Tuesday, April 14, 2009

35 ~ Plaza Del Charco

girl and birds (click to enlarge photos)

What could be more relaxing than a stroll down to the town's main plaza on a fine sunny day. Located just behind the fishermens' harbour, Plaza del Charco (Puddle Plaza) is a favourite meeting place in downtown Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife.

cafe
people at cafeThe name comes from the days when the plaza used to fill with seawater but that no longer happens and nowadays the area holds an open cafe with tables sheltered under parasols, a childrens' playground, park benches and a fountain where a giant Colocasia Esculenta or Ñamera (Elephant Ear plant) grows from the centre.

colocasia There is a sidewalk around the square's perimeter with kiosks where one can buy daily papers and magazines.
perimeter This is a popular place to walk a dog, bring children to play, read the newspaper or sit and watch people go by.
sidewalk It's also a place to stop after shopping and rendezvous with friends for lunch.
waiting for friend Nearby is a German bakery where quiches, tortilla and fresh bread sandwiches may be packed to take away and eat at home, at the beach or while sitting on a bench in the square.
tortilla window Or one can have a pleasant lunch at one of the many restaurants and cafes bordering the plaza.
cafe columbus
mariosIn warm weather one could sit for hours listening to the soft tinkle of the fountain and watching the birds fly around the overshadowing trees.
ñamera On Sundays, stamp and coin collectors congregate to display and trade their wares. It's also a day when chess enthusiasts meet to play.
stamps & coins coins & stampsThe perimeter of the square is bordered by stately Canary Island palms (Phoenix Canariensis), with their crown of feather-duster foliage.
palms One of the shady streets leading into the square is also lined with restaurants, so one has much to choose from when planning a lunch or dinner in the area. In the evenings the square is often a lively place, where music and dancing is held on fiestas and during carnival celebrations.
into plaza

5 comments:

Jo said...

I sure hope you know how lucky you are to live in the most beautiful place in the world!!!Omigosh!

Marysol said...

Oh, I think Sharon knows how lucky she is [g]
No one could possibly possess such a happy demeanor, unless they lived in paradisal surroundings.

Canarybird said...

Thank you both dear Jo and Sol for your kind comments!
¡Gracias queridas amigas!
Sharon.

♥ maaria said...

Dear Sharon, I really don't know where to comment your great pictures, as I could/should comment each post ;-) This one suits perfectly for the moment, because that's exactly where we'll be sitting in a couple of days... *hardly can wait*
You sure a lucky!
PS: Do you mind me linking you in my blog list?

Canarybird said...

Thank you maaria and I'd be honoured to have you add me to your blog list. Thank you for your comments. I'm going over to visit your blogs. I see you are from Finland and living in Vienna. I hope you enjoy your stay here in Tenerife.
Sharon.

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