Upon arrival to Tenerife, my friend Carlos presented us with a copy of book (in Spanish) regarding a little-known expedition to observe the 1910 Halley's Comet apparition. The expedition took a column of mules and donkeys few weeks to transport telescopes and supplies to the Teide Caldera, maybe a km east of the present hotel location. One of large telescopes was broken on the way. A group of astronomers lived in crowded huts for a couple of months, setting up telescopes and than observing the comet.

All this nicely contrasts with friendly, warm atmosphere of the hotel Parador. Instead of canned, salted pork meat and beans we enjoyed delicious food prepared in the hotel's kitchen, nice deserts and good local wines (mainly Vino Norte).

We had at our disposal the whole hotel backyard, with available electricity, tables and chairs. And after a long and cold night we could enjoy warm shower and comfortable bed.