The Day Trip Jeep Safari
Discovering The Island
This morning, Frank and Andrea Hennick, our guides and owners of the Boa Vista Tours agency, pick us up at our hotel for a day trip in Boa Vista Island. We are a small group of about ten people in two comfortable jeeps. As the couple is German, the tour is in German. But as my friend and I do not speak German, Andrea will translate the essentials of the program in English.
We take the Route 66 paved by the women of Boa Vista, from what I understood. We cross the inland of the island, the landscape is arid and deserted and almost unreal. We will stop in Bofareira, a small village. Far from mass tourism, our guides have forged strong bonds of friendship with the villagers. We can feel a mutual respect. It sounds true and simple. And also “cliché” in a time of big cynicism. We visit the new small school, a project in which Frank participates. Some of us brought clothes and school supplies for the young students. Then we slowly take the road towards the coast.
We arrive near more tourist areas, but always avoiding the crowd. We have lunch in an idyllic beach, at the pleasant beach bar Pérola d’Chaves serving local specialties, run by a Cape Verdean woman who lived in Germany. Charming and quiet: the kind of place you don”t want to leave. In the afternoon, we go south with the huge beaches of Santa Mónica and Varandinha. Incredible scenery under a strong wind! In return, driving on the dunes of Morro d’Areia (behind the beaches). The more “adventurous” of us experience sandboarding. In short, thanks to Frank and Andrea who have a deep attachment for Boa Vista and its inhabitants, we spent a fantastic day full of discoveries and emotions. No need to speak German to participate in this wonderful excursion!
The Quad Tour
The South Coast of Boa Vista
My second time driving quad, a great moment! Lololol! This time, the activity organized by TUI extends over an afternoon (4 hours) in a breathtaking setting!
When we arrive at the quad rental center, the team gives us the equipment and explains us how to drive safetly the quad. First tip, take a plastic bag to put your belongings, so the sand doesn’t dirty them. Second tip, also take an old sweater (the wind can be cold when driving, especially at the end of the day). And basic advices, if you do not want to burn in the blazing sun: a thin long-sleeved shirt on a tank top (when you stop at a spot, it’s hot), comfortable pants with light sneakers (and socks, the sand is highly irritant) and sunglasses. In short, a good dose of common sense not very glamorous!
We are divided into two major language groups: French and English. We will all do the same tour, one group will leave before the other and we will meet at some stops. The activity is very well supervised and secure : several instructors and some with an emergency quad that circulates back to check that none of us has any problem. Heading south of the island, the landscapes are stunning and very rocky. We crisscross on a track surrounded by small ocher hills. Then we stop in a village to buy water. We continue to the coast, where we park the quads back from the beach. In this untouched scenery, I have a feeling of infinity. When we return, nonchalantly the day goes down. I am full of sand, but what a beautiful experience! Athletic.
Visiting Sal Rey
Following the beach line
Sal Rei is the main city of Boa Vista Island. The city is small (9000 inhabitants according to Le Petit Futé guide) and very quiet. So very quickly we decide to return to our hotel by the beach, a good hour of walking taking our time. I really liked the walk, the coastline is not yet disfigured by too many resorts. There are long beaches without construction, euphoric for the eyes! We meet local and tourist walkers and runners. A lot of kitsurfers and very few beach clubs.
Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés
Informations
Tours : Boa Vista Tours & TUI
Flying to Cabo Verde : Tui Fly
Where to sleep : Riu Palace Hotel
Related posts : Destinations & Hotel Review
Many thanks to Boa Vista Tours, TUI, TUI Fly and Riu Palace Hotel. As always, these are my opinions.
