LA PALMA (E)    DIARY  3

20. Day 6. At nine, I head up to the north-eastern corner of the island. I choose the familiar western coastal road, expecting it to be faster. Unfortunately, there are road-works, no warning, nor any guidance to alternative routes. The first one force me to do a long familiar detour on another main road. The sun start to light up the peaks, and I get up there.

The second roadblock make me do a 20 kilometres detour in the pine and vine land, on a one lane mountain road to La Traviesa; LP111. It is between 1200 and 1300 meters height, with an odd mix of pines and vine. However, the views are fantastic. It is amassing, and I find one more detour, avoiding LP1 for quite some kilometres.

I make a short break in the sun, then enters the tunnels; Túneles de Las Mimbreras. I thought it was lava tunnels, but the road; LP109 is a tunnel through the trees and plants.
The views are breathtaking, from the lichen-covered pines, to the deep blue sea, 1100 meters down.

Here are actually three narrow tunnels, but the scenery is just awesome. I hope to return to this little road again. On my way to the next site, I do a detour to La Laguna. It is a crater lake, which unfortunately have been covered in concrete.

At noon, I stop in little Barlovento to find lunch, and have a stroll. It is not the most charming town, but not ugly either; I’m just spoiled by now. I get a perfect haircut for €10, then dine on a bench, in the sun. A walk around the central part of town, and I see a tiny gecko. And the old interior of the lighthouse, a lot of bars, the church and the municipal.

The I head down to the sea at La Fajana, to the lighthouse: Faro Punta Complida, hidden in the open banana plantations. On the other side of the peninsula, Piscinas de La Fajana is found, with pools. Well, it turns out to be way more disappointing than an average viewpoint in the clouds. And here are additional five tourists. The coastal haze does not add at all. One cove have a few blow-holes and more of the turquoise water.

I head up the mountains once more, and stop to gather some of the falling chestnuts. I've seen them in the shops, and figure they might be good.
Then I reach Los Tiles Biosphere Reserve. I start the hike, but fail to find it that appealing. It is through dense forest with several different species of ferns, but now views and a bit too familiar.

While I’m up here in the north, I do a head-start on another day, with little San Andre, down at the seaside. The little adorable settlement is packed with cars, as there a wedding in the church. I do the two other streets and an alley, thinking I might have to come back, as it is so appealing.

At four, I head home. First by the unfamiliar eastern coast, then across the mountains and down the west coast. I might have speeded just a tiny bit, along with a new Mercedes 500 Compressor.

My parcel with the SD-card reader I thought I needed, have already arrival. I clean the chestnuts, but my host don't like the idea of baking them, she rather use them for a cake. I fail to figure, if she or I will bake it? I sure hope she will. There are plenty of chestnuts for all of us.

I spend the evening with the usual tasks, remember to enjoy the sunset and finish off with yesterdays Formula 1 race. Not a bad day.
Day's highlights. The lot from the day. 

21. Day 7. The day is set off to explore the big city; Santa Cruz, and I am not really in a hurry this morning. I correct the size of the photos in this diary, upload the photos from day 2, which I forgot, and zip coffee. One of the cats have caught a mice, and cruelly play with it, to death and beyond.

At nine, I figure I once more try the LP3/LP301; Via De Vulcanes, pass the crater, to see the clouds within. Last time, they were all over the edges as well.
It is a tad more clear today, and I get an idea of the view. Fare from as impressive as I had hoped for. The ravens get to share my disappointment, as I'm out of food.

The way up here is dominated by chestnut trees, all completely covered in fruits. Amassing they can sell it in the supermarket, but not all have a car or friends with one?

It take a major detour, two long tunnels and a lot of chestnuts, to get to the huge and rather populated valley, in which Santa Cruz is located. I stop at a Hyperdino to find healthy brunch. Well, brunch I find. I enjoy it at Playa de Bajamar, in the edge of the city, overseeing the harbour. And being overseen by the lizards, who eagerly fight for my crumbs.

It is a bit tricky to find a free parking lot, as they are quite limited. A single is vacant, at the fortress. I pass the marine museum, located in what looks like an old wooden ship. Then I enjoy the Balcones de La Avenida Maritima and the two alleys behind. It is pearl strings of old and glorious looking buildings. Flowers, balconies and wooden decorations.

Here are tourists with shops and restaurants for them, but the numbers are limited, and Spanish speaking for far the majority.
I follow the main shopping street up the hillside. Here are so clean and neat, and all the shops you can ask for. A second lunch from Spar, enjoyed in the sun at a park bench.

I make way too many photos, and start shopping: I could do with a light sweater for the cloudy evenings. And while I’m at it; a purse where I don’t have to fold the euro- notes twice. I succeeds, and better find the church, which I came for - not sure why. But the fancy Plaza de Mercado, with vegetables, flowers and meat is nice. Here, the chestnuts are €8 a kilo.

I can’t help myself; I do another loop in the old harbour area. A bit reluctant, I lave the city - must be a first, and head for the cross-island mountain Via de Vulcanes; once more. My waypoint is a viewpoint halfway. It is a great drive up through the trees and clouds. Once more, a pass the statue of a cow with calf, then two live cows.

Llano de La Venta in nothing special, despite the 1333 meters height. And then my camera dies, while I document it. I get it nursed back to life, and cross 1500 meters. Then I am close to the Mirador Llano del Jable, and find an alternative parking. That offers the magnificent view over the crater with clouds in. And the Mirador Llano del Jable stop is great today as well.

I meet a couple of farmers, “harvesting” the pine-needles to use for hay to their livestock. I guess hay is rare around here, and it keep the black volcanic-ash areas nice and clean.

Close to home, I catch-up with another Farmer-Jose on a steep mountain road, and flag him over, as a cooling hose have exploded, and he apparently is unaware.

I'm home at five, and munch on the roasted chestnuts. Not that tasteful, but a bit sweet, and it is a "just one more" moment. A cup of coffee in the late afternoon sun, cooking and then back to work.

The daughter of my host is going to celebrate her 39 birthday in the evening, and her mother have made a huge layer cake. I am invited too, and I look forward - most to the cake. It is a jolly bunch - all Spanish speaking, and I get to sneak off pretty soon.
I heard blackbirds sinning in the forest, and now, I hear one in the camp. Day's highlights. The lot from the day. 

               And then into; Diary 4.