The year 2013 is already seven weeks "old" and who is not thinking about the next break? Currently there is a chance to win a trip for free!
Sunset Isla Bonita
The airline Condor has an online game on their website. Play and win until February 26, 2013. The first place will win one week of relaxing or adventure on la "Isla Bonita", one of the most wonderful islands in the Atlantic.
La Palma
May be you are confused now, cause you never heard about this island. Ok, let me tell you, this is the often used name for this magnificant island. The real name is "La Palma", the most green island of the Canarian archipelago.
The green island.
Many of you have been already in Europe. But not everybody knows that some European Countries are still having autonomous communities abroad. Spain, for example, has seventeen of such communities.
Palm trees, beach and the Atlantic
One of this Atlantic provinces are the Canary Islands, where "La Palma" is located. The Canaries are only 100km in front of the North-West coast of Africa.
Far away from Europe and still part of Europe.
This archelago consists of 12 islands: The bigger islands and well infrustuctured ones are Teneriffe and Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro.
La Graciosa, Alegranza, Isla de Lobos, Montaña Clara, Roque del Este and Roque del Oeste are the smaller islands.
© By Oona Räisänen (Mysid) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons, original file: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AMap_of_the_Canary_Islands.svg
Canary Islands
It´s easy to do island hopping, either by ferry or by plane. There is the local airline, called Binter Airways with cheap flights between the Canaries.
International airlines are sometimes picking up passengers on two islands on the same flight too. The ferries are mostly well equipped catamarans with entertainment and free Wifi onboard.
It doesn´t matter which islands I visited in the past, every stay was unique for me.
La Palma is located in the West of the Canarian archipelagio. The capital is Santa Cruz de La Palma, slimply known as "La Palma", located in the East of the island.
Santa Cruz de la Palma
In the North is the second highest mountain of the Canary Islands and provides the perfect destination for hiking, trekking and climibing.
Mirador del Roque de las Muchachos
Not only there, but at other places around the whole islands are beautiful spots for adventure and relaxing too.
Black beaches
The green island offers black sanded beaches and rocky beaches.
"mar de nubes" - sea of clouds
Unbelieveable rough mountain formations and lush nature, because of the influence of the moist gulf stream. That´s why it shows the most green vegetation of all islands.
Date tree for making honey
Take a hike in the a amazing "Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente". This is the center of the vulcanic island and explore the varied flora and fauna in this region.
Plenty of trails at the National Park
"I am here too!"
Renting a car is cheap. Explore the island on your own. Drive carefully, not only because of the amazing landscape, likewise be aware of speed traps and animals too!
Goats or cows are often on the road to see.
Visit the coast in South-West near Fuencaliente. There is the newest volcano "Teneguía". His crater was built 1971 and the downhill flowing solidified lava created 29 ha new land in the sea.
Lush vegetation and solidified lava
Do you like cooking with pure salt of the ocean? Closeby are the salt basins.
Saltgarden and lighthouse at Fuencaliente in the South.
Take a 30 minute walk through the salt gardens and learn everything about producing pure salt of the Atlantic.
Before you are heading forward to the capital, have a break and take a look at look at the old and new lighthouses in the neighbourhood.
Lighthouse at Fuencaliente
And take a look at the old part of the capital Santa Cruz de La Palma in the East.
Santa Cruz de La Palma
Enjoy walking through the alleys and steep lanes.
La Palma
Have a "coffee con leche" on the street or taste delicious local food in tiny family restaurants. Palmeros", the citizens of Isla Bonita, like sweet deserts. Try it!
Alley in Santa Cruz de La Palma
Or just cruise around the waterfront. You will like it!
Waterfront in the Capital.
I found my personal highlight in the North on the summit of Roque de los Muchachos. 2,426 meters above sea level.
Roque de la los Muchachos and the mountain "Teide" in the back.
There is is the home of an observatory. It´s the largest European telescope located. With this spectacular telescope is it possible to see a plate of yummy food on the moon.
Observatory at the summit of Roque de los Muchachos
Grantec, the name of this telescope became operative in 2009.
Grantec
This place is one of the most suitable places in the world for observing and reseaching the galaxies.
Perfect conditions for observing the galaxies
The sky and the air over La Palma is very clear and the climate is perfect to explore the milky way.
For this reason the govenment released a unique law in the world: "The Declaration of the Right to the Starlight", in short spanish words "Ley del cielo".
Join the fantastic tour through the observatory guided by scientists which are working there. But don´t forget to register ahead at their website or by call.
Two streets are going uphill and both ways are impressive and totally different from the view and the vegetation along the way. One street leads through a forrest and you aren´t able to see the summit when it is cloudy. Sometimes you can´t even see 10 meters ahead because of the clouds. But when you have passed the clouds the view is awesome.
Road above the clouds
I felt like flying in a plane without loosing contact to earth. This height is incredible. Getting uphill on the road through the clouds is an adventure. The welcoming sky is blue, the sun is shining and down to your feet is the sea of clouds........it´s just breathtaking.
Rather you wanna see the stunning mountains during day, or the milky way at night time, this spot is amazing. During a clear view it is possible to see the peak of the heighest mountain in Spain, the "Teide" at the neighbour island Teneriffe and other islands like La Gomera and El Hierro.
The other way to the East-side of the caldera offers a totally different vegetation zone, but more breathtaking views over the mountains with plenty of short walks to some stunning "miradors". This are small spots for taking pictures or just to relax and feel the proximity to the sky.
Spectacular lookouts
May be this situation let you understand why many people in earlier times, often used high mountains as holy places, such as Uluru in Australia, or Gunung Agung in Bali.
Try both ways, one up, one down. La Palma´s infrastructure has a road along the coastline and it is interesting to explore the different vegetation zones.
I love the La Isla Bonita (La Palma).....
Don´t miss your chance to win a free trip!
You wanna know how to participate? Klick here or visit www.condor.de
Good luck!
