One From the Road

After an amazing trip, we were sad to wake up knowing that we were leaving that day; but, it was important we enjoyed the last moments of our trip. So, we packed our bags and had our breakfast before we stood outside the hostel for the last time and gave the lovely owner of the hostel who let us stay there, Lucia, a necker to show our thanks. We got on our coaches with our luggage attached in trolleys on the back and rode past all the lovely scenery to the airport. We checked in our luggage to find out some of us had been allocated fire exit seats. Luckily, there were enough leaders to switch seats with. After going through security, we had a small amount of free time to walk around part of the airport to buy things before going to our gate. We got comfortable on the flight and tried to ignore the tiredness we were feeling and we just about managed  to keep ourselves busy during our first flight which was around 3 and a half hours. We then made it to Lisbon and again had some free time. Me and my friends found a lovely shop called Ale-hop while others shopped in duty free. Then, we boarded our second and final flight excited to go home to our families. This flight was much shorter and was over in just over two hours and we landed back at Heathrow struggling to keep our eyes open we got on the coach and headed back to the church happy with all the fantastic memories we have made which will last a life time. - Freya

Let’s go to the Beach, Beach…Beach?

After a slow start and a delicious breakfast, we went to explore a different beach. This beach was called Shell Cemetery Beach, we found lots of shells on this beautiful beach (hence the name). There were many vibrant shells: mainly hues of white, orange and pink. It was so fun when me  and my  friends were  having a competition on who had the better shells. We took a few of the winners of the competition home. We spent roughly 15 minutes at this majestic place and it was absolutely gorgeous and stunning. It was extremely fun hunting for the perfect shells and we also loved nature’s souvenir! This was definitely one of the highlights of our day. The time spent at this site was filled with nothing but scavenging and joy! It was certainly an amazing experience and a unique beach to remember. -  Myra, Ciara and  Akeila

 After visiting the Shell Beach, we headed back into the centre of Santa Maria and went shopping near the beach. There were a lot of souvenirs shops filled with wooden animals, pretty  bracelets in all different colours and different charms.  There were a lot of people outside their shops trying to get us to come in and it was so funny; one man said the prices are cheaper then Primark!  My trend was asking the price and he said the price and I said that is way more then Primark and he lowered the price a lot. Whatever shop we went in, every one said “no stress” and a lot of people had that same saying on their t-shirt as it is the island's moto. When my  group was finished, we went to a really cool ice cream place and got some ice cream. While we were eating our ice cream a man walked past with a pet monkey on a lead it was so cute.  Shopping  was very fun and me and my friends had such a nice time. -  Eadie

After shopping, we were all hungry and ready for a rest so we headed to a beach front restaurant where We enjoyed a range of different delicious meals.  The staff were so friendly and even brought out some special fans to keep the flies away.  We also spent some time writing postcards to some of the people who have supported the trip – We just hope they arrive! Then it was time to head back out onto the beach for a final swim.

We had an amazing time at the sea. We were at the other end of the beach this time so there were more rocks and interesting creatures, I saw different schoals of fish and larger rocks, it was very fascinating to see how one beach could be very rocky but also covered in soft sand. Each time a giant wave would push towards us we would either jump or body surf the wave; it was hilarious seeing my friends getting hit by waves when they were looking in the other direction, it happened to most of us! We later moved  to a more  shallow part of the water as the waves were getting bigger. I love swimming so even when the water was only up to my knees, I was paddling around. After an amazing time in the sea we dried off, shook all the sand of our towels and went on with the rest of the day.  -Asantewaa

At the end of our long, exciting day, we all gathered on the beach in the dark, to reflect on the wonderful time we have had. We started with imagining there was a campfire in the middle of the circle and sang ‘campfires burning’ around our first ever “campfire” in Cape Verde. We then went around saying our ‘trashes and treasures’ which ranger from getting salt in our eyes to how grateful we were to spend this time with our friends, in this beautiful country. We also had two new Guides and twelve new Rangers make their Guide and Rangers promise, creating a lovely moment with our torches out as the waves were crashing behind us. We ended the night with our favourite song ‘Linger' as a few tears were shed, due to the bittersweet moment of our holiday coming to a close. – Clara, Lou Lou

Secrets of a Local Lover…

… is the strap line of Sal Experiences the leading tour provider on the Island who we booked our day trip with. 

Today we had a fun day tripped planned to go all around the island. When our tour guide turned up, we split into groups to take turns on the back of a pick up truck, which was very fun! Our first stop of the day was the Baia de Murdeira where we stopped to take photos and collected some very pretty rocks and shells. We then went to a desert area and we saw a mirage; this is where our tour guide took very cool photos of us all together. 

After this amazing experience,  we hopped back onto the coach and started to  make our way to the next destination, the Blue Eye. This was a beautiful place to stop and have a look at, the Blue Eye was so fascinating, it was formed by the sun shining down on a specific bit of water. Did you know that the Blue Eye is  8 metres below land and 10 metres below water? Another fact is that, if someone tried to climb down the the tunnel which leads to the Blue Eye, they would  either die on the way down or up! Don’t worry though we all just took in the view from the top. There was Also a giant rock pool where we all swam and jumped in;  the water was so clear and it was also very warm making it a very  relaxing swim.

After that, we went back on the coach to our next destination which was a local fishing village. We all took turns to hold this massive fish and get a photo with it.  Unsurprisingly, it smelt very fishy. After that the tour guide took us on an educational talk about all the different Cape Verde islands, we all learnt a lot.  Before leaving the village, we were treated to some traditional music played by a local with their guitar.  Chen, our guide, explained that many songs tell stories of immigration due to the high percentage of people who leave the island  for education and work – they go all over the world but particularly South America and China.

Later on, we went to the Lemon Shark bay which was spectacular! Lots of sharks crowded the water, and some brushed right by our feet. Although they are sharks, lemon sharks are friendly and generally won't bite unless you stroke or disturb them, which understandably annoys them. The tour guides were holding fish to attract the sharks, but some managed to grab the bait out of their hands! 

Lastly, we all we all went to the salt lakes in the volcanic caldera ,where the salt is in such high percentage of lets you float, this was a memorable experience that left us all in awe. Leading to the caldera, we went through a cave and down a man-made path, giving a stunning view of the water and rocks surrounding it. Even when the water is too deep to stand on the bottom, the salt lets you float in an upright position, meaning it is almost impossible to drown! Salt got into the wounds and eyes of some which made them very clean if a little uncomfortable for a bit but altogether it was worth it for the experience! We also met a tour guide of another group of tourists who danced anywhere and everywhere! He certainly made everyone smile! Ilona even joined him for a dance at the edge of the lake.

Our tour ended with a detour through the Santa Maria salt flats on the way back to our accommodation. We were amazed by the mounds of salt dotted through the flats and the brilliant turquoise of the water. As a way of thanking our guide and driver for an incredible day, we presented them each with an international necker and a rendition of Make New friends which seemed very fitting as our mission for the day had been to spend time with people we didn’t know so well.

Altogether, we had an awesome day which I’m sure no one will forget.

Let’s go to the Beach, Beach…

 Today was crazy!!! We woke and we had a briefing with Helen about what we were going to do for the day.  Half of us went to the shops with Lucie, Chloe and Maddy to get breakfast and lots of bottled water and the rest of us stayed at the hostel to chill and write yesterday’s blog.  When we got back, all the leaders helped make breakfast which was eggy bread which was delicious and lots of other things like cereal! We then got ready for the beach! We went to the beach and I surfed on a wave and that was so fun. I played a game where you had to stay still in the waves without moving. I swam with the fish. They were so pretty; they blended in with the sand but you could still see them. 

After that we went to a restaurant and I had a margarita pizza. It was so good and a little bit burnt but that made it better. While we were waiting we played a story game were you only say one word and it was very funny. We then walked to the shops to get snacks and things for dinner and we had a dog that we fed at lunch following us who we named Waffles! He definitely liked us but some of us weren't as keen on him! He eventually left us on our way back to the hostel!
When we got there, we all chilled and had showers.  We ended the evening with dinner which was spaghetti bolognaise and it was delicious! 
Also, the people in Cape Verde are so nice so far they have helped us out and been really friendly including letting us borrow a trolley to bring our shopping back to the hostel.
We are all really looking forward to our day trip tomorrow and can’t wait to float in the salt lake and meet the sharks.

Charlotte Maguire

Another Half Term, Another Adventure Awaits

 Yesterday, we started off the day by meeting outside the church at 11:00where we said goodbye to our parents who were in tears but we were running off ready for our adventure. Our coach driver was called Jill and she was very kind. We were all buzzing and so excited! When we got to Gatwick airport, Jill very kindly gave everyone a fresh and very cold water bottle which we were all very grateful for due to the heat. Once we got there, we waited for 30mins to check in our bags; unsurprisingly, while we were waiting,  Helen became friends with a nice man and gave him the first badge of the day!!! We  gave in our suitcases, and went through security and lots of our bags got checked because they didn't like our metal bottles or our squishy fidgets! Don’t worry though, we all got through with all of our belongings.  After security, we all went off to get lunch which we were all very excited for! We all met up after to get on our first plane to Lisbon! I became friends with the children behind me; the little girl who was called Bella didn’t like wearing her seatbelt but was very cute and liked talking to everyone around her! Sadly the plane was delayed but I enjoyed my time playing with the children behind me! Once we were in the air, Helen made an origami chair, table and flappy bird for the children behind us and they really liked it! Helen also gave them a badge! The flight felt very short and before we knew it we landed in Portugal and ran for our second flight because we were worried we would miss it! Luckily we didn’t but it must have been so funny to see 30 Guides and Rangers running through the airport!

We boarded the second flight and we all got comfortable in our seats and lots of us used the blankets they provided which were very cosy. Lots of us fell asleep straight away but I enjoyed talking and playing games with my friends and also listening to all of Helen’s stories which were very funny! They soon came round with dinner which was rice and chicken which was nice and they also gave crackers and biscuits which we enjoyed. After the 3rd hour we all got a bit fidgety so we walked up and down the plane we also spent 30mins walking to the toilet because we got stuck behind the trolley! After a couple of hours the plane landed safely, we collected our bags and went to meet our drivers called Chen and Bob and split into 2 separate minibuses each of which had a trailer attached and lovingly tied with string! We all talked and took in our surroundings.

The driver took us to our hostel where we were instantly met by 2 friendly cats. We had a brief explanation of what we would do in the morning, before we all got ready to go to bed though some of us did not go to bed straight away!

Amelia, Ilona, Imogen, Amelie