The white, weather-resistant shelves lined up not far from the surf feature 6,000 books in 15 languages so every visitor can find the perfect beach read to enjoy while soaking up the sun's rays.
" We couldn't see anything since we had blocked all the windows with storm shutters, but we could hear debris hitting the house. I am glad our house held up."
They maintain wild or cultivated plant life along rivers or streams, and windbreaks, strategically planted strips of trees or other plants, protect crops and soil from wind erosion.
The walls and ceilings were often adorned with paintings or hung with tapestries which, as well as being decorative, provided insulation from damp and drafts.