Mon, 10.11.2025: Return trip to Mindelo, São Vicente

In the morning, we take the ferry back to São Vicente. Together we will explore Mindelo, which remains hidden from most tourists, and visit the former working-class district of the port city, Ribeira Bote. A local guide who lives in this neighbourhood will take us to meet local craftsmen and artists. Afterwards, we will visit a guitar workshop and enjoy some Cape Verdean music. The evening will conclude with a multi-course farewell dinner. Ferry ride: 1 hour. Guided tour of Ribeira Bote and guitar workshop: 3-4 hours. Overnight stay: 1 night, standard room.

The long trek home has already started, hopefully it would be better than going. Yesterday the last walk took place and this evening there is a farewell dinner I wondered if the photo of the choppy sea had anything to do with the exceptionally high tidal surge experienced on Tenerife at the weekend. It was on BBC, a warning was issued but 4 were killed and 15 injured. This sunny weather is supposed to stay until the weekend.

Early in the morning we started the drive back to Porto Novo on the South coast, first along the familiar route to Ribeira Grande and Paul, but then on a newly constructed road close to the coast across the desert like Southern part of the island. There was no comparison with the scenic mountain route of the outward journey. The return ferry ride to Mindelo on Sao Vicente, was fine being much less crowded than last time, perhaps because it was not at the weekend. We soon arrived again at the Hotel Oásis Atlantico Porto Grande where we had some free time. I walked a little just around the hotel and town, buying something for my lunch on the balcony, only some small fish cakes since I was looking forward to the farewell dinner with live music, Mindelo being known for music. That was OK but not really special and the live music was only one girl singing. One of the group is giving the tip to the guide, opposite to me in the photo.