I'm writing this some weeks after the event so this won't be one of my usual Day1 , Day 2 type journal entries - although there is one for Day One - but that's it!
Not sure why I didn't keep a daily journal, just lazy I guess.
So we got there no problem and the Millars welcomed us and we glad to see us I think, our first night was was tight for dinner so we went there quickly and then in the main bar for some drinks but it wasn't a late one.
The hotel was the RUI Sante Maria and it was an excellent hotel, it's only about a year old and you could tell, everything was very clean and the palm trees fro example were about a third of the height they should be. The food was good, we made the most of that, and the drink was all proper drink without any need to use "local" drink - we also made the most of that.
I certainly did on the first day and got wrecked and probably completely embarrassed myself, but there you go, everyone knows what I am like, I was subdued for much of the rest of the holiday as a result! Certainly for a few days at least.
We spent most of the time relaxing, the location we chose near the poolside bar was already accommodating so we could have all 13 of us there, we also sorted it so that Laura got an adult wristband (as she was the youngest and technically excluded) so that meant all the "kids" were together and could stick together and go to the bars (even in the other hotel for Pasha!)
It was good in the poolside bar - never too busy - and I'd often wander over there for a White Russian and a bit of peace and quiet. Food and drink was a constant - even had optics in the hotel room - mad!
Definitely a 4/5 star hotel in my opinion.
So, what do record in this post as memories of the holiday?
1. Women's European Cup final took place on our first full day there and England won (I was excited on my first day and drank too early and too much - let's leave it there!)
2. Abusing kids in the talent show on the same evening - shameful booing of their lack of talent. How I wasn't kicked out or punched is anyone's guess!
3. Millar joining in on the Aqua-Aerobics...yes I have video evidence
4. Sea was a bit of a trek across the beach but it was worth it, beautiful colours - just like the Caribbean - just closer. A few decent waves now and then so that was good fun, very warm too. We couldn't do any of the sea sports sadly as it was too rough every single day.
5. Day trip out to explore the island of Cape Verde in two jeeps - great fun. Wasn't sure what to expect but we did the following:
a. Salt Mines
b. Shanty town visit where we distributed food we'd stolen from the hotel - that was an experience!
c. Saw a mirage - excellent
d. Tall hill hike over-looking the main town and airport
e. Fishing village
f. Shark Bay - that was mental!! You had crocs on and walked out into the sea up to your knees and baby sharks would be swimming between your legs - and out where it was deeper water the larger sharks about 3m long were cruising around, it was fascinating and a great experience - everyone really enjoyed that, and then..
g. Salt Lake City - not really called that, there were no Mormons visible. It's a salt mine in a volcano and you went and swam in the water there - not exactly swimming, it was so dense with salt that you literally didn't need to do anything to remain afloat, it was incredible and nothing like anything we've experienced. You imagine this is what the Dead Sea would be like - and I can see why nothing would survive. It was quite uncomfortable having that level of salt near your body and we'd had enough after 20 minutes, but absolutely 100% worth it! Oh, if you did manage to get vertical you could feel the warmth of the volcano heat coming through below you. I thought the mine/crater was all man-made, but it wasn't - it was natural - scary!
Outside of our hotel, there is nothing, Cape Verde isn't a prosperous place, they have nothing to offer other than salt production, and the town Sante Maria where we were based was run down and not somewhere we needed to visit in the evening. Not saying it wouldn't be safe, but I'd be nervous having a drink in a bar there - and I only saw one.
6. Lewis and Emily having an evening (romantic) horse ride along the beach which was good for us as we were still messing about in the sea for a sunset swim and they came back saying a turtle was on the beach so we wandered along and watched it lay two eggs - very interesting.
7. The waterpark wasn't the best - but it amused us for 30 minutes - Zoe chickened out on the slides!
8. Evening Entertainment - was pretty amateur but one night there was karaoke and Lewis ended up on stage with Laoisa, that was a laugh.
9. Pasha Nightclub - the kids went there one night, it was based in the hotel next door to ours and we were allowed in. The adults went another night and that was enough! Wasn't the best and the DJ was useless - I genuinely think I could have got that place going and done a much better job!
10. Nice restaurants - normally most evenings we'd get something from the buffet/main restaurant and as mentioned, the food really was VERY good. They cooked it fresh and in small numbers so it wasn't sat there for ages getting dry. But a couple of nights we booked and had a "proper" sit-down meal, one Italian and another Chinese. Both were nice and very enjoyable.
11. Tash and I had a pool outside our apartment - paid a little extra but it was a good idea, everyone quite enjoyed coming round and making use of it!
That's it, we left a day or so ahead of the Millars, the only drama was that we were told whilst still by the pool that the flight was 2hrs delayed so we'd be picked up later and then when there it was another 2-hour delay and we were given food vouchers. A good thing about that was that Tash put in a compensation claim (as did everyone else, even Sharon as they were delayed too) and we got £260pp back - not bad eh? That's gone straight to paying Centre Parcs in January though!!
It was a very, very good break - everyone got on so well together and it was nice that Emily and Jodie were able to come, shame Miles wasn't there - would have been great to have had a full house! Also, shame the Holdens didn't come - that would have made it even better than it already was. I think they regretted not coming, Wayne definitely - but there we are.
If asked/suggested that we do this again, I said at the time and now it's a month later I'd say yes. Being all-inclusive meant we had our own space and could do what we wished and didn't need to worry about costs etc. So yes, perfect for a big group like we were this time.
A side note, I was really ill for 3 ays following our return home - I think it was being on the alcohol and food constantly for a week and my body just wasn't used to it!
