On the road in the highest village

प्रकाशित: 29.04.2018

Today we drive steeply uphill by car. The roads themselves are not very steep (switchbacks), but when you look at the slopes, you should be free from vertigo.

Full of adrenaline, I crawl up the roads.

I keep pulling over to let the locals pass. I don't know how tight the next turn will be. They do.

Yellow, Red, Black, White
Yellow, Red, Black, White


Vilaflor

Arriving in the highest village in Tenerife (over 1300m), I discover a small inn. And order the 'plato del dia' - today a cheese plate. With roasted salted almonds.

While enjoying a wonderful view from the sun terrace.

Rarely eaten so well!

Cheese plate with various cow and goat cheese varieties
Cheese plate with various cow and goat cheese varieties



The landscape and vegetation up here are breathtaking.


Desert vegetation
Desert vegetation

Paisaje Lunar

The 'lunar landscape' was supposed to be my first hiking trip. There is a well-known route from Vilaflor, but there is also a direct entry via a mountain pass road. As the afternoon has already begun and the route from Vilaflor is indicated to take over 4 hours (based on experience without photo breaks in brisk steps), I try the 'convenient' route.

However, the mountain pass road is in a condition that I do not trust my rented Hyundai with. There is already a car parked in the driveway. I park next to it.

On the way, I feel dizzy. Beautiful photos are taken when looking at the steep cliffs. But I'm feeling bad.

I turn around here.


Back at the car - not even half an hour has passed, my surprise awaits me: broken windows, my trekking shoes gone.

At exactly this moment, the occupants of the other car, also Germans, also with broken windows, arrive.

A and O bis Z Regel!


We inform our rental car companies, I interpret in English for the two older couples.

Both cars are full of shards. Nobody wants to get in there.
While the other car rental company demands that the renters drive to the police with the damaged car and then back to the valley,
I receive a new car on the spot from Herrmanns Car Rental! The broken car is swept clean and taken away! A big applause and an unreserved recommendation for the young couple who run the car rental together.

Mietwagen Rule

I got off lightly. My newly broken-in trekking shoes are gone. It could have been worse.
I would like to summarize my observations here, so that you can pay attention when you are traveling in a foreign country with a rental car.

- The rental cars are clearly recognizable. Like a 'here, tourist, there's something to steal' signboard
- Exits on main roads, near villages, are particularly vulnerable. Watch out for shards of glass on the ground!
- All tourist points that Google knows, they also know!

Countermeasures

- Don't leave valuables in the car! (should be self-evident)
- Remove the trunk cover and place it on the back seat - there is REALLY nothing to steal here
- Open the glove compartment
- Place a note on the seat saying 'Nothing in the car!' - Ideally in the local language 'Nada en el coche' or at least in English.


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