After three days at sea, we came to the Cape Verde Archipelago off the western coast of Africa. Before the arrival of the Europeans, the islands were uninhabited. They were discovered by Genoese and Portuguese navigators around 1456. The islands gained their independence from Portugal in 1975. There are many reefs, shipwrecks, and sharks in the area. The islands are also known for several nesting beaches for the loggerhead turtle.
Mindelo is a port city in the northern part of the island of São Vicente in Cape Verde. The city is situated at Porto Grando Bay, a large natural harbor and is surrounded by mountains. Porto Grande was the largest port in the Atlantic for many years. The Portuguese founded a settlement there in 1793. It was home to Cape Verde’s queen Cesaria Evora. The cultural capital of Cape Verde, it is known for its traditional music: Morna and Coladeira.
I took a “Jeep Safari” to main vista points on the Island. We started out on a short cobblestone street for a few minutes and then turned onto a two-tire track road that we followed up into the mountains. At the end of the road, at Ponto Alta, we could see Mindelo on one side and Praia Grande on the other. The beach is lovely but not swimmable because of the sharks there.
Next, we stopped at an agricultural farm. There has been no measurable rain on Sao Vincente for six years, so it is very dry. There is little vegetation, but there are the agricultural stations where they have reforestation projects and grow some vegetables. Sao Vincente has industry, Universities, and a big port., but no water. They do get their water from a desalination plant.
Another beach, Baía das Gatas, is very suitable for swimming and is also safe for children because it is wind protected. It is also known for hosting one of the largest music festivals in Cape Verde every August.
Then, we drove through the mountains to Sandy Beach. This is a lovely beach where the turtles come to next between April and September. If anyone goes on the beach or disturbs the turtles, they are imprisoned.
Across the mountains again, we went to the Long Beach. This is a large beach whose sand blows in from the Sahara Desert. Our guide said all the sand on that beach was from the Sahara.
Then it was back to the ship.
Looming above Mindelo is Monte Verde, its highest mountain, a volcano. It is 2,460 feet. The mountains all around are rugged and sheer.
Mindelo is considered a melting pot of cultures and is the cultural center of Cape Verde. People from the literary world, musicians, and other artists are at home here. There are museums, live concerts, and a lively nightlife. Its historic old town has houses painted in vibrant colors, picturesque squares, and lively markets.
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