La Gomera Island life
Redefining the concept of "intact", La Gomera is a small (less than 25 km in diameter) island-paradise, whose coastline rough – of rocky coves and black sand beaches – contrasts with a high contrast interior subtropical Florac jockey caps attention with prehistoric eruptions.
While most of the major tour operators offer trips to Gomera, the island is still very 'alternative' destination – Primarily because of their lack of traditional beaches, and other commercial distractions: although there are plenty of bars and restaurants, clubs 24 / 7 in the Balearics, are conspicuous by their absence.
That said, Gomera is warm all year – mostly sunny with temperatures ranging from a winter low of about 20 degrees to a summer high of 28 degrees +. And it offers numerous Attraction – Call mainly to tourists seeking a favorable climate all year round, but avoid the crowds of tourists.
Getting there
No flights direct to La Gomera: the European Union-financed airstrip is suitable only for short trips Island – North Tenerife and Gran Canaria – Departing twice daily. Is therefore left with two options: fly to Tenerife North, hoping to catch a connecting flight. Or, for takeoff.
Garajonay Express catamaran high speed of Los Cristianos (20 minutes, 20 euros by taxi from the airport) reaches Santiago – South Island city, and my first choice – in little over an hour. Unfortunately, however, the service is unreliable: a light breeze is all you need to restrict the vessel to port.
That being the case, you have an emergency so nice: Fred Olsen ferry to the capital city of San Sebastián (La Gomera).
Get a window seat and watch Gomera, just 30kms away, increasing fog, rough seas of the refraction of the golden sun, creating a rainbow in the ship's hull. Or stay on the terrace and enjoy the sea breeze – the eyes of strike for bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales …
On arrival in San Sebastian, has two options: bus or taxi. The former are regular and reliable, the last: everywhere and underemployed. Santiago is about 30 miles west of San Sebastian. A taxi can cost around € 75, -. However, most baggage Laden tourists prefer to book their trips in advance – with no guarantee taxi, boat and airport coach connections from the Balcony.
First impressions
The 40 minutes from Santiago is a revelation: your introduction to Gomera – Access to the sky along the vertiginous mountain roads. After crossing through valleys dotted with large terraces cactus, prickly pear and eucalyptus. The experience leads to a sort of sensory overload – of almost unbearably bright colors and fragrances unknown. On the one hand, meets with cliffs of basalt. In another lush forests of laurel groves of almond and orange trees, banana plantations – a wealth and diversity of flora and vegetation that simply can not exist elsewhere.
So before you … your bar in the quiet and refreshing to be their temporary home.
Around and about
For walkers, Santiago, is an ideal base: numerous footpaths across the island. They are – almost without exception – brilliantly signposted, with routes for all fitness levels and abilities.
And a series of walks together – like the forest on foot, which takes place every Sunday – are available, collection offering coach Santiago. Just a note of caution, however, before you go …
Take Good walking shoes, water, a camera with a lot spare memory or film – the infinite number of times that inspires you want to capture – and a waterproof jacket. Yes, a jacket. As you take the sun Canary, watching the first adventure travel, you will have more chances of mockery of the suggestion box. Do not. The temperature can drop dramatically, even after a short trip to the mountains. And the rain is not unusual. You have been warned.
Less athletic visitors will be pleased to know that cars are available for rent, and fuel is cheap (10 euros, – comfortably cover the cost of diesel fuel for a complete circuit of the island). Roads, although narrow and winding, are quiet and recently tarmacced, making this a great way to explore the hidden nooks and corners Gomera. (Remember to honk, As you browse these too-common blind corners.)
You might also consider joining the full-day tour of the island. This bus information, which includes a stay at Garajonay National Park Visitors Center and lunch at the Mar del Castillo (a restored 19th century complex – the banana trade, which enters in the Atlantic), undoubtedly reveal many points of interest you want to return.
Essential Gomera
Whatever your preferred mode of transport, a visit to the National Park Garajonay is essential. Here, the almost constant temperature and humidity creates a strange silence about the environment of 3984 hectares, composed of laurels and lichens, mosses and ferns, freshwater springs, streams and spectacular rock formations.
Protected since 1982, and for the recognition of UNESCO in 1984, Garajonay houses one of the most largest in the world with large areas of laurel forests – a habitat that has almost disappeared from southern Europe and North Africa.
Weather permitting, a boat trip San Sebastian also recommended (but should be avoided when the sea is rough). The port city and capital has been visited by Christopher Columbus in 1492, before leave for the trip which is best known. (In fact, a notice in the local browser record how well drew their water to "baptize America.")
Like all the neighboring cities, San Sebastian is a quiet, pleasant and well maintained you will not see no graffiti on the walls, some cigarette butts on the sidewalk. With a population of about 2,000, is the largest municipality. The mountains and hills dominate the west, the port is situated to the east. And within that port, the beach, which – despite Rocky – is both clean and safe.
Handful of stores across the city, restaurants and bars are within walking distance, so it is a ideal destination for a light lunch, a refreshing glass of wine, and a place to watch people in the central square.
Also accessible through liner Ferry de Santiago, Valle Gran Rey that West offers – on clear days – a panoramic view of La Palma and El Hierro. In addition to a popular beach, the area offers numerous vestiges of past de la Gomera fascinating not least, the chapels of St. Nicholas of Tolentino and Adoration of the Kings – but recently renovated – again in the 16th century.
Historically speaking
The earliest known inhabitants of the Canary Islands were the Guanches, a Berber people of anthropological in particular, been assimilated by the conquering Spaniards in the 15th century. The Guanches, trace what is left – which is not surprising, since they are illiterate. However, leave a legacy much rarer in the Gomera: whistling tones of whistles used by farmers to communicate from mountain to mountain. (Oh, Whistle is dying slowly, in line with the decline of agriculture – not to mention the relatively recent arrival of electricity and the telephone.)
In 1495, the archipelago was completely in Spanish. And so remains, despite the proximity of the Canary Islands to Africa – and the language of the islanders in protest against the opposite cheek. We also protest, first to second Gomerans Islands. But given these preconditions, or the beginning of a football match with international standards; not recognize their Spanish ancestry and influence.
Very unlike Spain, most devoted, in Holy Week is very important, the carnival is the favorite of the inhabitants of the Canary Islands – and the Sea Carnival is the most popular would normally take place three days before Ash Wednesday.
In reality, the islanders really need an excuse for a party and each city hosts the annual festival. Most notable are the San Sebastian, in January, and includes street theater, music and dance, and ends with a procession to the local temple. Official Dates worthy include Fiesta de Guadalupe – the patron saint of fishermen – in mid-July, Santiago, in late July and El Paso in September. (This Finally – the largest parties Gomera – 100S attracts people from neighboring islands.)
Dining options
The kitchen island – Like your music – share much with the Spanish Caribbean. The local wine is the most characteristic, in addition to a lid (snack) of watercress soup, goat cheese, fresh fish and pork roast or goat meat. The "wrinkled (DADS 'skin potatoes salt) that accompany most meals are absolutely delicious. How are the" mojo "and" Almogrote " two hot sauces that enrich the pieces of bread that arrive unsolicited in your restaurant table, when sitting.
Most enjoy the specialty gourmet of juice from the Canary Islands' (SAP Palma Canary Islands) – the perfect complement to fruit salads and desserts – and bacon many pies, pastries, cakes, cookies and milk Whistle clothes roast pillars.
Those who prefer to cook will be pleased to know that Santiago's supermarkets are well supplied and prices realistically.
In addition, village pubs, bars and restaurants, many of which are located near the small picturesque port offer the choice of English, and domestic prices – allowing you to choose between a snack or a multi-caps during meals. (Warning: Gomerans many think of it, as the first.)
A special treatment, you may also want to enjoy one of five restaurants and luxury hotel Tecina Golf Complex is owned and run by the family before than any of the island.
This family, the Olsens, is inextricably linked to Whistle history dating back over a century. No one knows what prompted Norwegian Thomas Olsen, and later his son Fred (father of current President of the company) to start buying land in the region in 1904. I guess I just fell into love – with the island and its inhabitants.
Despite the big gain – control of freshwater springs on the island, and the purchase of large tracts of land in Rock bottom rates – the Olsens made (and indeed continue to do so), if not wealth, at least prosperity to the island in the early days, among other works, the establishing a functional irrigation system and opening the first school on the island. And most recently, the largest employer of Gomera.
Today, the island survives and grows almost exclusively on tourism. What is not surprising. Because, in stark counterpoint to more exotic activities mentioned above, this is a place where you can enjoy the convenience familiar with the house – not least the BBC TV and Radio 4, the tap water and a high standard of accommodation.
Even you must set your watch to arrive.
In fact, hidden in his apartment, exceptionally well equipped, there was little to remind you that the holidays are really an extinct volcano.
Except, of course, to the sublime atmosphere.
About the Author
Steve Calder is an independent copywriter and journalist specialised in online marketing and communications. Visit him online at www.stevecalder.com.
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It’s hard to be humble with ancestors like mine!