Call it Cape Verde, Cap Vert, or Cabo Verde, whichever variation you choose, Chills, Enjoyment, and Relaxation are the three top thoughts that come to mind when considering this island destination.
Cape Verde encompasses 10 islands: Santiago, Fogo, Maio, Brava; Boa Vista, Sal, São Vicente, Santo Antão, São Nicolau, and Santa Luzia (which is uninhabited). I visited Santiago, the largest of all 10 islands. Fun fact: Fogo still hosts an active volcano, with the last eruption occurring in 2014.
Travellers, be warned: I encountered some of the nastiest immigration officers during my visit. Even American immigration, known for its strictness, didn’t exhibit such a negative attitude. An immigration officer accosted me, practically holding my phone hostage, and demanded that I recite my itinerary and hotel reservations from memory. Furthermore, she made me count about $1,000 in cash in her presence to ensure I had “sufficient funds” for my trip.
After clearing immigration, I expressed extreme annoyance to my tour guide, informing him that due to the negative encounter, I have no desire to revisit their country after leaving Senegal, where I had the best time. He acknowledged that I wasn’t the first to complain about their attitude but mentioned it’s a frequent feedback from his foreign clients.
KAZA KAXHUPA
Upon landing at Praia International airport, we felt famished, so we headed into town to dine at Kaza Katxupa, a place named after the country’s most famous dish “Katxhupa”. Katxhupa is a slow-cooked stew of corn, beans, cassava, sweet potato, and your choice of fish or meat (sausage, pork, beef, goat, or chicken), which can be served either dry or wet. It’s recommended to enjoy it as a stew, so please keep that in mind if you decide to try the dish.
My tour guide and I embarked on our journey to Tarrafal, which was the main destination for my vacation. Exhausted, I slept throughout the car ride after engaging in some polite conversation.
The drive from Praia to Tarrafal takes about an hour and 30 minutes by car. One aspect of Cape Verde that I strongly disliked was the long winding roads made of pebbles around the mountains. With the country enveloped by mountains, little can be done about the winding roads, but I wished my head didn’t shake like a rattlesnake’s tail on the cobblestone roads.
Tourists should note that many countries now impose a tourist tax for each day spent in a hotel. Please factor this into your budget if you intend to visit Cape Verde. I stayed at ALFÂNDEGA SUITES which was very very close to the ocean (and I absolutely loved it!).
The windows of my hotel room offered the most picturesque views of a mountain feeding into the clouds and the ocean kissing the beach. I could have stayed there longer. The views significantly boosted my mental health, providing a break from the hustle and bustle of Lagos, where I currently reside.
Side note: Cape Verdeans have an insane love of sugar, which sometimes made eating very unenjoyable for me. I experienced eating a sweet baguette for the first time in my life in Cape Verde. If you’re looking for food tourism, Cape Verde is not the location for you; come here for the views and water sports because the food might disappoint you.
More adventures exploring paradise in Cape Verde coming up in next blog post.
Love,
Nwaanyi Ije
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