Raso, Branco and Santa Luzia

30 December 2014

After leaving Tarrafal, Santiago we sailed all day. The wind came from a more easterly direction than normal, so we could also keep a higher course. During the night the wind increased, we took away the topsail gallant and the outer jib. Without these two sails we still were going 7 knots and we would arrive a little too early in Mindelo. But not much later, the wind slowly died down and in the morning there was no wind at all.
The course brought us just below Raso. This is an uninhabited islet of seven square kilometres with a special bird species that is only found here. And after the purple heron… you never know! Maybe we will also spot this Raso lark.
But unfortunately no luck this time for the bird lovers, but a party for everyone. Just off the coast passing by the island we were buried under hundreds of sparrows. On deck, the masts, the sails, everywhere sparrows, sparrows and more sparrows. And brown boobys and red-billed tropic birds where circling around the ship. After Raso we headed for Branco, an even smaller uninhabited island and Santa Luzia, a larger island again. Between Santa Luzia and São Vicente another piece of nature presents itself. With a very fast high ratchet the fishing rod let us know that something found the fishing line. After a fight of 20 minutes a dorado of about 20kg was brought on board! It was a fantastic day and even the wind returned north of the islands, so we could sail the last part.
We went to bed early, because the next day the hike on Santo Antão was on the program. That meant pancakes for breakfast, at a quarter to six.
Almost everyone had their walking shoes on and was ready for another incredibly beautiful day. At the top of the crater clouds hung in the valley, so you could not see the green vegetation, you could only smell it in the wind. Everyone enjoyed the beautiful walk down and then a delicious lunch by the sea. Once everyone was back on board and full with impressions of the day, dinner was served and it was the fish that we caught yesterday.
Today we slept in a little and after breakfast we visited the island of São Vicente, named after the patron saint of Lisbon. First stop was at the grave of Cesária Évora, the barefoot diva. Then the Monteverde for a beautiful view and next to Baia de Gata for a swim. Then went back to the ship for lunch, after that a tour of Mindelo was on the program. A nice walk along the different buildings, each with their own history.
Tomorrow we leave for São Nicolau; what will we find there?