The Pearl of Cap Verde
Immediately arrived at Mindelo reserve ferry and bed and breakfast to spend two days to climb the peaks of the island of Sao Antao with "Madgic".
Wednesday 30 November - Mindelo - São Vicente
We booked a place at the marina for a few days and let TAO safe while we go to Sao Antão.
We find Steph and Patou MILLY and after a drink on TAO we're all at the little restaurant "Pica Pau" where we had already eaten six years earlier.
Thursday 1 December - Sao Antão
The Bay is still asleep when we embark on the ferry.
An hour later, on arrival at Porto Novo, the driver of our Aluguer is waiting for us
And without wasting time we ship in the mini van.
Superb paved road that climbs the ridge to more quickly of 1500 meters.
Just after the Summit and the Cova de Paul we are greeted warmly by Alain, the owner of the Casa Espongeiro.
Alain and his wife Lucia have created a very neat and comfortable space in the respect of nature. www.Casa-espongeiro.com
And you get tired of the view...
From the terrace, where we take forces before a first ballad
We're off to follow a course that Alain told us and that he documented with a record. Not possible to get lost.
The path descends into a very Green Valley despite the scarcity of rain.
We are surrounded by more colorful flowers than the other.
The men maintain the field corn or cassava and women harvest kinds of beans. on small trees with yellow flowers
While their asses are waiting patiently bring the harvest home.
Lunch in "Amor do Dia", small restaurant run by an Italian.
Where we eat a Cachupa (typical dish Cape Verdi)... they would have done better to order a pizza!
We take the path in the direction of the Cova de Paul.
Acacia trees are in bloom.
And finally we overlook the "Cova de Paul" caldera with the island of Sao Vicente in the distance.
We continue to climb... and finally we reach "the most spectacular on the island" view on the north slope and the Ribeira Grande…
That we do not tire to admire.
And we deserved a little NAP.
The inhabitant of the Cape Town Greens are all welcoming and even children want to practice a few words of French gleaned with tourists.
The evening we are happy to find the Casa Espongeiro and his friendly table.
Friday 2 December
Do not allow the muscles to cool down and the morning attack by a rise, a little stiff, until the Ridge South of the Casa.
Once out of trees a different view is offered to us.
Then we follow the ridge between the two slopes of the mountain.
It is already time to go to Mindelo and our Aluguer brings back us to Porto Novo where we expect the departure of the ferry.
It is more that wait the arrival of our credit cards mailed to France three weeks earlier... and we will be on the way to Antigua!