A bulletin of current news and island events. With this we can keep up-to-date on all of the important issues and happenings in Maio such as: the transportation problem, the new water plant, cable TV, the long wait for land sales, etc, etc...

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Marine Princess Ferry Docked Indefinitely, Cape Verde, Maio

The hydrofoil Ferry Marine Princess remains docked at Praia sea port with no date in sight for the resumption of business. After news indicating that the vessel was paralysed due to the departure of its captain, several A Semana Online sources have revealed additional problems that have combined to keep the embarkation from going out to sea. This is the second time the Marine Princess has been forced to lay idle in the short time it has been operating in Cape Verde, thus dashing expectations that it would help resolve the problematic issue of connections among the country’s southern islands.

Sources close to the vessel's administration claim that, "Operations have been suspended" not only because the captain left for Angola, but also because, after "investing millions of escudos, administrators have been combating archaic procedures that, in addition to being costly, hinder or even render useless the company’s work," said the source.

As such, the administration of Cape Verde Navalis is waiting for a reaction to a memorandum submitted some time ago aimed at doing away with "parasitical" costs and "archaic and anti-economic procedures."

In addition to the lack of a captain, the company is hoping authorities will put an end to these "parasitical" costs that they claim make operations unreasonably expensive. Without mentioning to which authorities the memorandum was actually sent, A Semana Online's source says that the ship will remain docked until these issues are resolved.

The hydrofoil Marine Princess, which had been plying the waters along the Praia-Fogo, Brava route three times a week, is currently sitting at Praia sea port. Connections to the other Leeward Islands were expected to resume during the Christmas and New Year's holiday, but this will no longer happen.

The ships Praia d'Aguada, Sotavento and Sal Rei travel to the islands of Fogo and Brava twice a week, but even so are unable to meet the demand on the part of would-be travellers, who often take advantage of the holiday season to visit their native islands.

Source: ASemana Online - click here.

Hit and Run History on Maio - Day 2

Cape Verde - Day 6: Porto Ingles
by Hit and Run History: The Columbia Expedition, 31 photos

Our last day on Maio, we interview Joseph Brito, who's sailed all over the world. Then we catch the ferry back to Praia for our last evening in Cabo Verde.

Location: Porto Ingles, Isle of Maio, Cape Verde

Created yesterday

View Album - day 6

The Columbia Expedition Hits Maio Cape Verde

Day 5 - Maio
by Hit and Run History: The Columbia Expedition, 45 photos

Our first full day on Maio, we explore the capital of Porto Ingles. Their first stop in the Cape Verde archipelago, Columbia and Lady Washington took on livestock and the major product of this flat, dry island -- salt, for preserving.

We explore the harbour, and the old wharf, where countless slaves from West Africa were transferred to ships heading to Brazil, the Caribbean and North America.

Location: Porto Ingles, Isle of Maio, Cape Verde

Created on 04 December
View Album - day 5

Lonesome Cow in Cape Verde

iReport —
I recently visited Cape Verde and stayed on the small island of Maio. I visited the island for appx. 2 weeks. One day, while spending some time at one of the beaches there, I took this photo of a lonesome cow standing at the shoreline attempting to cool down. Cape Verde is a beautiful, sometimes barren and in many parts poverty stricken country. Though i was only able to visit 2 of the islands when i was there, it was a very humbling experience. The Cape Verdeans are beautiful, kind people and I will also remember this trip and this photo.

CNN - Lonesome Cow in Cape Verde

Unique Christmas Gift - Turtle SOS Cabo Verde

It's not too late to send your friends and family a unique gift from Sal.

Hatchlings will continue to be born during December so you can still adopt a turtle baby as a Christmas gift.

For a minimum donation of €10 the recipient receives a Christmas Certificate of Adoption as well as photos of their hatchling being released into the sea.

We also have t-shirts (adults/kids €15/€10), hoodies (€30), caps (€15) and environmentally friendly cotton bags (€10). All profits go directly towards protecting turtles in Cape Verde. For more information email info@turtlesos.org