November 12, 2024

Day 2 in the Cape Verde Islands - Sao Vicente Island - Port of Mindelo

I strolled into port with Karen and Cyndi to check out the city of Mindelo. It was an easy walk along the Marina into the market area. We first saw all the local fisherman bringing in their catches and the vendors carving up the fillets and setting out all their fruits and vegetables. Then we started looking and bargaining for a dress for me and souvenir magnets for the 3 of us. I got the dress price down from 25 Euros/piece, to 2 for 20 Euros. I kept one and another friend of the ship, took the other, 10 euro was a good deal! It was very hot and windy and we planned to go to the local beach after seeing a couple more sights. Other residents were leaving the beach already because it was so windy, and the sand blowing was brutal. So, we negotiated for a cab to take us to a few sights, then back to port.

Unlike Santiago island, the houses and business are completely finished on all façades and they are painted beautiful colors. I borrowed these images below from fellow resident Basia's blog, as her photos captured the beauty way better than mine. Love it!!

By Pat Patrick June 6, 2026
I am so blessed and lucky to have found such a great group of friends and to be do this amazing adventure! Today was fabulous, because of the quality time I got to spend with these individuals. We had no rain and some rare sunshine! Wave swells slowed our journey and some of our snorkeling energies, but I think everyone was happy at days end! Psalms Tours was again super flexible and provided outstanding services!
By Pat Patrick June 6, 2026
We decided to do something different and unique today, perfect for a rainy afternoon, we took a pearl class to make some jewelry! Delia, Terri, Suen and I all went to Pick a Pearl Jewelry Store on the main street of Coron . We each picked a frozen giant clam shell, that had been put in a fresh water farm to develop cultured pearls. The bounty of each shell was random, we averaged 28 to 30 varying size pearls and the colors were also random. I got a mix of white, pink, lavender and pale gold pearls. Terri went first and below is the step by step process.
By Pat Patrick June 6, 2026
Due to stormy weather, we got an additional four days in Coron, Philippines since our intended destination at Boracay Island was an anchorage where our tenders would not be able to operate safely in the projected wave swells. No worries, we had been to Boracay before and there was lots to do in Coron . Many residents had good reviews of a local restaurant called The Lobster King, so we went with good friends to celebrate my buddy Stacy's Birthday!