El Hierro

On Tuesday we arrived in La Restinga, the southern- and westernmost port of the Canaries. We are moored to the quay. A couple of tyres and some rubber fenders at the quayside make this possible in spite of some swell. Civilization as we know it is disappearing gradually. The harbour does not offer any electricity nor water let alone showers.

The island itself is yet pretty unspoiled by tourism. On our first excursion we have witnessed beautiful landscape and dramatic coastlines. Only some 8000 people inhabit El Hierro. However, German and other alternatives tourists seem to be discovering the spot and a lot of new buildings must have been built in recent years.

Yesterday night a boat full of refugees arrived while we were asleep. Apparently 200 people of unknown origin made it to the destination of their dreams on the blue boat in the background ot the photograph. Maybe we should seriously consider to support the development of their home countries more effectively. If people risk their lives on boats like that, there must be something terribly wrong.

We plan to stay here until Sunday and then to move further south.