Cape Verde – Mindelo a volcanic wonder.

We sailed into the mouth of a huge crater that was now the bay in which Mindelo sat. The whole island was red volcanic dust. It was dry, arid and interesting. Fishing was the main trade.

There was fresh water and the Portuguese had established it as a stopping off place on their voyages. Situated hundreds of miles off the coast of Africa it was ideal. In it’s day it was very posh. Now not so.

I was taken with the artwork, the murals that kids had painted.

It has a bay and a marina though. The locals looked poor.

We were on our way to the Amazon!!