“A Breathtaking Window on the Universe” Spanish version
The Spanish version of my guide to the Observatory of the Roque de los Muchachos is in layout. I hope to have it on sale in early February.
La Palma
Rooftop Viewpoints
Traditional roof with a space to view the port. These days, Santa Cruz de la Palma is a bit of a backwater. But three hundred years ago, it was the third biggest port in the Spanish Empire. Almost every ship traveling from Spain to the Americas stopped here. In the 19th century, it was still a major port, and many of the inhabitants waited anxiously for a ship bringing their…
Their Majesties, the Reyes Magos
Gaspar visiting Santa Cruz de la Palma Although Father Christmas does visit Spanish children, he’s a new arrival. Traditionally the presents arrive on the morning of January 6th, when the three kings visit baby Jesus. (The sales don’t normally start this early, because Christmas isn’t over here.) And on the evening of the 5th, their majesties ride in procession through most of the major towns and villages in Spain. In…
Happy Christmas
A Very Merry Christmas to all my readers. And if you celebrate something other than Christmas, I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating that.
Starlight Reserve
Last night La Palma officially got its certificates as the world’s first Starlight reserve and the world’s first Starlight Tourist Destination from the Starlight Foundation. Briefly, a Starlight Reserve is a place with excellent night skies, and a commitment to keep them that way. And a Starlight Destination is a place with excellent night skies and quality activities on offer for tourists. This is rather like “appellation d’origine contrôlée”…
A Night of Stars
Tonight is the big shopping night in Santa Cruz de La Palma. Shops will have special offers and stay open late, and there’s all sorts of activities on offer. The town hall have organized a special temporary car park on the sea front. (Traffic will circulate through the car park only from south to north. Presumably to go north to south you have to go along the bypass.) Nova Foto…