Candelaria
Bus Routes: 470 [Granadilla], 111/115 [Santa Cruz].
Return: 120 [Guimar], 111 [Las Americas], 470 [Granadilla]/483 [El Medano]
In my last blog I said
that I would explore the other end of Bus Route 470 to Los
Christianos well I changed my mind. I was sitting in the tapas bar in
the square on Monday evening, and they connected me to the Wi-Fi,
very civilised! I decided to Google a route to Candelaria which is
about half way up the island on the east coast. I had read something
about the town and been told that was where the statues of the Kings
are so decided it would be good to visit early on. It also involved
route 470 as far as San Isidro, the town I mentioned on my way to
Granadilla de Abona last time, then changing buses as I wanted to
find out how difficult it would be changing connections. Google gave
me routes and times so I now had a cunning plan! The last time I
looked at Google the bus arrived about 45 minutes after the stated
time so I was interested to see if I would get back as planned. The
timetable book issued by Titsa for all routes on the island gives the
start time at each end of the route and a list of stops – you guess
the rest. On Tuesday morning I ventured up to the bus stop for the
09:31 bus arriving at the stop at about 09:28 prepared for a wait. I
noticed when I got there that 'Titsa', the operating company had put
local timetables up for each bus at the stop and the time agreed with
Google however the drivers must have been running scared because I
waited to 09:50 expecting it to be late then gave up, I think that
they were all trying to run early so they didn't get into trouble for
being late!!! So off I sauntered to the café across the square for a
coffee leche, leche (coffee with double condensed milk in a small
glass – very sweet) and a chocolate croissant. I consulted my
timetable and the journey would still work as the connection ran
every half hour. This passed away the time until the next bus arrived
- should have been 10:35 but arrived at 10:30 (I'd rather they were
late at least you stand more chance of catching them then.) Off along
the now familiar route to San Isidro where I got off the bus at the
stop in the main street. Turned out I could have got off at the stop
on the roundabout which I walked past and round and over the motorway
to the off ramp on the other side to catch the bus for route 111
which was due at 11:10. (I've taken photographs and will also add to
each album if I take more when and if I return to places.) The time
came for the bus to arrive but it didn't a number 115 arrived
instead, as this also dropped off at Candelaria on I got. A very
scenic trip up the motorway, sea on one side mountains on the other.
Found out that they have invested heavily in wind farms, as oil is
brought in by tanker probably just as well. After a few stops an
obliging driver announced that the off ramp stop was mine. (I've
taken a photo of the motorway sign you need to look out for then
press the bell.) Walked up a few yards and round the corner and there
it was – Candelaria – which turned out to be a very beautiful
town with an active fishing fleet in the harbour, a beautifully clean
sea front and and amazing Basilica (I wasn't allowed to take photos
inside so you'll have to come and see for yourself). The photos show
you why I decided to visit here early on. The island was first
populated by the Guanches, who originated from the Berber or Amazighe
peoples of North Africa, later conquered by the Spanish in 1496. The
Guanches were ruled by nine kings and the island was divided into
nine kingdoms with the centre of the island being common land for all
to graze their animals. These kingdoms are now the municipal areas
much as our counties are today. A carving of the Virgin was found in
1392 and brought it to this part of the island founding the Villa de
Candelaria. The Guanches lived in caves and the first temple of the
Virgin of Candelaria was the cave of Achbinico, located in the
interior of the Chapel of San Blas. Unfortunately the walk has been
closed to to erosion but it is hoped to rebuild a route in 2012 –
hence, hopefully, more photos. There is a Dominican Monastery to the
left of the Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria and the Fountain of
the Pilgrims to the right dominate one side of the Plaza de la
Patrona de Canarias (The Virgin Mary, La Candelaria,is the patron
saint of the Canary Islands), the statues of the kings the seaward
side the cliffs the other and some very nice cafés the other where I
had a very nice, very fresh seafood lunch. I then had a wander around
before making my way back up to the bus for the return journey. I
decided to skip the link bus given by Google, the 120 to Guimar,
which would have taken me from the plaza in the first photos round
and up to the motorway for my connection back and walk as I had
walked down. This is where I decided that busing around the island is
good for the hale and hearty but not so good for the disabled or
families with prams, pushchairs or even small children. Whilst I
caught the No 111 for the return journey on time, was dropped of at
Las Chafiras this time so that I could pick up the No 470 back to Los
Abrigos – negotiating the crossing over and around the motorway
stops is quite daunting (I missed the 470 but caught the 483 20 mins
later). It is also very difficult to tell where you are when the bus
stops on an on or off ramp in what appears to be nowhere! Each stop
has an individual number and Google quote these when showing the
route directions so I may contact Titsa to see if they can show the
stop numbers on their scrolling display they have in each bus. Oh
and the whole trip cost me about £5.00! Hopefully my photo diary
will give you a good idea of the bus stops required on these journeys
as I go.
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