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Santa Cruz de la Palma / Mon Apr 1

Santa Cruz de la Palma is the capitol city of the island of La Palma which is part of the Canary Islands. It's located along an old lava flow coming out of the Caldereta - a volcano located just south of the city. The island is the most north westerly and 5th largest of the main Canary Islands.

We were going to hike today but the forecast was for rain so instead we took a VIP motor coach tour of the island. 

Our first stop was at the Santuario de Nuestra Senora de Las Nieves or the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Sorrows. It's home to the Canary Islands' oldest religious icon - the Patron Virgin of La Palma. The religious image is made with terra cotta and dates to the 14th century.

The priest is the person who can open the church but unfortunately he was late so we never got inside.

 

 Oranges
 Avocado tree with an avocado



Next was a stop at La Concepcion viewpoint where we had a good view of the bay. 



 We then drove through the dorsal mountains via a 1.5 mile long tunnel which brought us from the east side of the island to the west side which has a very different landscape.


Just before going to the Taburiente National Park to see the huge Caldera de Taburiente we stopped and had snacks and champagne that our hostess had set up for us. 


Af We had a brief stop at the Visitor Center at the National Park before 
driving to La Cumbrecita viewpoint to see the Caldera de Taburiente.


 





Next stop was at a local hotel  - Parador de La Palma - where we were served lunch. 



LeThen we were off to Fuencaliente to walk along the edge of the San Antonio
crater. 
There was an exhibit there where you stood in a specific area and you could feel the ground shake as if it were a magnitude 5 earthquake.





This was also the location of Cumbre Vieja which is one of the most active volcanoes in the Canaries. It last erupted in 1971. 
Our last stop was at El Molina Pottery where we saw people making pottery in the same way the natives made it years ago. We also saw a Dragon Tree which is actually a plant that is native to the area.






More champagne was waiting for us as we left the pottery workshop. We then boarded our luxury motor coach and headed back to the ship.

 Tomorrow is a sea day. We arrive in Malaga, Spain on Wednesday.


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