Helen: How was your holiday, Betsy?

Betsy: It was great to get away to somewhere warm. I hate spending the New Year in a cold climate.

Helen: So, where did you go then?

Betsy: To the Canary islands. We flew to Tenerife.

Helen: Oh really? Did you get a charter?

Betsy: Yes, it was a package holiday, which included the flight and hotel. It was really good value.

Helen: So, where did you stay then?

Betsy: In the south of the island. We stayed in quite a nice hotel right near the coast.

Helen: I think, I read somewhere that the beaches in Tenerife are black. Is that right, Betsy?

Betsy: Yes, that’s partly true. They’re striped-⁠white and black. The black sand is from the volcanoes and the white sand is from the Sahara desert.

Helen: From the Sahara desert?!

Betsy: Yes. The island’s in the Atlantic Ocean, near Africa.

Helen: Oh, I didn’t realize that. So, it was pretty hot then?

Betsy: It was fantastic. Warm enough to swim in January.

Helen: So, you spent most of your time on the beach then?

Betsy: No, I also went on lots of trips. One trip to the mountains was incredible. The views were unbelievable!!! I also visited a really beautiful zoo in the mountains. It specialized in wild birds which flew free. I’ve never seen anything like it before.

Helen: Sounds marvellous. Are the mountains covered with snow at that time of the year?

Betsy: It’s not cold enough for that.

Helen: So, you’d recommend it as a holiday then?

Betsy: Yes. Sure. It’s a tremendous place for a winter break. I’d recommend it any time.

Helen: Oh, I forgot to ask. Do they speak Spanish there?

Betsy: Yes, the natives of the island speak Spanish, but nearly everybody speaks some English and a lot of English people actually live there. They have holiday homes there.

Helen: So you had no language problems then?

Betsy: No.