Travelfood

This group of islands is a true African treasure. The former Portuguese colony has managed to attract tourists with a relaxed attitude, well-working infrastructure and nevertheless with a feeling that you are in exotic Africa. I believe that if you choose Boavista as your destination island, you will have sun, beaches and restaurants. We chose the town of Santa Maria on the island of Sal and receive on top of all that also the stress-free way of living as the locals do. The beaches are pristine, the sea waters are blue, the houses are colorful and the sea wind cools the burning sun a bit. Apparently the waters are filled with fish because seldom have I encountered such a myriad of fish dishes in restaurants as I did in Santa Maria. There is shark, tuna, wahoo and swordfish. They grill it, they serve it with curries, peanut sauce or butter and lemon. Then there is the national meat stew cachupa and lots of seafood, such as buzios (conch stew). Everything tastes delightful, is safe, but in the relaxed way it might take a while before your order arrives.

The locals seem to have a lot of patience with the hordes of tourists that arrive mainly from Europe. They also seem to accept the Senegalese immigrants that eagerly sell products and services to tourists. All grocery shops seem to be run by Chinese, and I am not quite sure how and why that has happened.

The excursions seem to focus on activities mainly for the young and active, maybe because there is not much else to see on the islands outside the urban center than dry and windy cliffs and rubble – and the salt plains.

Africa, Cape Verde, food, travel, travel experiences