Cape Verde - January 2017

4th of January:  I arrived in Praia in Cape Verde at 1:20 and had a problem trying to explain the crystals I bought in Morocco to the airport security.  But I did not relent!  I have made a booboo with my flight bookings to/from Praia to Fogo and immediately went to Cape Verde Airlines.  I was told to return at 5:00 which I did.  

But at this time, there was a queue of frantic customers and I was told that they could fix my travel arrangements but that I had to wait until 6:00.  Finally, I was given a ticket and I was told to follow the lady.  The next moment she tells me to run and my baggage is thrown on the conveyor belt.  Apparently I was extremely late.  Just before boarding, I noticed that the aeroplanes’ wheel is kind of flat – but they did not want me to take a picture and said it was not a problem. 

A landslide prevented us from exploring the island

Everything felt surreal as soon as I got out of the small airport in Fogo.  I did not have a clue how I was going to get to the highest peak in Cape Verde but I have booked a room in a hotel.  

A couple from Switzerland shared the taxi with me and they had a guidebook with them and seemed to know exactly where to go and what to do in Cape Verde.  They took pity on me and invited me to join them. We went on a to tour around the small island but did not get too far after a landslide closed the road. That evening, I slept like a log.

5th of January:  The taxi picked the three of us up at the hotel and we drove around for an hour picking up more people that wanted to go to the Caldeiras area. At one stage a guy asked me if he could sit next to me in the front.  He had a cold and from the way I saw people spit, I could just imagine what was going to follow. Luckily, he only did this twice. I guess the guy at the back of him next to the open window told him not to.

Mealies

I was absolutely amazed when we came close to the Caldeiras area.  The volcano  last erupted in 1995 and here and there were abandoned farms. The dark walls of the volcano was a very intimidating.  I was amazed to see fruit like mangoes, grapes etc. as well as various other vegetables growing here. 

The start of the hike

The place where we stayed belonged to a French lady and her husband, a local from Cape Verde and our guide.  According to her, she has only been in the country for two months when the volcano erupted and they lost everything.

6th of January:  We started our hike at 7 and the view was unbelievable.  All sorts of vegetables were growing on the volcano.  It was quite steep up and I was surprised to see fixed ropes in several places.  

Some fixed ropes 

Taking it slowly

On top of Cape Verde's highest peak

I have seen video’s where the people run down the volcano and I thought they were nuts – but when I tried it, it turned out to be exhilarating.

Going down the volcano

After a nice omelette, I went for a nice massage and slept like a baby.

7th of January:  The Swiss couple decided to hike back to the hotel but my toe was throbbing and I took the taxi back to Sao Filipe – something I was very happy about when they informed me that the hike was mostly downhill.

Some colourful wall paintings

Life is good!

8th of January:  I made sure that my crystal was not in my hand luggage when I flew back to Praia.

9th of January:  At 10:00 the Swiss couple and myself got a 4X4 and went looking for the oldest tree I have read about.  It was absolutely mind blowing and I had to tear myself away from the tree. 

The magnificent tree in Praia

The energy of this tree was mind blowing

10th of January:  I received a picture from my newly born grandson and was eager to get home.  But first I had to go back to Morocco to catch a flight back to South Africa!  All was good!