After a good full night of sleep we head back into Palmeira to clear out and try to find some fresh fruit and veggies. In the cape verde we have to clear in and out of each island and it always takes forever. Today we are particularly unlucky as the ferry just arrives when we head to shore and I’m afraid that this means that all the ‘’officials’’ are at the ferry and we won’t see anyone all day.

I wouldn’t mind so much, but right now there still is a beautiful wind blowing that is going to get less and less with each hour passing. We wait in front of the door for a while until I’m done with it and walk to the ferry terminal to find someone. I actually manage and with some puppy eyes it only takes another hour before someone actually clears us out and we can head out. While we had been ashore we met again with our guide from the day before and he had brought us some nice presents. A few beautiful shells and one baby turtle that had not made it to the water in time and was now dried and scorched black from the blazing sun. One of the beaches we had been to is a breading ground for turtles and every year hundreds of turtles lay their eggs there. Unfortunately it’s not the right season now but this is a very kind and rare gift.

As soon as we come back onboard we got Guppy shipshape and Guusje is standing on the bow to raise the anchor. Even though we sail slow with the little wind there is, we are able to sail through most of the night until we get behind the island and the wind drops completely. We motor the last few hours to Tarrafal, while a big trail of phosphorescence glows up behind Guppy, something most of our young crew haven’t ever seen before and they gaze at in awe. I also never get tired of that magical sight. Early in the morning we anchor in the bay. It’s Christmas Eve today so plans are being made for the night onboard Guppy. We move the Christmas tree that the teens had decorated a week ago outside, cakes are being made and we make an effort to dress more fancy. Before the evening we still head shortly into town to clear in again and try to find some wifi.

While back onboard the sun slowly disappears behind some low hanging cloud we seat around the outside table that is decorated nicely. After dinner everyone gets to open a present. I play some songs on the violin while we sing together and we finish of by watching the film Polar Express together. Then we are off to bed, tomorrow is going to be a busy day as we make an excursion on the island.

25th of December 

The alarm goes at 7.30am, we have a quick breakfast and pack our bags for a long day of walking and being underway. Soon after we arrive on the beach our guide arrives with the ‘’taxi’’, taxies in the cape verde are pick up trucks on which they have made seats in the back, so we all climb in and get underway. We drive over cobblestones past beautiful cliffs and over the mountains which cover most of this island. From a small village on a mountain we walk down to the capital. A beautiful 5km walk through villages and houses build on the slopes. Today is Christmas, most shops are closed and only birds, roosters and playing children can be heard as we walk along the quiet streets. We’re all hungry as we arrive in the main town and after a local lunch off fish, sweet potatoes, carrot, rice and Cape Verde ice cream we get into the pickup taxi again for some last sights of the island before our guide drops us of in front of our dinghy. Tomorrow will be a quiet day as we get Guppy and ourselves ready for the Atlantic Crossing. Sadly we won’t be able to post any photos along the way as our sponsored iridium gear never made it to us, but I will keep writing blogs and upload new photos as soon as I can. Everyone is looking forward and excited for the next big trip and I’m happy to take yet another Guppy with guppy crew 😉 across the Atlantic Ocean to new horizons.

Laura

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