La Palma - a Revelation

Current Date: 9th February 2020
Current Location: Santa Cruz Marina, La Palma

Slightly ahead of the game due to an early departure from Lanzarote we decided to hire a car for a couple of days to see the sights of La Palma, the last landfall for several weeks. And what a couple of days it proved to be. La Palma is awesome, dramatic, mind blowing, charming and as Mariel tells us "majestical". Every turn, and boy are there a lot of turns, presented us with something new to marvel at.

Yesterday took us high into the centre of the island via 30 odd kilometres of hairpin bends to finally arrive at the highest point of the island. Incredible views down into the volcano in one direction and magnificent views across the ocean in the other. Here the air is so clear that the area has been declared a "Starlight Reserve" with world famous observatories and telescopes dotted around the landscape like something out of War of the Worlds. Next we were off to The Sauces a luxuriant valley famous for its waterfall. But getting there was "interesting". The LP109 clung to the side of valleys, took us through damp, dark tunnels and spat us out at another amazing Mirador or viewpoint. We clambered over rocks, sprinted through the waterfall and we're awestruck for the second time in a single day. This simply is a fantastic island. Pictures barely do it justice.

Eat your heart out Land's End.

Mount Teide, across the cloud, across the ocean.

The rim of the volcano.

Summiteers

Spectacular whichever way yoiu turn.

One of many telescopes. Amazing structures in an amazing landscape.

The famous (and indigenous to La Palma) La Palma Chaffinch.

Crazy team in the waterfall at dusk.

Today we made our way to the Primeval Forest area famous for its mahogany, ebony and greenheart hardwood trees and for its rare pigeons that we heard but did not see. Another great day and a final chance to stretch our legs. We looked down on a lively Atlantic and thought of days to come. Then it was back into town for a wander around the quiet Sunday streets and a coffee.

One final tree hug.

Bonding in the woods.

The seafront at Santa Cruz the capital of La Palma.

Colour everywhere, and just 200 miles from barren Lanzarote.

Mariel close up and friendly with Casanova!

Quiet main street in Santa Cruz on a sleepy Sunday afternoon.

Romeo making a quick exit!

Now our thoughts are turning to the last jobs before we leave. Police check out, fuel and water, fresh food, washing, car hire return, stowing, baking, etc, etc. Looks like another busy day tomorrow!

Someone has to sleep here tonight.

Scalping in preparation for the crossing.

Fruit and veg for three of us....

...and meat for John!

And just a few more stores.

Things to remember from La Palma.

Spanish dancing in the restaurant directly above Mehalah (I can hear it now).
The peace of the church in Santa Cruz where it felt as though we were gathering strength for the crossing.
The amazing Atlantic Trumpet Fish.
The Primeval Forest where Mariel taught John how to AirDrop an upsidedown map and we learned John's Irish nickname!.
A full moon and the observatories on the edge of the ancient volcano.
The beachfront cafe where the local cycling club came to play their Spanish songs but started with a Spanish version of "My Way".
Getting soaked under the waterfall as the light faded.
Exotic ferns, odd cacti, another this time green volcanic island.
And many, many others.
Maybe it is because we are about to set sail but we all feel that this little island is a very, very special place.

This will be last blog before we set off. See the previous posting for how to follow us and contact us whilst we are on passage.

Remember too that you can see Mariel's view of our trip on marielstravels.co.uk

Use https://www.noforeignland.com/boat/4717902794063872 with SHOW JOURNEY to track our progress.