São Vicente and Santo Antão

9 January 2015

Update by Eva:
“The next morning we had a late breakfast and after that there was still time for some of the guests to explore Tarrafal or to go for a nice swim on the beach, while the crew prepared the ship for sailing. The forecast said very windy weather and everything on board and below deck had to be fixed: chairs in the salon, glasses in the cupboards, the sails, the dinghy. 
After lunch we set sail for São Vicente. A few people climbed the mast, but it was too windy so nobody wanted to stay for long. Wind and current made the ship rolling and unfortunately some of the guests got a bit seasick. The trip to the next island should take about 20 hours. After dinner the wind died out and we had to start the engine to stay on schedule. 
During the night the wind was increasing and so it seemed we could arrive at the anchor place about lunchtime, but the current and the wind between São Vicente and Santo Antão were against us and we started to drift from our course. In the end we arrived after 29 hours in the port of Mindelo: We made it!! Just in time for the next great dinner. 
For the next day we got a short introduction about São Vicente and Santo Antão from our captain Maarten about the history and economics, and information about the planned trip on the islands. We had to get up early the next day so the evening was short; everybody went to bed early, looking forward to a day on shore. 
The dinghy shuttle to the ferry started at 6.30 next morning and the ferry left at 8.00 from the harbour. Our driver was waiting for us in Porto Novo and brought us to the volcano crater. Unfortunately it was cloudy and we there was a strong wind so at first the walk had a kind of mystical touch. On the edge of the crater, usually the point with the best view, we only saw fog and clouds. But the lower we came the better the view got and so we could explore the valley literally step by step. 
The landscape got greener and greener, sugar cane, bananas, mango trees and papaya were planted. The agriculture on those steep hills must be very difficult and it is hard work for sure. 
In the village down in the valley our driver was waiting for us to bring us to our restaurant for lunch. Fish, chicken, vegetables, rice, a typical Cape Verdean meal. The way back we drove along the coast and caught the ferry back to São Vicente just in time. 
Now we are all back on the ‘Oosterschelde’, very tired after a fantastic daytrip and we are looking forward to Jessica’s next menu.”