A vaguely familiar woman approached us in the marina and said she remembered us from Marmaris, Turkey two years ago. Did we want to join them and some other cruisers for dinner in a restaurant on New Year's Eve? Na klar! (But of course!)

The group grew and grew and by the time we hopped onto the Aluguers (pick-up truck taxis) we were a merry dozen from Germany, Switzerland, Turkey and the US. In the Cape Verdes, we learned, they don't have private parties that see the New Year in. Instead, restaurants close around 10 pm and then everyone makes for downtown where the action is. So after dinner we all walked back to town and joined the crowd milling about and waiting for the midnight fireworks on the waterfront.

Marineros were stationed at the marina with buckets of water a-ready in case the the wind, strong as usual, blew pyrotechnic embers onto the boats in the marina and the anchorage beyond. Being forewarned, and not being used to late night hours, we decided to dinghy back to the boat and watch the fireworks from the cockpit. At midnight the crowd cheered and horns blew from boats and ships, and the sky lit up.

CLICK FOR PHOTOS!

Loud music then started in earnest and was still going when we woke up this morning. What stamina these people have! Thank goodness it was cool enough to close the ports and hatches which shut out much of the noise. While the town slept we started the New Year with pancakes for breakfast.

We learned that three from our New Year's party had been accosted during their night on the town: one had his wallet ripped from his hands while making change, another thwarted a thief unzipping his pocket, while a third had his cell phone swiped while he tried to place a call. So glad we returned to Halekai!