The Canary Islands

In this richly illustrated travelogue, an early‑20th‑century visitor steps off a steamship onto Tenerife’s sun‑kissed coast and confronts a city that feels both newly built and ancient. Santa Cruz de Santiago unfurls as yellow‑washed houses hemmed by solemn church spires, narrow dusty streets, and a bustling quay where locals in bright garments trade banter and goods. The writer’s keen eye captures the clash of stone, sea mist, and the arid hills that loom beyond.

Sixteen full‑page colour plates accompany his prose, showing everything from the steep “barrancos” that carve the coastline to fragrant botanical gardens and humble banana carts. He notes the juxtaposition of old wine‑merchant houses, now consulates, against newer cramped construction, while an electric tram climbs lazily up the slope, offering a steady view of volcanic peaks. The narrative blends gentle humor with honest curiosity, inviting listeners to feel the island’s dust, sea breeze, and lingering myths.