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
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This is a lovely, vibrant collection.
Thank you, Tim. I’m trying to channel the warmth from it as I write!
Great images, Mike. Shabby can be stunning, and Cape Verde definitely seems to be both! :D
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.
It looks like an amazing place, although I’d avoid the volcanic one! :)
Oh yes, I saw that! Who’d have thought? Maybe when it’s cooled down a tad.
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.
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…
Great work, Mike!
Thank you Malin! I’d like to be there now…
I love this gallery. You can’t beat some good old weathered buildings.
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.
Wonderful, great colours and I just love windows and doors….this is excellent!
Thank you Andy. This was a great contrast to the beaches, crashing waves and glorious sunsets.
I can smell the surf from here!
I love the atmosphere you caught with the photos. Really beautiful!
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.
Wow, absolutely stunning and beautiful. I love these old pastel colors of decay as you can see in my blog.
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…
Ah of course, I remember your Kefalonia doors. Decayed yet beautiful. Very nice.
Thanks a lot, Mike. Your photos were the best I saw for a long time. Have a nice sunday, regards Mitza
That’s very kind of you, Mitza, thank you. Enjoy the rest of the day too!