It’s Tuesday, and the highlight of the carnival in Mindelo is about to begin. Two groups organized the parade, which features enthusiastic participants, fantastic costumes, stirring music, and imaginatively designed floats. These groups are “Flores do Mindelo” and “Cruzeiros do Norte.” In the late afternoon, the first people begin to gather on Rua de Liberdade […]
Professores e Mandingas de São Vicente – Carnaval Mindelo 2026
It is the penultimate day of Carnival in Mindelo. In the morning, we stroll through the city center and pass the monument Pescadora buscando água (Fisherwoman Fetching Water). The statue serves as a reminder that water is a precious commodity in Cape Verde. Many residents of the islands are not connected to the public water […]
Third day of Carnival and Mandingas in Mindelo
We are approaching the highlights of Carnival 2026 in Cape Verde. This morning, we are greeted by a surprise: the view across the bay is so hazy that the opposite shore is indistinguishable. Saharan dust hangs in the air. This weather phenomenon is called Bruma Seca. Today, the Mandingas are the stars of the parades. […]
Second day of Carnival in Mindelo
It is Saturday, February 14, and further parades are taking place as part of the 2026 Mindelo Carnival. The first parade—by the Escola Portuguesa—is also dedicated to the young participants. Josina Fortes, the friendly receptionist at the Blue Marlin Hotel, takes us to the parade assembly point on Rua Angola. Her daughter, who is currently […]
Tour of São Vicente and Mandingas
Even before we set out on our trip, we had planned a tour of São Vicente with Marion Touray, who has lived on the island for several years, has a wide network of contacts, and works as a tour guide. She wants to show us the island’s most striking sights and give us a glimpse […]
Oktoberfest 2023 and excellent lodging
The Oide Wiesn (Bavarian dialect: old Oktoberfest) is a fenced-in area at the Oktoberfest. Having heard that the “Oide Wiesn” is not as crowded as the Oktoberfest, we decided to visit it with Ursula’s cousin, her husband, and her granddaughter. The entrance fee of € 4 (per person over 15 years of age) is used […]