April 19: Santa Cruz de La Palma

 Our LAST Port, Santa Cruz de La Palma

La Palma (Spanish pronunciation: [la ˈpalma], locally [lɐ ˈpɑ(l)mɐ]), also known as La isla bonita (English: The Beautiful Island) and officially San Miguel de La Palma, is the most northwesterly island of the Canary Islands, Spain. La Palma has an area of 708 square kilometres (273 sq mi) making it the fifth largest of the eight main Canary Islands. The total population at the end of 2020 was 85,840,^[2] of which 15,716 lived in the capital, Santa Cruz de La Palma and about 20,467 in Los Llanos de Aridane. Its highest mountain is the Roque de los Muchachos, at 2,423 metres (7,949 ft), being second among the peaks of the Canaries after the Teide massif on Tenerife. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Palma]

An early morning docking and an early excursion

Meet at 7 am for the excursion and off the ship soon after

Sun still rising

Bus through Santa Cruz and heading to the north end of the island

Scenic Overlook

They said that this island is great for star gazing so they have different signs and displays at the overlook

This statue tells the story about a guy who loved a girl but her parents said he wasn't good enough. "The shepherd's leap (Spanish: Salto del pastor) is a folk sport practised throughout the Canary Islands." [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepherd%27s_leap] To show his love for her, he said he show how far he could leap. He leaped three times and on the third time he went off the cliff.

Stop at a scenic waterfall. It is not a natural waterfall but part of their water systems that brings water from the tropical mountain top

Originally sugar cane was their main crop but now the island is filled with Bananas. But many of the farmers are replacing it with avocados because they bring 10 times the price per pound.

We then did a walk along the coast line through a town

La Palma Lizard [Lizard Info]

I wasn't sure this was a good idea. He might have been hungry!!!

The walk ended at the island's last Rum distillery. The island used to have many more but with the reduction of sugar cane as a crop, the distilleries dwindled.

Sugar Cane

The processing of the sugar cane. This distillery does not make molasses from the sugar cane to make their rum but use the pure juice from the sugar cane.

loading the sugar cane

The rum making "still"

Then it ages in barrels

Rum tasting. Amazing amount of different rums.  The honey and banana rums were very good.

They had plenty of product for sale including some miniatures

Small camper and boat

Back on the bus to go back to the port

After returning to the port, we took the free shuttle bus into town

Stopped off at the Post Office for some final cards to send

Yearly they have a festival where people dress up as midgets and dance. Only some residences know how and can do the dance and it is passed down in families. The souvenir shops sold many items on this festival [https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/monumento-a-el-enano-monument-to-the-dwarf]

They are also known for their balconies and colorful houses

Stopped for some lunch with Sangria and a local beer

Our tour guide told us about a local tapa that is a stuffed pita made with local grain. Also got what we thoughts was chips.  Was Fries with both beef and shredded chicken, covered with cheese and three sauces. It was outstanding

While there, our favorite staff photographer who was out for some free time, stopped by to say hi and a selfie.  We were glad she got to get off the ship today as she and all of the other staff members from India were not allowed to get off the ship in Morocco. 

They even have a statue of the midget dance

They built a replica for Columbus's Santa Maria and it houses a museum

Old wall of the city to protect it from pirates

Walked the black sand beach on the way back to the ship

     Town with the town sign                                     Rob with the port sign

The area where the city is was a volcano crater. Part of it broke off into the sea to create the horseshoe shaped area with the big rock area exposed

And our last time walking up to get on the Island Princess

Last time getting onboard

Got some of the Security Crew to take a picture

Last Sail Away

Rob and Assistant Cruise Directors Liberty (Canada) and Angela (Serbia)

And our last port pilot is off and heading ashore. We our off and heading across the Atlantic. Seven and a half days at full speed and we will be at Fort Lauderdale.