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
La Gomera one of the gems of the Canary Islands
-
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 3018
- https://www.behance.net/kuchnie-warszawa
- Joined: 22 Dec 2007
- Branch: MACCLESFIELD & EAST CHESHIRE
- Country: United Kingdom
- Role within the BCSS: Trustee
- Location: The North West of England
- Contact:
La Gomera one of the gems of the Canary Islands
Obsessive Crassulaceae lover, especially Aeoniums but also grow, Aloes, Agaves, Haworthias and a select number of Cacti.
-
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 3018
- Joined: 22 Dec 2007
- Branch: MACCLESFIELD & EAST CHESHIRE
- Country: United Kingdom
- Role within the BCSS: Trustee
- Location: The North West of England
- Contact:
Re: La Gomera one of the gems of the Canary Islands
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.
Obsessive Crassulaceae lover, especially Aeoniums but also grow, Aloes, Agaves, Haworthias and a select number of Cacti.
-
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 3018
- Joined: 22 Dec 2007
- Branch: MACCLESFIELD & EAST CHESHIRE
- Country: United Kingdom
- Role within the BCSS: Trustee
- Location: The North West of England
- Contact:
Re: La Gomera one of the gems of the Canary Islands
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
Obsessive Crassulaceae lover, especially Aeoniums but also grow, Aloes, Agaves, Haworthias and a select number of Cacti.
-
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 3018
- Joined: 22 Dec 2007
- Branch: MACCLESFIELD & EAST CHESHIRE
- Country: United Kingdom
- Role within the BCSS: Trustee
- Location: The North West of England
- Contact:
Re: La Gomera one of the gems of the Canary Islands
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.
Obsessive Crassulaceae lover, especially Aeoniums but also grow, Aloes, Agaves, Haworthias and a select number of Cacti.
-
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 3018
- Joined: 22 Dec 2007
- Branch: MACCLESFIELD & EAST CHESHIRE
- Country: United Kingdom
- Role within the BCSS: Trustee
- Location: The North West of England
- Contact:
Re: La Gomera one of the gems of the Canary Islands
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
Growing in the shady side of a wall a profusion of plants
Aeoniums canariense v holochrysum and aureum going dormant and in flowerObsessive Crassulaceae lover, especially Aeoniums but also grow, Aloes, Agaves, Haworthias and a select number of Cacti.
-
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 3018
- Joined: 22 Dec 2007
- Branch: MACCLESFIELD & EAST CHESHIRE
- Country: United Kingdom
- Role within the BCSS: Trustee
- Location: The North West of England
- Contact:
Re: La Gomera one of the gems of the Canary Islands
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
Last edited by Liz M on Sun Jun 17, 2012 7:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Obsessive Crassulaceae lover, especially Aeoniums but also grow, Aloes, Agaves, Haworthias and a select number of Cacti.
-
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 3018
- Joined: 22 Dec 2007
- Branch: MACCLESFIELD & EAST CHESHIRE
- Country: United Kingdom
- Role within the BCSS: Trustee
- Location: The North West of England
- Contact:
Re: La Gomera one of the gems of the Canary Islands
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 tomorrowObsessive Crassulaceae lover, especially Aeoniums but also grow, Aloes, Agaves, Haworthias and a select number of Cacti.
-
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 3018
- Joined: 22 Dec 2007
- Branch: MACCLESFIELD & EAST CHESHIRE
- Country: United Kingdom
- Role within the BCSS: Trustee
- Location: The North West of England
- Contact:
Re: La Gomera one of the gems of the Canary Islands
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
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 hereObsessive Crassulaceae lover, especially Aeoniums but also grow, Aloes, Agaves, Haworthias and a select number of Cacti.
-
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 3018
- Joined: 22 Dec 2007
- Branch: MACCLESFIELD & EAST CHESHIRE
- Country: United Kingdom
- Role within the BCSS: Trustee
- Location: The North West of England
- Contact:
Re: La Gomera one of the gems of the Canary Islands
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
Obsessive Crassulaceae lover, especially Aeoniums but also grow, Aloes, Agaves, Haworthias and a select number of Cacti.
-
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 3018
- Joined: 22 Dec 2007
- Branch: MACCLESFIELD & EAST CHESHIRE
- Country: United Kingdom
- Role within the BCSS: Trustee
- Location: The North West of England
- Contact:
Re: La Gomera one of the gems of the Canary Islands
It was an extremely hot day and pleasant and cool in the forest
Going through the trees, you emerge at a Mirador and more spectacular views, to the left
To the right
And down to the coast
A hillside, nearby, with mostly Aeonium canariense var subplanum in flower
Obsessive Crassulaceae lover, especially Aeoniums but also grow, Aloes, Agaves, Haworthias and a select number of Cacti.