Shabby pastels

Boa Vista in the African island nation of Cape Verde is sparsely populated and sleepy – a paradise far away from the strains of European urban life.

Its main town, Sal Rei, is home to around 6,000 people, while the former capital Rabil is more like a village. Its houses are modest, built with blocks and colourfully decorated, although the paint quickly peels in the tropical sunshine. The homes around the main square in Sal Rei are a little more grand, but also with a charming air of dilapidation.

My hotel was newer and inevitably in much better condition, with rustic yellow and light brown walls, which caught the sun beautifully.

Click first image to view this selection

Tags: Africa, architecture, balconies, Boa Vista, Cape Verde, doorways, Iberostar Club Boa Vista, pastels, photography, Rabil, rustic, Sal Rei, shabby buildings, textures, travel

23 thoughts on “Shabby pastels”

moorezart on May 30, 2015 at 22:26 said:

Reblogged this on rebloggobbler.

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Tim Girarde on December 5, 2014 at 13:22 said:

This is a lovely, vibrant collection.

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- mikeosbornphoto on December 6, 2014 at 08:13 said:
  
  Thank you, Tim. I’m trying to channel the warmth from it as I write!
  
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ckponderings on November 25, 2014 at 06:48 said:

Great images, Mike. Shabby can be stunning, and Cape Verde definitely seems to be both! :D

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- mikeosbornphoto on November 25, 2014 at 11:30 said:
  
  Thank you Richard. Yes, despite being tumbledown and a little crooked, these houses sang to my sense of neatness and symmetry. I’d love to go back and visit some of the other islands.
  
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  - ckponderings on November 25, 2014 at 12:48 said:
    
    It looks like an amazing place, although I’d avoid the volcanic one! :)
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on November 25, 2014 at 14:59 said:
      
      Oh yes, I saw that! Who’d have thought? Maybe when it’s cooled down a tad.
      
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Noeline Smith on November 24, 2014 at 16:24 said:

A great collection of some beautiful buildings. The crumbling textures and bright colours are wonderful and your compositions with doors and windows are perfect. I just love that blue and the way it features in your composition of the Rabil street.

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- mikeosbornphoto on November 25, 2014 at 11:32 said:
  
  Thank you very much, Noeline. This was much more compelling that a perfectly decorated house – these buildings ooze character and charm. Whether they’re comfortable in the intense heat is another matter…
  
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Malin H on November 23, 2014 at 21:01 said:

Great work, Mike!

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- mikeosbornphoto on November 23, 2014 at 21:29 said:
  
  Thank you Malin! I’d like to be there now…
  
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bananabatman on November 23, 2014 at 19:39 said:

I love this gallery. You can’t beat some good old weathered buildings.

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- mikeosbornphoto on November 23, 2014 at 20:24 said:
  
  Thank you Dave, glad you like the selection. These buildings are very proudly dilapidated – I can’t imagine them being done up to the nines.
  
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Andy Townend on November 23, 2014 at 11:06 said:

Wonderful, great colours and I just love windows and doors….this is excellent!

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- mikeosbornphoto on November 23, 2014 at 11:19 said:
  
  Thank you Andy. This was a great contrast to the beaches, crashing waves and glorious sunsets.
  
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  - Andy Townend on November 23, 2014 at 11:19 said:
    
    I can smell the surf from here!
    
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Cos on November 23, 2014 at 11:04 said:

I love the atmosphere you caught with the photos. Really beautiful!

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- mikeosbornphoto on November 23, 2014 at 11:18 said:
  
  Thank you Koos. I can’t say if life is hard there, but the people wear it well. The houses are beautiful if not perfectly decorated.
  
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taphian on November 23, 2014 at 10:39 said:

Wow, absolutely stunning and beautiful. I love these old pastel colors of decay as you can see in my blog.

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- mikeosbornphoto on November 23, 2014 at 10:41 said:
  
  Thank you! Oh, I’m off to take a look. Of course it’s ironic how the hotel was anything but decayed but imitated the rustic look…
  
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- mikeosbornphoto on November 23, 2014 at 10:47 said:
  
  Ah of course, I remember your Kefalonia doors. Decayed yet beautiful. Very nice.
  
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  - taphian on November 23, 2014 at 10:48 said:
    
    Thanks a lot, Mike. Your photos were the best I saw for a long time. Have a nice sunday, regards Mitza
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on November 23, 2014 at 10:51 said:
      
      That’s very kind of you, Mitza, thank you. Enjoy the rest of the day too!
      
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