After a whirlwind half-day in New York City, Episode 3 of From Sal to America slows things down. We arrive at my parents’ house — home base for the rest of the trip — and before we even unpack, we head straight outside for a full tour of the property. For someone visiting from Sal, Cape Verde, this was a completely different side of America than the city: horses, open land, and a lot of green space.
Settling In: Home Base for the Trip
After New York, Providence, and everything in between, arriving at my parents’ house felt like exhaling. This is where we’ll be based for the rest of our time in America, so before diving into unpacking and settling in, we decided to explore the property first — starting outside.
The Horses and the Barn
The horses were the first stop, and easily one of the most memorable moments of the episode. Seeing horses up close for the first time was a completely new experience, and the barn itself — the smell, the space, the routine of it — was nothing like anything back home in Cape Verde. It’s a small detail, but it’s exactly the kind of everyday American life moment this series is built around: not just landmarks, but the ordinary things that feel extraordinary when you’re seeing them for the first time.
The Garden
Next was a walk through the garden. Between the different plants, the layout, and just how much space there was to grow things, it was a quiet but meaningful contrast to island life on Sal, where land and greenery look completely different. It’s these smaller, slower moments that end up saying the most about what it’s like adjusting to a new environment.
The Pool
We wrapped up the outdoor tour at the pool — a preview of what’s likely to be a recurring spot for the rest of the trip. After a few packed travel days between flights, NYC, and trains, the pool felt like the first real moment to relax since landing in America.
A Different Side of America
Where Episode 2 was all skyscrapers and crowds, Episode 3 is the opposite: open space, animals, and quiet. That contrast is intentional — America isn’t just Times Square, and this episode captures the more residential, everyday side of the trip. It’s also the start of a new chapter in the series, since this house is where we’ll be staying going forward.
Watch the Full Episode
The full episode captures all of this in real time — first reactions to the horses, the walk through the garden, and the moment we finally sat by the pool. Catch Episode 3 of From Sal to America on our channel, Discover Sal, and subscribe to follow the rest of the trip.
When you’re used to the slow, easy pace of Sal, Cape Verde, nothing quite prepares you for New York City. In Episode 2 of From Sal to America, we only had half a day in the city — and we were determined to make it count. This post walks through everything we saw, what surprised us most, and a few tips if you’re planning your own whirlwind half-day in NYC.
Why We Only Had Half a Day in NYC
Our America trip is packed with stops, and New York City was a quick detour before heading to Rhode Island to stay with family. Rather than skip it, we decided to challenge ourselves: how much of New York City can you actually experience in just a few hours? The answer, it turns out, is more than you’d think — if you plan it right.
Empire State Building: The First Stop
There’s no better way to start a first trip to New York City than looking down at it from 86 floors up. The Empire State Building was our first stop of the day, and for someone experiencing New York for the very first time, seeing the entire city skyline laid out at once was overwhelming in the best way. The scale of Manhattan from that height is something photos and videos genuinely don’t capture — you have to stand there to understand it.
If you’re visiting with limited time, we’d recommend booking Empire State Building tickets in advance online to skip the line and save precious hours of your half-day itinerary.
Central Park: A Different Kind of New York
After the skyscrapers, Central Park was a total change of pace — and honestly, one of the most surprising parts of the day. Coming from an island where green space looks completely different, walking through Central Park felt like stepping into another world in the middle of the city. We didn’t have time to explore the entire park, but even a short walk through was enough to see why it’s considered one of the best things to do in New York City.
Times Square: Sensory Overload, in a Good Way
No half-day New York City itinerary is complete without Times Square. The lights, the noise, the sheer number of people — it’s an experience unlike anywhere else, and definitely unlike anywhere in Cape Verde. This was the loudest, busiest stop of the trip, and it made for some of the best reactions we caught on camera. If you want the classic “I’m in New York” moment, Times Square delivers it instantly.
What It’s Like Seeing NYC for the First Time
What made this episode special wasn’t just the landmarks — it was watching a first-time visitor from Sal, Cape Verde experience New York City for the first time. The contrast between island life and Manhattan’s energy is stark, and that contrast is really what this whole From Sal to America series is about: documenting real reactions to a completely new environment.
Watch the Full Episode
This post covers the highlights, but the full story — including all the reactions, the walk between locations, and everything we didn’t have time to write about — is in Episode 2 of From Sal to America on our channel, Discover Sal. If you’re following our America trip, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss what happens next..
Betty is from Sal, Cape Verde and this is her first time in the USA — first stop: finding catchupa and an American-Cape Verdean restaurant to see if it hits the same as home. Im from america and visiting home.
Episode 1 of our new series, From Sal to America! Follow along as we explore the U.S. together, starting with the flight and a mission to track down real Cape Verdean food in America. More episodes dropping soon — subscribe so you don’t miss it.
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I spent a few days exploring Santiago Island, Cape Verde — from local food and daily life to the sights most travelers never see. This is a real look at one of Cape Verde’s most underrated islands.
In this video: – Exploring Santiago Island, Cape Verde – Trying local food and culture – Sightseeing across the island
If you enjoyed this trip, subscribe for more travel content and drop a comment with where I should go next.
In this video, I set out to discover one of Cape Verde’s locally produced beers. First, I visited the brewery in Assomada on Santiago Island to see how the beer is made and learn more about the brewing process. Then I headed back to Sal Island to try it again at Bodeguinha Bar in Santa Maria and see how it compares fresh from the source.
Join me as I explore another side of Cape Verdean food and drink culture, meet the people behind the product, and give my honest opinion on the taste.
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If you enjoy discovering local food, drinks, restaurants, and hidden gems around Cape Verde, make sure to subscribe for more videos from Sal and beyond.
Twenty years ago I arrived on Santa Maria | Sal Island, Cape Verde. What started as an adventure became home.
To celebrate 20 years of island life, I headed to Sky Lounge in Santa Maria for great food, drinks, and one of the best rooftop views on the island. From watching Santa Maria grow and change to meeting incredible people from around the world, it’s been an amazing journey.
Join me for a relaxed evening of food, cocktails, sunset views, and a few reflections on two decades living in paradise.
Have you visited Sal Island? Let me know your favourite memories in the comments!
Cape Verde didn’t win. Cape Verde won something bigger. Ranked 67th in the world, a nation of just 525,000 people took the defending world champions — Lionel Messi’s Argentina. All the way to extra time in the Round of 32 in Miami. We equalised against the champions not once, but twice. We only lost to an own goal in the 111th minute.
This is how Santa Maria, Sal Island lived every unforgettable second of it.
🇨🇻 THE STORY OF THE MATCH Messi opened the scoring (29′). Deroy Duarte equalised for Cape Verde (59′). Argentina went ahead again in extra time (92′) and Sidny Lopes Cabral answered with one of the goals of the tournament (103′). Heartbreak came from an own goal in the 111th minute. Final score: Argentina 3–2 Cape Verde, after extra time. Undefeated until the very last breath.
📍 Filmed in Santa Maria, Sal Island, Cape Verde — July 2026
A nation that held Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in the group stage, and pushed the world champions to their absolute limit. This is the greatest run in Cape Verdean football history.
ABOUT SAL ISLAND Santa Maria is the heart of Sal Island. One of Cape Verde’s most visited islands, known for its white sand beaches, warm Atlantic waters, and some of the best windsurfing and kitesurfing conditions in the world. Beyond the tourism, it is a community with deep roots, real stories, and a pride that this World Cup has made visible to the entire world.
It is Not the goals, the tactics or the result. We went to Santa Maria, Sal Island on match day and asked the people — fishermen, bar owners, young Cape Verdeans, members of the diaspora who flew home just for this — what it really means to watch their country on the world’s biggest stage. This is their answer.
Cape Verde is a nation of ten volcanic islands sitting in the Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of West Africa. Population 500,000. Independent since 1975. At the FIFA World Cup 2026 for the first time in their history. For a few weeks in the summer of 2026, the islands came to the world instead.
📍 Filmed in Santa Maria, Sal Island, Cape Verde — June 2026
ABOUT SAL ISLAND Santa Maria is the heart of Sal Island — one of Cape Verde’s most visited islands, known for its white sand beaches, warm Atlantic waters, and some of the best windsurfing and kitesurfing conditions in the world. But beyond the tourism, it is a community with deep roots, real stories, and a pride that this World Cup has made visible to the entire world.
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Join us for the latest update from Santa Maria, Sal Island, Cabo Verde!
In this June 2026 update, we take a closer look at the ongoing pier construction project, explore some of the newest restaurants opening in Santa Maria, and check on the latest progress at the highly anticipated Serena Bay development.
Whether you’re a resident, investor, frequent visitor, or planning your next trip to Cape Verde, this video provides an up-to-date look at the changes shaping Santa Maria’s future.
📍 Featured in this video:
Santa Maria Pier Construction Update
New Restaurants and Dining Spots
Serena Bay Development Progress
Latest Changes Around Santa Maria
Sal Island Tourism and Investment News
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🌴 Discover Sal – Exploring the best of Sal Island, Cape Verde.
