By the time Dave had got his act together to go ashore and sort out the paperwork, (Sal is a port of entry) and as skipper Dave had to go ashore and clear in with both immigration and the local police, at this point we would get our all important entry stamp. However this being Africa the man who had the key to the cupboard holding the stamps had gone home as it was the day before Christmas Eve! So we all went ashore illegally to explore.
Lynne began to think she was in " the number 1 ladies detective agency" and it was certainly a bit of a culture shock, we had a meal in a local restaurant.
Which turned out to be quite acceptable.
The weather was extremely hot, and swimming of the boat became a favourite pastime. The following day we all duly trooped to the local police station to get our all important entry stamp , finally legal!
The previous evening we had visited the town Christmas tree which was different to say the least!
All in all it was a fabulous introduction to the Cape Verde islands.
There was poverty and dirt but the people seemed happy and friendly. There was the usual hassle from everyone to sell you stuff and Lynne and I bought matching bracelets from a " lucky lucky woman" there were a huge number of dogs that no one seemed to own.
Christmas Day came around all too soon and for a change of habit Lynne and I started the day with a swim.
Of course we then had to raid the dressing up box, Dave and Carol had been left some rather nice costumes by some friends and were under orders to wear them on Christmas Day.
So with Christmas carols playing in the cockpit we enjoyed a full Christmas dinner thanks to Lynne but minus sprouts, which no one seemed to mind!
The guys at the fish dock worked as usual. Of course they started later and seemed to work less, of course they may just have caught less fish!
Although it all seemed picturesque I for one was beginning to have a slight feeling of unease about the world of difference between our lives........
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