San Antao, Cap Verde
Porto Novo is found on Sao Antonio, the northwesternmost of the Cape Verde Islands, and is the island’s largest town with 17,400 inhabitants. The port is located on Sao Antao’s southeastern and arid side, and began as a fishing village and it was only recognized as a city in 2005.. Porto Novo's harbour is the main link to the other islands in Cape Verde and to the outside world. A monument above the port shows a woman waving goodbye to those emigrating from the Cape Verde Islands. Roads leading out of Porto Novo have to either go along the impressive northeast coast or cross the island’s mountains through a rugged and even more spectacular landscape. The third highest peak of the Cape Verde islands at 1,979 meters is the Tope de Coroa to the west of Porto Novo.
Restaurant breakfast and then ashore by zodiac before 9am. Eleven minibuses with about eight in each then set out on the Authentic Santa Antao tour of just under eight hours. Drove along coastal roads cut through volcanic rock to Paul, with a couple of photo stops, before stopping for a walk, just past Ribera Grande. The walk was uphill along the road and I gave up before the endpoint, it being very humid, and I did the last 15 mins in the minibus. .
Then we drove back, downhill, along the same stretch of road !!, to a rum tasting, Grogue, place. I enjoyed the macayuna, mango and honey flavoured ones, 18 percent proof..
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Then we drove some distance to a hotel for lunch. Conrad told us to sit down and we would be served, but it turned out to be a buffet, for about 80 to 90 of us. The whole covered veranda where we sat was awash with water!. The views would have been magnificent in good weather. We left after more than an hour and drove through Ribeira Grande and then climbed 18 km to the centre of the island and then another 18 km back down to Porto Novo, with just one quick stop. Relentless rain and in the clouds for a good while too. A real pity as the mountain scenery was just gorgeous.
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Got drenched on the return zodiac ride . Just made Trivia after a quick shower. Recap and Briefing, cocktail and dinner in Hot Rocks. Long chat with Jonathan afterwards in the Panorama lounge
Then on to Fogo- for 1st visit there
Monday October 17th, Sao Antao, revisited, the day after San Vicente
Went on the half day tour this time here. Ashore by zodiac, in our wet gear, just before 9., just six in our minibus, but had a problem with the Norwegians and Danes talking across David. Jade and I tried to smooth it out. Had much better weather than on our previous visit on the 11th- see above . Also had a stop in the centre of Paul, as well as at the Groguery.
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.. Back for a late lunch in the Terraza, then a siesta and a windy swim before Trivia. Then sent notes to four ladies seemingly interested in bridge. Recap and briefing , then ate in Hot Rocks.listened to practically all of Name that tune
And on to Fogo for our 2nd visit there on the 18th: our last day in Cap Verde