Santa Cruz de la Palma

Everyone coming back from excursions on la Palma today have said what a beautiful island it is and I can well believe it. It looks very green with the usual high volcanic mountains. We spent our time ashore exploring Santa Cruz. Small with some lovely colonial Renaissance buildings all with fretwork balconies and painted in contrasting colours which line the cobbled streets. There were interesting shops and on a cooler and slightly grey morning we enjoyed wandering.
We found a newly restored museum building with the most magnificent polished wooden floors and staircase which housed artwork related to the dragon tree, a church with a beautiful wooden ceiling and the naval museum which is set in a reproduction of Columbus 's 15th century ship, the Santa Maria.
Susan bought yet more Hessian bags as souvenirs and a pashmina ( from China). I bought some duty free rum from the Canaries. We like what we have seen of la Palma and would come again.
We realise how lucky we are living near Brum as we find it difficult to appreciate the entertainment on board ship, unlike other passengers. Living in more remote towns deprives one of true artistic performances so you clap at anything and everything. Susan and I find it hard to clap anything.
There is a UB 40 tribute act on board ship. Great to hear their Brummie accents over lunch.
We noticed a lot of sprucing up on board today. The chief executive of Saga is joining us in Funchal tomorrow.Read more