Today’s article is still on Santa Cruz de La Palma, but this is the last week in that series before moving on to another Canary Island. Last week I left you hanging outside Castillo de Santa Catalina. In today’s installment we’ll continue north on Calle el Castillete until we reach Avenida las Nieves. It is at that intersection you will find yourself looking uphill, with some pretty spectacular colors to the northwest:
We’ll be climbing that hill in a moment (don’t worry; it’s not as bad as it looks), but first Ursula and I stumbled across a beached ship in the middle of the road. This is Barco de la Virgen:
This “ship” is a reproduction of Christopher Columbus’s small caravel, the Santa María.
And, no, unlike the ship she’s modeled after, this one is not wood. It’s realistically painted to appear as wood, but it’s some type of masonry. You can see what I mean in this closeup:
Just a few steps west of Barco de la Virgen is a footbridge that takes you from Avenida las Nieves, across a deep runoff to Calle Carías. Jog slightly left, onto what appears to be a narrow road, onto Carretera la Encarnacíon and stay on that road as it banks left. From here on you’ll be going uphill where you’ll quickly reach some great views at:
The Castle of the Virgin is, of course, appropriately painted in bright virgin white. And as I previously mentioned, you’ll get some great elevated views from here of Santa Cruz de La Palma. Here’s today’s gallery/slide show of this fortress:
Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)
Decisions — Murder in Paradise
The Globe — Murder in Luxury
R. Doug Wicker — Author 
Doug, you might find this interesting — The title of the apartment building mural is “Dreaming of San Borondon”
Concept for this mural was inspired by the legend of San Borondon, a mysterious island which could be sometimes seen from La Palma, but never could be reached because of the mist that would cover the island as sailors approached the area. Because of its elusive nature, it is believed that the island is carried on the back of a gigantic sea creature, probably giant turtle or a whale. Even though no one yet stepped on the island, we now know were to take a look at it!
Thank you, Bill! Very informative, and nice to know. Much appreciated, amigo.