Week 10 Mindelo, Cape Verde Islands and Days at Sea on the Viking Star

 Week 10 Mindelo, Sao Vicente, Cape Verde Islands

We visited Mindelo, a former colonial land held by Portugal until the 1990s when they won their independence. Thursday February 24th, after 9 days at sea from Montevideo, Uruguay, we arrived at Sao Vincente, Cape Verde Islands. This was followed by three more days at sea. We will arrive in Funchal, Maderia Islands on this coming Monday the 28th. As I stated in the last entry, we have so many things to do on the ship that sea days are not boring. After the pictures of Mindelo, I will add more pictures of the Viking Star. Since Europe is strict on vaccinations and boosters, Viking paid to have a medical team come on the ship to issue boosters to all crew and passengers who had boosters prior to November 1. While in Mindelo, we received our 2nd booster and will receive EU cards and QRs for entry into all of the EU nations. Most of us qualified, so over 300 passengers and over 100 crew were boosted. It is so great that Viking is looking our for all of their staff and passengers. As usual, Jeff had no side effects and I did. The normal for me is chills and then extreme tiredness. I slept most of yesterday morning. All is fine after that. 

Mindelo is quite poor and extremely beautiful along the coast. The waters are so many different shades of greens to blues. It is the only real city on the small island due to the fact that there is NO freshwater source available. The use a desalinization process for their water and the smaller villages must get their water at the local water station. They have been in a drought the past 5 years so it is very brown and the ground is mostly volcanic rock but the beaches are gorgeous.  We were able to go into the city on our own and visited the African Market, the vegetable market, and took pictures in the city, They are just starting to turn to tourism and it is the first time a Viking ship has been to the island. 

coastal area of Sao Vicente

Mindelo from the "monte"

Volcanic mountains that make up the archipelago

Ancient volcano

Sand dunes formed by windblown sand from the Saharan Desert

Agricultural area similar to an oasis on this arid island

Fishing boats used in the major industry of the island

 Goats herded on the mountains

                        

                                            Beautiful landscape of the island

Water station in village on island- only source of water

                                         Tile wall decor as in Portugal identifying the African Market

The colorful boats on the island

More pictures of the Viking Star

Coffee and Alcohol Bar

 Explorer Lounge deck 7 includes bar, restaurant, music, and social settings

                Explorer Lounge deck 8 social area as well as beautiful displays and meeting areas

            Indoor pool on deck 7 used for movies, music, and more food eating with the Pool Grill

Theater on deck 2 used for lectures, entertainment, information distribution, Covid Booster shots and more

                        Viking history display on deck 2 very interesting and informative

On the two main stairways located forward and aft on the ship are scenes from the Bayeux tapestry (really embroidery) denoting William the Conqueror's Nordic ancestry and his establishing control of England

The back wall of the deck 2 stairway is a continuous display of art by Munch and other Scandinavian artists

As you can see, there is always something going on for passengers to have a spot to rest, chat, meet friends, study, learn, and have fun in or out of the sun.