La Isla Meridiano, El Hierro

Started by Hepa, Tue 26 Jul 2016, 15:14

Previous topic - Next topic

Hepa

Here on the Meridian Island of El Hierro, there are about 6,000 habitants, sharing the 273 square Km., of those 6,000 there are 7 (seven) residents from the United Kingdom.
The tourist boom that occurred on the other Canary islands, passed us by, largely because no one in authority is really 100% sure of where we are, in consequence of this isolation, we have retained our Herreño culture and charm.
The few brave tourists that do arrive, visit the island to walk the many ancient footways, or to scuba dive in the Mar de las Calmas, to the south of the island, or just to chill out, some do in fact return!
Because we are right on the edge of the flat Earth and due to the lack of Northern European visitors, the locals cuisine prevails. Happy hours, full English with Bisto Gravy, match of the days bars, selling John Smiths and Guinness sandwiches, have not yet arrived and the English language is almost never used.
Crime here is almost unknown, the locals are most welcoming and friendly, with a sense of humour second to none, the young still respect their elders and are extremely polite.
Perhaps you should visit us one fine day, bring your friends and family, we are 75 miles and 75 years to the south west of Tenerife.

Perikles

Surely your lizard sanctuary is something worth mentioning? And are you not totally reliant on renewable energy sources?

snowbird

I visited your beautiful island a number of years ago. I found it quite enchanting. I was the only non local on the ferry which took more than 4 hours. It was quite an adventure. I felt like Michael Palin! It was mainly returning truck drivers who in the main had been delivering agricultural products to the other islands. It was a Friday night and I arrived after midnight a little concerned whether my pre-booked hire car would actually be there. It was but the door locks were broken and so I could never lock it. Fortunately as you have pointed out there is very little crime on the island. I drove in the dark along the coast road to the Parador arriving at 1 in the morning. The next day I woke early to the sound of the waves, pulled back the curtains to find that I was just  a couple of metres from the ocean. Magnificent semi isolation.

I will certainly try to visit again.

Malteser Monkey

Quote from: Hepa on Tue 26 Jul 2016, 15:14
Here on the Meridian Island of El Hierro, there are about 6,000 habitants, sharing the 273 square Km., of those 6,000 there are 7 (seven) residents from the United Kingdom.
The tourist boom that occurred on the other Canary islands, passed us by, largely because no one in authority is really 100% sure of where we are, in consequence of this isolation, we have retained our Herreño culture and charm.
The few brave tourists that do arrive, visit the island to walk the many ancient footways, or to scuba dive in the Mar de las Calmas, to the south of the island, or just to chill out, some do in fact return!
Because we are right on the edge of the flat Earth and due to the lack of Northern European visitors, the locals cuisine prevails. Happy hours, full English with Bisto Gravy, match of the days bars, selling John Smiths and Guinness sandwiches, have not yet arrived and the English language is almost never used.
Crime here is almost unknown, the locals are most welcoming and friendly, with a sense of humour second to none, the young still respect their elders and are extremely polite.
Perhaps you should visit us one fine day, bring your friends and family, we are 75 miles and 75 years to the south west of Tenerife.


I know I know and bring some Bisto and a few tinnies too :whistle: :D

Myrtle Hogan-Lance

Recognise this @Hepa ?

I also stayed in the Parador and loved the sound of the ocean at night. 

We had an interesting experience.  We climbed from the Parador to a little town up the hill, a hell of a trek.  We were thirsty as a result of the exertion so stopped in a local establishment for refreshment.  Read:  beer.  There, we met a Scottish man who had been living there for almost 10 years and was a local firefighter.  As we rehydrated, we told him about some of the things happening in the UK.  Like Italy beating Scotland at the rugby.  The congestion charge in London.  The look on his face, his incredulity at the turn of events, was magnificent. 

We also went to the lizard sanctuary and on our tour, the guide did not speak English.  I was quietly translating for OH, when we noticed everybody listening in.  So the guide and I did a double act and everybody got a lot more out of the talk. 

I look forward to returning to El Hierro. 

[attach=1]

Hepa

Quote from: Perikles on Tue 26 Jul 2016, 15:19
Surely your lizard sanctuary is something worth mentioning? And are you not totally reliant on renewable energy sources?

Lizards, umpteen in my garden, Energy, not quite, but getting there or so say the politicos

Hepa

Quote from: Myrtle Hogan-Lance on Tue 26 Jul 2016, 17:19
Recognise this @Hepa ?

I also stayed in the Parador and loved the sound of the ocean at night. 

We had an interesting experience.  We climbed from the Parador to a little town up the hill, a hell of a trek.  We were thirsty as a result of the exertion so stopped in a local establishment for refreshment.  Read:  beer.  There, we met a Scottish man who had been living there for almost 10 years and was a local firefighter.  As we rehydrated, we told him about some of the things happening in the UK.  Like Italy beating Scotland at the rugby.  The congestion charge in London.  The look on his face, his incredulity at the turn of events, was magnificent. 

We also went to the lizard sanctuary and on our tour, the guide did not speak English.  I was quietly translating for OH, when we noticed everybody listening in.  So the guide and I did a double act and everybody got a lot more out of the talk. 

I look forward to returning to El Hierro. 

[attach=1]

Yes I remember that thing, it was there for a few months then was moved to another island.

Kingbaker

Would you have a rough price for any apartments for sale?? Please/

There was one, a couple of years ago during the under sea eruptions.

;)

Hepa

Quote from: Kingbaker on Mon  1 Aug 2016, 16:36
Would you have a rough price for any apartments for sale?? Please/

There was one, a couple of years ago during the under sea eruptions.

;)

They vary, but none are selling, I am trying to sell a 2bed, was 170,000€, now if any one rings we say we are open to offers, had it on the market for about 6 years, just no interest. It is the same all over the island, my friend is an estate agent, he hasn't sold anything in three years, good thing that his wife is employed. So you can see it is a buyers market.

Kingbaker

Three years....that's tough alright. :03: