Tenerife – Lava To Sea

Robbi and Leo are lying on a lava rock in a volcanic landscape in Tenerife. In the background, the Teide volcano can be seen.

This time, I ended up in a volcanic region. Robbi was with me (spoiler alert: that was my last adventure with her), she always blends in really well around here. Me, they spot me from miles away, no point in trying to hide. Landscape-wise, it’s a beautiful island for both of us. Lots of room for me to run around, and Robbi had the whole ocean to swim in.

A selfie with Robbi and Leo on Montana Blanca on the way to Teide, which can be seen in the background.

Selfie on Montana Blanca in front of the volcano Teide after a pretty long hike. The colors were spectacular, but the beautiful blue sky is deceiving: it was FREEZING! We even saw the last bits of ice from the night. A hardened seal like Robbi doesn’t mind that at all, but I thought the whole thing was anything but funny… when no one was looking, I quickly did a few pushups to warm up.

Leo and Robbi are sitting on a large lava egg.

A lava egg from the volcano. Weird to be lying on something that came from deep within the earth. In the evening, we dug a bit deeper in a book into the different layers of our planet. The great thing about traveling is that you never come back the same way you left. You could see it philosophically, but I’m more pragmatic: Geography grade B+!

In the dry grass lies a formation of lava shaped like a cow pat.

The volcano doesn’t just spit out eggs, it can also make its leftovers look like a pie. And no, that’s not a petrified cow pat, it’s actual lava. Fascinating. In hindsight: should’ve put my paw next to it for a size comparison. Darn.

Leo and Robbi are sitting in the sunshine on the railing of their finca. In the background, La Orotava, Puerto de la Cruz, and the sea can be seen.

Back home on our finca. Especially in the warmth. Robbi’s found something incredibly interesting again, I had to hold her (and myself) in place for the photo before I toppled over. Note my extremely professional yoga-Buddha-leopard meditation pose!

A solitary green pine tree can be seen in the vast lava landscape.

Heading across the island to the sea again today. This tree fascinated me. The only one for miles that’s holding its own in this area. My declared hero of the day. Good thing Schnuffelwuff didn’t come along, I would’ve really stopped him from lifting his leg.

Rocky coastal landscape at Punta de Teno.

Somewhere around here, Robbi took off. I saw her waving briefly in the clear water before she went off exploring with her buddies. I always play the big tough leopard, but I do get a little sad when she and Schnuffel usually find mates somewhere. Robbi must’ve sensed that, because she brought me a huge fish as comfort. Cheers me right up. She knows me well.

The viewer is above the cloud cover. The sun is just setting behind the clouds.

As a nice finale: THIS is what we absolutely had to see one more time. A sun setting in the clouds. Not even I was thinking about wildebeest hunts or meatballs. Just enjoying the moment.