Santa Cruz Carnival Sunday 2012
Bus Route: 843[Los Cristianos, P Americas Est] to Las Chafiras, 111[Aeropuerto Sur, Santa Cruz].
Return: 111[Aeropuerto Sur, P Americas Est] to Las Chafiras, 470[Granadilla] to Los Abrigos.
Having perused the Carnival timetable on the internet and Island Connections newspaper to make sure there were no changes, and having returned from Santa Cruz early on Saturday, I decided to return on Sunday for the displays, 'Top 40' and the street party. This commenced at 12:00 and continued on, once again, until the wee small hours though I retreated home early evening exhausted. My little legs aren't as young as I think they are! I arrived at the motorway bus stop in the hope of catching the bus at around 10 past the hour only to find that there was already a cohort of Carnival supporters ready to party and more were to arrive. The bus pulled up at 20 past which isn't bad considering and we all piled on board, my trust Bonobus ticket at the ready. I have noticed that, if you are on a really tight budget it is cheaper to go to San Isidro then up to Santa Cruz by about 1.50€ per journey so this can mount up if making a lot of trips. The bus was full of 'Peace and Love' as we sped up the motorway. I don't know what the new arrivals at the airport thought as they boarded the bus to start their holiday!
I walked out of the bus station and wandered across the road to have a look at the fair which was pretty quiet at that time then headed back to find out where everything was happening. A group of young people from near Pueto de La Cruz chatted and showed me the way and I was most grateful. I took their photograph as we crossed a rather imposing bridge over the river marked on the map but, as is true of most of Tenerife, there is no water.
Arriving at Plaza de Candelaria I was met with the usual 'fiesta' street stalls selling anything from costume to cakes and I am always amazed at their outdoor catering facilities. These provide a good selection of hot and cold food, anything you wish to drink apart from coffee and, significantly, provide a host of tables an chairs to sit at with waiter service too. All at a very reasonable price. First order of the day - brunch and a beer after all the event is sponsored by Dorada. I wandered around watching the large crowd build up in front of the sound stage and took a couple of shots of the throng coming down the long avenue leading to the square. These events are attended by people of all ages and I found that everyone was courteous and had time for each other. The aim was not to get drunk at the earliest opportunity and thus the party spirit prevailed.
I watched some of the concert, had a wander around some of the other plazas, had a coffee here and there before meandering back to the sound stage.
I had decided that I was going to return at a reasonable time this evening so I pulled out at about 18:00 amazed at the number of people there were in the city, the plazas were full, I counted at least two other sound stages along the way, the fairground was extremely busy but I only heard one siren all afternoon and that was an ambulance. Truly a fun place to be whatever your age.
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