Thirsty Thursdays: Coffee With A View At Roca São Joao dos Angolares, São Tome And Principe 🇸🇹

“Dreams aren’t what they used to be, some things slide by so carelessly” – Brandon Flowers.

Sao Tome And Principe is famous for coffee and chocolate. While backpacking in the capital city, São Tome I visited two chocolate shops, did a chocolate tasting and tried chocolate, chocolate cake, chocolate ice cream and coffee. It was quite an inspiring time in São Tome And Principe and my other adventures there included touring Bobo Forro, touring Trinidade, a trip to Ilheu Das Rolas to stand in the exact centre of the world (WOW), a quick visit to Porto Allegre, touring São Tome the capital and also this little adventure…we stopped off in the town of São Joao dos Angolares and specifically to have a coffee, enjoy the views and explore this artistic countryside building on the east coast of São Tome.

I was here with Fernando and Mindy. This happened by fluke. After I backpacked my way from Sao Tome City down to Porto Allegre on a minibus run by Belmiro, I went on the crazy trip to the centre of the world – the equator! I crossed the exact centre of the world on the tropical island of Ilheu Das Rolas!

But after returning from that magical island of adventure, there was no public transport back from Porto Allegre to Sao Tome. This island doesn’t cater too much for tourists and if there is no need for a mini-bus back to the capital, then they won’t suddenly have an option. I hung around in Porto Allegre chatting to locals and trying the local beer (Rosema/the beer with no name) and this local milky white wine liquid. Then by chance a saw a huge car driving past and stopped asking if he was going to the capital city. It turned out he was, he was also a tourist, Fernando from Brazil and he let me hitch a lift with him! Fernando was also with Mindy from Taiwan and I was able to get a lift back. However we did two cool stop-offs on the way back. The first was to admire the forest, jungle and valleys of this green island. This is actually Greenland, Greenisland, Cape Verde and Ireland here!

The second stop was the idea of Fernando, he had heard about this truly special coffee place, cafe, restaurant and art house up in the hills in a seaside town called Sao Joao dos Angolares and he drove us up here to the magic of Roca Sao Joao dos Angolares.

About São João dos Angolares

São João dos Angolares, situated on the eastern coast of São Tomé Island in São Tomé and Príncipe, serves as the administrative center of Caué District. With a population of 3,605 as of 2012, this small town is positioned 17 km southwest of Santana, 17 km northeast of Porto Alegre, and 24 km southwest of the capital São Tomé. The local language, Angolar (Ngola), a Portuguese-based creole, is predominantly spoken in and around São João dos Angolares. The historic plantation estate, Roça São João, has been meticulously restored and transformed into a multifaceted establishment comprising a restaurant, hotel, and arts center. Additionally, the town boasts UDRA (União Desportiva Rei Amador) as its football club, although for once I skipped the stadium.

What is Roca Sao Joao dos Angolares, São Tome And Principe?

Roca Sao Joao, nestled in the village of Sao Joao dos Angolares on Sao Tome’s east coast, is a meticulously restored rural eco-tourism retreat. Characterized by its elegant yet rustic charm, a stay at Roca Sao Joao offers a delightful experience for history enthusiasts, evoking a strong sense of bygone eras. So you can sleep here, but we were doing afternoon coffee, a quick dander, mountain views, house tour and sunset watching.

The six rooms, adorned with simple décor and high ceilings, eschew air conditioning in favor of refreshing natural breezes from the nearby semi-humid zone. Each room opens onto a veranda encircling the house, providing captivating views of the surrounding forest and bay. Two cozy lounges, replete with an array of books, plush leather sofas, and captivating abstract art, beckon guests to unwind and immerse themselves in relaxation.

We were here for the coffee though! Roco São Joao dos Angolares is a charming coffee shop located in São Tomé, the capital city of São Tomé and Príncipe. This island nation, nestled in the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of Central Africa, is known for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

The coffee shop at Roco São Joao dos Angolares likely offers visitors a delightful experience amidst the tranquil surroundings of São Joao dos Angolares. São Joao dos Angolares is a picturesque fishing village known for its quaint atmosphere and traditional Angolar culture. Visitors to the coffee shop can expect to enjoy locally grown coffee, possibly sourced from the island’s own coffee plantations.

In addition to coffee, the shop offers a variety of snacks, pastries, and light meals, providing a perfect spot for travelers to relax and rejuvenate while taking in the scenic beauty of São Joao dos Angolares. The ambiance is warm and inviting, reflecting the laid-back island lifestyle of São Tomé and Príncipe. Overall, the coffee shop at Roco São Joao dos Angolareshas a delightful blend of delicious coffee, serene surroundings, and authentic island charm, making it a must-visit destination for travelers exploring São Tomé. Then we also checked out the art, where there is a gallery and a shop.

Then it was time to watch the hot ball sink, take a few more photos and head back  on our merry way to the capital city, Sao Tome itself. Thanks to Fernando for the lift and Mindy for the travel company. Here are a few more photos and links –

https://www.facebook.com/rocasaojoao/

Roca Sao Joao