Can you hear the gentle lapping of the waves? Right here at Playa del Remo you are standing on a place touched by time and volcanic wonder. Playa del Remo is more than just a beach. It is a testament to La Gomera’s unique geography.
La Gomera is one of Spain’s Canary Islands. It sits in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa. The island is relatively small. It has an area of about 370 square kilometers. This makes it the third-smallest of the archipelago’s main islands.
Imagine this island as a roughly circular shape about 22 kilometers in diameter. It is very mountainous and steep. The highest point rises to almost 1500 meters. This is Alto de Garajonay. La Gomera’s shape is like an orange cut in half. It is then split into segments. This creates deep ravines called barrancos.
Playa del Remo lies at the bottom of one of these ravines. The barrancos channel water. This sustains life even near the sea level. For centuries the inhabitants of La Gomera have farmed these lower levels. They channel runoff water. This irrigates their vineyards, orchards and banana groves.
The climate here is unique. The lower altitudes around Playa del Remo have a desert climate. Higher up the mountains enjoy a Mediterranean climate. The central mountains trap moisture from the trade winds. This creates a temperate cloud forest. It is a stark contrast to the sun-baked cliffs nearby.
La Gomera is of volcanic origin. This dramatic landscape you see around Playa del Remo was formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago. Although the last eruptions were long ago the volcanic past has shaped everything.
The island’s inhabitants developed a unique way to communicate. It is called Silbo Gomero. This whistled speech travels across the deep ravines. It can be heard up to two miles away. This language is indigenous to the island. It has been documented since Roman times. The original inhabitants invented it. They were called the Guanches. The Spanish settlers adopted it in the 16th century. The local government now requires all children to learn it. This ensures its survival.
Christopher Columbus made La Gomera his last stop before crossing the Atlantic in 1492. He replenished his crew’s supplies. He stayed for a month due to vital support from Beatriz de Bobadilla y Ossorio. She was the Countess of La Gomera. When Columbus finally set sail she gave him sugarcane cuttings. These became the first to reach the New World.
La Gomera’s natural symbols reflect its unique character. The Columba junoniae is one symbol. It is also known as paloma rabiche. The Persea indica is another. It is a tree also called viñátigo.
As you stand on Playa del Remo remember the island’s history. Consider the people who have lived and farmed here for centuries. Think about the unique environment. The volcanic past. The cloud forests. The ingenious ways the inhabitants have adapted. Let the sound of the waves remind you of La Gomera’s enduring spirit. It is a spirit shaped by nature and human ingenuity.