Toilet tips

Toilet keys spotted on a bar counter in Valle Gran Rey on an Irish beer mat: The screw is for the gents.
The beer mat of course is Irish as the local owner of this small cafe/bar is a collector of same. Return keys please !

In many bars and restaurants all over La Gomera the toilet doors are mostly locked and if you need to go, you need to go...up to the counter and ask politely for the key for los servicios in order to relieve yourself. Once you're finished, you'll be expected to switch off the lights again and after locking up to return the key.
The whole procedure is due to the fact that generally toilets in bars and restaurants are for customers only and often a sign is displayed pointing this out. However, due to the fact that public toilets are almost non-existent on La Gomera  (except in the port terminal buildings of San Sebastian and Valle Gran Rey, the capital's municipal market, and the vistor's centre above Agulo - all during opening hours only), many bars and restaurants will oblige and let you use their facilities if asked politely, without you having to burden your digestive system further. Hence the toilets are locked to make sure that you take over responsibility for their condition once you've been given the keys. The lights are generally off to save energy, so you're expected to use the switch twice. It is a nice gesture to leave a small tip for the use of the toilets before leaving, as in some busy locations there's a steady stream of toilet users who're not customers and a lot of scarce water, as well as toilet paper and soap, can be used up in a day, and regular cleaning must be done by staff...

While I'm at it: Generally do not throw any paper or any other waste into the toilet bowl as this often leads to blockages in the system here. There is a bucket or bin provided where ALL associated waste should go. Only in a few newer toilets where no such container is provided can you flush down your used toilet paper.

And, unless you want to get angry looks or a straight refusal, please do not enter bars and restaurants bare-chested or in skimpy swimming gear. Cover up a bit. When coming from a beach, do remember to remove any sand and to dry yourself before entering.

Let's hope that public toilets will be provided in many locations on La Gomera someday soon. The situation during the many fiestas, during the upcoming carnival time, etc., can be quite disgusting when even entrances to shops and homes are  sometimes used as toilets, not to mention walls and beaches. Many of the popular hiking routes do not need any more 'human fertilizer' and associated litter either...

No need to go to the beach...

...as you can get a much deeper tan in this La Gomera restaurant. The food there is pretty good, too.

Inner harbour improvements

Re-plasering of the quay

While work on the pedestrianisation of the harbour town of Vueltas  in Valle Gran Rey on La Gomera is continuing, the inner harbour is also being tidied up and some improvements  have already been finished. The slipway has been resurfaced and a separation wall to the harbour beach was installed, while widening and tidying that corner of the sandy beach. New railings have been installed above the slipway and also at the steps leading down into the water. Now they're re-plastering all of the front of the old quay, which had become very rough in recent years. New moorings for the fishing boats have also been laid underwater.

Work in harbour village making good progress

After the usual controversies and objections when work began in November last, the work on first phase of the re-development of the centre of Vueltas is making good progress. It is a tough time for the shops, bars and restaurants in the area with traffic disruption, some noise and lots of dust as unwelcome visitors, but once finished the area will be much more attractive and once again the focal point of Valle Gran Rey (see plans). Traffic into the village itself is currently being diverted towards the beautiful harbour beach, then up to the left at the beach and down left again along a narrow street into the village. But it is much more comfortable to park the car in the harbour and walk the few steps into the centre - it may look closed-off but there is pedestrian access to all areas at any time during construction. Below some recent images of the work being carried out:

This short stretch of road will never reopen but will very soon be a pleasant plaza
with some trees and benches and room for outdoor tables of the cafes/restaurants