Lansorate, Canary Islands

This is one of 5 islands that make up the Canary Islands. They are volcanic islands thus are mostly volcanic rock. They use these rocks to fence each field to protect the plants from the harsh ocean winds. They also use the rocks for moisture conservation.  They grind the rock into pebbles and cover the fields. The rocks gather moisture during the dew of the night and then shade the plants during the day.

Parish of Lanzorate

"Hey, Mr. Tamborine Man play a song for me."

This statue honors the street musicians of old.

Aloe Vera is a major crop here.  These plants have just lost their blooms. That's why they look kind of yellow. Notice the rock walls surrounding the fields. We were taught how to peal an aloe leaf and use only the clear gel inside. And of course we were offered many products guaranteed to cure everything from dark spots to constipation.

One of the most influential people  of this island was  the artist, architect, Cesar Manrique. He really set the stage for how this island became a paradise. Please look him up and read his bio. One of the things he did was help to limit the height of buildings. Buildings can only be three stories high. There are a few older buildings downtown which are 5 or 6 stories. One hotel is 17 stories, but that is it.                    Caesar had visited Buchard gardens in Victoria, BC and decided that he would make a thing of beauty on the desert island. He designed a cactus garden that is absolutely breath taking.

Even the rest rooms are artistic

A typical style house, low lying, with a pitched section of the roof. The pitch is used to catch the rare rainwater into a container for non potable use in the house. All drinking water is shipped in.

Aricefe, a beautiful little town near the harbor.

A Great Day!