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Almost
a desert island, with an oasis and wells using water provided by
windmills, Maio is today the home of the largest acacia forestry area
(about 3,500 acres) in
Cape Verde
, thus making it an important producer of charcoal and timber. The
landscape is similar to Boavista and Sal with the single exception of the
Acacia groves. It has a population of 4000 souls in an area of 268 sq km
and the highest point is Monte Penoso at 436m. Like Sal, Maio exported
salt – up to 11,000 tons a year transported by about 80 British ships in
the 17th Century bound mainly for the Newfoundland
fisheries.
Just
a 20 minute flight from the City of Praia, it possesses such important tourist attractions as vast white sandy
beaches and crystal clear sea water, delicious sea food and above all,
peace and quiet.
Other
points of interest on the
Island
are:
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Vila
do Maio is the principal town and boasts a substantial central square
with a large white baroque church built in 1872 looming above it on
the one piece of high ground in town. It is a gracious town with some
colonial architecture and even signs of the British presence. Visit
the Fortress of Sao Jose at the South East corner of town near the
port, which has largely been restored.
-
Walk
the dunes and visit the Village
of
Morro, to the North of the salt pans. This is a quiet, laid-back village on
a superb beach which varies in size with the vagaries of the seasonal
tide flows. It is here (amongst other beaches in the
Island
) that turtles visit in summer.
-
Join
a local fisherman for a fishing trip to Praia de Santana where there
is an abundance of fish. Fish also from the shore.
-
Search
out the many beaches which are hidden from the road by renting a 4WD
jeep.
Our
recommended Restaurants in the
Vila
do Maio:
Hotel
Marilu offers excellent grilled lobster and octopus.
O
Poeta has an open-air esplanade with wonderful views over the sea plus an
air-conditioned dining room.
Plaza
Park
– for both open-air and enclosed dining.
Restaurant
Gamboa – famous for meat "Rodizio" at the weekends.
Restaurant
Falesia – in the Hotel Praia Mar with views over the sea.
Our
recommended Restaurant in Tarrafal:
Restaurant
Baia Verde – outside tables give good views over the bay.
Nightlife
The “Bar in the
Square” and Piletcha Bar in Vila
do Maio.
Also a small nightclub in both Pedro Vaz and Barreiro
villages.
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