Sunday 13th January - Mindelo

Here we are again. Although it's not everyone's cup of tea, me n Peter really like Mindelo. Maybe cos it's like us, scruffy, with not a lot of money. But the people are friendly, and we can see the place changing year on year.

This year, because Peter is still quite poorly, we decided to take it really easy. We wandered over to the market place where we had a drink and Peter bought a hat. It's such a shame that every time we've come here it's been a Sunday and everywhere has been closed. I suspect this place is alive and vibrant during the week days.

We took a few photographs before making our way to the posh touristy bit where we met with some of the other lecturers, and had another drink. We didn't stay long, and now we are at the marina we found last year, enjoying the cheap wi-fi. I've had me lunch here, local cuisine, stewed chicken and rice, which had a creole flavour to it. (Peter wasn't up to it, although he didn't mind eating half of mine), and we've sat in the sun whilst Peter worked. I like it here.

Some pictures for you.

The volcanic hills surround the water filled crater that is Mindelo Bay

Marco Polo at Mindelo

Mindelo Marina

The Market Place in Mindelo, sadly not a lot going on today, as it's Sunday

One of the better streets.  We were amazed at the trees growing in the road

It's been a really nice day.  We going back to the ship shortly, to survey the sun damage.

There are five days at sea after Mindelo.  We’ll cross the equator during this time, but there will also be a “dead zone”, where there is very little satellite communication for either phones or internet.  We’re looking forward to the crossing the equator ceremony and flying fish.  Our first port in Brazil is Santarem. As Peter sez...... “Bring it on”.


Mindelo 2011
Mindelo 2012
Mindelo 2014

Saturday 12th January - Sea Day

One of the best things about cruising is the all inclusive nature of the package.  Many people go on an “all inclusive” package holiday to a hotel somewhere warm.  Having never been on one myself, I don’t really know what that entails, but here, on the ship, it means everything, (except your washing).  Obviously there is someone to look after your cabin.  In our case it is a young, very diligent, man called Saw.  (Not like the film!).  He comes in every morning and evening, keeping our room and bathroom  very clean, making sure we always have clean towels, and our beds are made, or turned back depending on the time.  

Then there is constant food: Early breakfast, breakfast, elevenses, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and finally evening snacks, and of course the entertainment.  Today, as an example, there were: two lectures,  6 craft classes, Peter’s water colour classes, organised games from bridge to shuffleboard, choir club, bingo, bridge, quizzes and Yoga.   That’s during the day, at night time there is a show, (shown twice), evening cabaret, quizzes, and if you have the energy, even a disco.   

Therefore the only domestic chore I have is to make sure that we put stuff away.  This is for two reasons, first so that we can move in the cabin, which really is very small, and secondly to save Saw the embarrassment of finding Peter’s dirty socks, or even worse, his underpants!

So you do sort of relax on these sea days, because there isn’t really anything else for you to do.  Today I chatted and meandered.  Listened to lectures and spent time out on deck.  A wonderfully relaxing day.   And the added advantage is that you get to see new places all the time.

Tomorrow we arrive in Mindelo.  We’ve been there before, it’s sort of barren and run down, but we quite like the fact it is what it is, not fully touristyfied yet.   Last time we visited, the sunrise was beautiful, Peter painted it.  I doubt we’ll be up early this time.  Peter really hasn’t been very well, and needs an easy day. 

Friday 11th January – Heading for the Cape Verde Islands

Last night we joined the rest of lecturers and craft tutors in the Marco Polo lounge where we took part in a 70’s pop quiz and then listened to the Elvis tribute delivered by Richard Sykes.  Most of us were on the same cruise last year.  It’s so much nicer when you already know everybody   It was a really good night, especially since between us, we did really well in the 70’s quiz.  Michelle (the scrap book crafts person), and I answered the questions based on whether we could remember the song or not, (both being far too young to remember the early 70’s well).  Our methodology worked, cos we outdid the others on a fair number of questions. 

This morning we took it really easy.  Peter is feeling a little under the weather, and I just needed a good lie in after yesterday.  We didn’t leave our cabin until 11, when it was time for Peter’s Class.  Whilst he was teaching, I just wandered and chatted, enjoying lunch with the Bonners (both lecturers), helping between classes and then the clean up at the end.  Peter is always so busy talking to the art students, he doesn’t realise its being done around him, mostly by crafts teacher, Michelle, trying to get ready for her class which is next.  

The ship is travelling south at the moment, down alongside the coast of Africa heading for the Cape Verde islands. I think Cape Verde to Brazil is the shortest crossing of the Atlantic which is why this route is chosen.  As a result, the weather has been warming up.  It’s been sunny all day, I think the temperature got up to 20^oC and it’s been really nice up on the rear deck out of the wind.  Sadly, the wind stopped us spending much time on the front deck looking for marine life.  It was a bit nippy !

We went into listen to one of the lecturers, Brian Ford at 3 o’clock, but it wasn’t my cup of tea.  And the gentle roll of the ship has the effect of making you want to sleep.  Not just me, -  everyone.  Wherever you go, there are passengers sleeping.  In all the lounges and on all the decks, on chairs, sofa’s and loungers, heads fall gently forward or back, as its owner drifts off into the land of nod.

So we had a couple of hours kip in the cabin this afternoon before dinner, which as usual, we ate in Marco’s Bistro.  We have never eaten in the restaurant on this ship, partly because passengers get priority and we would have to wait for a space, but mostly because we have never had any interest in doing so.  We are very happy with the informality of the Bistro.

After dinner we joined everyone upstairs for a TV theme tunes quiz.  Again, our group of very knowledgeable craftspeople n lecturers did very well, but it’s not good for PR if we beat the passengers, so of course we didn’t win.  The evening’s entertainment continues with shows, music and singers, but we’ve had enough today.  

For those who are interested, photographs of the ship can be seen at this link First day on the Marco Polo 2012.   They were taken during our stay this time last year.  It hasn’t changed since, retaining the charm of a country hotel.  Very nice. 

Tomorrow is another sea day, but this time I plan to be full of new energy, and maybe take part in more of the entertainment program. Let’s see eh?