La Gomera one of the gems of the Canary Islands

Post by **Liz M** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 11:59 pm

I recently returned from a trip to La Gomera, which was inspired by a talk by Ray Stephenson many years ago. Here are a few of the many photos I took, which will give you a taste of this magical island.
First, the view as you leave Tenerife, you have to get the ferry to La Gomera, the airport there being tiny and only one flight a day.

Then the view as you approach La Gomera

Next day and a walk from Alajero back to the hotel at Santiago, a first somewhat stressed Aeonium, A arboreum var holochrysum

A bit further on Aeonium appendiculatum

Another A appendiculatum in flower

Post by **Liz M** » Sun Jun 17, 2012 12:19 am

Continuing along one of the Senderos, which La Gomera is famous for, they are old donkey trails and very rugged at times, we came across another endemic Euphorbia balsamifera

Further along, one of the views from the path down into the Barranco (mostly dry deep gorges) below

showing Euphorbias and Agaves. Then a fine clump of Euphorbia canariense

Next day we were a bit footsore so had a less energetic day. This is a picture of a Pachypodium (I hope) in the hotel grounds, it had quite a few Cacti and Succulents, usually quite well grown and this one took my eye

The next day we had a boat trip, Whale watching, good fun and plenty of dolphins and whales, also dozens of Corys Shearwaters.

Post by **Liz M** » Sun Jun 17, 2012 12:36 am

The Shearwater

Off next day to a trip to the middle of the island where the tops are in the clouds and give rise to Cloud Forest and the main source of water for the island. This day is was quite cloudy, as you can see, cloud is a normal occurrence and to be welcomed at times

Inside the Cloud Forest and the trees are coated in Lichens

In the misty centre , where it was dripping in places, the trees were also covered with moss

Finally coming out of the mist we saw this lovely Protea, I'm doubtful whether it is native to the islands

Post by **Liz M** » Sun Jun 17, 2012 12:45 am

After some welcome lunch we continued down the path and came across a very healthy Aeonium canariense var subplanum, these were seen all over the island but more frequently in cooler, shady areas

Definitely preferring damp and shade was Aichrysum laxum

Another one, in flower

Unfortunately the only one I saw,Aeonium saundersii

There was also this moss covered tree, which had this extraordinary fungus on it.

Post by **Liz M** » Sun Jun 17, 2012 1:00 am

On the way back to the hotel we passed several more Aeoniums, particularly striking were these A aureum, going into summer rest

Aeonium spathulatum

Next a view that could be seen from much of the island, Mount Teide in Tenerife, towering above the cloud

Also along the way Euphorbia balsamifera, growing in a shadier spot

: IMG_8365.20001.jpg (226.68 KiB) Viewed 3253 times

Growing in the shady side of a wall a profusion of plants

Aeoniums canariense v holochrysum and aureum going dormant and in flower

Post by **Liz M** » Sun Jun 17, 2012 1:11 am

Aeonium decorum, in flower, growing in the wall

A closeup

Aeonium canariense v holochrysum literally flowering itself to death

Next day and off on a spectacular boat trip, here is part of the road. The roads on La Gomera, are extremely quiet and nearly all have hairpin bends and are very narrow

Further along the road, amazing views down into the Valle Gran Rey

Post by **Liz M** » Sun Jun 17, 2012 1:21 am

Another view into the Valle, showing the terracing that was installed all over the island for agricultural use many years ago and here is still in use

Then off onto the boat and along to Los Organos, the Organ Pipes, the first view

then a bit further along

The whole height of basalt columns dropping into the sea, several hundred feet of them

another view of all these basalt columns that can only be accessed by sea

more tomorrow

Post by **Liz M** » Sun Jun 17, 2012 7:31 am

Another look at the basalt columns, these ones twisted by pressure and volcanic action

One final look at this incredible rock formation

The island appears to be one huge basalt lump, with pockets of soil and other rocks. No surprise as all the Canary islands are the tips of volcanoes. Every turn of the road here brings a different sight of volcanic cones and basalt columns. This is the weathered and time eroded plug of an ancient volcano. Mount Fortaleza, you get a very good look at more terracing

Next a hillside with a mass of Aeonium appendiculatum in flower

: IMG_8439.20001.jpg (223.85 KiB) Viewed 3246 times

In the village of Imada an old roof with a good coating of Aeoniums, somewhat stressed due to the lack of rain

There are Aeoniums appendiculatum and decorum here

Post by **Liz M** » Sun Jun 17, 2012 7:45 am

Next morning we were woken up at 7am by the sound of fireworks going off. We were somewhat mystified by this but learned later it was Canary Island Day. taking advantage of the early start I went along the cliff top to watch the sun rise over Mount Teide

The clouds were extra spectacular that day, here is another shot of Teide reaching up through the clouds

Later on looking across a valley to the island of La Palma

A visit to the Botanical Gardens and a picture of Aeonium arboreum var holochrysum

Then into the pine forest, which lies between the dry southern part and the central cloud forest and extends to the north west over the mountain tops, in places