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.

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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!!

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MAURITIUS - The beautiful island in the Indian Ocean - FB

By Pat Patrick • November 14, 2026
I don't know why, but I have always made great and lasting friendships with my nail & hair stylist people. Maybe because I see them regularly, we chit chat the whole appointment and share deep confidences quickly and with great respect, it's a safe zone! Stacy from Mauritius was that for me on the Odyssey . She was Spa Manager from the beginning in Belfast and took only two short vacation breaks over the two years.

MAURITIUS - The beautiful island in the Indian Ocean

By Pat Patrick • November 14, 2026
I don't know why, but I have always made great and lasting friendships with my nail & hair stylist people. Maybe because I see them regularly, we chit chat the whole appointment and share deep confidences quickly and with great respect, it's a safe zone! Stacy Derby from Mauritius was that for me on the Odyssey . She was Spa Manager from the beginning in Belfast and took only two short vacation breaks over the two years.

SINGAPORE & DUBAI AIRPORTS

By Pat Patrick • November 13, 2026
I have wanted to see the famed Singapore Changi Airport for years to see the world's largest indoor waterfall. Turns out the waterfall is in a part of the airport, outside the Departure Terminals, so I still have yet to see it! The Terminal does have some interesting architecture and houses a huge shopping mall, with some very high end stores and Christmas decorations are up everywhere, the day after Halloween ( which sadly, they don't celebrate here ).