Savouring Exotic Island Delights: Remarkable Memories of São Tomé
I travelled for a few days in 2016 to São Tomé, the capital and the largest city of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe. The Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe is a country in Central Africa which consists of two main islands, namely São Tomé and Príncipe. It was founded in the 15th century by the Portuguese and thus has Portuguese as its official language. It gained its independence in 1975.
São Tomé is the bigger island. The name, “São Tomé”, is the Portuguese word for “Saint Thomas”. Príncipe is the Portuguese word for “Prince”. I learnt some basic Portuguese expressions to get me around. I remember “obrigada” (thank you), “por favor” (please), “sim” (yes) and “não” (no).
I managed to do only a spot of sightseeing during my brief stay as it was a work-related trip. But, hey! Even a single picture brings back lovely, heartfelt memories and helps to relive the amazing experience.
Captivating cane lamp shades giving a warm welcome at the hotel
How can I forget these colourful, flowery bedclothes?
Seems like the bridge is leading into the sea!
Serenity begins here!
By the poolside.
One of the three statues of explorers in front of the São Sebastião Museum (Museu de São Sebastião). This museum is housed in a 16th century fortress in São Tomé. The Portuguese built the fortress in 1566 to protect the port and city of São Tomé against attacks from pirates. Now it is a national museum which contains religious art and colonial-era artifacts.
Inside the fortress which is now São Sebastião Museum. This reminded me of a medieval castle, the Alcázar of Segovia in Spain, which I visited twenty-six years ago.
View from São Sebastião Museum
In front of the Premier University of São Tomé and Príncipe. I couldn’t leave without a salute to academia!
On the last day of my trip, I visited the Ossobô Spa of the Pestana São Tomé Ocean and Spa Hotel for a massage. The Ossobô is named after one of the famous birds in the island. I had a hot stone massage which was so relaxing and pleasurable that for a moment, I forgot where I was and I basked in sheer ecstasy…………..
São Tomé, I have pleasant memories of you. Obrigada!
You don’t have to go to a spa in order to have a spa experience. We should enjoy the little pleasures of life daily. Why don’t you try out a spa experience at home? Kindly check out the Home Spa Gift Basket in Heavenly Ocean Bliss Scent as shown below. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Very nice photos!
Thanks so much 🙏
Thanks for reliving your travels in your blog, Heidi. Yours has been an interesting, fulfilling life, and you have inspired me to add Goree Island to my must see Africa destinations.
I’m so happy to hear that, madam! I hope you do visit Goree Island 🏝
Beautiful and informative – thanks for sharing! I definitely learned something new today, and those waters look super inviting too 🌊
Yes, they are really inviting! Glad you enjoyed the post. You’re most welcome! 😊
What an exotic place to visit, definitely worth adding to my bucket list😊👍. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful stories!
Yes, it is an exotic place you should add to your bucket list! 😊 You’re most welcome.
Beautiful place. Thanks for sharing
Yes, it is a lovely place. You’re most welcome.
Pleasant memories of São Tomé. I am definitely adding it to my bucket list.
Great! Please do! 🙂
Nice, lovely trip.
Yes, it was. Thanks for commenting 🙂
😻❤
Thank you so much for your extensive support of my posts. It is really appreciated. And Thank You for the fascinating post on Sao Tome. Amazing. All the very best to you – will
You’re most welcome, Will. Thanks, too!
Nice place. I have heard some very nice stories about the place.
Yes, it is a lovely place.
Obrigada madam. You have given your readers an interesting and educative tour of Sao Tome and Principe. Although I enjoyed the reading, it left me with a sense of guilt. In the course of my work, i have travelled to almost every continent, yet nothing written down for posterity. I hope in future, I will find the necessary motivation to share some worthy experiences and thoughts as you have done. Obrigada once more madam
You’re most welcome. And please write something down for posterity! 😄
This is an eye opener to all of us. No need to go for vacations in Europe. We need to explore our own continent.
Yes, we need to do so! Thanks for your comments. 😊
Always say yes to new adventures. Beautiful piece Aunty
Thanks for your comments, my dear.
Mmmmmm, very exciting especially knowing that this is Africa and that there are such wonderful places here in Africa. After all, it is not just about wars and famines but then there are beautiful stories to tell: about the people, the culture, the landscape. Eeiiii, i hear they have such wonderful beaches and coastlines.
Just wondering????? Did you say the country was ‘founded’ by the Portugues in the 15th century? Does it then mean that till the Portugues ‘founded’ it, there were no people there? Or that though there were, the people were so irrelevant as to deserve a mention in history.? Like Christopher Combosis, awww sorry, did i just say that?………manners! manners!! manners!!! i meant Christopher Columbus ‘founded’/’discovered’ America? ………even though the Arawaks were already there?
You know the line ’till the lion begins to tell her own story, the tale of hunting will always glorify the hunter’.
Thank you for putting our beautiful story out there.
Mmmmmm, very exciting especially knowing that this is Africa and that there are such wonderful places here in Africa. After all, it is not just about wars and famines but then there are beautiful stories to be told: about the people, the culture, the landscape. Eeiiii, i hear they have such wonderful beaches and coastlines.
Just wondering????? Did you say the country was ‘founded’ by the Portugues in the 15th century? Does it then mean that till the Portugues ‘founded’ it, there were no people there? Or that though there were, the people were so irrelevant as to deserve a mention in history.? Like Christopher Combosis, awww sorry, did i just say that?………manners! manners!! manners!!! i meant Christopher Columbus ‘founded’/’discovered’ America? ………even though the Arawaks were already there?
You know the line ’till the lion begins to tell her own story, the tale of hunting will always glorify the hunter’.
Thank you for putting our beautiful story out there.
Yes, very lovely places in Africa. It’s not all about wars and famines. You’ve raised very pertinent questions about it founded by the Portuguese and whether there weren’t people living there already. We will have to research into that. Thanks a lot for your comments.
I really enjoyed reading about your travel experience to Sao Toame. Not many people know about this country, not to talk about visiting. I think the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time.
That is so true! Travelling gives everyday things a new feel. Thanks for your comments.
You vivid description n experiential account suggest you can b a better tourguide n an author to who can provide an article of the destination to provide opportunities to readers as well as travellers promote n enjoy the destination
Thanks for the tourism insight! I think I must explore that opportunity too 😊
Beautiful pictures, you really chilled LOL
Yes, I did! Thanks 😊
Very educative. I never knew the meaning of Sao Tome. Obrigada Madam!
Thanks for your comments 🙂
Wow!
Thanks for sharing. I learnt about Sao Tome and Principe in my Social Studies lessons. I just discovered the meaning of the name from your article.
Obrigada.
Interesting to hear you learnt about it. You’re most welcome!
Obrigada! Thank you very much for this beautiful piece.
You’re most welcome, William.
A nice experience. Relishing such trips are worth them.
Yes, they are indeed!
Honestly, Madam, you have fond memories of interesting places. I appreciate how you take pictures of areas you find interesting. Thanks for sharing; I now understand what São Tomé and Principe represent.
I’m glad you enjoyed the piece and found it enlightening. You’re most welcome!
Awesome. Felt like I was on the journey with you…. Love the vivid discription
Thanks so much. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😉
I have visited some Islands and I love their exotic foods. It is serene world out there.
It truly is! Thanks for your comments. 🙂
Another beautiful account!
Thanks so much.
A beautiful piece which made reading enjoyable. It also provided a historical insight into Sao Tome and Principe. Well done.
Thanks so much!
Traveling challenges your perspective of other countries and lets you experience the local culture firsthand. It allows you to learn more about different cultures, languages, and beliefs that can shift preconceived notions and help new understandings take form.
Traveling is not only visiting a new place or seeing new spots you never see before, it’s also a chance to know other people’s culture and history! It gives you the chance to accept the other’s culture and traditions and gives you the ability to adapt to the circumstances you live in this city with those people
Travel really helps in consolidating both effective communication and social skills as you are exposed to different cultures and outlooks. This benefit you get from travelling can be applied not only to your personal life but your work life also.
Thanks dear for bringing us up to speed your experience in Sao Tome with its sight and sound
That’s so true. Thanks for your insightful comments about the benefits of travelling.