Every 2 years Málaga tries to out-do the last Christmas spectacular. It’s a big deal.

Here’s how it was launched last night. The street was literally impassable.

More photos.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

And here’s the concept. A row of 4-metre-high angels along the Main Street of old town.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

There are a LOT of poinsettias in Spain. Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, it grows well here.

I hopped on a bus Lisbon ➙ Albufeira because it was the one major Algarve destination I’d not yet visited.

And it is great. More scenic than Faro or Lagos.

First night I found my favourite spot overlooking the OLD town. Below is where young tourists party.

Outdoor escalators make it easier for drunks in the OLD TOWN beach front to get back up to their accommodation. 😀

There’s an elevator as well on the other end of the beach.

This town is normally packed with tourists — but in November (winter!) many of the 100 restaurants on ‘The Strip’ are closed. And the beaches near empty.

My 3 star hotel charged only $30 / night in November.

Here are some beach shots in daylight.

One of my favourite walks was from old town to the marina via these bright white stairs.

As this is primarily a tourist town, walking the rest of the city I found less interesting than — for example — Porto or Lisbon.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital of the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands.

The main architectural symbol is Auditorio de Tenerife, not that impressive up close.

Better are the Spanish parks and plazas.

Most tourists head straight to the pool or the beach every day.

Not a beach guy, I spent only about an hour walking this edge of this one — because SHARKS. 😀

I enjoyed 3 nights in Puerto de la Cruz on the island of Tenerife.

Staying that long because of the superb hostel with ultra-modern “pods”.

My first impression of “Port of the Cross” was to be disappointed in the waterfront. It’s not nearly as developed as other tourist cities. The beaches are volcanic black stone and ash.

I ASSuME it’s because the Atlantic waves are so massive here. Much of the coastline is protective concrete.

Once finding my way around, there are lovely tourist spots, especially in the evening.

Here’s the plaza closest to my hostel.

Sunset.

One highlight is the botanical garden. Almost anything can grow here.

All in all, tourists are happy in Puerto de la Cruz. Mostly Europeans. I didn’t meet even one Canadian or American in a week on Tenerife. It could be they are in all inclusive resorts.