Mindelo, Sao Vincente, Cape Verde

Just when you think it can’t get any better in Cape Verde, it does.  The ship is docked at a pier about one mile from downtown Mindelo.  We headed into town looking for adventure. 

With another couple, we bought a taxi and driver for 3 hours and set out for the unknown.  The Cape Verde Islands are all volcanic and very beautiful.  We traveled to the eastern side of the island through a very beautiful oasis like valley with many small farms irrigated with well water drawn by windmills. 

 

 

Continuing east through desert-like spaces, we reached the ocean with its beautiful sand dunes, ocean views, and lava flows to the ocean.

                                          Friends from the ship.

 The next day we took the shuttle into town looking for another adventure.  We were able to get a cab driver to take us to the west side of the island, out on the point near the airport.  We found two delightful fishing villages and scenery that was incredible.

 

The local fisherman had just brought in his “catch of the year”.  Notice the large marlin in the boat.

 

Local boys doing the Cape Verde version of the “hukilau”, that is, herding small fish into a net and bringing their catch to the shore.  The boys are helping their dads by catching the fish used as bait. 

 

They were having so much fun and made us miss the grandkids even more

We also met a group of nurses and firemen who brought some patients from a nursing home to spend a day at the beach.  People are wonderful everywhere.