09/11/2008 - Tenacious

As all the voyage crew were going on a grand tour of this beautiful island, everyone was up early, with a few bleary eyes, to a lovely sunny day.  With our splendid experienced guide we were soon deep into the history of the island as we negotiated the winding roads up into the mountains.  After a brief visit to a beautiful church with an unbelievable beaten silver Altar, we took the old road over the mountains and descended into the National Park, where we left our coach and walked along into one of the largest volcanic craters in the World.  The lack of oxygen slowed some of the elder members of the party, but all returned safely, and proceeded into the town of El Paso.  The local wines with lunch were of debatable quality but had the good effect of making the next part of the journey very peaceful.  The highlight of our tour was visiting the most recent volcano on the island, and walking halfway around the rim in beautiful still air and perfect silence.  A weary voyage crew returned just in time for supper and an early night was welcomed by all.