Porto Grande, Mindelo, Cape Verde

We left Agadir at 4:00pm on Thursday (Dec 11) and spent two days at sea heading southwest towards Cape Verde, an island nation located 350 miles off the coast of Senegal. Ship’s time was turned back one hour each night, which makes it feel like we got extra sleep. 

Sea days mean sleeping in, more onboard activities like trivia, playing cards, and trying not to eat too much. The temperature was excellent both days, mostly sunny with some scattered clouds. The seas were relatively calm all the way there. 



We also played some shuffleboard. 




Saturday night Jim was chosen to participate in a Jeopardy-style game show  … he won!



We didn’t read the reviews on Cruise Critic about the ship  until after we booked the trip. They are horrible, and we aren’t sure why. Well, we hypothesize that most reviews are posted by people who experience a problem or who are generally never satisfied. The Sky is a recently refurbished older ship. It doesn’t have water slides or mini golf, but it has anything a modern cruise ship needs. The food is pretty good, not the best we’ve had, but no where near the worst. We paid a little extra for filet mignon and lobster two nights ago. It was great!




Cape Verde


We arrived and docked in Porto Grande in Mindalo, Cape Verde at 8:00am this morning. The island nation gained its independence from Portugal in 1975. It was a major hub for the slave trade until the abolition of slavery. We are including Chat GPT’s summary of Cape Verd at the bottom. 



We disembarked with no real plans. It was a very short walk to the center of town. Being Sunday many things were closed, but there was a souvenir market and some shops open. We did a little shopping. 


The weather was amazing — 72 degrees, very little humidity, and slight breeze. The sun was shining. 

After shopping we found a local restaurant to have lunch. Jim had a typical grilled fish and Kristi had a sandwich. The whole meal, including beer, was about $11.50. 



We were back on the ship by 1:00pm.  We rested, then participated in some activities. 

We are departing at 6:00pm (posting early before we loose service) and will be at sea for the next four days as we cross the Atlantic en route to Philipsburg, St. Marten in the Caribbean. 

Summary of Cape Verde:

Cape Verde (also called Cabo Verde) is one of those places that quietly surprises people—African roots, Portuguese influence, island rhythms, and a very gentle pace of life.

Where It Is

  • An island nation off the west coast of Africa, about 350 miles (570 km) from Senegal
  • 10 volcanic islands (9 inhabited), each with a different personality
  • Atlantic Ocean climate: dry, sunny, breezy

A Quick Sense of the Islands

  • São Vicente (Mindelo) – cultural heart, music, cafés, walkable, soulful
  • Sal & Boa Vista – beaches, resorts, wind, water sports
  • Santiago (Praia) – political capital, most African in feel
  • Santo Antão – dramatic mountains, hiking, agriculture, stunning views
  • Fogo – active volcano, wine, stark beauty

History in a Nutshell

  • Uninhabited until the Portuguese arrived in the 1400s
  • Became a crossroads for Europe, Africa, and the Americas
  • Deeply shaped by enslavement, maritime trade, and migration
  • Gained independence from Portugal in 1975
  • Today: one of Africa’s most stable and democratic countries

Language

  • Portuguese – official language (government, school)
  • Cape Verdean Creole (Kriolu) – everyday spoken language
    (varies by island)
  • English and French are common in tourist areas

Culture & Soul

Cape Verde’s heart is music.

  • Morna – slow, emotional, nostalgic (like blues or fado)
    • Most famous voice: Cesária Évora (from Mindelo)

  • Coladeira – lighter, upbeat, social
  • Music spills out of cafés, homes, and streets—especially in Mindelo

There’s a strong concept called “sodade”:

A deep longing, nostalgia, and love for people or places far away

(It reflects generations of emigration.)

Food & Drink

Simple, hearty, and honest.

  • Cachupa – national dish (corn, beans, veg, meat or fish)
  • Fresh grilled fish, tuna, lobster
  • Linguiça / chouriço
  • Esmoregal – eggs with onion/veg (local comfort food)
  • Strela – local beer
  • Grogue – sugarcane rum (strong, very local)

Climate & Vibe

  • Warm year-round, low humidity
  • Not lush and tropical—more rugged, volcanic, and windswept
  • Life moves slowly and deliberately
  • People are generally reserved, kind, proud, and welcoming

What Makes Cape Verde Special

  • African, European, and island cultures blended—not touristy Africa
  • Feels authentic, not performative
  • Safe, calm, and unpretentious
  • A place where sitting with a coffee, music in the air, and ocean nearby feels like enough

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