November 9, 2024

Santiago Island, Cape Verde - Tarrafal Beach

Our group of 8 - shown here left to right is NAME (prior career) - MEMO (lawyer), CYNDI (healthcare), Me, DEBORAH(yellow page sales), DAVID(anesthesiologist), KAREN(seamstress, retail sales), HOLLY (Realtor) and WENDY(interior designer) was the perfect mix to spend such a wonderful day with. Love when that works outs! I really enjoy all their personalities and insights! Memo at 50 is the youngest with Holly, Deborah and Cyndi in their mid-seventies. The rest of us are all in our 60's. Sadly just David, Holly & I are on for full ride. Others are varying lengths of segment travelers.


The beach area was really nice, and we had a little over 2 hours to enjoy a swim and have lunch at the restaurant right on the waterfront. The tour kept private restrooms locked up for us to change into our swimsuits. I had an idyllic swim with the others until it was time to head a shore for our lunch order at 2 pm. The shoreline had large rocks lining its edge and when I floated in, I stubbed my toe rather hard. I was trying to find firm footing, when I got knocked over by a wave and when a second wave hit right after, I tumbled forward landing in the sand. A third wave had me sprawled on the beach and laughing hard! I knew it wasn't pretty! When I finally stood up, I knew my bathing suit bottoms were hanging low and was making fast work to yank them into place. David was trying to get to me to help and started yelling "check yourself"! After he yelled that twice I hear him yell, "BOOB"! I look down and see one Boob fully out and this sends me into more giggles! Sand is everywhere! I brushed out my hair, wiped away what I can and wrap the towel around my waist. Then I walk into the restaurant, like nothing has occurred!!  Thankfully only Karen & David saw the show live, the other 5 just hear the replay! Oh my! What's a girl to do! I'm sure it won't be the last time I embarrass myself.  The restaurant had a female troop of singers and bootie shaking dancers performing while we dined. A fun afternoon was had by all.

After Lunch we headed back along the east coast road of the Island. Had a stop for fresh coconut water and some scenic overlooks. The Cape Verde flag has 2 sections of blue for the sky and ocean, 10 stars for 10 islands, white for peace and red to remember blood shed over slavery.


One thing of interest we saw all over the island, is that most homes and businesses only finish the front façades of the building - leaving exposed cement masonry units cmu on other 3 sides and a lot don't even finish full front façade. This is also true of interiors.

By Pat Patrick July 26, 2026
We just relaxed on the Island of Koh Chang, Thailand. It's one of the largest Thai Islands in the Gulf of Thailand and it has a dense, steep jungle & National Park covering the interior of the Island, which extends off shore, to coral reefs. The coast line is dotted with beaches and villages. This was a tender port, so we decided to stay on the Island for 3 nights, to be able to experience the nightlife. Turns out, it is low season, so nightlife was pretty sleepy. However, we did find a new favorite night time activity! Any Guesses?!?
By Pat Patrick July 25, 2026
Love Sea Days ! I got a much needed haircut and color. Think I'll be going shorter, but giving this a whirl! Can you see the back in the mirror? The bangs and side volume, is what drives me nuts in the heat and humidity!
By Pat Patrick July 21, 2026
Wat Bang Kung Temple was a quick stop along the way to the Train Markets . What makes this unique is the Temple is completely enclosed by roots of four giant trees (a banyan, bodhi and others). From the outside, it looks like nature has swallowed the building. Inside the chapel is a golden Buddha image, that locals still visit to pray. It was quite active during our short visit there. The Temple dates back over 250 years and survived the Burmese invasion.