Around Santiago Island

We live on Santiago Island, home to the capital city Praia and the majority of the population. There are stunning valleys, craggy peaks, and almost infinite micro climates, and they make for lovely scenery.

In the spring, we took a hike near Rui Vaz, about halfway up the island on the western side.

Traveling in style and comfort...

It was a pretty hazy day, but that's the ocean behind the cone.

Mama and Bertie!

Uncle Grant! Some of you may recognize him as Santa Claus.

Fogo Island (literally "fire" island) with its active volcano. It last erupted in November 2014. It's about 50 miles from Santiago. Some say it's the highest point in West Africa, but I haven't confirmed that. (The Atlas Mountains are not usually considered part of West Africa, though geographically they could be.)

Handsome hikers!

Looking out at the ocean again. It's very arid here.

We went through several micro climates on the 5-mile hike.

Look! Geology!

Nearly to the end. I think everybody was happy!



















-------------

Our next big hike started in Cidade Velha - old city. This was the first Portuguese settlement in Cabo Verde and claims to be one of the first urban settlements in Africa (Ethiopia and Egypt, anyone? Perhaps by "urban" they mean "European?"). At any rate, it's all more than 500 years old and was frequented by the likes of Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus in their travels.

We hiked up a dry riverbed in a sort of canyon. It's very pretty but very dry.

There were a couple cool trees like this.

Goofy, hot dog.

Time for a water break!

Because it's a riverbed, there is a certain amount of water, and therefore, some interesting plants and flowers.

We made it to the head of the canyon and the spring!

And there was much rejoicing. And splashing!

Kingfisher!