Sotavento

Of Brava, Tramp Steamers and Black Coffee

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October 15th 2012
Author's note: Since this piece was written in 2007, Brava is now served by a modern 'Fast Ferry' which has made the island more accessable to the rest of the archipelago. But this story should give the reader an idea of how things "used to be." We weren't taking any chances. Checking out of Pensao Paulo, in the old crater town of Vila Nova Sintra, my wife, daughter ... read more

Africa » Cape Verde » Brava

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The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cape Verde subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. F... ... read more