Activity at Vila Maris

a quick interview with current visitors to Vila Maris - click here

Casa Blanca Interview 2

A new interview with the developer of Casa Blanca concering the trials and tribulations of business life on Maio.

Interview - click here

Snag (Snagging) Lists

With people taking possession of their property, it is always good practice to carry a snag list inspection.

Definition: A Snag List is a comprehensive list of items that a developer has not completed correctly and defective work to be repaired, to complete the property. On completion and submission of the list, the required works should be attended to by the developer prior to closing of the sale.

Click here to download the Snag Lists

Maio, the Dream... the Reality...

Although the world's economic slow down has hampered Cape Verde's development somewhat, it is still one of the hottest tourist and retirement destinations for Europeans, the distinction which was held by the Canaries a few years ago. The reason for this is CV is a very special place and of course the news media and web sites, are painting an idyllic portrait of it. The TV depiction of bikini-clad tourists frolicking on Sal's fabulous beach is difficult to resist. Maio's great potential and endless beaches are even a greater siren's call.

But there are two sides to all of this... the Reality and the Dream.

Maio's reality is the stuff that dreams are made of... but there is that one glaring reality which cannot be overlooked. One thing is for certain; the people and especially the government are not dictated by time and will not be pressured by it. This is the most difficult reality for Europeans to accept. Those that cannot, return north with a faded dream. Those that do stay will reserve a front-row seat for the future and reap the rewards from the reality that is Maio.

If patience is not one of your virtues, don't come to Maio! Will this change in the future? Of course, Lanzarote did... All things change with tim... but Maio doesn't seem to have a time frame for change. We’ll just have to be patient until then.

Maio Weather Back to Normal

In the passed two weeks the unusual warm weather for this time of year is back to normal with an idyllic Indian summer climate, warm sunny days and cool nights.

The weather in Maio is not often a topic of conversation...

Maio, Treasure and Pirates

After some research the following article was found indicating that Maio (Cape Verde) could have once been the stamping ground of many infamous pirates and cut-throats including Captain Kidd and Francis Drake:

Read it here...

Interested in Solar Power?

Electricity Pole Replacement

Electrical power poles are being placed between Morrinho and Pedro Vaz. This is an important link in the plan to have all of the island connected by one power source.

Maio International Airport?

It is said, by reliable sources, that the President of Maio has enlisted investors to build an international airport for the Island of Maio.

This in any event will eventually happen and needless to say, it will catapult Maio into the 21 century.

Big Blue Bird is Now Flying in Cape Verde

This is a blog entry for an installation of a wind turbine in Cape Verde. I believe that wind and solar power will be the future in Cape Verde.

Skystream

Maio's First Supermarket

The Casa Blanca Supermarket in Morro (the island's first) has begun to install fixtures and hopes to be in operation by end of August. In a recent interview, the owner said that he had chosen Morro because of its ideal location between the populace villages of Vila and Calheta, and Funchago's future development and Morro's beach projects.

Salinas Beach Resort on Maio Begins...

The Prime Minister of Cape Verde Jose Maria Neves placed the first corner stone in a ceremony marking the official beginning of the Salinas Beach Resort.

The multi-million-euro beach project situated between Vila and Funchago, will include houses, apartments and a 4 star hotel. Once underway, this project will be a real boost to the local economy on Maio.

First Rainfall of the Season

The island's first rainfall was a news worthy event of intermitent showers during most of the late afternoon.

Maio Radio Station

Maio has begun a news and music radio station, and it seems that most of the island residents are tuning in...

Maio airport official flights begin

Maio

Today TACV began regular scheduled flights, from Praia to Maio, after several months of maintainance work which included upgrading and resurfacing the airport's runway.

Airport temporary setback for Maio

Maio’s airport opening has been set back two weeks after officials said that after a test flight last week it revealed minor adjustments that had to be addressed.

Maio Cape Verde Election's 2008

In a sign of their support, the people of Maio re-elected Manuel Ribeiro for his fourth term of office as President of Maio.
The election as usual was conducted in a legal, democratic manner.

Maio Road Project - Update

Continuing the road project around the island, about 9 kilometres of tarmac paving has been completed recently from ALCATRAS to the FIGUEIRA turn-off junction. This is an important step for Maio’s development, sponsored by the World Bank, which has given this section of the highway the distinction of being the first of its kind on Maio.

Test Flight Lands on Maio!

A test flight to Maio has just been completed (Tues. 13th May 2008).

We hope is well and the resumption of flights can begin...

Good News for all concerned with Maio.

Maio airport to re-open on May 16, 2008

The airport on the island of Maio will re-open on the 16th of this month, according to an announcement made yesterday by the Airport and Air Security company (ASA). After nine months of improvement work, the airport is ready to begin operating again, which will help reduce Maio's isolation from the rest of the country.

According to a press release from ASA, the Maio airport is a class 2B structure, appropriate for ATR 42 and 72-type aircrafts, has a 1,200-meter long and 30-meter wide runway, and features a fire-fighting system.

During the nine months of work on the airport, ASA carried compacted and regularized the runway's foundation using touvenant material, and reinforced the pavement with bituminous concrete. The runway's rainwater drainage system was also corrected, and the airport's flight formation service was remodeled. An automatic meteorological station identical to those in the country's six other operating airports was also installed.

The ASA communiqué also reveals that following the airport's re-opening on May 16, work will begin on the passenger terminal.

The company responsible for the requalification work is Monte Adriano. The project cost a total of 220 million escudos, financed by ASA.