TV Presenter finds bliss on the Cape Verde Islands

When the TV and Radio presenter, Becky Hayes, wanted a cheap holiday she never imagined that she would end up in the Cape Verde Islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. When she arrived on the islands she was amazed at how unspoilt they were and she can’t wait to go back. This is her account of her holiday on the Cape Verde Islands written for Global Holidays.

Just off the western cost of Africa is where you’ll find these little gems. The name alone sounds exotic and you’re not wrong.  If white sandy beaches, turquoise sea and relaxation is your thing then the Cape Verde Islands are for you. With an African, Portuguese flair you are in for a truly alluring experience.

“No stress” is the motto here and you’ll be sure to hear the locals saying it as they try to sell you trinkets and hand carved gifts. The locals are friendly but can be persistent when trying to get you to buy things.

I like to think of the Cape Verde islands as the Caribbean of the Atlantic Ocean. They have a really exotic feel and I don’t know anywhere else that you can fly to in 6 hours and be able to see your feet in the sea!

There are 10 islands in total, Sal being the biggest and the capital. Whilst there you must check out Santa Maria, the main town. Life centres around the beach and pier, where every day at 11am the local fishermen bring in the catch’s of the day. Expect to see giant tuna, marlin and maybe even the odd shark. The pier becomes a hive of activity with boats, fisherman and sellers.

You can also do trips to the other islands. Boa Vista is worth seeing if you are into history. On the Praai de Santa Maria beach stands the shipwreck of the Santa Maria which ran aground there in 1968. It has a very eerie feel but if you’re not put off by shipwrecks maybe you could try a dive to explore it further. In total there are more than 70 shipwrecks in the waters around the Cape Verde Islands.

The islands are still pretty un- commercialised. There aren’t that many hotels and the shops are pretty basic. You can’t even get a decent phone signal here! If you like lively nightlife and neon lights then these islands are not for you. Be prepared to totally get away from it all. There is building work happening there now to build a shopping centre and a promenade. I’d recommend going now to see its natural charm that has barely been touched by the western world.

In winter months you can expect a good 6 hours of sunbathing sunshine a day. The evenings stay warm too. Flying time to The Cape Verde Islands is 6 hours.

I loved Cape Verde and will definitely be returning. It was great to go somewhere that not a lot of people have been to and great to see somewhere virtually untouched by commercialism. It’s a place to stay horizontal all day with a good book and if you’re feeling particularly adventuress perhaps do the odd fishing trip!

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