Page 30 - 2003 - Atlantic Islands

Some of our group went swimming at the very pretty beach with its

Caribbean-colored water and its fine volcanic sand underfoot. When standing on the

beach and looking back towards town, we could see the great sand dunes born of the

Sahel winds bringing the grains of sand across from the Sahara to form these high

hills of slippery sand. The ocean water was cool and inviting but we did not want to

swim and get back on the boat all salty and sandy (besides we had brought no

swimming gear).

Next was the visit to the town of Mendelo. The center of town was a square with a

pavilion-type structure at each corner of the square. These stood on metal legs and

were covered with corrugated iron tops, all painted a bright blue. They afforded

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