Blog # 5 – Crossing the South Atlantic 

LA GOMERA:  On Nov. 27 we docked in San Sebastian de la Gomera.  Whereas Tenerife is very populated (almost a million), La Gomera, the smallest of the inhabited Canary Islands, has only a population of 23,000.  We could not find any tours on-line so we took a ship’s tour (which we usually avoid because of the price).  We spent 4 hours travelling the length and breadth of this beautiful island.  It was interesting in that one side of the island is essentially a desert and the other side has lush forests. 

The bus travelled through the national park, over a huge mountain and when we crested the peak we changed instantly from one eco-system to the other.  As the road through the park was only one lane we alternated between enjoying the dramatic scenery and admiring the skills of the bus driver.  On the other hand, the guy across the aisle from me simply enjoyed a four-hour sleep. 

CAPE VERDE:  On Nov. 29 we docked in Mindelo on the island of Sao Vicente in Cape Verde.  Until it became an independent country in the 1970’s Cape Verde was a Portuguese Colony. 

We found a private tour company on-line and 10 of us jammed into a rather dilapidated van for a tour of the city and the island.  Sao Vincente has been having a drought for nearly 50 years and the island has almost no vegetation.  Almost all their water comes from a desalination plant.

In the center of the island is a huge mountain and we drove up a narrow cobble stone road to reach the top.  However, by the time we got to the peak we were in the clouds so missed the vistas.  Upon descent we visited a beach and went to see some beautiful dunes which are caused by sands blowing across from the Sahara Desert. 

Cape Verde is supposed to be the second wealthiest country in Africa.  However, I couldn’t figure out what drives the economy.  There is some fishing and some tourism, although only 60 cruise ships stop per year.  I asked our guide about employment and he talked only about service jobs.

CROSSING THE ATLANTIC:  It took 3 days to sail from Cape Verde to Brazil.  The weather was warm so there was lots of time between meals to read and sleep on our veranda.  By the way, here is a trivia question for you.  Why are the North Atlantic and the South Atlantic considered to be separate oceans?  And, a second trivia question?  Who was Malcolm Mcclean?  Hint:  He started something that in the past half century has positively affected almost everyone on the planet. 

RECIFE:  On Tuesday we docked in the Brazilian city of Recife (Portuguese for reef).  I usually do not enjoy shopping,  but this venture was an exception.  We last visited this city 9 years ago and at that time we went to a shopping center that is in an old prison.  For Betty’s birthday I bought her a necklace and earrings (or so she tells me).   

When I asked Betty what we should do in Recife she said she wanted to try and find a matching bracelet for the above items.  After almost 54 years of marriage I have learned not to be too skeptical of such seemingly impossible quests.  Two buses took us to the shopping center.  Despite there being 3 wings to the old prison Betty quickly located the cell housing the small shop.  The same man was there.  He looked at Betty’s necklace and pointed to a matching bracelet.  I couldn’t even bother to barter.