La Palma
La Palma is way over in the north western corner of the Canary Islands, and is one of the smallest (El Hierro and La Gomera taking those slots). The landscape is extremely varied here, with everything to imposing coastlines to lush forest and mountainous areas.
As you would expect from the Island, fresh fish is readily available. However, you also must try the garbanzas (chickpeas) or the pork with red pepper sauce. This is Canarian cuisine at its very best… and purest.Nightlife isn’t over the top, and can almost be described as “civilised” socialising. However, at Carnival time this all changes, and serious partying ensues. In Santa Cruz de la Palma, Carnival begins on the last Friday before Ash Wednesday and goes on until the early hours of Sunday morning, called Piñata Sunday, more than a week later.
However, the Carnival Monday is the one day you really shouldn’t miss. It celebrates the return of the Indios from the Americas. They went to make their fortune and came back with money, possessions, huge cigars and all sorts of other erm… stuff! On this Monday, there is a cacophony of sound and Caribbean music whilst everybody (and we mean EVERYBODY!!) dresses all in white and throws talcum powder at each other. The local supermarkets sell packs of talc so don’t worry about stocking up before you go.
