natural beach. We hop in the car with her and take off while Bert, Catherine and Tong go with the others to the beach nearby. Patricia drives us up the mountains and down this winding road until in the distance we see a beach with black sand glistening in the sunlight. We park the car and discover that this beach is natural in more ways than one and take in the sights.
The beach was down in a valley and you could stand in the ocean and see the mountains right above you. We sat down near the cabana and admired the beach and all of the people that Patricia referred to as locals. After a little while, she led us up to the bar where we were served fresh watermelon, papaya, bananas, kiwi and lemon (some of the best fruit that I have ever put in my mouth) and met Charley the bartender. Charley told us that we should come back every day to this beach because it is special. We decide to head back because we want to meet up with the others.We arrive at La Cambinos Playa and quickly change into our swimsuits and jump in the cold water to cool off.
After a quick swim, we wander the beach and enjoy the feel of sand between our toes. Catherine approaches a guy with a kayak and asks if she can have her picture taken in the kayak and the guy obliges. We snap the photo and head back up to change back into our presentation clothes for the Rotary Club meeting tonight.We get changed in the little changing rooms and jump in the cars that head to the center of the city. We arrive at a small bar where we meet up with more Rotary Club members for some beverages before the meeting. Christina returns for drinks as well as Tomas’ daughter, Elena, and his wife, Pepy. We hang out until time for the meeting and then head to the Sheraton Hotel where we will be presenting this evening. The hotel has a nice space set up for us and Chris readies the presentation. This group is a bit more relaxed than the last Rotary Club meeting and asks us to do the presentation from our seats today.
We are introduced and make our presentations flawlessly. Tomas decides that everyone should then go around the room and introduce themselves to us. Most speak in Spanish (while Catherine translates) but a few tried in English. Bert makes the presentation of the gifts to the leaders and we are driven home by Ricardo.Today was a relaxation day that was much needed as we are all starting to drag a little mid trip…
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