Tag Archives: Outdoor Activities

Canary Islands: La Gomera

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A Litte Gem of 392 km2

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La Gomera, The Island To Discover

Hi everyone! I post this article on the front page of the blog again. A bit of outdoors, dreams and escape for these long fall and winter months ... I hope this can help you organize a visit to the stunning La Gomera ! Enjoy ! 

In the early evening, we dock in the small port of San Sebastian de La Gomera, designated by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve. A short trip from Tenerife: 50 minutes to contemplate the calm ocean in the amber light of a beautiful sunset. After collecting a rental car, we will drive to the historic Parador Nacional de Turismo “Conde de la Gomera” which overlooks the city of San Sebastian (photos below), offering magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean. I will never tire of my stay at this hotel.

Day 2: after picking up our great guide Andrea, we cross the island from east to west to reach the port of the Valle Gran Rey village, where we embark on a small boat in order to observe the whales. Rather, it will be happy dolphins and above all spectacular views of the rugged coastline made up of stratified rocks plunging steeply into the emerald water. Unfortunately I don’t have time for a scuba dive. Then a lunch of excellent fish in the village and back on the road to go to a Laurasilva forest (endemic to the Canaries, Madeira and the Azores), in the Park of Garajonay.

Day 3: the landscapes are impressive and it is also better to know how to drive in the mountains, because in places the driving is “sporty”. Early this morning, guided by Andrea, we head to the center of the island: the Bosque del Cedro hiking trail in Garajonay Park, for a short and invigorating 1.5 hour walk in the forest. Then return to the car and depart to Agulo, in the north of the island. Before, we stop at El Alto de Garajonay, the highest point of La Gomera (1484 meters). Incredible 360 ​​° view, including a breathtaking view of the famous El Teide volcano in Tenerife! I also really liked the lunar landscape (red earth without vegetation) which leads to the Mirador de Abrante, in the municipality of Agulo.

Day 4: our last morning and we have to take the ferry back to Tenerife, with the desire to stay in La Gomera and discover more about this island with a tragic past and a stunning nature. After the frantic pace of our activities of the previous days, we have a relaxing break at the Riu Buenavista in Tenerife. The recently renovated hotel offers an airy setting, where it is pleasant to stroll and enjoy the beautiful sunsets. I really appreciate the new decoration too, very boutique hotel. In our room, we have an amazing view of the ocean and La Gomera !! Without forgetting the quality of the buffets with very good fish.

                             Enjoy the travel's pictures below !

Day 1: Our Hotel, The Parador Nacional de Turismo “Conde de la Gomera”

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Day 2:

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Day 3:

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Day 4: Back To Tenerife & The Riu Buenavista

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Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Spainish Tourism, La Gomera Travel, Hotel Riu Buenavista

Related articles : Destinations

Many thanks to the Spanish Tourist Office / Oficina de Turismo de España and La Gomera Travel for this beautiful invitation. Many thanks to Riu Buenavista too. As always, these are my opinions.

Weekend in Porto Santo – Day 3

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Sunrise Walk

 

Challenge of the Day: 

invigorating walk of the 9 km beach while sun rises. A must do! The landscape looks like a movie set, with an impressive natural light (the photographer is speaking). Stunning blond-golden sand! We can only hear the sound of waves. Finally quiet!                            

First picture of the article: a wink to spaghetti westerns, my silhouette draped in a kikoi (sarong / scarve from Kenya). The bottom of the air is fresh. Video above: the start of walking, the day is struggling to break through. And video below: 1h30-2h later, how the light changed!   

Ditto for the two below pictures of the beach: the round trip. Between: the photo of the historic pier of Porto Santo. I feel being like on a Florida or California beach. No time to swim, I have to go to my spa appointment!

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The Thalasso Spa

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The Baleira Thalasso Spa

Perfect timing to relax my muscles after two hours of sport. Facing the beautiful beach (1), the Baleira Thalasso Spa is the only thalassotherapy center of Porto Santo and one of the best equipped of Portugal too (photos above and below).   

After a quick shower, I was guided to the saltwater bath heated to 37 ° (3 & 4) and a cold water course with powerful jets (much like the one I tested in Bali).   

Then I joined my smiling therapist in swimsuits, for a tonic “Vichy massage”! Fantastic: the best massage under (seawater) jets I’ve ever had, you feel the fat take off (LOL). After: no more tension throughout the body … or in the head! Grazie mille to my Italian therapist!

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Inside the Island

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Stunning Landscapes

After lunch, I’m on my way for a private tour in 4×4 of the island, with the Lazermar Travel Agency, a business run by a very professional and sympathetic family, passionated about its island! I have a less than 3 hours before my departure by ferry to Madeira!      

Check out the landscape diversity of this small island of 42 km (photos above and below)!         

I am wowed by the geological curiosities: above photo and in the center of the island, the ground covered with fossils of sea snails. Small vineyards enclosed by stone walls. And heritage with the old windmills near the Miradouro da Portela. I also visited a traditional house dating from the 18th century … Some of the landscapes remind of Africa.

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Departure to Madeira

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Ferry during 2:15

Rushed arrival at the harbour at the end of boarding (lol). I don’t have time to take few stuff in my suitcase to change me during the crossing. I am full of sand and dust (the joys of the outdoors)!                    

Because once arrived in Funchal (Madeira), I go straight to dinner at the Design Center Nini Andrade Silva (last picture of the article: the building on the left is the Design Center Nini Andrade Silva).                           

During the crossing, I stayed on a bridge to fix the horizon and I saw dolphins! And booster shot: the ad on the Porto Santo Line ferry: “Save Our Ocean, don’t throw litter in the sea”! See you in Funchal …

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Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations 

Visit Madeira, Visit PortugalVila Baleira Thalasso Spa & Lazermar Travel Agency

Related Posts : DESTINATIONSHOTEL REVIEWS & BEAUTY

Many thanks to Visit Madeira and Visit Portugal for this wonderful discovery of the island of Porto Santo. Thanks also to my awesome therapist at The Vila Baleira Thalasso Spa and the Lazermar Travel Agency for the fantastic tour of the island! As always these are my opinions.

Nazaré, Portugal: The Biggest Wave in The World

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Onda da Nazaré, the biggest wave in the world ! 

And extreme surf ! Yes, Nazaré ! Do you remember in 2011 the feat of the Hawaiian Garrett McNamara who surfed a wave of 23.77 meters high ? The biggest wave ever surfed … Until he established a new world record in January 2013 and this time with a wave of more than 30 meters! Welcome to Nazaré, Portugal … 1h30 drive north of Lisbon.

Stunning panorama of Praia do Norte (North Beach) from the old lighthouse. The wind is cold, mild euphoria, I do not feel the cold, warmed up by this amazing winter sun. Azure sky, incredible brightness ! Surf waves break a few meters below. No wall of water today, from time to time some powerful waves, Atlantic Ocean. Whenever I discover a legendary surf spot is flat LOL! Two three surfers in the water, a photographer with his assistant and a tripod …

I can spend hours and hours looking at the ocean, endless beach. And we head to the beach. No real path, the descent is steep, very steep . Large sandbar that stretches out of sight . I’m deafened by the noise of the wind and waves. Also surprised that despite a strong wind, the sand doesn’t fly unlike Guincho, another famous surf spot in Portugal. Time flies, we must go back, I feel boosted. A last glance towards the beach (photo 9). To be continued …

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Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2014, tous droits réservés.

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