Cabo Verde - Ilha de Santiago

 


Day 1:

Visiting Praia Capital and the old town included a stroll through the African market. A busy place offering anything you might or might not need.

Besides the regular food, clothes, household utensils, etc. there were stalls with old sewing machines, a hairdresser's booth and plenty of woman carrying goods on their head.

The old town was more touristy and more quiet.






On the way home we intended to visit São Francisco Beach but once there, heavy rainfalls started making the drive home a bit more adventurous. 



Day 2:

After a slow morning, we went back to São Francisco Beach to see it in good weather.  The only thing of interest were marked turtle nests, however no hatching activities. 

Driving to the Maio Maio village we passed many small agricultural settings. Free range chicken, ducks, sheep, goats, and pigs, many of them with little ones. The people were relaxed and friendly,  many waving "hello".


A short, hot walk in the heat was necessary to get to the Pentalina shipwreck.



The best part of the day was eating at Big Lanche restaurant: tuna steak, vegetables,  rice, fries, drinks and ice cream for desert for a total of 25 Euros - beach view and ocean sound included. 


The day ended with a digestive walk on the beach and a relaxed soul.


Day 3:

Change of accommodation. The last three nights will be spent in the northern part of the island. Along the way, we stopped for scenic pictures, to see the gigantic kapok tree and enjoyed the sight of everyday life along the roads.





Once checked into the apartment,  we hit the beach of Tarrafal. First a stroll along the bay, then a quick swim.

Luckily the timing was right to be part of the hatching activities of turtles which were led by an organization. Each baby turtle was measured, weighed and checked whether it is capable of turning over from its back to its belly. Finally it was time for their release. 

We stayed to watch the sunset.


Day 4:

Time for some snorkeling.  Pleasant water temperatures and a bay protected from waves made it easy. The amount of fish was limited.  Nevertheless we saw a trumpet fish which was a first timer. 


After an extensive siesta due to the unbearable heat, we went for a drive to explore the area, had tuna steak and tried to spot the comet again, without success. 


Day 5:

Beach time again. The high tide had brought cooler water. Along with some shade and a breeze, sitting on the beach was pleasant.  In the late afternoon we checked out the northernmost part of the island. The paved road seemed promising, however it led to a dead end without any special sights along the way. We finished the day in a chill out bar with ocean view. 

Day 6:

Sick day ... again. I guess the bug I caught was bigger than I had hoped. I decided to get antibiotics and stayed in bed. We were allowed to check out late so we only packed up our stuff in the late afternoon.  To drive to the airport we took the easterly route along the ocean. The typical street life still astonished us. Goats being led on a leash, students in uniforms on their way home, people getting water from a barrel on the street, a tuned car, BBQ grill stations on the sidewalk,  green valleys and palm trees,  ... quite the mix.

Dinner by the beach follwed by check-in for our TAP flight at 00:10.





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