Cape Verde Islands have changed a lot, and places like Sal, or Boavista in a much lesser degree are becoming something quite different to waht it used to be. But still there is a lot of poorly explored areas there. Maio Island has a strong feeling of adventure, and compared to any other island brings you back to what Cape Verde used to be in the past. Remote locations in the north of the island like Praia Real or Baia do Galeao are remarkable, and not so easy to get there (only tracks, sometimes muddy due to sea water filtrations, not to mention big sand dunes). Shelling can be productive depending on the time of the year and only for hard-core snorkellers! (beware of the "gatas", local name of the nutritia sharks, and also the barracudas...) Warmest regards Manolo ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs To leave this list, click on the following web link: http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1 Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and click leave the list. ----------------------------------------------------------------------