The markets in Cape Verde are colourful places. They normally have a good selection of fruit and vegetables, some of which are relatively unknown to many European visitors. The large market in Plato, the main shopping area in the centre of Praia, where this was taken, is a lively place and well worth a visit. The market stall holders are usually happy, jolly people who will be very keen to get your custom.
Santo Antão is the westernmost of the Cape Verde islands and is one of the greenest. Many people who visit Cape Verde will be familiar with islands such as Sal and Boa Vista, which are in large part desert. The further west you go, the higher the mountains and the greener the islands. Santo Antão offers great hiking opportunities. The scenery is spectacular and there are green hills, lovely little villages on hillsides and rocky outcrops.
Sunsets in Cape Verde are very often beautiful. This picture was taken at Santa Maria on Sal Island as the sun sets over the beach and the moored boats. You will be very unlucky if you visit Cape Verde and don’t see a lovely sunset. The opportunities for taking a lovely sunset photograph are many. The sun could be setting over the sea, over a neighbouring island, or behind mountains.
This picture was taken on the island of Fogo, as the sun was setting. The golden light of sunset produced this beautiful scene of trees on the side of the mountain. Fogo is an island that is known for the volcano crater, which is certainly well worth a visit. However, there is more to this island than the volcano and the island also provides a stepping stone to the neighbouring island of Brava.
TACV, the Cape Verde national airline, following recent rebranding, is now known as Cabo Verde Airlines. In addition the airline is planning to partner with TAAG, the Angolan national airline. TAAG abandoned flights between Luanda and Praia in 2016, because it was not considered to be a profitable route. The new agreement between the two airlines is planned to lead to a reinstatement of this route. In addition, the TACV current management agreement with Loftleidir Icelandic will cease in August of this year.
This rebranding is hoped to make for a stronger identity with the Cape Verde. This is part of the company’s restructuring.
Cabo Verde Airlines also hopes to add a new route between Cape Verde and Salvador de Bahia, Brazil. It also plans to strengthen its connectivity with Recife, Fortaleza, Milan, Paris and Lisbon.
The Praia is the capital city of Cape Verde and is located on the southern end of the island of Santiago. The main shopping area is on a raised outcrop in the centre of the city which is known as Plateau. Plateau is the main shopping area. Here there is a pleasant tree lined pedestrian street, with cafes and restaurants. Praia is gradually being smartened up now has a pleasant town centre shopping area. There is also a seafront with more restaurants and bars. The city is also home to a port and an international airport.
The volcano caldera is not to be missed if you visit Fogo island. The landscape is intriguing and you can clearly see the lava flow from the last eruption in 2014. The tallest peak is Pico do Fogo, seen in this photograph. Hiring a car and driving though the caldera to the beginning of the park at the far end is a very worth while experience. Expect rough tracks, not smooth roads. There is a modern hotel offering attractive rooms, nice food and optional massage. A different, very informal restaurant and accommodation built out of blocks of lava is well worth a visit (booking in advance if necessary). The chef cooks on an open fire and creates delicious food.
This coming week forecasts superb weather in Cape Verde. Unbroken sunshine and daytime temperatures ranging between 26C and 28C and 17C or 18C at night are expected.
If you would like to get some sunshine with guaranteed high temperatures which not consider a last break to this lovely, diverse country. The seas will also be warm and accommodation is a little cheaper now, as we are entering the low season. Rainfall in Cape Verde is very small and does not normally occur before August. What could be better than a reasonably priced holiday and yet excellent weather?
For more information on the weather in Cape Verde see our weather page.
There is currently a Cape Verdean Parliamentary Delegation visiting the island of Maio for three days of meetings and visits. A number of subjects will be covered including ecology. The delegation will also be entertained with musical events on both Monday and Tuesday evenings. The entertainment being provided by local bands and also Tibau Tavares.
On Wednesday there will be a meeting looking at matters of ecology within Cape Verde. This meeting will consider issues surrounding water and agriculture together with other environmental issues. This could be an important initiative in a country that already has grand plans in terms of green energy. If Cape Verde can address other issues such as recycling and dealing with waste, it would be a good move.
Recently Olavo Correia the Cape Verdean Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance announced that in 2019/2020 the country’s water and electric company, Electra, is to be privatised. The announcement followed a visit to Electra’s premises. A number of potential organisations have already expressed interest. However, the next step is to prepare an appropriate model for the privatisation.
The intention is to devise a model that promotes the country’s plans to produce the whole of the countries electricity from renewable sources. Cape Verde currently produces 20% of its electricity from renewables; however the aim to improve that percentage considerably. Cape Verde is already at the top of the African countries for producing and using renewable energy. The Government will develop a model geared to reducing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.
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