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Agua Dulce - On to Terceira



After a wonderful time in Faial, it is time for us to move on to Terceira and begin our Azores cruise.



Faial is a delightful island that looks like something you would use as the background for illustrations in a children’s fairytale. The rolling hills are lush and green and dotted with cows - many of them black and white jersey cows that supply the milk for the island’s delicious cheese. The plots on the hillsides are divided by hedges of hydrangeas giving the island it’s nickname, the Blue Island. The houses and buildings are white with red tile roofs, and the blue sea sparkles around the edges. And there is no trash to be found!



The people of Faial are warm, friendly and welcoming and seem genuinely glad to meet you. Charles and I went out for out 28th anniversary dinner two nights ago. We took a taxi up into the hills of Cedros for dinner at a small restaurant on a riverside. We ate on the patio outside among the flowers and enjoyed the company of the owner’s 2 cats. The owner was formerly a carpenter in Germany, but decided to move to Faial 8 years ago to open a restaurant. He prepared a wonderful meal and brought us a special after dinner fruit drink for our anniversary! We were embarrassed when it was time to go and realized he didn’t take credit cards. Of course, we didn’t have cash. We said we’d run to an ATM, and he was very understanding and happy for us to go. When we explained to the cab driver what had happened, the cab driver loaned us the needed euros until we reached the town of Horta and an ATM machine. That’s just how the people are here.



Our island tour last night ended at the lighthouse which is near the area of the most recent volcanic eruption which was in 1957. The volcano was a submarine event that created a new island and was connected to Faial with an isthmus - at least I think that’s what our Portuguese guide said! In any event, it is a small area with a rugged, rocky coastline and is covered completely in black volcanic ash - a stark contrast to the verdant green of the island. The Council of Tourism here held a beautiful event with canapés and cocktails for us at the prize giving ceremony under the lighthouse. Again, the people were most gracious and hospitable.



Speaking of prizes, we were happy that we did NOT receive a prize for most engine hours used! They didn’t give one, but I’m sure we would have been in the running!



I’m sad to move on, and hope to come back to Faial another day. But, we depart today in about an hour for the first stop in our Azores cruise, the island of Terceira. It’s about 70nm from here, and believe it or not, it looks like we’ll have light wind - if any - again today. Time to put in the earplugs.



Gretchen Cunningham

S/V Agua Dulce

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