Mindelo, Cape Verde Islands

The Cape Verde Islands are situated about 400 miles due west of Senegal in West Africa. They are also called the Windward Islands because the Trade Winds blow regularly here. It was 22C with quite a stiff wind. The view of Mindelo from the ship was dramatic. The small town is surrounded by rugged scenery and tall peaks and the harbour, in which the ship docked, was formed from a volcanic crater. We took the shuttle bus into town. It was a photogenic walk along the seafront with some old and colourful Portuguese style buildings and plenty of colourful characters. We climbed to the top of Belem Tower, a smaller version of the Belem Tower in Lisbon. We walked to the outdoor market and then passed the President's palace, an indoor fruit and vegetable market and then arrived at the Hotel Porto Grande, where we stopped for coffee and beers. It was a comfortable hotel with good outside seating and a good view of the square. We then headed off to the main town beach, which looked very nice but I have no idea whether the water is warm or cold.Read more