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São Vicente
is the
home Island
of
Cesária Évora, “The Barefoot Diva”, that great artist and interpreter of
Cape Verde
music, who did much to introduce the “Morna” (akin to the Portuguese
“Fado”) to audiences worldwide.
The focal point of the
Island
is the magnificent bay which provides a deep water harbour where the
British established a coaling station at Mindelo for steamships in the
early 1800’s with room for up to 300 ships to anchor. The hinterland is
mountainous and attractive but very arid.
The
village
of
São Pedro
in the south-west of the Island, close to the Airport, has a superb beach
and perhaps the best Hotel on the
Island
.
The City of
Mindelo is famous for its beauty, with well preserved
and colourful 19th
century colonial architecture, and the hospitality of its inhabitants.
Here, the nightlife, especially from Thursday to Sunday, consists of live
music and makes the City a place of great animation that must not be
missed. It is from here that
one can take the 1 hour ferry trip to the neighbouring
Island
of
Santo Antão
just 14kms to the Northeast.
São Vicente
is
also about to complete an
International
Airport
which will generate more tourist infrastructure.
The
Island
is considered by aficionados of wind surfing, to be the one of the best
destinations worldwide, though infrastructure such as board rental, is
still somewhat lacking.
Other
points of interest on the
Island
are:
-
Climb (by car!) the rugged
mountain
of
Monte Verde, ideally around sunset, to see a splendid vista of Mindelo and the
bay and with luck, the sun setting behind Santo Antão.
-
At the full moon in August,
visit the weekend music festival at Baia das Gatos where all night
music, water sports and horse racing amuse the locals and visitors and
musicians from all over the Archipelago.
-
Visit both the main and fish
markets in Mindelo – a colourful and fascinating experience – buy
your CD of local artist on the first floor of the main Market!
-
Play golf in the only course
in Cape Verde
(so far!), but don’t expect greens – they are totally brown! The
fairways are also dusty and/or sandy. We saw people playing there –
yes, really!
Car,
jeep and beach buggy hire is readily available and it is well worth while
taking a vehicle for a day’s exploration.
Our recommended Restaurants in
Mindelo
Restaurante Achote with live music on Saturday
nights
Chez Loutcha long established and well appreciated
Nella’s – City Centre specialising in fish
Pia
Pau
- small – speciality – Arroz do Marisco (seafood rice)
Sodade – rooftop with panoramic view best before
nightfall.
Night
life
Central Mindelo
:
Le Bienvenue, Café Musique (Fridays an Saturdays sometimes featuring
famous band “Bau”), Pims and Syrius (next to Porto Grande Hotel).
Mindelo
suburbs:
Havana
Club, J T’aime, O Astro and Hi Step.
All
the above feature predominantly Cape Verdean
music.
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