Sitting here in the shade of a palm tree, near the sumptuous church and vicarage of the Anglican parish in Puerto De La Cruz, I can confidently tell you: heaven is a place on earth. Specifically, Northern Tenerife.
Having traveled extensively over the years, I’ve yet to find anywhere quite like it. Northern Tenerife offers a unique combination of experiences: waking up to the majestic sight of a snow-dusted volcano, the highest summit in Spain (if this African island still truly counts as “Spain”); walking through lush vegetation that looks as though it belongs in Jurassic Park; and indulging in delightful, often gluten-free-friendly dishes.
It’s a place where A&E waiting times aren’t an issue, everyday goods are cheaper than at home, and the sun provides free vitamin D to boost your immune system. Unlike many tropical destinations, there’s no need to fend off swarms of biting insects, and there’s a reassuring sense of safety wherever you go. Add to this a vibrant mix of people from all over the world, and all cared for by the gentle folks here in The Canaries.
For me, this is the place where I feel least unwell; where I can walk the most.
Pity though Charles Darwin, as he missed out on this paradise. On his journey to the Galápagos, he tried to dock in Tenerife but was prevented by a cholera outbreak in London. Had he landed, I suspect he might never have left, and the Theory of Evolution would have been delayed—if it came from him at all.
And yet, for all its heavenliness, Tenerife isn’t quite paradise—at least, not when my family isn’t here with me. Perhaps heaven isn’t a place after all. Perhaps it’s wherever your family is.
