As I said before, this hotel is right next to Villa Maris, the workmen are very friendly and wave and shout 'bom dia' (hello) every time they see us.
I know I said that there are no negative things I can say about this island but just one tiny criticism, although it is not too unsightly, but there is some debris like plastic bottles old shoes etc. hanging around in the most unexpected places on the dunes and beach. I can't help thinking that a couple of days clean up would do the job, or is that too perfectionist.

Quarta-feira 8th October 2008

I don't know how anyone could live this lifestyle without a permanent smile on their face. I won't bore you about the fact that we did absolutely nothing all morning apart from go onto the beach. I wonder what the weather is like in 'good old Blighty'. Now no one can say that I didn't think of everyone at home!
It has to be 28C here but who's complaining!
This afternoon Dunia is arranging to pick us up from Bela Vista so that we can talk to her about a few things regarding our bungalow. Just minor things. For example, there are no catches to pin the shutters back when they are open, unlike most other bungalows. We would like screens to stop insects when the windows are open. We still need tiles in the kitchen area and we prefer the padded dining seats which match the 'Maio love seat'. Minor things really, but it's great to have Dunia help translate our English to Livio.
Dunia lives in Praia and knows all the furniture shops. She is Cape Verdean and knows how things work here. She can explain the delays and time scales involved, better than anyone.

Quinta- feira 9th Outubro (pretty good eh!)

Did I say that we have been the only guests at Bela Vista, that is until today. We met our fellow European (Irish) at breakfast. Brendon told us that he is on Maio building a wall around his father's land, while his wife and four children are in Praia. Apparently, if you own land with building permission, you must do some building on it every year or so, or face some sort of fine. Hence, he is building a wall. Brendon will be joining us on the Praia flight tomorrow.
Oh, that's another thing I need to add for future owners who are thinking of coming over. Our original flight ticket says that the flight will be at 17:30, but after Dunia phoned TACV to confirm our flight, it turns out to be at 10:00am now. If this is the case, then it will mean that we have even longer to spend in Praia. I guess the directions and addresses that Dunia has given us for furniture shops will come in handy and it means that I, sorry we, can visit the Café Bordalo again.
As you can see, the TV is up with absolutely no thanks to my efforts. I thought that by bringing a hand drill along together with a few essential tools, that it would be a breeze, little did I know that they have used prehistoric, vulcanised, petrified blocks in the construction of the internal wall (only kidding). Anyway, whilst Christine asked a couple of the workmen to have a look for us, I stated to get to know the locals. Two of which are ladies who help out around the building site moving, picking up, carrying and generally keeping the place tidy.