Voyager magazine

VOYAGER // January 2014

VOYAGER Cape Verde - Malaysia - Cuba - The Philippines - Tanzania - Brazil - St. Lucia

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January 2014

CAPE VERDE Hailed as the ‘new Caribbean’, Cape Verde off the western coast of Africa is slowly making a name for itself as a tourist destination, promoting itself based on the beauty of its beaches, its colonial Portuguese history and its rich local culture.

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VOYAGER // January 2014

The Cape Verdean islands have yet to be spoilt by major commercial development so peace, tranquillity and the sense of being in a genuinely unspoiled paradise are among the islands biggest draws.

Cabo Verde’s vertigo-inducing mountains seem to burst straight out of the ocean and are the perfect destination for winter hiking. In Santo Antao, colourful hamlets cling to blades of basalt rock thrusting upwards across a striking lunar-style landscape. In the steep valley of Ribeira de Torre, thin rivers tumble down waterfalls surrounded by yam, pawpaw and banana plants. Some of the plunge pools have guppies that nibble your toes.

Cabo Verde’s beaches are mostly made of volcanic sand but not so on the islands of Boa Vista, Sal and Maio, whose seemingly endless white beaches were created by strong gusts from the Sahara Desert. Kite surfing is popular between November and April when the winds are all but guaranteed. Divers can explore wrecks and underwater caves and look out for whale sharks or loggerhead turtles. Anglers can cast a line off the beaches or head out on a boat for larger catches.

History buffs will enjoy the 15th century town of Cidade Velha, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first European settlement in the tropics.

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Island-hopping around the archipelago is so easy that you’d be foolish to miss out on the opportunity to see the sights of the main islands São Vicente, Sal, Santo Antão and Maio. All of the islands have their own gorgeous beaches so when you’re done viewing the interesting colonial architecture, there’s plenty of opportunity for relaxing on the golden sands and enjoying the awesome views across the archipelago.

Santiago is characterised by mountainous landscapes carpeted with lush green trees and plant life. For sightseeing, skip the capital Praia and head to the World Heritage town of Cidade Velha, the island’s first Portuguese settlement, where you can witness the Fort Real de San Felipe plus various old buildings and ruins. The island’s beaches are lovely and one of the best can be found at the fishing village of Tarrafal, the same destination at which the old colonial prison of Salazar the Portuguese dictator can be found.

São Vicente is considered the most cosmopolitan and culturally-rich island in the archipelago. It is best known for Mindelo, a port town with plenty of aesthetically pleasing colonial architecture as well as a lively ambience bolstered by the annual International Jazz and Capoeira festivals. The live music scene on the island is vibrant and famous for having produced the internationally acclaimed singer Cesaria Evora.

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VOYAGER // January 2014

Sal give yourself two to three days on Sal, the island named after the salt pits that were dug to serve the needs of the Portuguese empire.

Sal is the archipelago’s most developed island and among its most populous. Espargos is the island’s main town and where most of the local action can be found, as well as the bulk of its colonial architecture.

If somewhere a little quieter is desired, head for the village of Santa Maria with its tranquil and paradise-like beach, where activities such as diving and windsurfing can be pursued.

Santo Antão is worth a day or two of your time; long enough to enjoy Ribeira Grande, its capital, and appreciate its garishly coloured but nonetheless visually interesting architecture. Stay a day longer if you want to take advantage of some of the island’s hiking possibilities, which include routes such as Corda to Ribeira Grande and Ponta do Sol to the mountain village of Fontainhas.

Maio sits some 15 miles east of Santiago and belongs to the Leeward group of islands. Maio is the place to head to find sheer peace and tranquillity and an absence of tourist development. Top sights include an 18th century fortress, a splendid old church and the old disused salt pits. Its deserted beaches, with their abundance of sea birds, are the biggest draw for many visitors.

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VOYAGER // January 2014

ST. LUCIA

Saint Lucia is made for adrenaline seekers. With an island terrain that ranges from tranquil beaches to jungled hillsides and vertical cliffs, a wide selection of adventure is just waiting to be explored. Whether you find your thrills by land, by sea or by air, the island offers a variety of ways to soar. So hop aboard an ATV, climb onto the back of one of our island horses, hang ten on one of our southern breaks or fly above everything on a zip line. Saint Lucia is made for adventure, all you have to do is decide where to begin.

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By Land. If nature is the thing that sets your heart racing, welcome to an island that will elevate your pulse along with all of your senses. Hike the rugged Atlantic coastline along the Eastern Nature Trail. Along with views of Mount Gimie, you may also catch a rare glimpse of the Saint Lucian Parrot or Amazona Versicolor. Or for something a little more leisurely, with equally stunning views, find your spot along the Tet Paul Nature Trail in Soufrière. Rent a mountain bike and go off-roading in Anse Mamin.

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The path winds its way beside a stunning beach and through a tropical rainforest. If ornithology or zoology is a passion, we invite you to take the Naturalist Tour through the lush rainforests. History buffs will enjoy guided tours of our various heritage sites, including Morne Fortune and Pigeon Island National Landmark. And when you grow tired of walking, why not refresh with a swim beneath one of our many waterfalls.

VOYAGER // January 2014

By Air. When you’re ready to cast gravity aside, the island offers canopy tours of varying lengths to help you float above it all. Take a zip line and fly above the rainforests. It is this vantage point that affords you the opportunity to truly experience the rich, jungled landscape of this unique island. It’s not just here that you can fly, kitesurfers and windsurfers will also be able to experience weightlessness with ideal wind conditions off our southern coast.

And to reach the highest of heights, ardent hikers can take the winding forest trail to the summit of Gros Piton soaring more than 2,600 feet into the air. Upon summiting, you will be treated to simply breathtaking views of the island and even neighbouring ones. And for the ultimate in view seeking, take a helicopter tour of the island to get a bird’s eye view of the World Heritage Pitons.

By Sea. Fishing. Windsurfing. Yachting. Scuba Diving. Snuba. Snorkeling. Or simply floating atop some of the clearest water in the world. The list of ways to immerse yourself in the waters of Saint Lucia is endless. Whether you’re a casual water lover or part mermaid you will be sure to love the many ways there are to play in the water.

Book a charter and head off towards the horizon for some whale watching or deep sea fishing. Take the helm of your own yacht and ply the same waters as the famed pirate François Le Clerc once did.

Off the coast of Vieux Fort, the prevailing winds create ideal conditions for all manner of surfing.

And when you’re ready to dip beneath the surface of the water, the slope of our Pitons creates the perfect conditions for a drift dive, where you can fly through the currents in search of some of the most wonderful coral in the world.

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