Saturday 9 August 2014

Monday, August 4th, 2014

Tenerife, Spain

Near the Top


We were near the top on the surface of the crater at the National Park of Del Teide Mountain.  The actual peak is at 3,178 metres, and as I understand it, it is the tallest elevation point in Spain.  Patita Pavana, our jolly and fearless leader, who runs the Tenerife Krishna centre, said this is where the latest Planet of the Apes was filmed.

A few of us from the local centre took to walking and to some steep hiking on the pourous rock of this most interesting volcanic area.  When the last active volcano leaked its lava, the residents of one town took refuge in a cathedral.  The red hot substance flowed down on either side of the building, which remained intact.  And hence, the sheltered believers were saved. 

The terrain is wild looking like the badlands of the US and Canada.  We were at this location at the most intense feature of the sunset.  The play of the sun’s colour, plus the array of volcanic sediments, was a feast for our eyes.  Fortunately the government conserves this upper portion of the mountain.  Either in your ascent or descent of the mountain, you can also see productive agriculture going on with grape vineyards and potato fields.  Wild fig bushes grace the side of the road. 

After this long day, and the late night festival of the previous day held at the downtown of Playa De Las Americas, our small group treated ourselves to seeing and exploring this gorgeous piece of Mother Nature and Father God. 

The Earth has beauty everywhere, but we were going ape over this special summit in the world.  I really aspire to walk up the mountain peak one day, as others have done.  I would chant all the way.

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

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