Ruta de las Cruces

The 3rd of May is cause for celebration on La Palma - yes, something of a fiesta you might not be surprised to hear. However, this one is particularly important as it celebrates the founding of Santa Cruz de la Palma, which took place on 3rd May, 1493.   Like many fiestas, it starts rather late at 22.00 hrs and continues through the night.  The difference with this one is that it is in fact an excursion on foot - the Ruta de las Cruces - to see the decorated crosses to celebrate the event. 
If you are already on the island, you can enrol for the walk by ringing 603850336 and ask for Esther.  Don't worry, it won't be a dull half-dozen of you out for half an hour - it seems like half of La Palma go and it lasts approximately eight hours.  Or just turn up and follow the crowds.  You will find impromtu bars open, bands playing and singing and in general a great party atmosphere.  Oh, and the crosses are rather amazing too, decorated with jewellery, silks and flowers and many with huge but intricate backdrops made of tiny seeds.  And of course you can go and see them in the day too.

  Meet at 22.00 hrs in San Pedro and bring a coat, torch, walking pole or stick and reflective tabard or similar.
It'll be something of an eye-opener, even in the dark!

Land of the Landy

If you are a lover of good old-fashioned 4 x 4 vehicles, you're going to feel right at home on La Palma.  And if you are driving around the rural north, it seems that almost every car apart from hire cars are 4 x 4's! 

In the old days, mules were used to transport goods but then the farmer's friend and trusty steed became the Santana Land Rover.  Still chugging along the roads after 20 plus years of faithful service, the Santana is probably about as stuburn as a mule - and possibly about as comfortable.  But of course, you can cram a lot more on, in and around them than a mule. 

Then there are the baby pick-up's.  There are still a few of those about - they remind me of Matchbox cars that you really could 'pick up' and put in your pocket!  

And then the modern day Land Rover, still built from the same design and about as aerodynamic as a brick.  But it really is some workhorse!