Exploring Gomera

Hi! We're in Gomera now. Christopher Columbus's last stop before heading to the New World...His house still exists here as a museum.

Although a very tiny island, Gomera has so many diverse regions it's amazing that all these different geological, and climatical (is that a word?) areas fit on such a small place, but they do, and Paul and I took advantage of it all, by renting a car the other day and driving around the island.

We drove through green lush valleys and ravines with small, clean villages where houses had sweet smelling flowers or fresh herbs growing in the windowboxes, and huge bougainvillea bushes adorning the gardens. There were banana plantations and vineyards everywhere. We drove winding roads through mountains that had spectacular views of past volcanic activity, terraced farms and sheer cliffs overlooking the sea. We looked DOWN onto the clouds while we climbed and climbed the mountains. There were forests so thick, daylight didn't shine through, tall pines that scented the air with freshness, and lakes and streams running though places that would take your breath away by their beauty.

Paul and I hiked up to a waterfall, and frolicked in it's natural pool. We drank the cool, fresh spring water and it energized our bodies after the long hike. After the hike, we sat on a low rock wall surrounding an old stucco and tile church, shaded by a tree overlooking the fertile valleys enjoying our lunch of fresh baguettes, juicy tomatoes, and local cheese.

I talked to a local vineyard owner who persuaded me to buy some of his crisp, fruity white wine, and coaxed me into some local pate to have as a perfect accompaniment. Can't wait to taste!

IT WAS A GREAT DAY, and it's days likes this that make you smile and smile. It's a day I'll look back on in the coming years with fondness and thankfulness. We all need days like that.

As always we miss you all, and hope all is well.
Cheers,
Paul and Christine
ps. We put some new pictures on our Picassa "Quintana's pictures link". Check them out! We'll put more when we have faster internet access.