Will the Pope visit La Gomera this year ?

The historic Iglesia de la Asuncion, the main church in La Gomera's capital
 

As has been widely reported, Pope Leo XIV  will visit the Canary Islands this year during his first official trip to Spain. While the visit's details are yet to be confirmed the visit will include Barcelona and Madrid as well as making history as the first time a reigning pope visits the Canarian archipelago. He might want to follow in the footsteps of many dignitaries and royalty with a visit to La Gomera for a bit of peace and serenity, where Catholicism is still widely practised.We shall see what the Holy See will decide for the papal visit.

Rainy New Year('s)

A healthy, happy and peaceful 2026 to all who read this blog !

2026 is forecast to start with unsettled weather as storm system Francis west of the Iberian Peninsula is going to affect the Canary Islands. Strong winds, cooler temperatures and rainy spells which may be prolonged, heavy and accompanied by thunderstorms, are expected on New Year's Day. The Spanish meteorological service AEMET has issued warnings for the above. The weather for the following days remains unsettled, but gradually improving. Keep informed by checking AEMET (click). 

The locals will be very happy with the badly needed rain and will see it as a good sign for 2026.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Whistled Christmas Wishes

 A very HAPPY CHRISTMAS to all and wishing you a healthy and peaceful new year. The above short video was published some years ago by La Gomera's governmental tourism department and conveys festive greetings in the island's unique whistling language called El Silbo (click to find out more...)

Severe weather alert for Canaries this weekend

Archive image

Storm 'Emilia' will bring very unsettled conditions to the Canary Islands this weekend with very rough seas, unusually high waves and swell, intense rainfalls, thunderstorms and very strong northerly winds predicted, all accompanied by a marked drop in temperatures which could even result in snow falling in the mountains above 1800 metres. Numerous weather warnings have been issued and local governments have activated their emergency plans as a precaution, while the Canary Islands' directorate for emergencies has issued a maximum alert with all events postponed or cancelled. In La Gomera all hiking paths and walks as well as all facilities in Garajonay national park have been closed. Avoid unnecessary outdoor activities and travel. See weather alerts by AEMET here...

The warnings are in force from this Friday afternoon, Dec. 12th 2025, until Sunday lunchtime, but be aware that even when low Emilia has passed and warnings have been lifted, the danger of rockfalls persists for some time, especially in the mountainous terrain of La Gomera.

Controversial new law affects holiday property rentals

A mix of holiday and residential properties in Valle Gran Rey, La Gomera (archive image)

A recent article by Canarian Weekly reported the new law governing holiday property rentals and the controversy regarding same as follows:

" NEW CANARY ISLANDS HOLIDAY-LET LAW APPROVED AFTER FIERY PARLIAMENTARY  CLASH

The Canary Islands Parliament has approved a new and highly controversial law to regulate holiday lets, following a tense debate that highlighted deep divisions between political parties, homeowners, and the hotel industry.

Tourism Minister Jessica de León said the law was difficult to negotiate but is necessary to bring order to a sector that has grown rapidly in recent years. Supporters of the law claim it protects families who rent out their properties by giving them clear, stable rules.

Opposition parties insist the law will make life harder for residents, especially those living in tourist zones.

The PSOE said the law clearly favours hotel owners and tourist investors. They argue that a better solution would have been to limit the number of properties each owner can rent out. They also believe the law will be repealed once there is a change of government.

Hotel sector vs holiday-rental owners

Outside Parliament, the hotel sector and holiday-rental owners are also clashing. The hotel federation Ashotel welcomed the law, saying it finally creates clear rules for a sector that has grown “out of control”.

But Ascav, which represents holiday-rental owners, called it a “black day” and said the law will mainly harm small homeowners. They warn it could dramatically reduce the number of holiday rentals available across the islands.

The key points of the new law are:

Holiday rentals are now classed as a business activity.

They will only be allowed in areas where local councils specifically approve them.

Councils must ensure that 80% of housing remains for residents (90% in major tourist areas and on La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro).

In high-pressure areas with a shortage of housing, new holiday-let licences will be suspended, although existing ones can continue.

New applications will depend on each council’s planning rules.

A law that changes the rules, but not the argument

Both sides claim they are protecting local residents, but the fierce arguments inside and outside Parliament suggest that the real conflict is over how the islands should manage tourism, housing, and the balance between residents and visitors.

With councils now responsible for applying the new rules, the coming months will show whether the law brings stability, or creates new problems." (Canarian Weekly)

Ferry ticket bargains

Ferry company Armas is offering tickets at discounts of 30% off and up to 45% off on all their routes, including their high-speed ferry to La Gomera, for bookings made until Monday 1st of December 2025. You can book ahead for sailings until June 15th 2026. The discount is applied in the final step of booking before you pay when you enter the discount code BLACKFERRIDAYS. Here's the link to the offer in English...

Space flight with rockoon direct from La Gomera soon

The 'rockoon', a word derived from rocket + balloon (this image and video below: b2space.com)

When I first heard about the planned launch of a rockoon (a huge balloon with a rocket attached to it) to take place in the harbour of Valle Gran Rey, La Gomera, I thought it was yet another funny tall tale or false rumour doing the rounds. But what sounds like something that I might have dreamed up for my popular annual April Fool's Day posts is in fact true and about to happen in the middle of this month.

The company behind the venture with the slogan ''taking your business to space'' is B2Space Ltd. It was founded 2016 in the UK and later expanded to Spain with the ''purpose to provide a reliable, flexible and low cost access to Low Earth Orbit for small and micro satellites'' and ''High Altitude Operations and Near Space Testing''. The idea is that a stratospheric globe carries the rocket up close to the earth's atmosphere before its ignition to leave same for space, saving lots of fuel.

Vueltas harbour (Google maps)

The next launch, planned for a ''window of opportunity between November 16th and 23rd 2025'', will be from the harbour of Vueltas in La Gomera, selected as the ideal site because of its remoteness and safety, plus I'd say the predominantly favourable weather played a role , too. According to the local press  ''this maritime environment allows to meet security requirements and obtain the necessary licenses''. Could Valle Gran Rey's little-used harbour now transition to a spaceport ? There's a couple of acres of vacant space available. Before launch, on November 14th, the company will present the system, the associated planned activities, and further details in the harbour of Valle Gran Rey. 

The presentation will take place in the terminal building (Estacion Maritima) in the outer harbour at 11:30am and is open to to the public. The launch of the rockoon is planned for Sunday Nov. 16th, if conditions are favourable. Be there to see it all, or if you fancy hitching a ride. A few space babies and space cadets in La Gomera might feel tempted to stow away and go higher. Rock on, rock-oon, next to the moon ! 

Seriously though, the above is true and the company's video below shows how they intend to do it:

Updated weather warnings issued for Canary Islands

An additional status orange warning of very heavy downpours, thunderstorms and strong winds has been issued for the western Canary Islands a bit earlier today November 12th 2025 by the Spanish meteorological agency. In La Gomera the island's government has activated its emergency plan and asks to avoid travel and to stay away from all hiking trails, walks and unpaved forestry tracks. Ravines, valley floors and low lying areas should also be avoided due to the risk of flash flooding as rain accumulations of up to 30mm in just one hour can be expected.. Same applies to the other western Canary Islands of Tenerife, La Palma and El Hierro. The warnings are valid from lunchtime today until tomorrow afternoon. Status yellow warnings of thunderstorms and wind have also been issued. A heavy swell with large waves can als be expected. Gran Canaria will be under similar warnings tomorrow only while Fuerteventura and Lanzarote will come under yellow warning (see image above). Go to the Spanish meteorological service's (AEMET) official website in English for further detail.

All this is due to a large area of low pressure, presently around 980 hPa, situated NNW of the Canary Islands and off the WNW of the Iberian peninsula, named storm Claudia.

Please be aware that there is a high risk of rockfalls, which will remain for a couple of days once the rain has cleared away and the sun heats up the wet mountainsides.

Stunning image of sacred mountain

Above a stunning aerial photograph of La Gomera's sacred mountain La Fortaleza, taken and published by ''The Piper Pilot'' on his Facebook page, where he showcases the beauty of the Canary Islands with shots taken from his aircraft. Below is an image I took some time ago. More about La Fortaleza can be found HERE...

Cinema to be demolished soon

The old, long closed cinema (image above: (c)Google Street View) in the Las Orijamas barrio of Valle Gran Rey is soon to be demolished to make room for a new state-of-the-art health centre. The plans also include the upgrade and incorporation of the adjacent senior's residence and of the existing health centre. The new healthcare facility will have 30 beds for acute cases and a further 30 beds for long-term care. The former cinema building was acquired by Valle Gran Rey's local government recently and the cabildo (island administration) has now approved the allocation of 304.000 Euros for its demolition and site works. A sum of € 8.3 million has been earmarked for the subsequent construction of the new facility, see plan below:

The Number One Bus

Linea 1 bus at platform number 1 in Valle Gran Rey's bus station (''Estacion de Guaguas'' at the bridge in La Calera), connecting the capital San Sebastian de La Gomera with the south-west and the mountain villages of Chipude, La Hayas and El Cercado. The 65 kms long journey with over 40 bus stops (depending on demand), costs just 5 €uros  and takes less than two hours. There are several stops in the national park and the bus also goes to the island's hospital. Please note that there is only the relevant bus station's departure time given and that you have to signal the bus to stop anywhere else. You also must ring the bell (the red button marked STOP) aboard just before your destination, but stops are not generally announced. Also worth noting is that a bus or coach is not called ''autobus'' as it is in Spain, but only known as a ''guagua'' (pronounced ''gwa-gwa'') in the Canary Islands. The routes, timetables and fares for the public bus company Guaguagomera can be found HERE...

Two dead and one critical after car crashes into house

Scene of the accident in Arure (Image source: Ramon Hernandez/facebook.com)

A car crashed into the wall of a building in a bend on the main GM-1 road in the village of Arure, municipality of Valle Gran Rey, on Sunday night hitting two persons outside the house.

The alarm was raised just before 7 pm and when the emergency services arrived at  the scene a man and a woman who had been in front of the house at the time had been fatally injured, while another woman, who was the passenger in the crashed car, was extracted from the vehicle alive with life-threatening injuries. She was transferred by SUC helicopter to the university hospital in Tenerife, where she remains in critical condition. Meanwhile the male driver of the crashed vehicle was transferred to La Gomera's hospital with less severe injuries.

Several people near the scene of the horrendous crash had to be treated for shock and the whole island of La Gomera remains shaken by the incident. Valle Gran Rey has declared three days of mourning and all events have been cancelled there.

Summertime is fiesta-time

...and more about fiestas in La Gomera can be found HERE...

Who's got the key for this tree ?

Heather tree near Raso de la Bruma in La Gomera's Garajonay national park, spotted recently

Video of St.John's bonfire night traditions...

...taken for/by the Canarian government's heritage teaching programme in Vallehermoso in La Gomera's north-west on Monday night, 23rd of June 2025. Note the massive bonfires all around the valley. 

There are lots of huge bonfires in every town and village all over the island on the same night with parties, music and dancing. In the video you can see ancient aboriginal traditions like the music, chants and dancing mixed with newer Christian traditions that arrived with the Spanish conquest. More about the bonfires HERE...

And then there was light...

 ...and not only at the end of the tunnel.

For many years the demand for lighting of the two tunnels below Arure down into Valle Gran Rey had been vociferous, not least after a serious accident involving a cyclist in the 625 metres long tunnel of Yorima. 

As I reported in 2020 the Canarian government had allocated substantial funds for the installation of illumination in both tunnels, but it took another few years for works to be completed, and some time ago the light came on, which I failed to report up to now. 

Many years ago when newly arrived in Valle Gran Rey, I once naively walked down from Arure to La Calera through both dark tunnels at night, trying to hitch a lift down. Nobody stopped for me as they probably thought they saw a ghost. A very scary experience for me and one to be avoided even now that the tunnels are lit, as the bit of pavement on both sides is too narrow to walk on safely, and only serves for standing on, back tightly pressed against the wall, when a car or truck thunders through the tunnel.

Canary Islands Day 2025

The Canary Islands celebrate their national holiday Dia de Canarias every year on the 30th of May with lots of activities, concerts and celebrations, read more about it here...

The 2025 programme for Valle Gran Rey (above) has lots of local and Canarian folk music and more and will take place behind the bus station (where the Sunday market is situated) and begins at 1pm.

Fatal bus crash on mountain road

Image source: diariodeavisos

A major accident on the GM-2 main road about 3 km outside San Sebastián de La Gomera yesterday morning left a 73-year-old woman dead and 11 other people injured, some seriously, when a public transport bus with 20 people on board overturned.

The crash happened at around 8:30am, when the bus veered off the road and tumbled down a slope. The authorities stated that the vehicle was operating the regular route between Alajeró in La Gomera's south and the capital San Sebastián de La Gomera when it left one part of the roadway and overturned onto a lower part of the same mountain road near and below the large statue of Christ overlooking the capital.

Scene of the accident seen from the upper part of the road. Image source: diariodeavisos

The alarm was raised at 8:42am, initiating a major emergency response involving ambulances, a rescue helicopter, police, civil defence, etc. According to the Canary Islands’ Emergency Coordination Centre (CECOES), all those injured were taken to Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe hospital, but one critically injured was later transferred by helicopter to Tenerife's main hospital.

The cause of the accident is being investigated by a team of specialists from Tenerife.

Despite La Gomera's winding and often precipitous roads such accidents are thankfully very rare, but in January 2018 another bus crashed and overturned (click to read post).

Palms as houseplants with a difference

La Gomera is home to the largest number of the endemic Canarian palm tree (Phoenix Canariensis)  in the archipelago and the species is protected and cherished. More than 100.000 specimens have been counted on La Gomera and they are also a source of income for local farmers. From animal fodder, basket making, etc., to the the famous sweet ''palm honey'' (miel de palma), they play an important part in our economy. Palm honey is not bee's honey, but the syrup obtained by first cutting the crown of the palm tree, then collecting the sweet and watery sap (called 'guarapo') that rises up the trunk and further boiling the sap down to a syrupy consistency to obtain the 'honey'. This liquid is delicious, full of minerals etc., and highly valued. A Canarian palm tree may be exploited in this way only once every five years without doing damage. Read more about palm honey here...

Palm trees may not be cut down for any reason without a permit that is almost impossible to obtain, as they are a protected species. So what do you do when you want to build a house or an extension to an existing one when there is a Canarian palm in the way ? The simple answer is you just build around it and leave the tree trunk as a feature, or as a convenient clothes hanger stand, inside your house. The gap you have to leave in the roof is usually sealed with an old truck tyre's inner tube which fits the trunk neatly and allows it to expand. 

When I first came to La Gomera I lived in a house for a while where a palm tree grew  through the centre of the kitchen with frying pans and other utensils neatly dangling off hooks screwed into the trunk. The floor was tiled right up close to the base of it as Canarian palms have a vastly spread network of relatively small roots and the palm doesn't mind being encased as long as it can spread below the foundations. There was an opening in the tiling where you could pour in some of your waste water to give it a drink.

There are a good few examples of this 'symbiosis' all over La Gomera island. Above and below are images from just below La Calerea on the main road to La Playa,  Valle Gran Rey, where a palm is neatly integrated into a building. Also note that when this road was widened some years ago all the existing palm trees had to be accommodated and new ones were planted, too:

That's why you should always heed the warnings:

This massive lump of rock fell during storm 'Olivier' which brought very heavy rainfalls to La Gomera and all over the Canary Islands. The rock above fell onto the road between Las Hayas and El Cercado, completely blocking it. In total there were about 50 incidents, but thankfully no injuries, as most people did heed the warnings. Thanks to La Gomera's undaunted, dilligent and ever-vigilant road maintenance crews all roads were soon cleared again. (Image: gomeranoticias)