Boa Vista International

International Arrivals and departures.

On arrival we were greeted with the news that along with 4 more couples we were being sent to another hotel for 2 nights as the Riu Karamboa had overbooked. We were initially livid but compensation was discussed and as we were there for a fortnight looked on it as a bit of an adventure and were whisked off in a 4x4 pickup which is the chosen mode of taxi on the Island
View from our room Hotel Ventaclub.

The hotel was only 3 star at the best and occupied mainly by Italians however it did have some pluses.
After 2 days we were back at the Karamboa which resembles a huge sand castle designed by someone on an LSD trip and sited directly on Chaves beach.


The hotel and room were fantastic and we spent most of our time on the beach or round the pool. I am not normally a pool bar fan but this was the best we have ever had and we spent quite a few hours sipping Cuba Libres and Port and Lemons.

We did get out now and again and visited Sal Rei the Island Capital here is the local fish market.

We also did the Island which due to the terrain was by a Land Rover convoy one of the reasons for this was to find the home of the legendary CROC TURTLE which breeds on these Islands.

Also to visit one of the Worlds top beaches the vast deserted expanses of Playa Santa Monica.

Enjoying the Big Blue Rollers on Santa Monica.

After a relaxing and enjoyable fortnight we boarded the plane home but hhis was going to result in further more alarming event. About 3 hoursinto the flight there was the anouncement you dont want to hear "This is the Captain we have a serious technical problem with this aircraft and both the co pilot and I feel it is unwise to proceed further with this flight We are turning and I have instructed the airport at Porto Santo to prepare for a full emergency landing I have every reason to believe it will be a normal landing but you can expect to see fire engines and ambulances. Please follow all instructions from the cabin crew"
As it turned out the landing was good and we got to see a furtherPortugese Island which likemeIbetmost of youhave never heardof.
The bonus was another night spent in the 5 star Pestana Porto Santo Beach Resort, Porto Santa just NE of Madeira.
