This is a gecko (Tarentola delalandii). Geckos are quite common in the warmer parts of La Palma. They like to live in warm buildings or on sunny walls outside, and this one lives in my house. I think he must have got too close to one of my cats because his tail’s regrowing. You see, if they’re in serious danger of being eaten, their tails come off and provide a…
Corpus Christi and Canary Day
Today is Canary Day, a local holiday in all the Canary Islands. Expect to see folk musicians and dancers, and lots of traditional foods on the menu. Most of the shops will be closed. This year, it’s also Corpus Christi. (The Corpus Christi fiesta is ten weeks after Maundy Thursday, so the date moves about to follow Easter.) If you’re on the island, I strongly recommend a visit to Mazo…
A message from La Palma
And the head of the astrophysics institute talks about the Canary Island observatories More information at http://shineagain.com Y el director del Instituto de Astrofisica habla del cielo canario Más información en http://www.vuelveabrillar.com/ Und der Chef der Astrophysik Institut spricht über die Kanareninsel Observatorien Weitere Informationen unter http://www.strahlmalwieder.com/
Yes, it all went fine. And I’m slightly famous. And the photography in the videos really is very good indeed. Afterwards, most people went home, but I stayed until the last flight of the day so that I could do some shopping in the big city. Not that I did much, since I’m planning to lose weight over the summer, and I’ve learned to to buy too-small clothes and then…
The new tourism campaign
I think most of us were expecting the new tourism campaign to be based around sunshine on the beach, and so it is, although they’re making more mention of our gorgeous landscapes as well as the fantastic climte. For La Palma, they also show the night sky and observatory. The new thing is the way we’re going to market it. The new campaign plans to use social media much more…
Cubo de la Galga
Cubo de la Galga is a very pretty walk along the bottom of the Galga ravine, between Puntallana and Los Sauces. By Palmeran standards, it’s an easy walk. There is now a car park at the beginning of the walk, on the road at km 16. You’re unlikely to get lost for the first kilometre or so, because the path’s actually asphalted, never mind signposted. It’s a matter of taste,…