Last week we flew from Praia to Fogo. We spent most of the day there and then were scheduled to take the Fast Ferry to Brava, the next island over and farthest southwest island in the Cape Verde chain. It is very small and mountainous and the only way to get to it is by boat, hence the Fast Ferry. Unfortunately the Ferry was late leaving Praia so it was very late getting to Fogo. We were scheduled to leave on it at 9 PM but didn't leave until 1AM. I had heard some pretty scary stories of this boat ride. This is open ocean and can get really rough. Some missionaries tell of having to turn back because the waves were just too rough. Others when you ask how long the ride is will tell you in terms of how many throw-up bags they needed. A five bagger means it was a really rough ride. So after all the stories, I was bracing myself for the worst. It didn't help that it was dark and we couldn't see a thing but to be honest it was nothing. I don't know if it was an especially calm night or if my days sailing prepared me for it. Neither of us got sick - though a few people around us did. If you discount the sound of an occasional heave or cough, it was actually fun.This is what it looks like inside. You are not allowed outside of the cabin and the windows do not open. But is really wasn't bad.
We arrived in Brava at nearly 2 AM and could see very little. It just looked like a rock wall in front of us when we got off the boat. At the dock we got into a hiace (big van filled with lots of other people) and began our upward climb to Nova Sintra, the only town of any significant size on this tiny island. If the boat ride hadn't taken people over the edge, the winding path up the mountain took its toll. The gal beside Robert just gave it up and hung her head out the window the whole way up. According to the hiace driver there are 99 turns going up the mountain. I believe him..Again it was too dark to see anything so the next morning when we woke up we threw open the windows to see where we were. But this is what we saw. Fog!
We meet the missionaries - 4 wonderful sisters - and spent the day visiting families and investigators. It truly was a walk in the clouds.
That night we held a fireside. I bore my testimony - short and sweet. And Robert gave the balance of the meeting. They are such an amazing group of people. Just a tiny branch but so humble and sweet. Each had a wonderful story of conversion to the gospel. The sister below explained that her family was the first to join the church in Brava. She was a young woman then with 7 siblings, who all joined. She now serves in the Young Women's Presidency and her husband is a member of the Branch Presidency. All her siblings are still active in the church though many have moved from Brava.
The sister below is married to the first man from Brava to serve a mission. They were married in the Temple when he returned from his mission.
The next morning the cloud had lifted and we were able to see where we were and where we had walked the day before.
This is the quaint little hotel we stayed in.
The whole town was quaint.
Then it was back onto the Fast Ferry for our ride back to Fogo. The sisters came with us for a zone conference.
Here is the rock wall we had seen the night we arrived.
All in all Brava was wonderful and I hope we get to go again! And here is one last look at Brava - this time from our Hotel in Fogo. See the clouds handing over it. We really were walking in the clouds.
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