THE NORTH COAST OF TENERIFE 79 



Orotava, the red-brown roofs of its houses forming a 

 pleasing contrast in the foreground to the sea beyond. 



But little trade is done by boat along this side of 

 the island, the people preferring to trust their goods 

 and their lives to the excellent carriage road which runs 

 from Santa Cruz, the chief port of Tenerife, for a con- 

 siderable way round the coast. 



The sea on these shores is jealous of any improve- 

 ments, and even the short breakwater that has been 

 constructed at Port Orotava with a view of affordine a 

 kind of shelter for the small fishing boats as they are 

 pulled up on the beach, has been treated as a mere 

 plaything by the waves. Whole blocks of masonry 

 have been dislodged at the end of this breakwater, and 

 it is only a question of years how soon the sea will have 

 completed its work. On a rough day, when the waves 

 run unusuallv hio-h, this little breakwater is in a con- 

 stant state of appearing and disappearing ; its decks, so 

 to speak, being only cleared just in time to make room 

 for the next onslaught of water, with its accompanying- 

 shower of spray. Here there is no harbour, and the 

 two or three fishing schooners which often lie at anchor 

 some little way out to sea, swing monotonously from 

 side to side as the big rollers pass beneath them. 



To the west of Orotava are situated the small towns 

 of Icod and Garachico ; to the east lie the cliffs of 

 Santa Ursula, these latter frequently steeped in a blue 

 haze so characteristic of views in Tenerife. Above 

 these cliffs a pair of Vultures may often be seen, circling 

 in the air, or following up the course of some ravine 

 in their search for food. These ravines, of which there 

 are many, find their way down to the shore, passing 



