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Santa Cruz' Monstrous Carnaval 2009

2009 Poster for Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival

It's still officially Spring, we haven't had summer yet, let alone autumn, or heaven forbid let's not talk about Christmas at the end of May ... And yet here they are, making plans for next February's carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife already. Surely, this is proof that the partying in Tenerife never stops?

We learn that a poster design has been chosen for the Santa Cruz Carnaval 2009, which on it's own would not be monstrous news, but the reports also tell us what the theme is to be in 2009: El cine de terror (Horror Films).

They're getting an unprecedented move on, as carnival is going to get "exterior promotion without precedents." With that prospect, we're sure the carnival will indeed be monstrous - as in huge - and you'll be in good company. 

The poster, which was chosen from among 111 entries, is by Gonzalo Luis Álvarez Fernández and entitled "Bailarina Monstruosa" (Monstrous Dancer).

Yes, we're fully aware that the poster depicts Herman Munster in a bra and tutu, with pink wings borrowed off a Christmas angel, but believe us when we tell you that such an outfit would be considered quite conservative at carnival!

Dates of Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnaval 2009
  • Election of the Carnival Queen on Wednesday, February 18th, 2009
  • Opening parade of carnival: Friday, February 20th, 2009
  • Santa Cruz main parade on Shrove TuesdayFebruary 24th, 2009
  • The Burial of the Sardine on Wednesday, February 25th, 2009
  • The final weekend, therefore falling on Saturday, February 28th, 2009 and Sunday, March 1st, when Santa Cruz Carnaval ends.
(Always providing that the authorities don't alter the dates or that the weather doesn't, but we can't be held responsible for these outside issues.)

24th Palma Canaria Norte Rally

The crowd goes wild for #2 José María Ponce's BMW M3

"Liveblogging" the 24th Palma Canaria Norte Rally, only 'coz it comes right past the door and the road was closed to traffic today, so I have no option, but while in previous years the rally took us by surprise, this year I was ready for them!

#14 Escuderia Club ADEA. Driver: Evelio Rodriguez.
Copilot: Samuel Martin. Vehicle: Mitsubishi Evo 8

#11 Escuderia Team Sinco Sport. Driver: Roberto Negrin.
Copilot: Zebensui Valiente. Vehicle: Mitsubishi Evo 8

For a change, I was even up before the "capacity crowd" (of five blokes) had assembled at the bottom of our lane. They were well prepared for the day with their huge bocadillos for breakfast and, tell me they are rally fans who go to all of these events around the island. And I was pleased that I was ready in time to see the #1 car, a Citroen Xsara Kit Car, of this year's favorite, Ricardo Avero (La Laguna) flash rapidly past and get the shot above of #2 José María Ponce's BMW M3, because even I know that invoking the name of Ponce in relation to rallies on these islands is the kind of act that draws fans to pay homage (in a way we Anglo-Saxons might think was a bit mushy between straight adult blokes.)

Nevertheless, the names of Gran Canarian brothers, Antonio (Toñi) and José María Ponce, have been synonymous with the sport in the Canaries for many a year now: José Maria having won the Spanish Rally Championship for Drivers with the BMW M3 in 1991, with both achieving many other world class classifications. At Toñi Ponce Sport, you can buy models of their cars, including a limited edition slot car version of the green BMW M3 pictured above.

Bit of excitement too when a police helicopter appeared over the mountain pass coming from the direction of Masca and then zig-zagged down the route through the valley in pursuit of one of the cars. We doubt the driver is a known fugitive. Safety perhaps, or the Guardia Civil is moonlighting for a local TV station?

A total of 98 cars will be whizzing past today apparently. We (that is, the dog and I, because she barks at the unfamiliar noise if she's indoors), took a break after the Renault 5 at #34 and not long after, the road was reopened again.

Spectators are gathering again at the roadsides now for part two.

A Chimp walks into a bar in Tenerife

Shocking report, she says!

Two chimps, mother and daughter, according to the Civil Guard, escaped from zoological park Oasis del Valle in La Orotava, Tenerife yesterday and one of them spent two hours in the bar Los Rechazos (ironically, the name of the bar translates to The Rejects.) Truly, you just can't make this stuff up!

Sources at the Civil Guard, says the report, said that at 15:30 hours they were alerted by the zoo that two chimps had escaped and added that one of them was found and captured by the agents on the roof of a neighbouring home.

The other chimp entered a bar in the Camino de Los Rechazos (The Rejects Walk), where she caused alarm among the 20 or so clients, declared Moisés Álvarez, one of the bar's owners. Álvarez explained that around 2 p.m., a chimp of medium size opened the door to the bar and entered, running towards the kitchen, where she also burnt herself and cut her legs on some shelving she destroyed. Many customers left, but two people had tried to get her under control, but were unable to do so because of the animal's strength.

The bar was left without television too, after the chimp's rampage, but presumably customers will have plenty to talk about in the meantime.

There's just no end to the comments you can make about this:
"Everyone's entitled to a wild time, a few drinks and a laugh, at least once, even chimps and chimps are our nearest relatives, remember." 
"With the price of drinks, it's no wonder she wanted to smash the place up." 
"I know a couple of girls like that in La Orotava, if they're the same ones ..."
Punters will be asking each other forever, "Hey, do you remember the day a chimp came in here and vandalized the place?" 

Bar owners in the tourist areas of the south of the island have probably been having very similar conversations for years already.

Tenerife Land of Eternal Christmas

Sunbathing SantaDesert Island ChristmasScuba Diving SantaTropical Santa
Santa's Having a Whale of a TimeSurfing SantaWaterski SantaCamel Rodeo Santa
With a wide range of products in each design, click the pics (above) to see the full selections.