Across the Equator to Cape Verde

12th to 16th March, 2023

We crossed the Equator on 13th March and were due to have King Neptune’s ceremony once again, but – it was raining! So it was postponed until the next day and with the usual flamboyant accusations of dreadful crimes, various of the crew were hauled before King and Queen Neptune, found guilty, kissed the fish and were hurled into the deep (in this case, the swimming pool!).

As ever, the sea days are enjoyable on a different level to the port days and Val and I have found them a lot of fun. The whole atmosphere of the ship is one of (mostly) camaraderie and there is a lot of stopping and chatting with fellow guests and crew that one has got to know over the 70 odd days of the trip. We have also been spoiled by some better than usual evening entertainment from our visiting artistes, including a very good violinist, a traditional Rock and Roll band of one family playing all the favourites and a very funny and skilful ventriloquist. So never a dull moment.

Two last destinations before we arrive back in Southampton. The first was the island of Sao Vicente, one of the 10 islands of the Cape Verde Islands. Cape Verde achieved independence from Portugal in 1975 and lies off the coast of Africa, just north of Senegal, opposite Mauritania. The Portuguese were the first settlers in the city of Mindelo in the year 1795 (surprisingly late!). The population of the city is 70,000.

We had a bit of time before our tour, so Val and I ventured into the city of Mindelo to have a look around and to find some Wi-Fi. As you will have gathered from the delayed post on Salvador Part 2, the latter was only partially successful, but we enjoyed a walk around part of the city.

We got back to the ship, had a quick bite to eat and then it was off on the Mindelo Island Discovery (technically, it should have been the Sao Vicente Island Discovery). We had an excellent guide, Sonia, who was full of information about Cape Verde and the many differences between the islands that make up the nation. She stressed how fiercely independent they are and how they disliked any tags of being Portuguese, Brazilian or African.

We started in Mindelo and saw a few sights that we had not covered in the morning, which was good.

It was then out of town and into the countryside to Monte Verde, a bit of a misnomer right now as it was anything but green. However, when the rain does come (around August), it does turn green apparently.

We were then taken to the seaside and there was time for Val to have a paddle before we were transported to a sort of restaurant for some refreshments, music and dancing. Carnival is big here as well! I would add that the refreshments mainly consisted of rum! Indeed, a popular local drink is Grogue, a descendant of the Royal Navy’s ‘grog’ – though decidedly stronger. I will confess to enjoying it enormously!!

It was then back into the city, a quick look around some shops and then back to the ship.

An interesting visit. It is difficult to assess a whole country from a one day visit, obviously, but it did give us an insight into some of it and it does look well worth further investigations, especially of some of the other islands that make up Cape Verde.

Next and final stop, Tenerife!