Sal - Santa Maria

In search for sunshine in the winter, I decided to go island hopping in the West African country of Cabo Verde. The country compromises 10 islands 500 km west of Senegal on mainland Africa. It was discovered by the Portuguese in the 15th century and only gained independence in 1976.

I got a cheap return-ticket from Eindhoven to the island and use ad local carrier to fly between the islands. The island Sal is almost flat and was once used for its salt flats before it became the main tourist island of Cabo Verde. That explained the amount of TUI flights going there and the all-in resorts on the island.

I stayed in a B&B on the main square in Santa Maria. This small town is at the beach and is facilitating to the tourist market. The pier is the place where the locals receive the fish from the fishermen and is functioning as a fish market during the day.

I spend some days on the picture perfect beach (that extends for 8 km) and at the pier. Now I knew why Cabo Verde sometimes is called to be the African Caribbean.