Our good friend Emma, travelled to São Tomé for the first time and she had an action packed 3 weeks planned and came back full of knowledge and enthusiasm to help us plan your own São Tomé holidays.
Here are her initial thoughts on the island and her first hotel…
As I sit here on my first morning, my heart is full of joy. I love the heat that bathes me in relaxation and forces me to surrender to nature’s pace. I love the sweet smells that rise from the earth – smells new, exotic and promising adventure; and smells that bring memories of past travels.
I love the dense nature of the air. It’s thick and full of moisture and it calms me, asking me to go slowly slowly please – ‘leve leve’.
I love that we can walk on packed red earth, not concrete. The roads are tarmacked and there are neatly paved paths where I’m staying at Omali Lodge, but here we are in sync with nature; at one with the ants as they go about their daily tasks more busily than we do.
I love the smiles and the calm nature of the people who live here. Life is not all beaches and palm trees for them, but they live in a world of blue, yellow and green and it’s very good for the soul. I can’t wait to plan your São Tomé holiday so you can experience it too.
Welcome home to Omali Lodge, Sao Tome city
‘Welcome home’ I’m greeted with warmth; what a welcome to this charming island.
I’ve just arrived at Omali Lodge, a little jaded after a long day on the plane. My first impression is romantic; it’s dark and people sit out on the veranda under twinkling lights chatting and eating. It feels exotic, friendly and like THE place to be.
I’m quickly checked in and guided to my room through the Lodge’s spacious, elegantly African lounge and gardens.
My room, a junior suite, is large with a balcony overlooking the pool. I have all I need here; air conditioning cools the rooms, I have a wonderfully comfortable double bed, a large bathroom with a shower and bath, shower gels and shampoo, soft towels, WiFi, a fridge, sofa and tea and coffee making facilities. I even have a TV but I can’t imagine I’ll watch it!
I sleep well and in the morning I wake to sunshine bathing the gardens; I’m ready for my São Tomé holiday!
Birds sing cheerfully in the palm trees around the pool and waves lap at the beach. Peace reigns but there’s an energy here too. Locals play tennis on the courts and people quietly work to keep Omali Lodge incredibly clean and tidy.
Breakfast would make many a King happy; fresh fruits, banana cake, pancakes, cereals, breads, jams and honey and some hot dishes too if you like. If you eat too much don’t worry, there’s a gym here too (but I don’t anticipate I’ll be able to tell you what that’s like I’m afraid!).
São Tomé and Príncipe Holidays Specialists
Holidays are very personal to each of us and planning a trip to somewhere less travelled requires good advice and careful planning. For over 20 years the team at Archipelago Choice has travelled extensively to all the special destinations we offer and have unrivalled knowledge based on our own personal travel experiences.
