Birds of Cape Verde, 4 - The Brown-necked Raven

The Brown-necked Raven (Corvus ruficollis) is a fairly large bird measuring about 52-56 cm. The head and throat are a distinct brownish-black colour which give the bird its English name. The rest of the plumage is black glossed with purple, blue or purplish-blue. The feathers of this species often fade quite quickly to a brownish black (even the truly black feathers) and the bird can look distinctly brown by the time it moults. The feet, legs and bill are black. This species has a wide range across virtually the whole of North Africa, down as far as Kenya, the Arabian peninsula and up into the Middle East and southern Iran.

Food consists of a wide range of items including carrion, snakes, locusts and other grasshoppers, stranded fish (in coastal areas), grain stolen from bags, dates and other fruits. It is quite fearless when not persecuted but is quick to become wary and shy if too much attention is paid to it.

If you are out enjoying all of the outdoor living Ponta Bicuda has to offer and hear croaks (slightly higher pitch) you will know the Brown-necked Raven is about, if you hear “Kuerk-kuerk” sounds, you will know it is in flight.

Luxury Home Items

Introducing another novelty luxury item for your holiday family home - the Moss Carpet by Nguyen La Chanh An amazing mat embedded with ball moss, island moss and forrest moss! Weather your home abroad is in the country, beach or city - this just another unique way to get in touch with nature, all year round.

High Marks for Cape Verde

The Heritage Foundation (a Washington DC Think Tank) and WSJ Index of Economic Freedom Report for 2009 was released earlier this month. It came as no surprise that Cape Verde continues on the rise. Although its best mark was in the category of Monetary Freedom where Cape Verde scored a whopping 76.9, where it really did exceptionally well was in the category of Property Rights, scoring an awesome 70.00 points, where the overall (179 countries) average was 44.0. An added bonus is that Cape Verde came in ahead of some of its main competitors when it comes to attracting European investment in second homes abroad and residential tourism – Poland, Greece, Egypt and Tunisia.

An Investment for your Investment

Make sure you dont just have a second home abroad, but a LUXURY second home abroad - take a look at the must have!

Birds of Cape Verde 3 - Common Starling (Sturnus Vulgaris)

The encyclopaedia Britannica describes the Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) as a 20-centimetre (8-inch) chunky iridescent black bird with a long sharp bill. It was introduced from Europe and Asia to most parts of the world (with the exception of South America). Other sources add that the tail is short and square, the body is stocky, and the wings are short, broad-based, and pointed. Immature starlings are gray-brown above, paler below with some white on the throat and belly, and a brown bill. As you walk about Ponta Bicuda you should listen out for a series of musical whistles they use, as well other notes which have been described as coarse, harsh and squeaky. But be ware as they are masterful at imitating the calls of other birds, such as the bobwhite, killdeer, eastern wood pewee, and eastern meadowlark. Starlings typically do not hop but walk.

Lisboa Travel Market - January 21 - 25 2009

If you happen to be in Lisbon from today through to the 25th of January don’t miss the BTL - the Lisboa Travel Market which is a growing industry event for all segments of the tourism sector. The "BTL 2009" is attended by professionals and non-professional alike and offers a unique perspective on a multitude of subjects relating not only to tourism in Portugal, which this year will feature the Algarve, but destinations around the world (featuring Uruguay - new comer to the event). The event will be held in Lisbon’s Expo' 98 area at the Feira de Lisboa Internacional

FIL Rua do Bojador - Parque das Nações - Lisboa
Opening hours are from 10.00am to 8.00pm.

The International Second Home Market

If you have read this blog often enough you will know that we consider places like Cape Verde “the next big thing” in the overseas property markets due to key factors that include a stable and long lasting government, booming economy (fuelled largely the tourism industry) and proper use of international funds allowing for huge structural developments in Cape Verde including health, education etc..

Today I am writing about the flip side of the industry – and the buzz word on everyone’s agenda right now - Russia! WSJ headlines “From Russia with Cash”, the BBC reports that “Russians snap up Australian luxury” and the Business Times Online asserts that “Russians …invest its oil billions abroad”. According to various estimates, assets belonging to Russian citizens in the West amount today to over €300bn and here is why they will keep investing abroad;

1 . Unreasonably high priced properties (expected to drop at some point) make real estate investment at home un-promising
2. Russian stock market is unstable and has in fact dropped significantly
3. Russia has “no reliable (if any) pension plan” so real estate investment abroad is considered for many the safety net.