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Canary Islands 2025, Spain
  • Gina Steiner
  • Gina Steiner

Canary Islands 2025, Spain

A 59-day adventure by Gina Read more
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  • Gina SteinerCanary Islands 2025, SpainTraveler
    4

    Valle Gran Rey

    February 14 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    The Valle Gran Rey (Valley of the Great King, meaning Hupalupa, a king of the Gomeros) is a municipality of La Gomera. The town of La Calera has been the seat of administration since 1930.

    Thanks to its terraced cultural landscape with an abundance of palm trees, extensive banana plantations and many scattered small houses, the valley offers an almost exotic sight. In the 1970s and 1980s, a particularly large number of hippies were drawn here. The valley has sometimes been compared to dropout places such as Goa or Kathmandu.

    The municipality of Valle Gran Rey has by far the highest tourist use on the island of La Gomera. The valley has been easily accessible since the access road was widened and the port was expanded. There was a significant increase in hotels and tourist apartment blocks, with a total of around 1,400 beds, between 1990 and 2005. This could gradually transform the previous individual tourism into mass tourism.

    Driving to the valley every now and then is definitely fun; it has everything there, including a sandy beach and delicious fish restaurants. I don't want to live there at the moment; spending two months in the tourist-hippie soup is too much for me 🤣.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerCanary Islands 2025, SpainTraveler

    Embarcadero del Muelle de La Rajita

    February 15 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    La Rajita, with its fish factory, used to be one of the most important economic drivers of La Gomera until the 1980s. Today, only ruins remain in La Rajita, the coastal section below La Dama, the village with the most banana plantations on the island.

    La Gomera had several fish salting and canning factories, an industry that has now disappeared. In 1831 the first fish salting factory was set up by Francisco Grasso in Erese, a cove west of Playa de Santiago.
    In 1904, the Alicante company Lloret y Llinares set up a factory in Rajita, that existed until recently, developing a population centre on its banks that became depopulated when the factory closed.

    The sea is not exactly calm there. Today the sea was a bit rougher, but that didn't stop a snorkeler from going in the water. When you watch the film, check out the bottom left at 0:06 - this guy was really brave.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerCanary Islands 2025, SpainTraveler

    La Dama

    February 16 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    La Dama is a small village in the southwest of La Gomera and sits on the steep coast above Playa La Rajita.

    Thanks to its fertile soil, it is known as the island's most important fruit producer. The somewhat remote village can be reached via a narrow, approximately 12-kilometer-long asphalt road from the mountain village of Chipude.

    It is located in the middle of a barren landscape, but the area is still one of the most productive on the island.

    The sight of the many greenhouses, plantations, and huge water reservoirs is surprising given the arid surroundings.

    But they know how to use irrigation correctly, and so La Dama produces delicious local bananas, pineapples, and, above all, the popular avocados every year.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerCanary Islands 2025, SpainTraveler

    Fortaleza de Chipude

    February 17 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    La Fortaleza (de Chipude) is a prominent table mountain on La Gomera. It forms the core of a nature reserve and is designated as a protected cultural asset because of its building remains from pre-Hispanic times.

    The mountain lies in the southwest of the central plateau, about three kilometers west of the Alto de Garajonay, the highest peak on the island at 1,485 meters above sea level.

    The mountain is a cryptodome that was formed during La Gomera's most recent volcanic phase around 4.36 million years ago. The magma did not reach the surface but solidified into phonolite in the volcanic vent. Due to its greater resistance to weathering, it withstood millions of years of erosion better than the surrounding rock layers.

    Today the mountain slopes almost vertically in all directions. The only access to the 300-meter-long and up to 200-meter-wide plateau is on its north side.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerCanary Islands 2025, SpainTraveler

    Gofio

    February 18 in Spain ⋅ 🌬 18 °C

    Gofio is optional, but it is not necessary 🤪.

    Given the steep, rocky slopes that are difficult to cultivate and the long, arduous journeys from village to village, it is not surprising that something like gofio came about.

    Gofio is a food obtained by grinding roasted grain, with or without the addition of sea salt. Occasionally, gofio also contains pulses, which are subjected to the same treatment as the grain.

    It is considered the most important plant-based food of the Ancient Canarians, the first inhabitants of the Canary Islands (winter barley thrives in dry areas, even in salty soil, and produces higher yields than wheat, for example).

    The raw materials were roasted in clay jars, ground in hand mills and eaten mixed with goat's milk, goat's cheese or fat. The prior roasting means that the flour is drier and has a better shelf life, and the dough can be eaten without further baking or cooking.

    Even after the Kingdom of Castile conquered the islands in the 15th century, gofio remained an important part of the diet, particularly of the rural population.

    Gofio is eaten raw or mixed with water as porridge or in soups. It can be made into bread with baking flour.

    The same product is a traditional staple food in Tibet under the name tsampa. A similar food made from roasted corn flour called farina bóna is eaten in the Swiss canton of Ticino. Green spelt, spelt harvested when half-ripe, is also dried over a fire and is used as a long-lasting food with a special roasted aroma.

    I ate it in the form of a cold meatball, but it wasn't tasty, so: skip it!    Read more

  • Gina SteinerCanary Islands 2025, SpainTraveler
    1

    Restaurante Casa Efigenia La Montaña

    February 19 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    I will post the Google review here, which I wrote after my second visit.

    The first time I went there and took the pics, the winter garden was closed. In addition it was looking like rain was coming, so there weren't a lot of people. The second time we sat in the winter garden 😢.

    --- snip ---
    A typical tourist rip-off. The winter garden is loud, crowded and has the atmosphere of a cold and loveless school canteen.

    The service is joyless and meaningless, the food is of snack quality at best. The food is also often unseasoned, and there is no salt, pepper, vinegar or oil available. If you ask, there is no vinegar but at least one (!) tiny packet of salt and pepper (for 2 people) and a homeopathic amount of oil.

    A meal without any refinement. I don't understand the many positive reviews at all, probably the echo of a better time. This is not the first time I have been to Gomera, this time for 2 months, and I could spontaneously name 10 restaurants that are really good.

    This is rubbish and the horde of tourists flock there uncritically - well, me too, but certainly not again.
    --- snap ---    Read more

  • Gina SteinerCanary Islands 2025, SpainTraveler

    Epina

    February 20 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    I drive past here every time I want to go somewhere, because Epina is up in the valley. So at some point I had to drive down to the village.

    It is a very old settlement and consists of a few dozen houses, many of which are built of stone and clay and have gabled roofs with Arabic tiles, which are over 200 years old and have been well preserved to this day.

    Fruit and vegetable gardens were cultivated there in the traditional way. Although the place was almost deserted, around 100 people moved in around 40 years ago.

    A few meters above the village are the famous Chorros de Epina water springs, which played an important role in the island's culture.

    I think the little village looks like it's cut out of a picture book 😍.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerCanary Islands 2025, SpainTraveler

    Waves!

    February 21 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    I've just been swimming and it was fantastic. The waves shouldn't be any bigger though. Now the surfers are coming along, or rather the boogieboarders. They know what's cool, just like me. And I'm sitting in the café, drinking a Coke and watching the spectacle.Read more

  • Gina SteinerCanary Islands 2025, SpainTraveler

    Mirador de Alojera

    February 22 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Every time I drive to Valle Gran Rey, I pass by here. I've never stopped before, but this time I did.

    From this mirador you can see Ajojera, where I live. The viewpoint is located west of Garajonay National Park.

    From the viewing platform you can look down into the valley of Alojera and the town. As you can see, the town is in the middle of a rocky hilly landscape. The gorge is surrounded by rock walls that fall steeply into the sea. On the coastal section directly below the town is the Playa de Alojera.

    If you look further into the distance, you can see the neighboring islands of El Hierro and La Palma.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerCanary Islands 2025, SpainTraveler
    2

    San Sebastián de La Gomera

    February 23 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Today I drove to San Sebastiánde La Gomera to pick up Evelynn from the ferry. It takes 1:15 from my place and is directly on the opposite side of the island.

    San Sebastián is the capital of La Gomera. It is located on the east coast and is the largest of the island's six municipalities in terms of population and area. The port of San Sebastián is the gateway to the entire island. From here there are ferry connections to the neighboring islands of Tenerife, La Palma and El Hierro, among others. The distance to the nearest ferry port, Los Cristianos, on Tenerife is 38 kilometers. The marina has been considerably expanded since 2000.

    Two important main roads lead from San Sebastián to the other towns on the island. The GM 1 leads north, is about 50 kilometers long and connects the city with Vallehermoso. The GM 2 passes the Roque de Agando and, with a branch to Playa Santiago, connects San Sebastián with the Valle Gran Rey.

    I can take both to get to Alojera, today I drove past the Roques so that Evelynn could take some nice holiday memories.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerCanary Islands 2025, SpainTraveler

    Roques

    February 24 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    On the way to San Sebastián I drove past the Roques in daylight. This time I took a few photos.

    Roque Agando is the most prominent of the group. The others are named Roque Ojila and Roque Zarcita, and sometimes Roque Carmona and Roque Las Lajas are also included. They rise directly above the main road between San Sebastián and Alojera, where I live.Read more

  • Gina SteinerCanary Islands 2025, SpainTraveler

    Vallehermoso

    February 26 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Vallehermoso is one of the six municipalities on La Gomera. It has around 3,000 inhabitants in an area of ​​around 110 square kilometres. This makes Vallehermoso (Beautiful Valley) the second largest municipality on La Gomera after San Sebastián.

    The main town is also called Vallehermoso and was once the seat of the island's central administration.

    The valley faces northeast and is therefore rather humid and cloudy. As a result, the microclimate there is not as pleasant as here in Alojera or Valle Gran Ray.

    However, the population there is almost exclusively Spanish. The only tourists you meet there are hikers who use Vallehermoso as a bus hub and starting point for hikes.

    A very relaxed and authentic place for shopping and everyday life.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerCanary Islands 2025, SpainTraveler
    2

    Clear sky

    February 27 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Today we have a beautifully clear view and El Hierro as well as La Palma are great to see from my balcony. 😍🤩

  • Gina SteinerCanary Islands 2025, SpainTraveler

    Magical laurel forest - from Las Hayas

    February 28 in Spain ⋅ 🌬 17 °C

    Today we walked from Las Hayas for about 1.5 hours through the laurel forest.

    It was a very nice tour with perfect weather. Up there in the forest it can be quite chilly from time to time, but we have chosen the perfect day.

    When we started walking, the sun was shining and no fog far and wide. Shortly before the end of the tour, clouds came over the summit and the last few meters we hiked through the fog cloud.

    A dream! 😍🥰🤩    Read more

  • Gina SteinerCanary Islands 2025, SpainTraveler
    5

    Farewell dinner

    March 1 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Today is the last evening I spend with Evelynn. Tomorrow morning at six, I'll take her to the ferry to San Sebastián.

    That's why we spent a cozy day at home and enjoyed our fantastic balcony together for the last time.

    Then I cooked dinner for us and we were able to have dinner together at sunset.

    That was really a nice week. ❤️
    We will do that again!    Read more

  • Gina SteinerCanary Islands 2025, SpainTraveler
    2

    Welcome to the show

    March 3 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Today was a rainy night and a rainy morning - one of the rare rainy days during the last two months.

    And when the rain is gone the clouds move - so welcome to the show ☁️⛅️🌥️🌤️❤️

  • Gina SteinerCanary Islands 2025, SpainTraveler

    Here goes the sun

    March 5 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    This week is the only week that I'm here alone. I planned it like this because we have our release planning this week.

    When we have our release planning, I have to work a lot and for a long time and have little time or desire for conversations and activities after work.

    So it was clear that I would spend most of this week here on the balcony and then there are few influences and things to see apart from the forces of nature. For that, I'm rewarded with this.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerCanary Islands 2025, SpainTraveler

    Flower power

    March 6 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    There is still a lot of work to be done at my job today, I will have little time to do anything other than cooking and things like washing clothes, in short, housework.

    I want to get everything done at work, tomorrow I will enjoy my last day here and on Saturday I will pack everything up and get ready to go.

    After two months I have made this apartment my own and of course I have to dismantle a few things, so to speak 🤪.

    So it's time to show you the little things that always make me happy here: the flowers.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerCanary Islands 2025, SpainTraveler

    Laurel forest

    March 7 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    I didn't go to the laurel forest much this time, because this time I was here on a workation and not on vacation.

    So I didn't hike in the laurel forest very much, only now and then. But I did drive through the laurel forest a lot. Serpentines back and forth, criss-cross, for hours all over the island. Not just on excursions, but also when I picked up my visitors from the ferry or brought them back to the ferry.

    The laurel forest and the cloud forest here are something very special and really create a magical feeling.

    The La Gomera laurel forest is located in the Garajonay National Park. Over half of the laurel in the Canaries is found here.

    It is a forest that is not only made up of laurels, but of plants from different families whose leaves resemble those of the laurel and turn reddish. There are also linden trees, which have a preference for very humid valleys with predominant fog.

    There are up to five different species of laurel there. They grow to over 30 metres tall. In the wetter valleys facing north you can find lilies of the valley with vines and brick trees. On the wetter slopes there is also the laurel forest, which is mainly made up of loro, faya and aceviño. On the peaks, where the influence of the trade wind fog is greater, the enigmatic summit heaths appear, and on the south-facing slopes the fayal-brezal dominates.

    There are autochthonous and endemic island species. The wild orange tree, the Macaronesian cedar and the Barbusano stand out.

    There is also a wide variety of lichens, fungi and mosses, where a diverse fauna has been preserved with numerous invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles and birds. Among the great wealth of birdlife, the endemic laurels stand out.

    The jungle atmosphere is created by the meter-long lianas that hang from the trees. The laurel trees are mainly found on steep slopes and enclose the highest mountain on the island, Alto de Garajonay.

    The area of ​​the national park has been protected since 1981 and was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. What luck! 😍    Read more

  • Gina SteinerCanary Islands 2025, SpainTraveler

    Bye bye Gomera

    March 9 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    At 6 am I left by car, shortly after 7 am I arrived in San Sebastián.

    Then I found the bad news: my connecting flight in Munich was cancelled 😱.

    Before I handed in the car (of course freshly refueled) I researched alternatives. All flights flying from Munich to Hamburg in the evening have been cancelled.

    So had to book train: at 9am it leaves, at 8 in the morning it arrives. This will be a ride...    Read more

  • Gina SteinerCanary Islands 2025, SpainTraveler

    Tenerife airport

    March 9 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    I'm on the plane now, so I'll probably make it to Munich.

    Then I found a train with two changes and will finally arrive in Hamburg tomorrow morning at 7:39.

    I think striking in general is a good thing. However, this rip-off has significantly changed my attitude towards ver.di. I think it's impossible to suddenly start the strike a day earlier than announced. I don't trust them one bit anymore.Read more

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