Post by kickingfrog on Feb 16, 2011 12:21:46 GMT
Back safe and sound from Cape Verde
Posted by Eileen on 30/12/2006
...Sal, Cape Verde was extremely relaxing. It is approximately 1000 miles south of the Canaries and, therefore, weather-wise, ideal for this time of the year without flying long-haul.
However, nothing is grown there due to lack of rain and, even though we stayed at a 4* hotel, the food was quite basic.
I have to be honest and say that I really did struggle at times to get hold of a decent GF meal. I believe the Islands were under Portuguese rule until the 1950's and I took Portuguese translation cards with me, which I showed to the Manager of the hotel. She did sit we me after I arrived and went through the Christmas menu and promised to liaise with the kitchen. However, it was all a bit hit and miss. Breakfast wasn't a problem as I took long-life bread and eggs and fruit were available.
There has been quite a publicity campaign for Cape Verde here in the media this year, and it really is much more primitive than I expected. Many Europeans are purchasing property there at present but there is no real infrastructure to speak of. Hard-sales people are there (from Tenerife) pushing the developments, some of which will not be completed until 2009, and they want 50% up-front.
I would really not wish to stay there on a self-catering basis due to the lack of food available in the mini-markets there.
Most locals do not seem to have running water and I saw very young children queuing for same. They mainly rely on fishing and I have photos of a very small basic boat that had been out for 12 hours with 10 men on-board, being dragged up onto the beach with their catch.
When I went into Sainsbury's yesterday to fill the cupboards, it was a reminder of how fortunate we really are to have such a choice of food.
I found Cape Verdians to be extremely friendly and happy people. It will be interesting to see what happens to the Islands over the next 10 years or so.
Posted by Eileen on 30/12/2006
...Sal, Cape Verde was extremely relaxing. It is approximately 1000 miles south of the Canaries and, therefore, weather-wise, ideal for this time of the year without flying long-haul.
However, nothing is grown there due to lack of rain and, even though we stayed at a 4* hotel, the food was quite basic.
I have to be honest and say that I really did struggle at times to get hold of a decent GF meal. I believe the Islands were under Portuguese rule until the 1950's and I took Portuguese translation cards with me, which I showed to the Manager of the hotel. She did sit we me after I arrived and went through the Christmas menu and promised to liaise with the kitchen. However, it was all a bit hit and miss. Breakfast wasn't a problem as I took long-life bread and eggs and fruit were available.
There has been quite a publicity campaign for Cape Verde here in the media this year, and it really is much more primitive than I expected. Many Europeans are purchasing property there at present but there is no real infrastructure to speak of. Hard-sales people are there (from Tenerife) pushing the developments, some of which will not be completed until 2009, and they want 50% up-front.
I would really not wish to stay there on a self-catering basis due to the lack of food available in the mini-markets there.
Most locals do not seem to have running water and I saw very young children queuing for same. They mainly rely on fishing and I have photos of a very small basic boat that had been out for 12 hours with 10 men on-board, being dragged up onto the beach with their catch.
When I went into Sainsbury's yesterday to fill the cupboards, it was a reminder of how fortunate we really are to have such a choice of food.
I found Cape Verdians to be extremely friendly and happy people. It will be interesting to see what happens to the Islands over the next 10 years or so.