There was a little confusion over the time the ferry left but to make sure we left the boat at 7.00 to dingy ashore and walk down to the terminal. It’s quite a big car ferry that crosses – I was expecting something much smaller! Inevitably Chris had been told the correct time, 8.00am and we could have had an extra 30 minutes in bed; but we were not the only ones, a German couple holidaying on the island had been told 7.00am!
From there we were taken to look down from the edge of the crater- down on to a patchwork of fields (almost like Devon!) Apparently they can grow just about anything there and in fact we were told that most of the fruit and veg sold in Mindelo comes from the island. We had got there just in time as while we were looking the clouds rolled in and we could not see the bottom!
We went to the capital of the island – Ribeiro Grande - where there was a small fair selling locally made jams and drinks etc and we were treated to some local grogue made from sugar cane with honey and lemon.
We had tasted it before as we’d bought a bottle (bottled in Santo Antao so probably from the same place) in the supermarket but I think it will probably remain in the medicine cabinet as a cure for coughs or sore throats!
The nearby stall was pressing sugar cane and we tried the juice – oh boy was it sweet!!!!
We had tasted it before as we’d bought a bottle (bottled in Santo Antao so probably from the same place) in the supermarket but I think it will probably remain in the medicine cabinet as a cure for coughs or sore throats!
The nearby stall was pressing sugar cane and we tried the juice – oh boy was it sweet!!!!
After lunch we piled back into the taxi – luckily the French family spoke very good English and over lunch we had been able to chat quite happily with Mari-Lou (mum) & Frank (dad) whilst Paul, Louis and Adele chatted away to our guide, Rony pronounced Hunny. We were driven up a long valley and shown a traditional home – thatched roofs held down by canvas straps now but the shed was traditional and had strips of cactus leaf holding it down, 3 small pens holding a pig each, chickens running around and down the hill an actual stream providing water. Interestingly, electricity is run everywhere – not that the cables look too safe as they dip down nearly touching the road! Along the valley and near the coast the houses were built on rock promontories sticking up and there seemed to be sheer drops at the back and not much better at the front – no going out to the pub for those dwellers!!!! Unfortunately this is the nearest photo of this type of dwelling I got. |
The next stop was a traditional grogue distillery.
It was a very simple affair but with the goats, chickens and cow all wandering around munching whatever was left lying around, I’m afraid we backed out of buying anything.
It was a very simple affair but with the goats, chickens and cow all wandering around munching whatever was left lying around, I’m afraid we backed out of buying anything.
After all this we just missed the 5.00pm ferry but Ronnie took us round Porto Novo a little – proudly showing off the hotel – and then to a meeting area that had been laid out in traditional fashion with small huts around a large area for music and dancing etc at festival time.
Back on the ferry and back to Moontide by about 7.30pm fairly worn out although all we had been doing was sitting down in the van.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable and informative day and well worth doing – we would recommend it to anyone!
Back on the ferry and back to Moontide by about 7.30pm fairly worn out although all we had been doing was sitting down in the van.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable and informative day and well worth doing – we would recommend it to anyone!