European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 11, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Canary islands from it All rugged Little Island draws the backpacking crowd Hub Umes Dirk Schulze an Jutta Schwartzkoph hiked around Gar Jonay National Park. By Kevin Dougherty staff writer visitors to Gomera in the Canary islands typically fall into two categories camera toting Day trippers or Denim Clad backpackers who stay for at least a week. " in the future the resort crowd May become More of a Factor but for now the number of tourist hotels pales in comparison to the number of Mountain trails that crisscrossed Gar Jonay National Park. Next to Christopher Columbus who got sidetracked when he sailed West to find the East the Park is the Island s  card. In 1986, it was designated by the United nations educational scientific and cultural organization As a special Haven for humanity because it harbours the last of the vegetation that grew along the Mediterranean before the last ice age. We came Here because it s not As touristy As the Island of Tenerife said Dirk Schulze a Young German Backpacker who came to Gomera with his Girlfriend Jutta Schwartzkoph last Spring. And the weather is warmer not warmer than Tenerife but warmer than  Gomera is immensely popular with Young German and British hikers. Many but not All bypass the tourist sights on nearby Tenerife for the peace and Tranquility of Gomera. We came because of the Beach and nature said Andreas Horlitz of Hamburg Germany. Four weeks of Beach bumming Al a resort is too much added Kai Justin Radmann Horlitz s hiking partner. Four weeks of nature is too much. You have to mix the  the two split their time Between Tenerife and Gomera though they spent More time in hiking boots than they did in sandals. Whatever the footwear there s enough to see and do on Gomera at least to justify a Sid trip to this Remote outpost in the Canary Island Chain. The logical place to Start a tour of Gomera is san Sebastian the Island s capital. After departing the Quay head for the town Square which recently lost some fits Charm when City officials unwisely opted to remove a Patch of Trees that provided Shade. La Cabana a cafe that faces the port is As Good a place As any to Stop for a refreshment and get oriented. About 8,000 people More than half of the Island s inhabitants live in san Sebastian. Most  attractions in san Sebastian have something to do with Columbus who used Gomera As a launching Point for three trips across the Atlantic. Visitors should Stop by Casa Columbina an ancient looking House named alter the Globe Trotter. Columbus is said to have stayed in the House whenever he visited the Island and in particular the governess of Gomera Beatriz de Bobadilla who has been romantically linked to the explorer. The House is the focus of Columbus festivals every september. Down the Street from Casa Columbina is a tiny Chapel a Section of which existed when Columbus Knelt Down to Pray in 1492. Another Point of interest is the Well at the old customs House. Columbus used the Well to resupply his ships with fresh water some of which was used to bless the land he would soon discover. The Well is located in the Center of a Humble grass Patio. A Small sign at the base of the Well notes that water from this Well baptised  also Worth a snapshot is the Torre Del Conde or the Tower of the count built in the mid-1400s, Beatriz de Bobadilla sought Refuge in the Tower in 1487 after her husband Hernan Peraza the younger then the governor of Gomera was murdered. Using a pretty Princess As bait Island chieftains pushed Beatriz de Bobadilla s cruel husband to his death from a Cliff nine Miles South of san Sebastian. Admission to All of these Sites is free. Gomera lacks the tourist traffic of the other islands in the Canary Chain. That May change n the coming years with the opening of a Small Airport built for local traffic. If the expected Boom materializes Gomera s major resort is expected to be Playa de Santiago a Small town on the Island s Southern coast which usually has the sunniest weather. Even in the Winter Gomera s temperatures rarely dip below 65 degrees. Playa de Santiago is also the place where boat excursions Are available to the Northern Side of the Island continued on Page 10 August 11t 7994 stripes Magazine