THE EXTINCT (we hoped!) VOLCANO OF CALDERA BANDAMA, PLUS A VISIT TO THE NATURAL BLOWHOLES OF EL BUFADERO.
This volcano and viewpoint overlooks the big city of Las Palmas. It's considered the most recent eruption on the island. Here's what Wikipedia says about it;
The Bandama Natural Monument is part of the Tafira Protected Landscape on the island of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands, Spain. It is considered a point of geological interest, because of the Caldera de Bandama. This volcanic crater, which is geologically a maar rather than a caldera,[1] reaches 569 m (1,867 ft) above sea level at the highest point on its rim, Pico de Bandama, and is about 1,000 m (3,300 ft) wide and 200 m (700 ft) deep. The crater was developed during the last heavy eruptions 2000 years ago. It is recorded as the most recent volcanic activity on Gran Canaria.[2]
The bottom of the caldera contains volcanic ash of different colors, and some botanic species of Canary Islands origin. An endemic bush can be found inside the caldera that doesn't grow anywhere else; Dama de Bandama[3]
After visiting the Pico de Bandama, where General Franco was said to have a secret bunker, we went lower down the road to find the start of the footpath to walk the rim of Caldera Bandama volcano.
The path drops away from the road as a dusty, loose surface. You need sturdy shoes or boots really, as it can be a bit tricky.
It's a really pleasant walk (if the weather is good), with lots of greenery lining the paths. There's a lot of Aloe Vera plants, many of which have pushed tall flowers high up, before dying from their efforts.
The path is steep in places, but only in short bursts. This is looking back. You can see Pico de Bandama on that hill.
Sue and I take a break as a passing walker
offered to take our picture.
We saw a few of these plants growing precariously on
the sides of the crater.
The view back from the far side of the crater,
with the sun dappling the sides.
A strange perspective as I take a panorama of the whole crater.
Walking the crater path.
As we came to the end of the path, a squall blew in, bringing with it a sharp rain shower. We sheltered in the golf club until, as quickly as it came, it went and the sky again brightened!
Back to blue skies as we finished the walk.
It only takes about 1.5 hours to complete.
EL BUFADERO.
Access to El Bufadero is really strange - you drive through what I can only describe as a housing estate. All of a sudden, there's a car park (free) and a path down to the site.
On volcanic islands, it's not rare to get these 'blowholes'. However this one, called El Bufadero, is a particularly good example.
We were again lucky with the conditions, as the sea had a bit of action in it, so we were treated to a good show.
There were these small red crabs clinging on to the rocks. They were completely unaffected by the waves lashing over them - they clung on regardless!
People have asked if it would be possible to swim in these - the answer is, only if you wanted to be flayed alive! The volcanic rock is like razors, and if you were rubbed over it's surface, it would cut you very badly!
Some video of El Bufadero.
After all the excitement, it was back to Amadores for yet another great sunset.
Sighhhhhh - I never tire of seeing these 💓
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