After departing the Tenerife we headed for the La Gomera in the Canary Islands on our way to the Caribbean.  Next stop - the Caribbean!

( The Canary Islands (Islas Canarias) were named for the large dogs roaming the islands when troops from Morocco visited the "Fortunate Islands" in 60 B.C. The name remains today.)

•   Bob and Tania were able to enjoy visiting with their boat friends from "Pouncer" (Charlotte Ashburner and Jane O'Connor) as well as "Vahana" (Judith and Harry McPhie) once again in La Gomera.  The Marina at San Sebastián de La Gomera with the large ferries in the background.

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•    La Gomera (Isla Redonda or Round Island) is only 146 sq miles.  It has little tourism infrastructure but hikers and day trippers enjoy its small black pebble beaches and the ancient laurel forest that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The Gothic Tower (Torre del Conde), built in 1447 is the only remnants of the town's fortifications.  In 1448 Beatriz de Bobadilla (rumored to be involved with Christopher Columbus) barricaded herself in the tower after her husband was killed by the local Guanches (in revenge for his illicit affair with a native princess).  When help arrived from Gran Canaria, Beatriz avenged herself by having almost every male Guanche on La Gomera to death. (Tania thinks they all were a busy group).  More Spanish/Moorish influence with the carved wooden balconies.  Bob looking toward Pico del Teide and Tenerife.

• Poinsettias were blooming all over the island.  The terraced mountainsides looking down towards Agulo, at the base of this natural rock amphitheatre.  The view from El Molinito towards Tenerife and Pico del Teide (which happened to be clear on this day).

• Once again even though the calendar said it was December, the flowers and plants were in full regalia .

• Downtown San Sebastián - where Christopher Columbus paid visits at least three times.  The lichen covered ancient laurel forest of Parque Nacional de Garajonay is an illustration of what a Mediterranean forest looked like before the last ice age.  The large volcanic formations of Los Roques as seen from Mirador El Bailadero are starkly beautiful.  This is Roque de Agando (4100 ft).

• This is Roque de Carmona (3739 ft) looking out towards Pico del Teide on Tenerife.  The terraced mountainsides looking towards Playa Santiago (the most touristy area on the island).  A view over San Sebastián towards Tenerife.

• At Playa Santiago artisans were at work on the black sand beach.  In San Sebastián, Christopher Columbus is said to have attended Mass here at Inglesia de la Virgen del la Ascunción before crossing the Atlantic on his first voyage to discover the new world.  Bob and Tania held their on thoughts and prayers on the crossing they were about to do when visiting the interior.

• Bob and Tania were fortunate to see two of the "rowboats" that were attempting to cross the Atlantic.  Unfortunately for these participants they were here after having to return because of problems.  The orange 6-man team was 80 miles out when one crewmember had a knee injury and could not complete the trip.  The red 2-man entry had one crewmember go overboard and although his sleeping crewmember was able to recover him this gentleman decided he rather "take his chances in Afghanistan" which was where he was to be deployed in a few months.  These were both English entries and the 6 man team was hoping to be in Antigua in 31 days.  How embarrassing that would have been to be beaten across the Atlantic by "Canoes" - Oh Boy!  Bob took his chart to them and discussed their route as he was fearful of running (literally) into them (there were already approximately 20 entries on the high seas).  But we never saw any of them on the trip.

• Here I am in my slip in the La Gomera Marina.  The marina and the very large Fred.Olsen futuristic looking ferry that travels over to Tenerife daily.  Charlotte and Jane on "Pouncer" in La Gomera.  Thanks again ladies for Tania's birthday cake and for helping me depart from the slip!

• Jane was treated to a Martini in "BOB'S GLASS" (a true honor for sure!).   At Tania's Birthday party all came on board for Champagne, Snacks, Banana Bread Ring Birthday Cake and then walked to the nearby pizza place for dinner.  Great time and thank you all for being there (including Matius from Germany).  After provisioning in the local markets we departed for the Caribbean on December 10, 2007.