Cape Verde 2010: Santiago

Showing posts with label Santiago. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Cidade Velha

About 30 minutes drive from Praia, this small and lovely village was the first western settlement in Cape Verde. Now officially a UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 2009). A visit to the fortress (castle) uphill was nice. CVE 500 each person was not cheap, but it included video show and guided walk, worth it. Nice view of the village and sea downhill. If I have time, would like to stay a night in this quite village.

Traveling Cabo Verde

Departed from Senegal, I traveled for 4 days this country with Miss M who lives in Senegal. Cabo Verde or Cape Verde, not very well know, is a country of several islands in the Atlantic Ocean, two hours flight from Dakkar. They speak Portuguese, and famous for the carnival which held on the same dates with Rio carnival. Their claim their carnival is second only after Rio... :)
Although it is consider in Africa, it is not really Africa. Kind of mix between Africa and Brazil. Most European holiday seekers go to Sal and Boa Vista for the beach resorts, but we headed for the cultural center, Mindelo, also to see the preparation of carnival, since we traveled there just 1 week before the carnival.
We love Mindelo and the whole island of Sao Vincente.
These are the highlight of my traveling to this country:
1. Participating in carnival rehearsal and dance practice in Mindelo
2. Staying in Casa Cafe Mindelo and having coffee in the Cafe downstair
3. Relaxing on the beach in Calhau
4. Dancing with the local in a restaurant near Calhau
5. Visiting new UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cidade Velha in Santiago