Middle-aged flash packers

We woke up to threatening skies and mist this morning. I can’t believe it, J and N disappear and take the sun with them! Unbelievable.

Once it started thundering, lightning and raining, we decided to visit our beloved Superdino and also check out the other stores in the Rosa shopping centre.

Not much of interest apart from a shop selling the most eclectic range of products including some very rude, utterly pointless items such as a boob hand puppet. Just why?

Superdino delivered though and we bought fresh tuna for a stay at home dinner. 

Once we got back, the rain had stopped and we had a pleasant time chilling out on the roof terrace where the sun had come out but the wind had got up.

Rest time up, it was time to explore the coastline from Playa Paraiso to Calleo Salvaje and beyond.

Playa Paraiso is a strange place. It’s neither unashamedly kiss me quick nor polished enough to be 5 star. There is no theme to its buildings, just an unattractive mishmash of high rises, utilitarian blocks of apartments and then the odd surprise of something reasonably attractive.

We followed the coastal path past the infamous Hard Rock lagoon which looked good but lonely. It has a floating island on it which looks like it’s dotted with poo but I think maybe a palm tree lived there once.

We then walked along the promenade that hugs the coast. The promenade is clean, neat and has scenic views. I wonder if this is part of the price to be paid by the developers who build all the hotels  that line Tenerife’s southern coast. Everyone including locals can enjoy it. The new hotels and apartments that perch along the side of the walkways look manicured. However the size of them is mind boggling. Many of the hotels have over 500 rooms each  – it’s staggering the number of people that the area has to sustain. Where does all the sewage get processed and where does the water come from? There is a shortage of water which is of course being blamed on climate change and desalination plants are being built at great expense. The hospitality industry is being directed to pay more for its water useage but no one is actually saying stop building for tourism. 

The promenade runs out just before Calleo Salvaje. Calleo Salvaje is a quiet little place with older, compact  urbanisations of small houses and apartments. There are flowers and grass. And space. 

However when we tried to walk further along the headland, we couldn’t. Why? Building of course. 

Everyone likes a holiday in the sun, me included, but this overdevelopment in Tenerife doesn’t appear to be managed in a sustainable way. Spain generally has huge problems with this and I don’t blame locals  for protesting, and  making life difficult for tourists is one way of getting attention. However, it’s your government, building companies and local authorities you need to focus on but I guess they just don’t listen.

We about turned and wandered home. I expect the Playa Paraiso promenade will be expanded to cover the next bit of coastal headland. I wonder if it will eventually cover the whole island? Now that would be quite the tourist draw.