My Highlights from Cape Verde

After wanting to visit for over a decade, I finally made it to Cape Verde and spent 8 days across 4 islands in March 2018. I’ve been sharing a little about each island on Instagram, and this week, I wanted to share six highlights from my time there as an independent/solo traveller on the blog. I promised to do a guide/breakdown of what I did on each island and I still plan on doing so. Here we go!

 

The Flight I Missed

Flying in from London to Lisbon via TAP Portugal, I had a one-hour layover before the flight to Sao Vicente. We arrived in Lisbon just a little late; the shuttle to take us to the terminal took forever. Upon arriving at the terminal, I had to go through security AGAIN. At this point, it was 20 minutes to take off and some people were being really slow. I got through security and found a man that looked like he worked at the airport. He took my hand and we RAN, all the way to the gate. No breathing breaks! We got to the gate and the sign said the flight was closed. There was no one at the gate except for one lady at the counter, and if you know me I was thinking of plan B in my head. Then the lady said the most beautiful words you hope to never hear ‘ The plane has technical problems and everyone is being asked to deboard.’ Tell me this was not MY miracle! #wonthedoit! That’s the only reason I made the flight and 20 minutes later, we were on our way. I have had too many close encounters to count with flights! If you haven’t read the story in my series where I shared about leaving a friend at an airport in a foreign country, read it here before you judge.

 

Full Day Tour of Sao Vicente:

I kicked off this trip with the best full day tour ever with Green line tours. To be honest, I had maybe half of this trip planned before arriving in Cape Verde. I figured out the rest after arriving and yes that included accommodation. But I digress! I was particular about the day tour of the first island because Sao Vicente is the cultural capital after all. I also wanted to book a tour with a locally owned business. I emailed a few options, and while I’m certain they were all great, Green line was it for me. Paulo and his wife run this company, and from pick up to drop-off, it was an amazing day! Paulo had great energy and said he was going to make it the best day, and he did! I’ve shared bits and pieces on Instagram from the Municipal Market, to the fish market, the pier, the music, the old custom house, the top of the island (Monte Verde) to the fishing villages, the Wakanda greeting, the amazing 18-hole golf course made out of dirt, to the valley of Calhau! What a day! What an introduction to the cultural capital of Cape Verde! This was not sponsored in any way, but I’d heartily recommend this company!

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Views in Santo Antao:

It’s amazing to me the contrasts between Santo Antao and other islands. I read it was beautiful but then I went and saw it for myself. A one-hour ferry ride from Sao Vicente brings you to the island of mountains, wind, and water, and boy was it windy! I’d like to go back and spend a night or two on this island to take my time to take it all in, but its beautiful! I often find myself in awe of creation when I travel and this was one of those moments. This is the most fertile of the cape Verdean islands. You see caldera turned into farmland, and sugar cane plantations for days. Cobblestone path, terraced valleys, and mountain villages make up this island. On Santo Antao, the views are to LIVE for!

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The Shortest flight of My Life:

Maio is a small lesser-known island with beautiful beaches! The flight there lasted all of 8 minutes on the way in. I hate flying, so short flights are always welcome! The world may be sleeping on this island but not for long! Development is coming, and I can see Beyoncé shooting dope video here because of the unique landscape. People were curious and friendly here and everyone said hello. Go to Maio if you’re okay with a very chill vibe and very little as far as established touristy attractions as the island is in early stated of development. It won’t be the same in a few years!

Africafe in Praia

Praia is the capital city of Cape Verde. I found Africafe on Trip advisor and decided to try it on a layover. Great food, genuine warmth, and a cozy atmosphere sets this café apart. The owner (Djeneba) is Malian that’s lived in the US, UK, and Abu Dhabi. She moved to Cape Verde for family and career but was missing out on food she enjoyed in the previous places she called home, so she did something about it. She started Africafe. In addition to being a café, this establishment serves a lunch menu sourced and self-taught from all over the continent. I arrived on Jollof day!!! One minute we were chatting and the next minute we are in a taxi going to buy some veggies for the next day’s menu as I ask a bit more about her story. This is Africa, and the warmth of our people is out of this world. If you’re in Praia, stop by and let Djeneba know Dee sent you! Check them out on Instagram at @africafe

Morabeza

Cape Verdeans are absolutely beautiful, a blend of African and European people. Life here is beautiful and at its own pace #nostress. The people are proud of their history, culture, music and arts. You’ll listen to morna, and dance to the sensual rhythms that come of the many boom boxes you’ll walk past. You might get asked to dance, say yes! Eat all the fish you want, try Cachupa (the national dish). By all means, drink grogue, a local alcoholic drink made from sugar cane. Embrace the Cape Verdean lifestyle.

 I heard of the term Morabeza just before I went to Cape Verde. They say it’s most similar to ‘aloha’ in Hawaii. It loosely translates to mean hospitality, but beyond that it characterizes the essence of being Cape Verdean. The Cape Verdean open spirit, it is welcoming, relaxed, and this essence envelopes you before you know it. It certainly did with me and I’m so thankful!

This is Africa (West Africa), and I’ll never tire of telling these stories! Cape Verde was certainly worth the wait. Do you have any destinations that you’ve been waiting on for a while? I’d love to know! PS. Last year, I decided to travel Africa more and I wrote about it here. Since then, I’ve been to South Africa, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Home (Nigeria), and now Cape Verde.

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Till next week,

Dee O. O.