In 1467, Jan - a young Flemish "studium generale" at the University of Leuven - becomes acquainted with the sea-nomads. Fascinated by their stories, he undertakes to find their origin and the island they come from. In 1490 Jan meets in Antwerp, Flemish emigrants on their way to the Azores islands. Since these islands are in the west, he decides to follow them in his search for the "Paradise". There he meets in 1493 with the carpenter of the Spanish vessel "Pinta." The carpenter tells him about the land on the west but he also tells him of the Zenet symbol he saw on the Island of Chenech (Tenerife) of the Islas Fortunadas. Jan, his wife Ganaëlle, their two sons and a cousin, sail to Tenerife. There they meet the Guañameñe - a local religious leader - who tells them the following: He is the last of a superior race that came many years ago to the island on "sea-birds." His ancestors were received as gods by the inhabitants of the island. One day the "gods" invited young men to sail with them to the Island of Gomera but as they crossed the strait, a storm sinks the "flying boats" and all perished. The grief was so great that sailing became forbidden. To Jan's greater amazement the "gods" gave the name Chenech to the island and their people are called Guan Chenech (Guanches, today).