I had an email asking me to recommend the top ten things to see and do. It was actually quite difficult to decide, because tastes differ so much. So this is a purely personal top ten. Your mileage may vary. 10. The ObservatorySee The Observatory and Visiting The Observatory. While you’re there, be sure to go up to the highest point of the island, the Roque de los Muchachos, and…
There are two nice fiestas coming up at the beginning of September. In El Paso, the statue of the Virgin of the Pine was carried in procession from the hermitage up in the mountain down to the village. On September 6th, there will be another procession to carry it back. The Devil’s dance, Tijarafe, 2007. In Tijarafe in the early hours of September 8th, the devil will join the dance….
The 15th of August is a public holiday on La Palma. (Concepción Inmaculada, the Immaculate Conception) Most of the shops will be closed. If you can get to the village of Concepción, above Santa Cruz de la Palma, they?l be having their annual fiesta: lots of mobile bars blasting out salsa music, lots of stalls selling cheap toys, a religious procession, and probably a live band.
Traditional embroidery Every year on La Palma they hold a craft fair. This year it’s in Barlovento, in the large building on the main street with all the flags outside. Jewellery made from dragon tree seeds There are over 80 stands, displaying a huge variety of products. Lots of traditional embroidery and baskets, of course, but also things I’d never seen before, like tied-dyed baby-clothes and ceramic-and-feather dragons. Handmade glass…
Here’s a Google map with the locations of the two star parties, at the top and bottom.View La Palma Island in a larger mapClick on one of the blue map pins for details.
Wednesday night (August 12th) should be the best night of the year to see shooting stars. Shooting stars happen when the Earth passes through a cloud of dust left behind by a comet’s tail. To celebrate, the amateur astronomers on La Palma and Astrotour are holding two star parties. You’ll be able to observe the sun through a telescope (safely!) in Santa Cruz de la Palma in the Plaza España…