February 28
I arrive at Praia in the Verdes almost on schedule to run the usual gauntlet of airport cabbies, succeeding in finding one whose overcharge button was stuck on turbo. I check into the the hotel I had previously booked and cancelled. For this bad behaviour on my part, the desk staff decide to charge me 120 euros extra for the 2 day stay. Welcome to the Verdes!
March 1
I spend the day tracking Severance on the hotel internet and walking to the boat harbour checking if the vessel had arrived. Later in the evening, sitting in the lobby waiting to check their progress yet again, an unexpected commotion erupts at the front entrance. The crew of Severance had arrived, Captain Scott and Yacht Master Armando and they are very thirsty as all good sailors are with lots of stories to tell. The thirst was dealt with but it took a while that evening and still not all the stories were told.
March 2-5
The next 3 days were a whirlwind securing Brazilian visas, reporting to Maritime police and other local authorities formalizing Severance's arrival, imminent departure and then provisioning for the crossing.
The trickiest task was hiring the right local port thief to provide security for Severance while we were away on our business. Seems like a contradiction, but with the right choice thanks to Armando's skilled negotiating, it worked out. Nothing missing from Severance when we departed.
Official business went surprisingly smoothly while our collective basket of currency including escudos, euros and american took a big hit.
Praia. The town is a vibrant mix of 3rd world reality, new world sophistication complete with internet cafes, people sipping espressos while listening to the African beat.
The people, mainly friendly, do not consider themselves African although the influence is overwhelming. What is evident is the result of the many generations of the local people co-mingling with the Portugese
Danny at the local barber shop getting a haircut.
We managed to visit a historical fort further along the coast that was linked to the slave trade.
During this day trip we witnessed the environmental degradation of parts of the island due to the introduction of European domestic animals many generations before.
Much vegetation has been lost and dust storms swirl through much of the day. A sobering sight.
Okay, time to raise the anchor and head for Fogo, the last Cabo Verdes island to finish off our provisioning for the crossing(ie beer, lots of beer)
Posted by Danny McJannet
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