These days have been unusually hot. That’s why we feel compelled to remind you of what to do when the thermometer rises.

1. Drink plenty of water or liquids, don’t wait to feel thirst, unless you doctor has recommended you otherwise. Avoid alcoholic drinks (they dehydrate instead), coffe, tea, cola or very sweetened drinks.
2. Stay in cool places, at the shade. Take a fresh shower or bath. Our swimming-pool is ideal for these.
3. Avoid sunbathing at midday. The peak hours are usually between 11 and 16 hours, when it is better to avoid direct exposure to the sun. It is a great excuse to enjoy your lunch the spanish way, very slowly.
4. Avoid outdoors sports in those peak hours, specially most intense ones (cycling, trekking, jogging…). It is better to programme your day to make these at first hour in the morning or later in the afternoon. It is also ideal to protect yourself from the sun and drink juices, isotonic drinks or water. For example, a freshly made papaya and orange smoothie.
5. Take light meals to replace the salts lost with sweat (salad, fruits, vegetables, gazpacho or juices).
6. When outdoors, try to remain under shade, wear light cotton or linen clothing and protect yourself from the sun with a hat. Remember you shoes should be fresh and light as well.
7. If you are an elder, have a chronic disease or are with any medication, check with your doctor for additional mesures. Do not try self medicating.
8. Babies and children up to 4 years should be dressed with light clothing, drink lots of liquid and don’t leave them in the car alone.
9. If you feel headache, dizzy, cramps, breathless because of heat, tired or exhausted… you must warn our personnel or reach the nearest medical center.

“There are many reasons for walking in the Garajonay National Park, located on the island of La Gomera. Hiking their paths will translate us to earlier times, when man had not yet begun their life experience as Homo Sapiens.
Garajonay is a unique evergreen forest, and surviving ancestral of the Tertiary forest of southern Europe. So close to the Sahara Desert, is a rarity that only explains why this vegetation in the Mediterranean was shifted to us when the climate changed and the ice reached almost the entire European continent , lefting out the Macaronesian region (archipelagos of Cape Verde, Azores, Canaries and Madeira).
The mountains of La Gomera host one of the most unique forests of Europe and Spain: the laurel forest of Garajonay National Park. On its surface safeguarding the best representation of this ecosystem under frequent fog, one of the best preserved of the Atlantic Islands.
These laurel forests are scarce and threatened despite its importance in regulating the water cycle or by its enormous biodiversity that make them important genetic reserves for its high rate of endemism (unique species). However, their small size and low resilience to disturbances make the laurel forests one of the most fragile ecosystem worldwide.
The hiking is therefore the best way to know this unique ancient spirit and safeguarding its essence. In addition to discover the nuances of this incredible Monteverde of La Gomera and appreciate the variety of environments that exist. Garajonay has various walking paths ranging from small rides for all ages to large circular routes for walkers experts. A common feature is that park trails are well marked, signposted and maintained.
The Park offers this comprehensive network of paths through different scenery, from forest valley to top, to small hidden habitats of great rarity, or beautiful places linked to water or unique species. Garajonay is a real spectacle for the presence of fog, the darkness of its interior and its wild character.
Walk the route network of the National Park is safe for all visitors and for the forest. Continue protecting and conserving flora and fauna so unique, favor mature forests evolve naturally, keep the balance of nature by preventing the extinction of species that have evolved over millions of years, defending the best freshwater ecosystems the Canaries are all aspects that contribute hiking in Garajonay, which is leisurely, uncrowded, with care.
Walking should be a pleasure and a responsible act. So stay informed of adverse circumstances possible suggestions for such activity. Be safe, your safety is ours.”

For more, you can check the page https://www.facebook.com/ParqueNacionaldeGarajonay?fref=ts

This saturday 23rd of March is the opening in Ars Septem Gallery of Hermigua of the exhibit “Borondon (Part I)” of the artist from Tenerife Jorge Pérez Rodríguez.

As legend says, the 22nd of March of 516 a.C. and in the company of 17 monks, departs from Ireland St. Brendan of Ardferd and Clonfert in the search of the mythical Paradise. During the trip, that lasted for 7 years, and at the time of Easter, they decide to land on an island and celebrate a mass. While celebrating the mass, the island started to move and the monks would flee in the ship. That is when St. Brendan figures out that the island is not such, but one of the most ancient marine monsters whose name is Jasconius. This is where the myth of the island of San Borondon is born, named after St. Brendan, an island that appears and disappears at will.

Perez Rodriguez proposal depicts this extraordinary legend and dives in a world of fantastic creatures and scenes. 38 works filled with color and playfully conceived that will impact the audience. Side by side with this work, a sample of local and foreign artists as Miodrag, Lolo Padrón, Roberto Batista, Gregorio Marichal, Julia Martín, Carmen Cólogan, Medín Martín Barrios or Taller del Sol.

The exhibit will be open until the 31st of May from 10 to 19 h from wednesday to sunday.

For more info:

David Trujillo
Ars Septem Gallery
Carretera General de Hermigua 56. 38820 – Hermigua, La Gomera
Tel: +34 652 514 391 / info@ars-septem.com / www.ars-septem.com

The most romantic day of the year is a couple days away. In Hermigua we wanted to make it just as special as possible for you. Here is what you can do and enjoy this week:

In our apartments Los Telares, you can have a specially romantic breakfast in your room. For 17€ we will bring a tray to your room with a rose bouquet to surprise your soulmate. Book with us on reception or by whatssap / phone: +34 629 594 078.

A 20% discount for direct reservations in our apartments with the promotional code “VALENT” (click here)

In the restaurants Las Chácaras, Tasca Telémaco, El Silbo and Museo del Plátano you can enjoy a romantic dinner for 15€/person. It includes sparkling white wine, starters, main course, wine, dessert and a special gift.

At the bars Don Juan, Estación de Servicio you have special romantic snack+drink offers.

At Ars Septem Gallery, you can relax with a sparkling wine glass while admiring local arts.

The company Ymaguara Turismo Sostenible y Desarrollo Rural (Ymaguara Sustainable Tourism and Development) will be offering on December a free 2 hours route around Vallehermoso valley. At the end you can link it with a guided visit inside the church of San Juan Bautista in Vallehermoso, beginning at 12.00 h. The route will be departing from Ymaguara at 9:30 a.m. Address: c/Mayor 5, 38840 – Vallehermoso. Tel: + 34 922 800 329 / 659 992 205 / info@ymaguara.com

“TAPAS” AT RESTAURANT EL SILBO

The patron of good dining in Hermigua, the Restaurant El Silbo, proposes from the 5th to the 9th of December 2012 a great plan with a budget. For 5€/person you can enjoy homemade tapas: almogrote, garbanzas barradas (chickpeas pot), croquettes, russian salad, fish fritter with beer, wine and water. Address: Carretera General de Hermigua 102 / Tel: +34 922 880 304.

FIESTA DEL VINO (Wine festival)

This friday 7th december between 19 and 22 hours in the Plaza de Las Américas at San Sebastián (right in front of the beach) they celebrate San Andrés with a high note. The wineries of La Gomera are joining efforts to fill the afternoon with wine, “tapas” and music.

KARAOKE AND DJ PARTY “EL SILBO”

If their tapas offer was not tempting enough, El Silbo celebrates also a lively party with music, karaoke and loads of good vibes. Friday 7th from 23 h. And yes, it fits just fine after the Wine Festival.

LEARN SALSA DANCING AT TASCA TELEMACO

Like every week, in the Tasca Telemaco you can learn to move your hips at the latin beat and enjoy one of the cutest terraces in La Gomera north. Every saturday from 20 hours. Address: Plaza de la Encarnación,2. Hermigua. Tel: +34 922 88 08 12. www.tascatelemaco.com

Of course, you still have the popular weekly activities, with Garajonay National Park guided routes or tours to Los Órganos cliff. Check these at our website Activities section.

Download the routes weekly programme here.

Contact:

It is an initiative from Burrito La Gomera with the funding raised from the green lasso t-shirts.

Today you can start your suscription to the volunteer campaign for the “Reforestation Burrito La Gomera” promoted with the collaboration of the Association Tagaragunche and Garajonay National Park.

This initiative is the result of the campaign “Green lasso T-Shirts” started by the shop Burrito after the fire that affected La Gomera since August, with the aim to raise funds for the reforestation of the affected areas inside Garajonay National Park. As declared by the promoter, “we are requesting the solidarity and volunteer work to plant the trees that will become part of the forest of Garajonay National Park in the areas now devastated by the terrible wildfire this year”.

The reforestation campaign will be made the dates 1, 1, 6, 7, 8 and 9th of December. The dates 2 and 9th (Sundays) are for minors, accompanied by and adult and minimum age required 6 years old. The rest of the days only adults will attend.

The persons interested in participating shall suscribe as soon as possible directly at the shop or filling the form in this link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHZZSGgyalNTQTI2UmdraDZOcTFIZUE6MQ#gid=0. Because of the frailty of the areas, the groups will be limited. And so each person can only apply for one day, so that all the volunteers will be able to attend. The suscriptions will be processed in arrival order.

There will be free buses for the volunteers from San Sebastian Bus Station at 9:00 a.m. (please be there at 8:45 h), as well as a breakfast picnic, so no drinks or food is needed. Each volunteer shall be equipped with trekking / mountaineering boots, work clothing, warm clothing, rain protection, cap and sunblock cream. Also, the volunteers who have the lasso t-shirt should wear it. The returning to San Sebastian will be at 14:00 h. For any additional information, please contact reforestacion@burritolagomera.es.

This last weeks we have lived with worry the situation of the fire in the area of El Cercado, a fire that has affected villages, fincas and woodlands of La Gomera’s west including a small portion of Garajonay National Park. We have also been contacted by some guests worried about their incoming vacations to the island and about the current situation of La Gomera, Garajonay National Park and our apartments Los Telares.

The guests that these days have stayed with us have been able to enjoy their vacations in our valley of Hermigua and our apartments, and we have daily informed them from our reception of parties, concerts, open-air activities and interest areas that they can visit. We have also been gathering updated information regarding the fire fighting progress and active areas. Our priority has been to allow our guests to get the best of their vacations.

We belong to the network of local companies belonging to the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism of Garajonay National Park, part of the Europark international initiative. These days we have been in touch with every company in  the Charter and the Direction of the National Park to receive updated information from every spot of the island and the fire fighting taskforce. In it’s 90%, the burn surface has been of palm trees, canarian pine (very resistant to fire) and bush. With the cooperation of all the gomerans, it will be blooming again this winter. Today, with relief and hope we see a future where we will work restless to help bring back the splendor of every landscape of La Gomera. We hope to receive your support as well. We are at your disposal for any information request and for your suggestions.

Up to now, the very positive evolution of the situation allows to visit by foot and road each time more areas of La Gomera, and also to enjoy our neighbor forest El Cedro, the heart of Garajonay National Park. The island also offers a large portfolio of open air activities, like dolphin and whale watching, mountain bike routes, diving, museums, beaches, trekking, etc. La Gomera is a Biosphere Reservation for it’s singular landscapes, it’s number of protected areas (besides the National Park) and it’s singular culture.

We are working endlessly in our Facebook website, offering you news, updates and events. You can access all that information here: http://www.facebook.com/lostelaresgomera. We are also at your disposal for any information request you have regarding our National Park.

We hope to enjoy your company soon.

Best regards,

Luisa Gámez

Apartments Los Telares Director

info@apartamentosgomera.com

Tel: (+34) 922 880 781 – (+34) 629 594 078

“Most likely La Gomera will be declared Biosphere Reserve the dates 9th to 13th of July during the celebration of the International Coordination Board of the MAP programme in the UNESCO headquarters in Paris”, he declared.

After receiving this good news, the island’s president Casimiro Curbelo has declared that “La Gomera is celebrating this announcement. It is a desired prize to place our land where it deserves among international environments”. Other official source added that “after a long work we are one step ahead from reaching this important award by the UNESCO”.

The current workshop is part of the campaign of the Council with educative actions that promote supportive, fair and sustainable habits from citizens and companies. The aim is to increase the consciousness and commitment of the gomerans with the sustainability objetives and the defense of our natural resources.

This next Saturday 26th of May at 17:00 h the art gallery Ars Septem will be celebrating a free class to bring the children of Hermigua closer to Contemporary Art. The masterclass, where children can enjoy making their own art as well, is made with the collaboration of Apartments Los Telares.

The course DIGITAL, where 17 gomeran children are attending, is an approach to Contemporary Art. It will start with an introduction by Diana Cedrés, an Art Historian, that will explain what is art and, specially, the art made by artists nowadays.

Later the children, with ages from 6 to 10 years, will enjoy making literally with their own hands their artistic work that will be exhibited in the Gallery.

This course, already a success because of the interest of the local public in Hermigua, is one of the activities that the owner of Ars Septem, David Trujillo, is promoting to bring together the plastic art world and it’s importance as an expression of today’s reality and the inhabitants and visitors of La Gomera. The aim of the Gallery is to become a place where gomeran artists and public meet.

Check our post about the opening of the Gallery: http://www.apartamentosgomera.com/blog/?p=336

Address: Carretera General de Hermigua 56, 2ª planta, 38820 – Hermigua, La Gomera
Te: (+34) 652 514 391
www.ars-septem.com / info@ars-septem.com