Canarian bananas have PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status in "Europe". They came to the archipelago from Equatorial Guinea via the Portuguese. Madeiran bananas are smaller and came from Macau, also brought by the Portuguese. Interestingly, Madeiran bananas are refused protected geographical indication by the EU due to the size. Madeirans think it's utterly ridiculous.
Canarian milk kefir and yoghurt. All the 3 fruits are grown on La Palma.
I also brought my Lebkuchen and chocolate from home. Hard to find 99% chocolate in many countries so I have to bring it myself.
First thing in the morning we check out the city's tiny market today. These dried peppers are used in Canarian mojo roja (red sauce). But these big ones are not hot.
At the next stall they have the real deal, for spicy "mojo picante". Palmerans are proud of their spicy sauce. Whilst these sauces are very Canarian (appear at every meal on all the islands), the Palmeran chillies are what make it a bit more special on La Palma.
However, the much smaller bag contains the spiciest chillies. The seller stresses "muy, muy picante!". I have to buy both. Can't be hotter than Mexican chillies.
As mention, the market is tiny, there's no mounds of fruits and vegetables to draw your attention.
I find out it's a kind of gingerroot but very bitter and very medicinal.
I buy a small piece of this young goat's cheese for later.
Painted sign on footpath. Arms and legs are open wide.
Next few photos are of typical streets in the capital Santa Cruz
La Palma is known for its pretty balconies (and many goat's cheeses, bananas, volcanoes, and more).
Before I forget, apparently, I stress apparently, La Palma is the world's steepest island. Others say "steepest" is debatable. But for now it is the steepest, officially. Walking anywhere just here in town and you go up and down all the time, but mostly up and steep, indeed. Some streets are so steep I have to use force to grip the surface by pressing my feet down firmly. Wouldn't want to go out in the rain here.
Roofs with wild plants on them the houses are usually abandoned. Some are hard to tell if they are occupied or not, though. Like this one.
Empty winter beach. It's a volcanic island. The sand is completely black everywhere. Hotter in the summer then?
A small area for wheelchair users. I support changes to accommodate wheelchair users.
It's a city beach. The town is directly behind the beach, separated by the main avenue. I like the breaching whale.
I notice a fortress-like construction in my immediate neighbourhood. The barbed wire rig on the very high surrounding walls is quite serious. Then I look up at the windows and they remind me of prison windows anywhere. So we have to find out... this is the front of the building. It's a prison after all, and right in my neighbourhood.
Pick up some food to eat back in the flat. Octopus salad in vinegar.
Jamon Iberico
Young goat's cheese, mildly smoked. I should change the thread title to "queso de cabra" (minus "papas arrugadas"). La Palma has many types of goat's cheeses. I'm in goat's cheese paradise. (If @Smithyreads this, can you please change the thread title?)
La Palma has 2 craft breweries, this is one of them.
The other Palmeran brewery
From Gran Canaria, widely available in the archipelago.
