Both in summer and winter, in La Palma we have a warm climate where we can enjoy our coast all year round, today for example is the perfect day for a dip on the beach or #CharcasEchentive in #FuencalientedeLaPalma Are you in?
A spectacular beach between volcanoes. Echentive beach, in the south of La Palma, is one of the most modern beaches on the island, as it was created in 1971 after the eruption of the Teneguía volcano. It forms part of the Teneguía Volcanoes Natural Monument, and is therefore located in the middle of a place of great beauty. It is approximately 275 metres long and, despite its wild appearance, it is easy to reach by car or by footpaths.
Relaxing in the natural ponds. The unique landscape surrounding Echentive beach hides spectacular natural pools where you can enjoy a relaxing swim even on the roughest days. Nearby is Fuente Santa, a spring of healing waters that was buried by the same eruption that created this beach; walking the paths that surround Echentive beach and discovering its history and secrets is one of the charms of this hidden corner of La Palma.
How can you explain that feeling when you arrive at a place you fall in love with? LA PALMA is like that, every corner surprises you and becomes embedded in your retina.
If you don't know the beautiful island, come and you won't stop loving it. Within our "top places to fall in love with". you can't miss the BLUE CHARCOAL in San Andrés y Sauces. Possibly the most visited natural pool on the island.
The Fifth Pine is a popular expression that has ended up being used to define a place that is far away. But today we refer, not to the expression, but to therestaurant El Quinto Pino, which is in the municipality of Fuencaliente, in the south of La Palma. It is not that far away from anything, but it is a place to get lost. To lose sight of your worries and see everything from a different perspective.
Lately many of our walks and adventures end up in Fuencaliente. Every time we go there, Fuencaliente has a lot to offer! So - as we have all the time in the world - instead of getting caught up in talking about several places at the same time, we are going to take it easy, corner by corner.
It's been a while since we've been to this restaurant. What a big mistake! It won't happen again! Our plan came about after seeing a poster on the networks announcing:"Chillout atmosphere, sunset, tapas, cocktails, and the participation of Victoria, the troubadour of the south, magical and intense poetess". I admit that although I was looking forward to the plan, I was a little sceptical about the whole "magical and intense poetess" thing, but I said: "Well, at least they warn us, and he who warns is not a traitor. Let's get carried away and see what it's all about".
At around seven-something in the evening we got there, with our bodies both tired and relaxed, still covered in salt after a great day at the beach. It can be said that we were going with a predisposition to enjoy ourselves. And this is very important. With the passing of time I have come to realise that, in almost any situation, they can offer you gold and silver or the stars and the moon, but if you don't go with an open mind and predisposition, nothing good is going to happen! This may sound like a very silly thing to say, but even so, remember it and keep it in mind.
Viewpoint on the heights.
I already knew the restaurant, but I had never been to the part we went to this weekend,"La Pérgola". Going up a few more steps after the restaurant I found a wonderful and charming terrace. The expression "charming" has never been in my vocabulary (I find it very corny) but on this occasion it is more than justified.
"La Pérgola is a viewpoint at the top of the restaurant with magnificent views, a bar and a central pergola with several tables. Along the staircase, among plants and flowers, there are several inviting nooks and crannies with stone benches, cushions and small tables. During the day the setting is beautiful, but when the sun goes down and the sky turns ochre and orange, it is absolutely enveloping and relaxing.
Chillout atmosphere.
We settled in a small corner of the viewpoint, intimate, comfortable and with good views. Honestly, I don't think there was a bad spot. We chose one at random and that was it.
To drink: beers, wines from the island, mojitos, non-alcoholic cocktails... We went to the bar and everyone ordered what they liked. I opted for a white wine from the island. There were no complaints with the drinks and cocktails either, everyone was happy.
Soft music, magnificent views, a comfortable place, ideal temperature, drinks... The first thing the poster promised us: the chillout atmosphere, was already assured. "We're doing great!" I thought to myself.
A spectacular sunset.
Another attraction was the sunset. About this, I have only one word to sum up my impression: Wow! None of the photos we show you do justice to the spectacle and the colours that the sky gave us shortly after we were there.
Sometimes, without realising it, we go about like automatons, doing this and that: homework and even leisure and pleasure, but without "giving much thought" to the business of living - which is no small thing - just crossing tasks or places off the agenda or doing them while we think of other things. But, fortunately, every now and then you realise that you have been here for a while without any of life's miseries going through your mind, you just think: "How nice it is here! I could stay here for a few hours, or a few days looking at this".
"The sun is setting in a burnt orange sky; the cliffs are black silhouettes; the sea, liquid silver".
"The sun is setting in a burnt orange sky, the cliffs are black silhouettes, the sea, liquid silver".
LAURA TREACY BENTLEY
Poetry to accompany.
It was the turn of "Victoria, the magical and intense poetess". Here my scepticism and my prejudices went down the drain together. She was a sociable and very nice girl, who at times, very softly, without us feeling that she was interrupting our banal conversations at any time, entertained us by reciting little stories. Stories that sounded like the popular tenths of theCanarian versifiers..
A delicious pizza!
We had already given our full approval to the place, the ambience, the sunset, the cocktails and the poetess. The only thing left to try was the food.
The terrace "La Pérgola" offers its own tapas menu, and also the possibility of ordering pizzas from the restaurant. On this occasion we opted for the pizza option. We ordered two from the usual menu and a vegan one for me.
I wasn't expecting much, simply because I wasn't very hungry. But I felt like eating something to go with the second glass of wine. At the first bite I realised that it was brutally good. I don't know if the trick is in the wood-fired oven, the spices, or what.... but it had been a long time since a pizza tasted so good. At least mine, the other two I can't say for sure, but judging by how quickly they disappeared from the plates they must have been edible 😉.
Conclusion: A resounding yes.
To round it all off: the beautiful location, the views, the chillout atmosphere, the sunset, the entertainment, the cocktails and the food, plus I have to say that the service was in perfect harmony with everything elseYou know those places where people seem to be happy to work and welcome you? Well, nothing more to add.
And you might be saying: "Maybe they were a bit "intoxicated" with sun and cocktails that afternoon, yes, a bit. Well, a little, yes. We said at the beginning that we were in a good mood and predisposed to have a good time. Drunk with sun, cocktails and happiness. But does that detract from our reason or judgement? I don't think so.
A resounding and absolute YES to El Quinto Pino and its Pergola.
From now on they will be part of the recommendations to our future guests. As far as we are concerned it is already "booked". We will be back for sure!
Well, yes, we've come up with a very Spanglish title. Sorry. Let's make a brief clarification of the expression cool according to our criteria, of course. Don't Google it because it's sure to say something different:
"Cool": That fresh, natural and relaxed style that makes something or someone special, interesting and attractive to us.
When we use the common term and definition of "craftsmanship" we all think of the technique of making objects and products by hand, without the use of machinery, and according to traditional methods. And the first thing that comes to mind is the image of the typical old things from the village house. Baskets, hats, water jugs, pots, bottles, table linen... All practical, marvellous, precious objects with a lot of merit and work. Nobody doubts it. That still exists. And it is something we love. No mass-produced piece that you find at Zara Home or Aliexpress, no matter how much it is on sale, replaces the value of a handmade or exclusive piece that you fall in love with at a flea market. Never!
But let's go beyond the image of traditional tools and accessories found in craft stalls. Don't stay there, stuck in the past. Craftsmanship is now that and much more. For example, it is using traditional techniques to make original, trendy pieces.
The handmade object satisfies a need no less imperative than thirst and hunger: the need to take pleasure in the things we see and touch, whatever their daily uses.
OCTAVIO PAZ
Yesterday, as we had a few hours to spare while we were waiting for one of our guests to arrive, we decided to visit the ISLAND HANDICRAFTS FAIR, which is being held this year in the municipality of El Paso. Our mission was to hang out, browse around, buy something_if it was within our monthly budget_ and say hello to our friend Saray who is participating as a craftswoman in the fair with her brand Arte Awara. Objective achieved. We didn't have enough time to stop a bit more at each stand, but anyway, the time we had at our disposal gave us enough time to stroll among the stalls, say hello to some acquaintances and make a couple of purchases: some anklets from Arte Awara and that beautiful red bracelet you see in the pictures, creation of Sara Noemí Giardino.
I confess that I was left with the desire to take that white top made of macramé so divine, some of Saray's colourful chokers, some pendants made of pieces of ideal cutlery, some XL size baskets among which I couldn't decide which one to choose, and many more things... But anyway, everything can't be, damn it!
Don't tell us that these accessories aren't worthy of any fashion magazine, or to be worn at the best parties or summer festivals wherever you go, because everything is MADE IN LA PALMA! The work and art of the skilled hands of our marvellous and dedicated artisans.
To finish off the afternoon, we made the most of the time and took the time to have a glass of wine from La Isla. Because, yes, the fair also has a gastro area where you can taste and buy delicious pastries and gastronomy from La Palma or refresh yourself with a craft beer, a rum or a good wine from La Palma.
All these pieces, both traditional and avant-garde, can be found this weekend at the FERIA INSULAR DE ARTESANÍA, in the municipality of El Paso. But don't worry, if they are not here this weekend, most of these creations are available in the markets and street markets that are held every weekend in many municipalities of the island (Puntallana, Puntagorda, El Paso, Los Llanos de Aridane, Tazacorte, Villa de Mazo, Barlovento, Breña Alta, Santa Cruz de La Palma...) and in other craft sales points (stay tuned, we will be discovering many of them from now on).
We love La Marmota. This small tavern is a place to pamper the soul and the palate. A fun and informal décor and a terrace from where you can see a lush landscape of banana trees and the sea in the background make it the ideal place to generate that wonderful holiday feeling.
Among the gastronomic offerings of this great little place we find: natural juices, beers, local wines; a variety of cocktails (gins, mojitos, sangria, and many others, with and without alcohol); a menu based on tapas that includes dishes off the menu. The vegan and vegetarian burgers are to die for.
To garnish the proposal, all this is served accompanied by a great atmosphere and indescribable sunsets, the kind you can't resist posting on Instagram.
Eventually they organise events such as live performances, DJ sessions, brunch with friends...
How could it not be among our favourite places? Highly recommended! 😍👌
When a sunrise or sunset does not provoke any emotion, it means that the soul is sick.
Our little island is beautiful in all seasons, and each of them has its charm. But summer is, without a doubt, our favourite. There is something special about summer that makes everything seem more cheerful, more fun, more colourful, brighter, more appetising ...
And speaking of bright and appetising things, today seemed like a good day to open a bottle of a good white wine from La Palma and inaugurate the summer season at V. V. La Palma. Enjoying our glasses, we toasted to the summer while contemplating the city from our privileged chill out viewpoint.
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