Originally posted by KremlinHas anybody been travel to Cabo Verde ?
Which island where they sailing at ?
Comrade Kremlin,
I used to go to Cabo Verde 2 weeks/year from 1991 to 1995 (during the time I was living in Senegal and Morocco). Incredible place combining beautiful beaches, waves, music, girls, etc... . The only downside being the isolation (soooo far away from everything, not to mention OZ!. You will find every possible bit of info on :
www.capeverde.com/or
www.caboverde.comThe archipelago is formed by 9 islands of which SAL and BOA VISTA are the ones to go for.
SAL is the tourist islands with the only international airport of the country, the most developed hotel infrastructure and last but not least, it is the place you can find most of the windsurfing/kitesurfing operators (Angulo, Mistral and other Europeans).
Here are some tips from my personal experience:
WHEN? - from December to April. Tradewinds season in this part of the Atlantic ocean, steady 25knts, water temp 26?, as dry as you wouldn't imagine even in WA (I have never seen a raindrop there! BTW they have a desal.plant)
HOW? - via Europe most likely Lisbon (CV is a former Portugese colony)or you could check South Africa (SAA used to stop over in SAL en-route to Europe or N.America, not sure if they still do)
WHAT TO BRING? - CV is a poor country living mainly on the $ transfers of its huge expatriate community abroad(300.000 in the US)and foreign aid so you can't expect to find ATMs at every corner or Chemists. So pack-up the standard kit for an "exotic expedition" (first aid, cash, travellers cheques,...)
EQUIPMENT? - With the increased difficulty of getting there, I wouldn't bother take anything but my harness, lines and shorty. You can choose between the numerous packages available (rental only, rental + multispots sailing, inter-islands surfaris).
SPOTS?
- Santamaria is the most popular one, at your hotel room's doorstep. You have a long flatwater run over aqua sea towards the break on your left. The wavesailing spot reminds me of Lancelin (It is a left, you jump on port-tack).
- Ponta preta (site of the PWA contest) need I say more? 25 min. drive from Santamaria. You need either a rental car or get the excursion arranged by one of the local operators
- ALI BABA this my secret spot (must ask some long time local windsurfers). The guy who discovered it about 12-15 years ago Damien Richard gave it this name in reference to the 40 thieves (sorry,40 rollers you could do on one single wave!).
Outside Santamaria, I would strongly advise not to venture out on the water on your own. Even on average sailing conditions,you may find yourself in deep deep s+=t if you break something out there (don't even dream of search n rescue operation we can have here in OZ).
To finish, a little piece of history for you Kremlin: There used to be a AEROFLOT Hotel in SAL, right on the main beach of Santamaria. It was built in the 80s to accomodate the crews en-route to and from Moscow to Cuba (I had the privilege to stay at this hotel a couple of times, mingling with some friendly KGB colleagues of yours and not so friendly flight attendants). You can easily imagine the intense commercial dealings that could take place in there (never bought and consumed as much Caviar and Habana cigars in my entire life at a bargain price !!! such a shame I wasn't a Vodka fan).
Cheers
JM
