Re: Cape Verde Islands - any been?
Excellent holiday!
Stayed at the Riu Funana all inclusive 5* (though I would suggest a good 4* is more accurate).
Excellent food, all buffet, and staff are very good.
Multiple restaurants some of which you need to book in advance. If you go to the Mambana for the African themed night make sure you have plenty of insect repellent as the mossies will eat you alive. (I'm not normally troubled by them as MrsK is the prime target, but even I got some bites!)
Things to note:
If you book late as we did then you are unlikely to have a visa; if this is the case go straight to the Visa section in the arrivals hall, pay up ypur 25Euro each and bypass the major queue waiting to have their passports stamped. We were through much faster than the majority of people waiting in the main queue.
Don't use Thomsons for their half day guided tour at 40 € each; we used some guys on the beach, Dilan, Elvis and Sousa for 25€ each for an eight hour trip. NB If you are susceptible to the sun, ask to sit inside the vehicle rather than on the back, as 8 hours in the sun can be too much.
They ask you to pay on return to the beach outside the hotel rather than in advance. Great tour, guys v. knowledgeable.
There is a constant breeze (think Trade winds) which give a comfortable temperature, BUT the sun will burn you without a good quality sunscreen.
Staff are very appreciative of t-shirts jeans etc that you want to donate as well as a few bob at intervals.
Nice walk into Santa Maria along the promenade, but if you want to take a taxi it will cost you 3€.
Mass is at 11.30 on Sunday in Santa Maria and is in Portuguese, but if you are not a linguist get a mass sheet on the way in and you can easily keep up. Please don't take photo's during the service as many tourists seem to think it's acceptable.
