PLANT A TREE Almost every year, the OOSTERSCHELDE sails in Cape Verde. It is a fantastic destination, and we are happy that we always receive such a warm welcome here. That is why we want to give something back every now and then. This year, the Shipping Company donated 200 mango trees to the municipality of Tarrafal. Cape Verde has to deal with long periods of drought and heat. Planting trees contributes to the quality of life, because these trees provide coolness, store carbon dioxide, and eventually even reduce drought. The Cape Green Projects Foundation will ensure that the trees are planted and maintained. Together with the alderman of Tarrafal, we went to the street where the first 100 trees will be planted. The remaining 100 trees will be planted throughout Tarrafal. The first trees will probably be planted within a month. The alderman told us a fun fact: the village used to be called Mangi, not Tarrafal. Because of the many mango trees that used to be here.

THE OCEAN RACE At the beginning of January, the 'toughest team race in the world' started with the leg from Alicante to Mindelo, Cape Verde. The OOSTERSCHELDE was present in Mindelo to welcome the ships upon arrival and for hospitality with VIPs, such as the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Also, we were open to public visits during the sailing event, and the number of visitors was huge.

Moored next to all ultramodern VO65 and IMOCA yachts, the difference with the 106-year-old OOSTERSCHELDE was clearly visible. Where our ship is robustly built, with steel and wood, only the most modern and lightest materials are used for the racing yachts. We will never be as fast as them, but we will last longer (-;