Cape Verde Islands

These are a chain of islands off the coast of Gambia, and we expected there to be quite an African feel to the place. The trip down was a good test for boat and crew, with strong winds and rough seas for most of the 6 day passage. We all fared well, with no sea sickness, and apart from Helen taking a flying fall from one side of the boat to the other (ending up rather unceremoniously dumped in the toilet), there were no mishaps. Justin caught the first of several of these magnificent Mahi Mahi fish, which have a very tasty white meat, and are excellent eating.

 

Killing and filleting such a big fish was a bit of a bloodbath, and luckily butcher Irene had the stomach for the challenge. We got better at killing them quickly, with a few drops of cheap rum in the gills. Much quicker and cleaner!

We anchored in Mindelo harbour on St Vincent, and had a lovely few days resting and recuperating, and soaking up the atmosphere of this fascinating place.

There was a colourful outdoor market, but also people selling produce on every street corner, or walking round carry large baskets of produce on their heads.

The fish market was incredible, with some of the biggest Tuna I have ever seen.

 

Outside the fishmarket, they were drying some of the fish on the rocks.

Wherever we go, we make friends with other yachties who are heading off to the Carribean. Here we met Egret and Mary Ann 2, and shared a few drinks and salty sea tales.

Chris and Irene released us from deck swabbing duties for the day and we took a ferry over to the next island of Santo Antao, and hired a taxi and guide to take us round the island. Unfortunately the guide spoke very little English, so wasn’t much use, but we managed to get by with Justin’s French.

 

The scenery on Santo Antao was spectacular, with a volcanic crater, banana and coffee growing, and almost tropical vegetation.

Here they are filling oil drums with fuel.

collecting sand and rocks from the riverbed for making bricks

Lunch stop. Justin was given a condom by a young man promoting Aids awareness from a tent next to the cafe.

Next we were taken to the Grog distillery – nothing high tech here, note the oxen for driving the mill which grinds the sugar cane.

Of course it would have been rude not to sample their wares!

Back on the ferry after a lovely day out.