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 To enjoy the last full days in the beautiful Azorean island of Faial, this year's ARC Europe crew were taken on a complimentary coach tour. With 51 participants on the bus yesterday and a further 26 today, Sandra from the tourist board has been busy showcasing this lovely island and providing a full commentary as they drive past some special sites. Beginning at a superb viewpoint overlooking Horta, Sandra pointed out the beach where the first Flemish settlers landed in the 17th Century, as well as windmills influenced by both Flemish and Portuguese designs.
Next on the agenda was a drive up into the mountains. Faial is hilly; the highest mountain, the Cabeço Gordo Caldera, is 1,043 metres high and the inner crater is 2 km wide and 500 metres deep. With somewhat limited visibility on the day of the tour, we then descended, ears popping, to the coast.
Along with other islands in the Azores archipelago, the island is of volcanic origin and is close to the tectonic divide between the European and American plates. Indeed, the island can be considered the westernmost point of Europe (the two islands west of Faial, Flores and Corvo, are already on the American plate).
In September 1957 the Capelinhos volcano began to erupt off the coast of Ponte do Capelo. Lava flowed for six months, creating an extension to the island, and burying the nearby lighthouse up to the first floor, as well as most of the houses in the area. With the erosion since, the roofs of the houses can now be seen, and made for a fascinating bit of sightseeing.
Sunday sees an early morning start with yachts slipping lines at daybreak for the Azores cruise, stopping at Terceira and Ponta Delgada. Asteroid, Chiscos, Hanami II, Nordic Falcon, Pinta and Sana will be heading direct from Horta towards Northern Europe so the fleet will be bidding farewell to them as will Kieran and Lyall this evening at the BBQ party within the marina. The rest of the fleet will cruise to Terceira in the morning.
Still ahead for the crews is the spectacular bull-running festival in the streets of Angra, a walking tour of this richly historic city, an island tour of Sao Miguel, and a farewell reception in Ponta Delgada, all packed in before the start of Leg 3 on Sunday 10th.
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