Ever since a Lonely Planet Thorn Tree member suggested it to me,
I’ve been toying with the idea of a jaunt to Cape Verde. This tiny West African archipelago in the Atlantic is said to
be on the brink of booming tourism, with a new
international airport set to open soon on the island of Santiago.
(Currently all flights go in and out of Sal.) I wouldn’t mind making my
way here in the near future, before all the throngs find their way…
The country is divided into two groups of
islands: Northern Windward “Barlavento”
(Boa Vista, Santo Antao, S. Vicente, Sao Nicolau and Santa Luiza) and Southern Leeward “Sotavento” (Brava, Fogo, Maio
and Santiago). The official language of this cultural diverse island nation is Portuguese, but Creole is spoken too.
Sites to see include the volcanic Mt.
Fogo, UNESCO Heritage town of Cidade Velha and the
picturesque Mindelo. But I’d just like
to chill out with the locals, listen to music and forget where I am for a bit. There is construction and development
underway, so things might not be ideal, but it still seems like a perfect place to consider for a winter escape. Here’s
journalist Martin Corben’s dispatch from his 2004
visit. If any Gadling readers have ever been, please comment and let us know what you liked about Cabo Verde, I’d love
to know.