Author: Minnie Too Puppys and Crew

Long Story….

• Instagram

What a week of 8 days it was …
3 flights ✈️ and 26 hours to get to Mindelo São Vicente in Cape Verdes..
Landed in on Saturday morning at 11.30am (2 hours behind)..
A blast of heat I made my way down the stairs and walked the 100 yards or so to the arrivals, which would only remind me of the wonderful Kerry International Airport..
One way in.. one way out …
Through emigration (you pay to stay!!)..
Passport stamped and off I go to the arrival hall.. in about 4 steps ..
Popeye was waiting with a taxi ..
Then on into Mindelo at warp speed not..!!!!

The first thing that strikes you is the barrenness of the Island .. no crops.. no cows or horses.. Donkeys, though..
The drive from the airport along one of the only tarmaced roads isn’t full of inspirational views that is until you get to 2km of Mindelo where the downward road opens up to views across the bay to the marinas and beaches ⛱️. But that is short-lived as you arrive into Mindelo with all its colours and ugly beauty the only way I can describe it. ½ finished buildings with a mixture of styles, giving you a hint of what the island could look like with influences from Portugal, Brazil, and the Caribbean. With a language that gets its lead from a blend of Portuguese and French Créole,  insane language but so fitting with the style of the people that live there .

Got a huge throwback when I saw old Starlets and Fiat Unos driving around still motoring on with reckless abandonment.. they tend not to stop even at crossings.. even the dogs in the street used the crossings waiting until there was a moment they saw no cars hurdling towards them at warp speed 😳

Saturday and Sunday were quiet with the Island celebrations for Easter with services and reenactment…akin to days of old in Ireland. Crosses were carried by a robed individual wearing a crown of thorns accompanied by 2 soldiers dressed as Romens.

My first few hours were spent adjusting to the heat even though it was only 25 or 26 degrees it was a different heat with no clouds to speak of only the ones covering the mountains of a neighbouring Island making it seem like they were reaching all the way up to heaven.

A lunch of freshly caught local fish and a shot of Grough was consumed and a stroll to the beach where the pristine white sand looked inviting to walk on but in reality was remints of seashells which with the trade winds that are famous for carrying Sailors of old to the new world 🌎.

Didn’t have my swimwear on, so no swimming in the Aqua blue sea, but no swimwear was needed for the bar at the beach where a couple of Sundowers were gladly consumed. Friends were met, and introductions were made with plans put in place to have dinner some evening.

Saturday night was pizza night and grough cocktails and gins all around. With tiredness beckoning we gave into returning to the AirB&B for the night as Popeye had more diving to do on his course on Sunday morning, a lie in was on the cards for me.

Diving and sleeping done swimmers on a stroll to the local marina was next where the hellos mingle with goodbye as people like the tides sailed in and out on their way across the ocean. Back to the beach and in need of cooling off a swim .. with the promise of a few sundowners as would become a ritual for us. There’s something extra special watching the sunset when you there is no rush and your time is all yours.

Monday morning consisted of breakfast that is a local dish of chickpeas with chirzo and an omelette with freshly squeezed orange juice and coffee. A trip to the local markets taking in the sounds, sights, and smells.
The fruits and vegetables on the island are mainly brought in due to its lack of arable land, but they are a for the most part organic with no pesticides and no conformed shapes.. the nearest island has every bit of land that they can use to grow product are terraced as to make the most of the available land.

The fish market is a whole different world to what we in Cork City would be used to in the English Market.. whole tuna is piled high in baskets with the old method of salting fish still being used. Outside the fish market cat’s (which were only introduced to the island 30 years ago), wait with the patience of years of practice for the tastiest morsel of fresh fish to fall their way.


Then there’s the clothes, geunie fakes and usual market favourites .. with a maze of tiny walkways people hauking their wares .. women and men beavering away on their sewing machines or hand stitching flip flops .. making you a unique item of clothing. Each stall holder will haggle the price with you.. asking for the highest price obviously before you both meet in the middle (kinda)..
These people often will fix rucksack straps and broken sandals and the odd sail or two!!

Mondays dinner was in a courtyard restaurant that promised some local musicians. Have to say that it didn’t disappoint. The food was yummy with flavours I’d never have thought of combining and the entertainment of music and dancing was interesting salsa and tango mixed together to the sounds of Hispanic inspired music. Through the night ended at 10pm we spent the next hour chatting to a couple who were heading off to Brazil 🇧🇷 on the Thursday.

Tuesday morning dawned early for us as we were heading off so Popeye could do his final dive to get certified and me to try and just get in. Off we went to the Dive Tribe where the staff were so helpful and honestly couldn’t do enough to help me the novice diver.. Popeye who was on his 4/5 dive was like an old pro at this time.. wet suits doned (pull from the legs) all the safety checks done we set off with much abandonment. Arriving at the dive site around 40 minutes later.

Popeye immediately got into serious mode as this dive would certify him (along with his exams) to dive anywhere in the world. There is a video of him doing his checks etc on our Instagram page https://instagram.com/popeye_oliveoyl2023?igshid=MGNiNDI5ZTU=

While I was on an introductory dive with a lovely young guy. We were taking through the process and he was in the water first. So I waited, admiring the crystal clear water and tried to remain calm. Then it was my turn my dive instructor came alongside the boat and I was helped with my gear.. I was feeling pretty nervous at this stage but I so wanted to try it. All geared up it was my turn to enter the water. Now that was exactly what they do in the movies.. backwards!!

Unfortunately once in the water my first problem happened.. my flipper broke 💔 and between that and my weight belt falling off twice my nerves had more than gotten the better of me.. so even though I’d gotten in I didn’t dive 😢… and we had run out of time also, so we headed back. But popeye had completed his 4th and dive and with just the written test (90%) he got his certification!!! Woop woop. A few sundowners and dinner was a perfect end to a great day. We had found a bar tucked away in a Galleria, and after dinner, we found ourselves sitting listening to another group of local musicians whose jazzy vibe was just what we needed. We also got the opportunity to meet with a lovely couple who had come down from Norway and unlike most instead of going west towards Brazil and the Caribbean were heading east towards the African continent. He regaled us with stories of his life as a Musher with 35 huskies!!!

Wednesday was also going to be a very special day as we were heading out to go snorkelling with turtles 🐢 😀. Once, we made the short walk to the Dive Tribe centre where we met up with our guide. We hopped into the jeep and hurdle our way across the island to a remote village at the edge of the ocean. Armed with flippers and snorkels, we piled on a small boat and out to where the turtles 🐢 were .. Popeye was straight in like a pro… I took my time and hadn’t been snorkelling for years, so a slight adjustment was needed but once I had, I got to experience a fantastic, magical world and I couldn’t have shared it with anyone else but with Popeye 💕.

Wednesday night, we had dinner in Pergola again.. as before the food was lovely and would definitely recommend it. There was music again with a saxophone 🎷 which gave it a jazz vibe.

Thursday morning dawned last full day here on the island for me, and I wanted to go back to the market for one last look and to buy one of the dresses I’d seen on Monday.. we made our way down and through the maze of the market and had a lovely browse. I came away after a haggle with another lovely dress and handmade bag. We then went to The Mindelo Tower and had a look at the list of known shipwrecks off the Islands. Followed by a cooling off swim last one for me. Quick change in the marina a couple of Sundowers, then off to say farewell to new friends.

Thursday nights dinner one would be forgiven to think we had stepped into Fawlty Towers set from start to finish we just giggled. From getting white wine instead of red to “steak,” that was no way a steak to been asked to leave at 10pm. We just had to laugh. The icing on the cake was when leaving we passed a member of staff fast asleep on a couch.. after the restaurant, which I have to say had 5⭐️ reviews we went once again to the Galleria, where a six piece band were playing. Another excellent night of local musicians. Another lovely night out.

Friday dawned way too early, and I had to be at the airport for 10.30am as my flight was at 12.30pm. Typically us there was a bit of a drama .. we left the keys on the table in the AirB&B, but .. unfortunately for us, the front door was double locked 🔒. So there we were.. couldn’t get out .. couldn’t get into the apartment and no fire escape. Popeye went up onto the roof and shouting down to the taxi driver, who explained our situation. Luckily, he was the landlords dad, so the keys were found, and we were let out to get me to the airport.. at warp speed (not!). I checked in, said a sad farewell to my Popeye 😢and headed though security and home..

Now the journey home is a whole different story…. stay tuned..

Link to our Instagram page https://instagram.com/popeye_oliveoyl2023?igs. 5 hid=MGNiNDI5ZTU5

Photos were taken by Popeye and Olive Oyl 🫒 in April 2023

https://instagram.com/popeye_oliveoyl2023?igshid=MGNiNDI5ZTU=