Have you ever heard whispers of lights dancing in the dark? These whispers echo around La Dama. We stand in La Dama, a hamlet in La Gomera. It is a place touched by sun and legend. La Dama sits on the southwestern coast. It overlooks the secluded Playa de la Rajita.
Imagine this. It is night. A blue-white light flickers near Vega Abajo. This place lies between Chipude and La Dama. Locals call them wandering lights. These lights are unusual occurrences. They spark tales of the unexplained. Some say these lights are souls in grief. Others whisper of pirate treasure.
The legend tells of three pirates. They landed at La Rajita beach long ago. They had treasure. Two pirates climbed to Vega Abajo to bury it. The third stayed with the boat. Greed twisted the pirates’ hearts. After burying the treasure, one pirate murdered his companion. He returned to the beach. He told the waiting pirate his friend was lost. The pirate guarding the boat suspected foul play. A fight erupted. The greedy pirate killed him too. The treasure remained hidden. The murderer sailed away. He left the treasure behind.
Since that day, a light appears. It haunts Vega Abajo. It marks where the first pirate died. They say his soul wanders there. It waits for three people to find the treasure. One of them will die in the same spot. The elders say the light vanished when the hermitage of San Gregorio was built. Still, the light might reappear.
La Dama itself is nestled on a wide ridge. This ridge is between the ravines of Erque and Iguala. Here, bananas thrive under the near-constant sunshine. La Dama boasts the largest area on La Gomera for banana cultivation. The climate is warm and mild. It nourishes tropical fruits like avocados and mangos.
From La Dama, a trail leads to Alajeró. It passes the shrine of Ntra. Sra. de las Nieves. Steps descend to the road for La Rajita beach. The path winds steeply. It passes the Protected Landscape of Orone. This landscape includes the Fortaleza de Chipude. It is home to unique plants.
Hikers enjoy views of La Rajita. Vertical cliffs flank this beach. La Nariz point juts into the Atlantic. An old cannery once thrived here. It processed tuna and mackerel. The industry boomed until the 1970s. The jetty remains as a silent witness.
As you walk towards Alajeró, you may see shepherds. They skillfully leap with an astia. This pole helps them navigate the terraced hills. They search for their flocks. This tradition is part of the island’s heritage.
Look back at La Dama. Palm trees surround it. It is like an oasis against the blue ocean. Remember the lights, the pirates, and the bananas. La Dama is a place where stories and nature intertwine.