Mindelo is the most touristic city of the “Capo Verde”. We did not feel a climate of insecurity but the police are very present and we met several times special brigades armed to the teeth and hooded. It’s getting a little cold though.
The Wifi of the marina is inoperative is the rather important price. Many ships anchor outside. As there were many of us, it was more convenient to be docked so that everyone could come and go easily. The island is rather desert. Only a low and dry vegetation develops there.
We stayed 10 days. Mindelo is a very pleasant city, with many bars and restaurants. Music is very present there. The end of year celebrations are rich in events.
People are very nice and welcoming, attention however, the city being very poor. This poverty is really palpable, the population tries and tries to swindle you whenever possible but the process is done in all kindness, without any threat, they try to get out as they can. However, we are not disoriented, everyone speaks French, they like to help and are smiling.
It is this city that we chose to celebrate the end of year celebrations. For Christmas, we’ve each planned to give ourselves a little gift. Our mission was to each buy a present to mark the occasion and then in the evening it was drawing lots. We were spoiled and you will be able to admire on certain photographs the baskets in coloured wicker what the crew offered us, memory of Mindelo.
During this stay, we enjoyed the escapades in the streets of the city and the traditional and abundant markets of fruits and vegetables, superb stalls or we were delighted to do our shopping in order to be able to taste all these victuals with the marvellous taste.
And then our biggest surprise perhaps was the discovery of the “Cha” red wine of the island of Fogo, wine of a purple color, fleshy, fruity, excellent we recommend.
The island of Fogo that we unfortunately did not visit because very south and Cape Verde you must make your exit (official paper) on only 2 or 3 points and not to fogo. So we gave up because it forces us to retrace our steps to make our official exit from Cape Verde. Maybe some other time…
Then we went to visit the nearby island of San Antao. Mountainous and green island. Fruits and vegetables are produced on this small paradise, hikes are frequent, besides we discovered a little of this island in hiking, we suffered and yes after 6 days of crossing and the lack of habit, because the paths are very steep, but what happiness! After celebrating the New Year well, we left Cape Verde on 1 January for Brazil.