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.