Wednesday, April 19, 2023
When we awoke and opened the curtains to our balcony, we gazed upward at a towering rocky mountain coated in green that had been sheered down one side, presumably to build the main road and harbor. What a stunning landscape!
La Palma is said to have one of the finest climates in the world, with constant Trade Winds and the Gulf Stream. It is dry, usually 63-72 degrees. During our visit, the weather was warm, but the winds were very strong near the water, almost as if they were trying to push your legs away from under you. It felt wonderful.
Famous for banana crops, honey rum and handmade cigars, La Palma is the most northwestern of the Canary Islands. The skies are unpolluted, perfect for stargazing.
We jumped on the free shuttle for a ride into Santa Cruz, but realized it was easily walkable (so when returning to the ship, we did walk the entire way).
The town felt like a combination of Greece and Spain, its historic quarters filled with colonial-style buildings, many with wooden balconies. The shops were wonderful and varied. We particularly enjoyed a lovely old church in the heart of town. Walking along the waterfront, we were enthralled by the dark black volcanic sound, with waves crashing on the rocks. What an lovely little town!
At one cafe, we sat for beer and Coke, and at another, we had lunch, Sangria and beer. Cliff and Joan had a Spanish Omelette, made primarily out of potatoes and cooked like a quiche. With his, Cliff had lentil soup, and Joan had a salad with olives and beets. I enjoyed a big bowl of the lentil soup with a chunk of crusty bread. Of course, Joan and I had to have one more gelato before leaving our very last stop on our World Cruise.
La Palma is the greenest of all the Canary Island archipelago. With lush forests and steep cliffs, the scenery is truly dramatic — quite exceptional.
Like the rest of the Canary Islands, La Palma resulted because of volcanic formation. The highest peaks are 7,874 feet above sea level, and the base of the island is 13,123 feet below sea level. The northern part of La Palma is dominated by the Caldera de Taburiente, which is six miles wide and 4,921 feet deep. The ravine of the caldera is a national park, The Ravine of Anxiety (Barranco de las Angustias).
Tenerife and La Palma are the most volcanically active of the Canary Islands. In 2021, La Palma had a volcanic eruption that lasted 85 days. The Cumbre Vieja volcanic eruption is the longest known and most damaging one that La Palma has had since records have been kept. The lava damaged about 3,000 buildings, cut off a highway, and created a new peninsula. One town of 1,300 was completely destroyed (Todoque). Fortunately, only one person died as a result of the eruption.
We were sad to say goodbye to La Palma, not only because it is so lovely and unique, but it is the last stop on our World Cruise. Our wonderful journey will soon come to an end after seven days crossing the Atlantic. However, our memories and the joy we experienced during this fantastic adventure will remain for many years to come.
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