European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 11, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Canary islands Clouds and sky serve As a backdrop to the Seaside town of Agulo on camera s North coast. The town is known for its banana  few things have changed Here since Days of Colu Busby Kevin Dougherty staff writer More than 500 years ago Christopher Columbus left the Island of Gomera and sailed West into uncharted Waters searching for a shortcut to India. The next time his foot touched ground was in the americas and the world was forever changed. As one would expect much has changed on Gomera since Columbus. But in Many ways camera s unique and rugged landscape has Kep the Island a and especially its Interior a much the Way it was when Columbus turned around and gave the land one last look before heading for the Edge of the Earth in 1492. Quot in Tenerife you have pretty places but you have to go out and look for them Quot Penelope Powrie a scottish woman who has lived on Gomera for the past 17 years  camera s larger Island neighbor. Quot Here they Are All around  Gomera is one of the seven Canary islands situated off the Northwest coast of Africa. The archipelago has belonged to Spain since the Days of Columbus. Located about 17 Miles West of Tenerife the largest of the Canary islands Gomera is a Small unspoiled place with a spectacular National Park Steep ravines and mild mannered people. Though the circular shaped Island is Only about 15 Miles in diameter Gomera s roads Are so meandering that it often takes a couple of hours to drive a car from one Side to another. Such a drive takes visitors past smal Remote villages that seem worlds away from the touristy towns on some of the neighbouring islands. A top of Gomera begins in san Sebastian the capital City which lies behind the Bay that Columbus and other Early explorers used. Today most of the ships that enter san Sebastian s port come from los Cristiano on Tenerife. The car ferry and hydrofoil each make three to four trips a Day. The boats ferry tourists on Daylong sightseeing trips and backpackers who care less about buildings and shops and More about nature. The latter typically come for a week or longer to hike through Gar Jonay National Park a Majestic Reserve situated in the Center of the Island where the terrain is highest. From the Park the mountains fan out into six distinct valleys with Steep Walls that in some areas have been terraced by Farmers. The vegetation becomes less Lush As the valleys slope Down toward the Ocean. Quot i like it Here because it s so quiet Quot said the 36-year-old Powrie who unlike other Young visitors came and never left. A. Powrie is married to an islander and has two Young children. She fancies herself As a local historian and guide. We have 15,300 inhabitants on this Island and the population is going Down Quot Powrie said. Quot ten years ago. Stripes Magazine August 11, 1994