Our stay in Cape Verdes has been really good, although brief. We visited one of the neighbouring islands on Sunday – which was a massive culture shock, with young children carrying their daily water rations in containers on their heads. Houses are built as money becomes available and were mostly breeze block. The trip to this island was on a local ferry – the carpeted floor masking the rusting steel and the life-raft certainly wouldn’t have passed the ARC safety inspection... (next inspection due 2012!). However we were reassured as the crew dished out small black bin liners as sick bags when we set off – these could have easily doubled as a buoyancy aid. Yesterday we ventured up to the top of the highest peak on Sao Vincente, approx 700m with fantastic views, but nail-biting drive up and down in rickety buses. We were then treated to a BBQ on the beach accompanied by the obligatory free alcohol. They make a local brew which they call Grog – and it is! One swig and you’re left gasping for air for the next ten minutes. Some liken it to cough medicine. If you haven’t got a cough before you drink it, you will have after. The beach was gorgeous – turquoise sea, volcanic backdrop and sand from the Sahara. Easily a contender for one of the top 10 beaches in the world, in my view. We’re off tomorrow – 2pm UK time – next stop the Caribbean.