We expect difficult travel in West Africa. Here in Cape Verde, which we call “West Africa Light,” (click on previous posts Ghana, Togo, Benin) the mindset of “just roll with it” works fine, but doesn’t make travel any easier. Last-minute flight cancellations (four thus far) happen, and it’s best to have wiggle room rather than be on a tight schedule.
“Rolling with it!”
We’re exhausted, and there’s something draining about the African sun that is beyond mere temperature readings. Binter Airlines cancels our flight and comps us a room at the “Seafood Hotel” in Sao Filipe, on the island of Fogo, that comes with a meal of fried fish or chicken. I believe that nobody comes to Cape Verde for the cuisine. After a bottle of fine Fogo wine, we don’t mind getting up at 4:00AM for the rescheduled flight, until morning of course.
You don’t come to Cape Verde for the food
When our two-prop plane finally shoots down the runway for take-off, Marilynn whaps me in the arm with her elbow.
“That guy across from you is freaking out!”
“I’m on the wrong flight!” he yells. He stands up and tries to bolt for the emergency exit.
The flight attendant and I make him sit, and eventually calm him down. Now, I’m his best friend, and am forced to listen to him bitch about the airline company the entire flight. I just nod, and am grateful that this flight duration is only forty-five minutes. Roll with it. (He’s lucky he wasn’t on a flight in the USA)
Mindelo Harbor
We land in the port city of Mindelo, on the island of Sao Vicente. Set on a natural harbor, full of cafés and music, we instantly love this lively place.
Dancing in the streets of Mindelo
It is a nice break from the silence of Fogo Island.
Many cafes have live music
Enter our short attention span…, how long can we watch the active fish market by day, and explore the back alleys full of restaurants and live music at night? Three days.
Just outside the fish market
Looking at the Presidential Palace from our terrace
They hand out vomit bags on a one-hour ferry ride to our fourth island, Santo Antao.
Leaving Sao Vicente
Avoiding seasickness, we soon fight motion sickness on land, while riding in a packed Collectivo that whips around dramatic coastal scenery.
Driving the coastal road of Santo Antao
Once the driver turns inland and uphill, volcanic craggy mountains conceal lush, green canyons.
Next stop – Cuidade das Pombas (Paul), Santo Antao
From banana, papaya, and mango trees to corn and sugarcane, Santo Antao provides produce for all the islands. We plan to hike down from the Cova de Paul (volcanic crater) tomorrow.
Making Grogue from sugar cane
At our guest house, an older French man, whom we think is the proprietor, is drunk on Grogue (sugarcane rum), and slurs only a few words of English. Simple things, like trying to order dinner a day in advance are difficult. The room is sweltering hot, and the shower doesn’t work because of an electrical outage. Roll with it. And we do. Oftentimes, difficult travel culminates into luscious reward…like tomorrow’s cool hike! Stay tuned.