We were leaving Santo Antão this morning; after a drive along the island’s East coast we made it back to Porto Novo, where we boarded the ferry back to Mindelo on São Vicente. Today we were on the slow ferry – a not-too-bumpy ride of 45 minutes. Arriving in Mindelo, we put our main luggage into storage and had a tour of town with stops at cultural centers, various markets and the church (which was closed). One stop was at a local instrument maker, providing us insight into his art and a concert showcasing the instruments. After lunch in the city center we had time to kill – and used that for a walk to a viewpoint with views across town. We met up again in the evening for the trip to the airport, to catch our flight back to Praia.
A Glimpse of Paradise in the Paúl Valley
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It was our final (full) day on Santo Antão – we were heading up into the Paúl valley today (Paúl translates to place with water, not related to a saint of the same name) for a final (short – 5km) … Continue reading
Santo Antão Trek – Day 3 – along the Coast
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Final day of the trek, today making it to the sea and then following the cliffs to Ponta del Sol – passing through Cruzinha, Formiguinhas, Corvo and Fontainhas – a total of 16km (750m up, 820m down) and probably the … Continue reading
Santo Antão Trek – Day 2
Another day, another hike – today heading for Chã de Igreja and the sea … another great hike up and down valleys – a total of 11km (600m up, 850m down).
On to Santo Antão Island
Our stop on São Vicente was a short one, as this morning we were already boarding the quick ferry over to Santo Antão, doing the choppy trip of about 15km in less than half an hour.
On arrival on Santo Antão yet another bus was waiting for us and we made our trip up into the mountains with some great views of the island (and beyond) along the way. We eventually made it to a guesthouse near Coculi, where lunch was waiting for us.
After lunch we started today’s hike … an easy 6km (500m up, 450m down) up and down the valleys with great views – destination of the day being our accommodation in Caibros.
Three Island Day
After a short, not-so-peaceful night (with the hotel located across the street from São Filipe’s main nightclub and this having been a Saturday night) we made it back to the airport for our flight back to Praia. Our connection to São Vicente island was only in the late afternoon, the we made it into town for a quick guided tour around the historic center and a delicious eight-legged lunch.
In the late afternoon another quick (45min) and dashy flight got us over to São Vicente and Mindelo in time for some quick exploration of town and dinner.
Down to the Sea
Today we had another 12km hike ahead of us, this time leaving the caldera behind and making the 1350m down to Pai Antonio.
We initially had an even hike in the caldera passing by the destroyed (and partially rebuilt) village of Bangaeira, then through a bit of forest (lucky enough to be spared by the lava) until we hit the caldera rim. From here it was downhill through lush vegetation, full of fruit trees, coffee bushes and agave. After a total of about five hours (incl. breaks) we made it to Pai Antonio, where we were picked up by car for the drive back to São Filipe.
On top of Cabo Verde
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Today was another early morning – we left the guesthouse at 06:30 to start the hike up the volcano, making full use of the cooler hours of the day. The hike started fairly flat, leaving the village and then on … Continue reading
Caldera Hike
After the city tour and stocking up on water and snacks, it was back into the bus for our trip up the volcano and into the caldera at ~1700m above sea-level. Here we also had a first short hike up to the small peak created during the the last eruption in 2014. We covered a good 5km, 220m uphill and 300m downhill – all thru volcanic ash and rocks; finishing at our guesthouse in time for a shower, a bit of rest and dinner.
On to Fogo Island and São Filipe
We had an early morning today, leaving the hotel at 6am to make the trip to the airport for our flight over to Fogo – with caffeine only flowing after check-in.
A quick flight of 22min (covering ~120km) on a Lithuanian ATR got us over to São Filipe on Fogo Island – a true island of fire. We had a late Cachupa-heavy breakfast (some might call it brunch) on arrival in a restaurant downtown São Filipe, followed by a city tour, covering a coffee roaster, the church and market and some good views across town.
