We had some active seas during the crossing from Senegal to Cabo Verde, formally known as Cape Verde, but our ship sailed through the swells like butter.

Cabo Verde is an African nation, officially known as The Republic of Cape Verde, off the North Atlantic Coast of Africa and is composed of ten volcanic islands that make up this archapeligo. The main languages are Portuguese and creole.

The waters are turquoise and the land is arid with steep cliffs leading down to the sea. These islands were once rich with vegetation, accustomed to an arid climate, but grazing by livestock during the early colonization have left things rather barren throughout the archipelago. The country has recognized this, so some islands, rich in biodiversity, are off limits except for permitted use for research, hiking and diving off the shoreline. Our guide said they were heading into their summer season so tourism from Portugal and Spain will be picking up.

May seems like the perfect time to come here, where it feels like spring in the South east of FL after the crowds have flown north.

The towns are clean, the colors are vibrant and the people are chill. They just don’t bargain with our newly acquired Senegalese skills, which was no fun. I think we annoyed the local merchants. But I did find what I was looking for–– black soap.

Today we were on a city tour excursion, which was about four hours and perfect for the 15 of us on the bus–– I think everyone was a bit worn out from the 9+ hr tours.

We walked a promenade and toured a colonial home, now a museum.

It is hard to put into words, even images, the patina of the walls, the colors, the living quarters that were designed so each room had purpose with an understanding of open courtyards for letting in light and the air moving through transoms and internal windows keeping each room cool.

Continuing down the promenade, the stores were busy, the people relaxed, some sitting out for a coffee, but just walking down this street on a beautiful day in May was magical. We stopped at a vegetable market that was bustling with people selling and buying produce. This was the most lively farmers market we have ever seen.

And not just a market, but a place where people get together and catch up with family and friends. You can tell this is THE market for getting fresh produce.

After the vegtable market, our guide led us on a walking tour through the rest of the promenade with its topiary cut trees and colorful walls. At the end it opened up into a square, once used for illegal trade in both goods and people. Just off the square was a church, where we sat for a bit just feeling the experience of our trip, reflecting on where we have been, what we have seen and the people we have met.

There was a little boy in the church with his mom who I think fell in love with Meredith because every time she looked at him his eyes lit up igniting a smile in everyone around him.

Like all places we travel, I am obsessed with a few things: Graffiti, weird objects and waves. And Porto Praia has it all– how lucky are you today.

And now for the surf report.

A market. This place was a maze and very easy to get lost in. We finally made it out but had to ask directions from someone to get back to the bus, for which we were the last two lost shoppers. But as I said earlier–– they were not in the mood for bargaining, taking all the fun out of shopping.

At least there’s still the dress