La Palma photos
Mar 10th, 2010 | 07:16 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2007
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La Palma photos
We took a week out to find some sun and relax. The intention was to do some walking and reading and just chilling.
However on the flight out my husband collapsed. I really though he'd died. He came round eventually and thanks to two young doctors on the flight and the terrific flight crew he recovered well. He was whisked off to hospital on arrival. I went with him, and was sent to settle the bill - thank goodness for our EHICs! We didn't have to pay anything, it will all be dealt with by our health insurance. He had a full range of tests all of which came back negative. They put it down to stress. I'm still not so sure of that and will be watching him like a hawk for a while.
I phoned our contact person and she came across the island to join me and sorted everything out. What a star she was.
So husband was released from hospital with instructions to do nothing for three days. We got a taxi back to the airport and met the guy from the car hire company. We got a free upgrade, to a Renault Kangoo, which is the car I drive anyway. So at least I was driving a familiar car on windy mountainous roads.
We then had to meet up with the owner of our house and be guided to it. Well he led us up a single track road so steep you had to take the bends in first gear. I was tired, emotional and not at all happy but I made it. Then we were confronted with the path to the house. Nowhere in the description did it mention a narrow muddy path down a 25% slope to get to the house, but that is what we were faced with! My walking poles came in very handy for negotiating it daily!
The house itself was lovely, filled with sweet smelling fresh flowers from the huge garden. Because it is 650 metres high it was also chilly in March. Luckily it has a great log burner and free logs.
The weather was windy, and we had some rain, which we expected, but also plenty of much needed warmth and sunshine. Because we know La Palma quite well we know where to go on the island for the best weather.
The only thing we didn't get to do was a boat trip to see the dolphins and whales, as the sea was too rough - 5 metre swells!
We ended up having a relaxing and enjoyable time, but it took me three days to get over the flight there, and then I started worrying about the flight home again, which thankfully passed uneventfully.
Anyway you can see some of my photos, not as many as I normally take due to the restrictions on my husband, at http://tinyurl.com/yh4quj2. Click on the thumbnails for the bigger picture.
However on the flight out my husband collapsed. I really though he'd died. He came round eventually and thanks to two young doctors on the flight and the terrific flight crew he recovered well. He was whisked off to hospital on arrival. I went with him, and was sent to settle the bill - thank goodness for our EHICs! We didn't have to pay anything, it will all be dealt with by our health insurance. He had a full range of tests all of which came back negative. They put it down to stress. I'm still not so sure of that and will be watching him like a hawk for a while.
I phoned our contact person and she came across the island to join me and sorted everything out. What a star she was.
So husband was released from hospital with instructions to do nothing for three days. We got a taxi back to the airport and met the guy from the car hire company. We got a free upgrade, to a Renault Kangoo, which is the car I drive anyway. So at least I was driving a familiar car on windy mountainous roads.
We then had to meet up with the owner of our house and be guided to it. Well he led us up a single track road so steep you had to take the bends in first gear. I was tired, emotional and not at all happy but I made it. Then we were confronted with the path to the house. Nowhere in the description did it mention a narrow muddy path down a 25% slope to get to the house, but that is what we were faced with! My walking poles came in very handy for negotiating it daily!
The house itself was lovely, filled with sweet smelling fresh flowers from the huge garden. Because it is 650 metres high it was also chilly in March. Luckily it has a great log burner and free logs.
The weather was windy, and we had some rain, which we expected, but also plenty of much needed warmth and sunshine. Because we know La Palma quite well we know where to go on the island for the best weather.
The only thing we didn't get to do was a boat trip to see the dolphins and whales, as the sea was too rough - 5 metre swells!
We ended up having a relaxing and enjoyable time, but it took me three days to get over the flight there, and then I started worrying about the flight home again, which thankfully passed uneventfully.
Anyway you can see some of my photos, not as many as I normally take due to the restrictions on my husband, at http://tinyurl.com/yh4quj2. Click on the thumbnails for the bigger picture.
Jul 26th, 2010 | 05:27 AM
#4
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16
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I hope your husband is all right. I am going to Palma In October with sixteen friends going on the cruise th Jade. I was wondering if you might have any suggestions as to where to go , should we hire a guide with bus ,etc. Most of these friends are in their sixties but all in good health. Thanks for any info.
Jul 26th, 2010 | 07:36 AM
#5
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,351
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Ann, my husband has fully recovered thank goodness.
I assume you do mean the island La Palma, not Palma, Majorca, or Las Palmas, Gran Canaria (just checking
)
La Palma is small - you can see most of it in a day tbh.
Santa Cruz de La Palma, the capital, is worth a wander around, and has some interesting buildings. That is where you boat will dock.
The active volcano at the south of the island, Teneguia, along with it's dormant neighbour San Antonio, is a popular place for people on cruises to go - I think it is offered as an excursion usually.
Otherwise I would suggest heading to the north of the island, maybe visiting Los Tilos which is a mini sub tropical rain forest. Or along the northern coast - visit Roque de Muchachos, and the Petroglyphs at La Zarza.
If you are feeling energetic then a walk to the Caldera might appeal.
Have a look at http://www.islalapalma.com/en/index.html for lots of information on the island and places to visit.
If you contact them they may be able to help with organising a trip for you, or suggest someone else who can. They are very helpful in my experience.
Have a great time on La Isla Bonita
I assume you do mean the island La Palma, not Palma, Majorca, or Las Palmas, Gran Canaria (just checking
) La Palma is small - you can see most of it in a day tbh.
Santa Cruz de La Palma, the capital, is worth a wander around, and has some interesting buildings. That is where you boat will dock.
The active volcano at the south of the island, Teneguia, along with it's dormant neighbour San Antonio, is a popular place for people on cruises to go - I think it is offered as an excursion usually.
Otherwise I would suggest heading to the north of the island, maybe visiting Los Tilos which is a mini sub tropical rain forest. Or along the northern coast - visit Roque de Muchachos, and the Petroglyphs at La Zarza.
If you are feeling energetic then a walk to the Caldera might appeal.
Have a look at http://www.islalapalma.com/en/index.html for lots of information on the island and places to visit.
If you contact them they may be able to help with organising a trip for you, or suggest someone else who can. They are very helpful in my experience.
Have a great time on La Isla Bonita
