Our second island to visit in the Canary Islands was La Gomera. It is one big mountain dissected with deep valleys.

I opted for the “La Gomera Scenic Drive”. The island was gorgeous, but the roads were narrow and winding. As we drove up, we passed beautiful houses and views across to Tenerife Island. The mountain you can see is Mount Teide. It is the highest peak in Spain and the 3rd tallest volcano in the world, measured from its base on the ocean floor.

Our primary stop was at the visitor center for Garajonay National Park. We were given coffee and our choice of several kinds of cookies.

The park is a UNESCO World Heritage site - with its extensive forested area on the top of the island. It protects the largest laurel rainforest remaining on Earth, "almost as old as the island itself". Laurisilva has a very special property in that it makes clouds into rain: Due to the pressing upwards of the trade winds, there are often clouds on the top of La Gomera; but the leaves of the trees of Laurisilva have pores that catch the small drops from the clouds. The surplus water absorbed is secreted so that the trees are raining, which increases precipitation from 50-100%.

The vegetation type has stayed the same for millions of years. The forest is made up of different evergreens flourishing under the mild temperatures. Trees are irrigated by the mist which sometimes covers the top of the island, especially in winter. The trees are covered in mosses and lichens. This environment extended all around the Mediterranean Sea in the Tertiary Era, so the National Park is considered a living relic. Several species endemic to the Canary Islands live here.

At the visitor center there were many beautiful flowers

And a replica of a grape press

We wound down on a road you would swear was a single lane, but we would meet oncoming traffic – including other motorcoaches. I don’t know how they passed each other. But that was easier than passing terrified tourists in rental cars!!

Our last picture stop was at Roque Agando – a large volcanic plug.