Horta
Burnadebt
John & Bernie
Mon 14 Jul 2008 11:47
On Friday evening, there was a re-enactment of the first arrivals on the island. Two replicas of old galleons sailed (ok, motored) into the bay, rowed people in traditional dress ashore, where they processed through the town. It was classified as a big event to start at 6.00pm, eventually happenned at 8.00pm and really was not a lot to see. I'm sure it would have been better if we spoke Portuguese. Yesterday we went to the local beach, where we swam for all of 10 minutes in clear water, but cold - about 20C ie about 9 less than we're used to. The sun was hot however and it may have topped up our tans which are fading fast. Life is generally quite slow, getting bits done gradually and trying to see the island as well. Our next big thing is to do our painting on the sea-wall. Tradition has it that all yachts must leave a painting for a safe passage and good luck. It's great fun, wandering around and spotting paintings by boats we recognize, and also looking for a space for us to add ours.
This island is much busier than Flores - you have to watch the cars before crossing the road, there are queues in bars, one smart restaurant and hotel, and one step neare to home. We're going to visit the other islands in the group while we are here, one grows pineapple apparently. Then the 1500 miles home.
We'll keep this up todate while we're here, still on satphone as easier than trailing off to town for the internet cafe.