Transport
The trip on a sunny dry day would no doubt be a good day out, unfortunately due to weather the highlights were not possible and in my opinion the trip should have been cancelled. No fun eating lunch with leaky roofs and shivering cold in a salt lake which resulted in me being ill for the remainder of my holiday. The guide himself was very knowledgeable and his features were mainly about himself and his family living on the island. The trip was only good due to the other people company
With long stretches of unspoilt beach and a rich cultural heritage – Sal has all the ingredients for a perfect day trip. This tour packs in the best sights, including Buracona lagoon and Pedra de Lume salt flats. To top it off, there's a traditional Cape Verdean lunch, and you'll get a glimpse of laidback, local life in Espargos and Palmeira. Rodrigo, one of our local guides, says, ‘Pedra de Lume is in the middle of a volcanic crater, and you reach it via a tunnel. You can sometimes pick up compressed salt crystals the size of a golf ball, while at other times the salt is so hard that you walk on the pans.'
The fun kicks off with a visit to Espargos. You'll explore the island's colourful capital and admire its fascinating street art, before heading to an observatory point for elevated views over the town. Next, it's on to the Buracona lagoon, famed for an optical illusion known as the ‘blue eye' caused by the sunlight. The journey continues at the laidback fishing village of Palmeira. Relax in a café while your guide reveals stories about the village's past.
You're in for a treat next, as there's a table waiting for us at a family-run restaurant which serves a special Cape Verdean lobster dish. There are other tasty options, too. After fuelling up on local cuisine, we'll head to the Dead Sea-like waters of Pedra de Lume. Lie back and float on one of the world's saltiest lagoons, before stopping by at Viveiros Botanical Garden to discover exotic vegetation and a petting zoo.
