Porto Novo, Ilha de Santo Antão, CAPE VERDE

17-18 February 2013

Dear Travelers,

Known as “the Mountainous Island’ of the Cape Verde archipelago, Santo Antão is also the second-largest of the group. Porto Novo, nestled beneath the island’s tallest peak, Top de Coroa, is linked to nearby São Vicente by ferry. A short walk from the harbor brings you to a small, seemingly pink beach - closer inspection reveals a carpet of crushed sea shells. Further inland, an obliging subtropical climate nourishes terraced fields of pineapples, papaya, almonds, citrus, coffee, dates and fragrant lavender.

See you there...

Rinell :-)

Praia, Ilha de Santiago CAPE VERDE

Feb 15-16 2013

Dear Travelers,

HMS Beagle dropped anchor here in 1832, providing young naturalist Charles Darwin the opportunity to taste his first banana. Apparently uninhabited prior to the arrival of European navigators in the mid-1400s, the ten islands of the Cape Verde Archipelago were eventually colonized by the Portuguese; independence was finally realized in 1975. Vestiges of the colonial days here in the capital are clustered around Praça Alexandre Albuquerque in Old Town.

See you there...

Rinell :-)

St. John’s ANTIGUA & BARBUDA

Feb 6-8 2013

Dear Travelers,

The white towers of St. John’s Cathedral are the first landmark you will see as I sail into the capital of the two-isle Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda. The island’s British colonial history is evidenced by historic Nelson’s Dockyard, Fort James and cricket matches, set to a soundtrack of lively steel-drum music. Exclusive resorts and private estates provide respite from harsher winter climes for mere mortals and the glitterati alike.

See you there...

Rinell :-)