Day 10 - Cape Verde: Island Rhythms and Mountain Views



We woke early to a beautiful sunrise over Cape Verde, the light golden and soft against the outline of the island. It felt wonderful to be anchored somewhere new, with the day full of promise.

The morning began gently — I headed to the gym, which was much quieter than usual, as many passengers had gone off early on excursions. It was lovely to have the space almost to myself, moving mindfully and enjoying the quiet rhythm of the morning. Afterwards, I treated myself to another one of my favourite fresh juices, a delicious blend of spinach, pineapple, ginger, and carrot — pure nourishment in a glass.

The rest of the morning was calm and restorative. I spent some time catching up on recording my daily EFT tapping scripts in my beautiful notebook. It’s hard to believe it’s been 14 months since I started the group — and seeing the number of scripts I’ve created filled me with gratitude. So much healing, creativity, and connection has flowed through those words.

The sun was already warm, so Joe enjoyed a relaxed morning on the pool deck, soaking up the sunshine before we met for an early lunch at Compass Rose. The food, as always, was fresh and beautifully prepared. We also began our malaria tablets today, as we prepare to explore the African ports in the coming days.

At 1:30 p.m., we gathered in the Seven Seas Lounge to meet our group for the afternoon’s island tour. Soon, we were on the bus, driving away from the pier toward Monte Verde, the highest point on São Vicente, standing at about 750 metres above sea level. The road twisted and turned as we climbed higher — and while Joe felt a little nervous (especially when he noticed the seatbelts weren’t working!), our guide, Humberto, kept everyone entertained with stories and history of the island.

He told us that the mountain road had been laid by hand over twenty years ago, built entirely from local stone rather than tarmac. It was extraordinary to imagine the craftsmanship and dedication that went into creating it. We paused at the top for a photo stop and a short walk, taking in the vast, panoramic views — miles of coastline and sky stretching endlessly into the distance. It was breathtaking.

From there, we descended back toward the coast and visited Catfish Bay, one of Mindelo’s most popular beaches. Families were playing in the sea and sand, the atmosphere lively and joyful. Humberto introduced us to the local liqueur, Ponche — a sweet rum that’s a Cape Verdean favourite.

Our next stop was Praia Grande, a wide, open beach with golden sand dunes that reminded me a little of Tarifa — Humberto explained that the sand here originally came from the Sahara Desert many years ago, carried by the wind across the sea.

The tour continued through the old and new parts of Mindelo, offering glimpses into the island’s culture, music, and history. There was such a wonderful sense of pride and warmth in the people we met. The locals speak the local language Creole, although they write in Portuguese and in school they learn French and English.

We returned to the ship by 5:00 p.m., just in time to watch the sun dip lower as the Navigator set sail at 5:30. It was the perfect close to a vibrant and fulfilling day.

Dinner tonight was at the Italian restaurant, where Joe thoroughly enjoyed his meal once again. The ship was moving quite noticeably tonight — the most we’ve felt since joining — so we decided to retreat to our suite for an early night, rocked to sleep by the rhythm of the waves.

Tonight, the clocks go forward an hour, ready for the next time zone and another sea day tomorrow — a welcome chance to rest and let all of today’s experiences settle gently into memory.

Daily Reflection:

Today reminded me how beauty often lies in the hands that build, the stories that guide, and the landscapes that take your breath away.
I am grateful for the wonder of exploration — and the peace that follows.

Highlight of the Day:
✨ Standing atop Monte Verde, looking out across the island and sea — the world felt both vast and perfectly still.

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