• Travel - Príncipe Island

    Chapter III

journal

 
10 / 05 / 2016
The day begins at Roça Paciência, a tourist project integrated with agriculture; the farmhouse having undergone impressive restoration work. It is a ‘living laboratory’ for research and transformation of raw materials and where we can get a close-up look at the world of flavours and aromas straight from the earth. Manu, who founded the school of masons here, showed us the horticultural garden and their terraces made of stone and sand, brought from the old ‘sanzalas’ (the old homes of the former plantation workers). He explains that the construction of the terraces offered “a test run for the other restoration work that followed”, adopting principles of recycling and sustainability. In the kitchen, Kini and Jenoveva proudly show us the variety of artisanal products produced. We can’t resist acquiring some of the compotes, the muesli mixture clearly prepared with loving care and the hydrating essence of ylang ylang and coconut oil.

Our trip continues to Roça Sundy, an enormous property and an important record of Portuguese colonial heritage. Its restoration has been overseen by Rita, who is responsible for the preservation of its material and immaterial heritage. We meet her into the old warehouse, which is soon to become a museum dedicated to industrial archaeology. Actually, “every stone that we lift here is a part of history”, says Diana who is taking us around. In the main house, we are delighted by the furniture, the original painted tiles of the paving, among other precious features of a lovingly restored past.

Read the full story in our printed edition - Attitude 69 
Text: Joana jervell
Photos: Carlos Cezanne
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