Actually it were my parents-in-law, both deceased now, who were responsible for my Canary addiction: they wanted to celebrate their anniversary 'somewhere' on the Canary Islands in the Xmas period, together with their children and next-of-kin. For my wife and me it became a tradition to go Canarian in winter.
Sol Elite the hotel was called at the time. You'll see it at the end of the boulevard. Walking around in your shorts at the end of December was a new experience for me. I loved it. La Palma is the most western island of the Canaries, so either the sun's out or you're getting wet all through.
--- 19 Dec 2009, Puerto Naos (E) ---
This climate ensures the island is green all year round. It's also one of the steepest islands on our planet with ridges up to 2,400 meters. Drive up there and within an hour 21 degrees at the beach becomes wind and snow at the top.
--- 21 Dec 2010, Llano de Las Brujas (E) ---
The heart of La Palma is all woods and hiking trails that are the only way to get to know the area. These paths are not exactly for the weak.
--- 30 Dec 2010, Llano de Las Brujas ---
As the crow flies it is really close to the image above, but it takes you more than three quarters of an hour on narrow and winding roads to get to this view over Los Llanos.
--- 28 Dec 2007, Mirador de El Time (E) ---
On 28th of December people hire stalls to sell what they have baked or cooked at home. There is a lot of (local) culture in this village. We often visited Los Llanos for its restaurants and shops. That's how we came to appreciate it.
--- 30 Dec 2010, Los Llanos (E) ---
Especially in the winter months weather can be a bit unpredictable. Our plane once had to break off landing only seconds before touchdown because of the wind. The airfield is in the east and the wind and rain clouds have the tendency to be blocked by a high ridge. Anyway, the sunny west has lots of basic holiday homes that give you a lot of privacy.
--- 1 Jan 2009, Todoque (E) ---
In English, the small bulb. This lighthouse was straight across the roof terrace we once rented there. Fabulous sunsets nearly every night.
--- 30 Dec 2008, Puerto Naos (E) ---
That day a power outage ended that had lasted two days. It was a mess on the island. Normally Tazacorte is a great place for some local atmosphere and fresh fish on a terrace overlooking the lava beach. It's shielded from the wind, safe to swim, and shreds of hippie culture to enjoyed.
--- 18 Dec 2009, Puerto Naos (E) ---
Old handicrafts are stilled practised at la Palma, such as making cigars, sugar and silk. The latter is coloured with techniques from the past.
--- 23 Dec 2008, El Paso (E) ---
In Dutch this sounds slightly ominous, but La Galga has nothing to do with a gallows: it means something like a gauge you can estimate distances with. Anyway, it is green and has a unique laurel forest.
--- 23 Dec 2008, La Galga (E) ---
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