Carnival 2018 - Tenerife Canary Islands

We just got back from a weekend on the Canary Island of Tenerife where we enjoyed Carnivaaaaalllllll 2018!!!!

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I've wanted to witness this celebration since I first saw the wedding dancers in Coming To America and the women throwing down in Carnival video recaps on TV... they were throwing down with their feathers and footwork!  I've never been to Mardi Gras, in New Orleans or anywhere, and I missed last year's Carnival celebration because I was back in the U.S.  So, when Chris and I discovered that Carnival dates coincided with the President's Day holiday weekend we went ahead and booked our hotel on the Tenerife in the Canary Islands!  According to legend, the Carnival (or Carnival as is spelled her) in the Canary Islands is second only to the Carnival in Brazil! Say what??!!! And while this was my first experience, I still went into it ready to go big. 

 

 
Puerto de la Cruz went with the them of Greek mythology

Puerto de la Cruz went with the them of Greek mythology

Day 1. 

We arrived on the island of Tenerife early evening, flying in to Tenerife North. There’s also a Tenerife South airport, which I hear is supposed to be much more modern and swankier than Tenerife North. Well I may never find out the difference but I do know we were without our luggage for the rest of the day.  We flew out of Seville and the attendant told us, in Spanish, that our flight had been overbooked, but that she would try to get our luggage on our flight.  Of course we thought we knew what she was saying and didn't ask her to speak in English. Needless to say, what we thought she said would happen didn't happen at all.  After catching our initial flight, we lingered around the Tenerife North airport for another hour, hoping to reunite with our luggage before heading to the hotel. We were met with a bucket of "nopes", but I remained positive. “Look on the bright side," I said, "we’re in the Canary Islands for Carnival! Let’s check into the hotel and explore the town.” We took a cab to our hotel, Hotel Sol Costa Atlantis in the town of Puerto de la Cruz. It’s a good 30 minute drive from the airport  with breathtaking views of the ocean from the steep and winding highway and El Teide (pronounced tay-day, like pay day) poking out at every turn.  Teide is an active volcano, though it hasn’t erupted in decades, and this time of the year, it boasts a nice snow cap atop its peak.  We scored a seafront view at our hotel. The waves crashed up against the coast, spraying and subsiding and the deep gurgle of subsiding water almost sounded like a rumbling engine or thunder rolling in from the distance, but I sat with it all. It served as a glorious distraction from our lack of clothes, toiletries and my costume.  At least we had complimentary toothbrushes and toothpaste. 

Puerto del la Cruz’s Carnival highlight is best described as a drag race where men dress up as women in high heels (no shorter than 7 inches) and commence to running in their costume across the finish line.  We missed it. We were in a state of humbug after arriving and checking in late, but we did get to glimpse a few costumes on our way to dinner the first night; one of the guys looked like a photo booth.

 

Float on

Float on

Day 2. 

Here’s a secret…we don’t always have an itinerary with full details when we arrive in a new place.  For some trips, like our visit to Egypt and Sri Lanka, we had a plan. But it doesn’t make sense to go on vacation and be tired or overwhelmed after you get back from a trip. So a good number of our adventures have been “go with the flow.” This trip was no exception.  We were going to take the sky bucket up to El Teide, but snowy conditions put an end to that idea. Meh. It wasn’t meant to be. Instead, we explored the botanical gardens, walking there from our hotel and enjoying a beautiful scenic route with occasional views of the ocean slipping through buildings. Afterwards, we popped into an Italian restaurant, Pizzeria Da Arianna, where we pigged out on jamón bruschetta, pasta, soup and chocolate mousse! Que delicioso! 

Now, before we set off to the airport on day 1, I made sure to check and double check all my bags so that I didn’t leave anything behind.  Of course it wasn’t until we arrived at the Seville airport when I realized I left my party hat, which was supposed to serve as my unicorn horn! Gasp…my whole costume would be put to shame because that tiny, yet essential element was missing. I asked the hotel staff and other random shop owners if they knew where I could find a unicorn horn, or cuerno de unicornio.  They all directed me to the same spot. But by the time we started exploring, and with less than 2 hours to go before the grand parade, I didn't want to brave the crowds out to Plaza del Chorco.  So I hopped into this whimsical and emoji inspired spot called Ale-House. Let me tell you how good God is.  I walked into Ale-House, which sounds more like a bar than a spot that stocks unicorn horns, and I asked the cashier if they sold unicorn horns. Not only did she nod yes, but she kindly escorted us to the section, which contained the holy grail of unicorn accessories. I bought a horn and a keychain and we made our way back to our hotel where the transformation began. 

I'm a planner by nature. It's in my core. Ask my husband, mama and them! So weeks ago I revived my pinterest account to start collecting photos of magical and mythical make up transformations. I had so many ideas stored on my board. Of course on the day of, when I'm down to 1 hour to get unicorn ready, my tablet, the only device with my Pinterest app, decides it doesn't want to sync to the internet. So...I had to wing it. I didn't have time to figure out and search for all those looks. I just had to tap into my inner unicorn, or creative flow and werk.   I'm satisfied with how it all turnd out.  This look couldn't have been possible without a few noteworthy sources. So, I have to give a shoutout to The Nail Shop in Puerto (my nail tech is the best). Amazon Prime came through on those last minute accessories.  #FentyBeauty #BeccaCosmetics and the eyelash fairies got my face in place.  To achieve my look, I applied multiple coats of every highlighter I owned along my face, neck, collarbones and even hands. I was going for a combination celestial meets ethereal and iridescent look, else I couldn't call myself a proper unicorn. I mixed MAC Lavender Jade with Fenty Beautys Candy Venom lip shades (matte formulas) and topped it with Confetti match stick for more iridescence.  Y'all, I almost went blind while trying to insert my brown color contacts, and my eyes burned a little when I applied my heavily glued lashes, but hot dawgit! I achieved my look. Just don't expect a YouTube tutorial...at all...okay maybe... 

Always be yourself, unless you can be a unicorn- then always be a unicorn

Always be yourself, unless you can be a unicorn- then always be a unicorn

This gorilla was not having it

This gorilla was not having it

Day 3.

Our last day on the island found us sauntering through Loro Park, a zoo located 2 miles from our hotel.  As Providence would have it, we ran into the stop for the free Loro Park mini train, which we quickly hopped aboard.  We didn’t even know it existed, but I’m glad we arrived when we did because within seconds of us sitting down, it pulled off, transporting us up and down hills and around bends until we stopped at the grand entrance to a place that boasted Thai inspired architecture. It cost 35 Euro per person and we made sure to walk every corner of that park to get our money’s worth. I have a thing about zoos so allow me to get on my social commentary, animal rights soap box.  I don’t really go to zoos and animal parks because I don’t care for seeing any being held against its will in captivity.  I’ve been to places where Persian kittens were stuffed in a rusted fenced enclosure, where a camel, chained to his dirty trough, foamed at the mouth from dehydration, and where a hyena paced in a cage no bigger than a gutted out SUV.  So I had my reservations about this place, but this zoo appeared to be well maintained and the animals appeared to be healthy.  Of course, if I spoke the language of animals, I might hear a different story.  Then again, 3 hots and a cot might keep the animals grateful for a solid environment.  All I can say is that the capybara  (world’s largest rodent) seemed stressed out.   Animals have keen senses and all the stimuli, noises, scents, people, motions, etc. is probably overwhelming for them. Well, there I go turning a reflection on an otherwise relaxed last day into a little tirade wrapped in cognitive dissonance. But I couldn’t ignore that thought bubble. 

After leaving the zoo or animal park, strolled along the coast on a path that eventually led us back to our hotel. The ocean put on one amazing show. Once again, the rolling and violent crashing waves stopped us in our tracks multiple times. Hashtag captivated. We were shocked to find a meditation-like stacked stone garden along one large swath of shore land.  We stopped at a few murals welcoming us into another neighborhood that swiftly transitioned into a port restaurant area before switching to a little shore walk to the town square.  Chris bought a refreshing horchata drink, which is a mixture of tiger nut, sugar and for a Canary Island twist, a little lemon.  We shared it as we walked to the souvenir shop, where the clerk was kind enough to gift us a little magnet. We returned to the Italian restaurant (Pizzeria da Arianna) where we stuffed our bellies with a big pizza and salad to hold us over until it was time to leave.  

My advice: go to the Canary Islands!!!  The views alone will arrest you and the weather will make you want to lounge and linger. 

Our view

Our view

Where to stay: 

We enjoyed the hospitality, decor and views from Hotel Sol Costal Atlantis in the town of Puerto de la Cruz.  Our room included breakfast, and the spread was legit and filling.  How about they had omelette patties at the egg station. At first I thought they were potato pancakes, but then I saw a chunk of ham and knew that couldn’t be a kosher food item. 

Highlights: 

  • Getting all dolled up to be a sparkly unicorn, including using every highlighter in my possession to achieve my look  
  • Listening to the iconic whistles and drums in the parade procession
  • All the different costumes
  • The incredible ocean and our hotel's ocean view!!
  • Trying zaparoco, a specialty drink native to Tenerife
  • Riding the little train to the zoo
  • Shores made of black volcanic rock and sand
  • Snow resting on the top of El Teidi volcano
  • Eating a palmera pastry (a cookie, baklava and croissant had a baby and named it palmera)