Bom Bom Island, São Tome and Principe

Bom Bom Island is part of the country of São Tome and Principe—2 islands off the coast of Africa at the “bend”. If you follow the West African coast, it turns east near Liberia and then south near Cameroon—we’re just off the coast of Cameroon. The country of São Tome and Principe is a former colony of Portugal. Bom Bom Island is a privately owned island with a small private resort. The owner is a very wealthy South African, who is trying to grow his business by allowing cruise ships to stop. The maximum guests staying at the resort is less than 100, so adding the 400 of us changes it from a quiet getaway to something more chaotic.

Picture 1 is the view from the ship. The small island in the front is Bom Bom, while the one in the background is Principe. Picture 2 shows how the 2 islands are connected by a wooden bridge. Picture 3 shows the beach from the wooden bridge. And Picture 4 shows the lava rocks along the coast.

It was a delightful day in the low 90s with high humidity (we’re almost to the equator). As Seabourn does in places like this, the staff served caviar and champagne in the surf. Since the Hubers’ don’t eat caviar, Picture 5 shows Rick drinking a little champagne—before noon!  Don’t be fooled, Betsy did too – Rick.