28th May - Porto das Lajes, Flores 39:22.743N 031:10.195W

Whisper
Noel Dilly
Wed 29 May 2013 18:08
"28th May - Porto das Lajes, Flores"

Today we caught the bus into Santa Cruz, which is the main town on Flores.  It has a tiny natural harbour which used to be the main harbour before the Port of Lajes was built.  The entrance is surrounded by rocks and many a disaster occurred as yachts tried to make the entrance.  They followed the red light which is on the shore omitting to make a sharp turn to starboard once through the rocky entrance.  Only a couple of small fishing boats were in the harbour, but the modern crane on the jetty would indicate that it is used by smaller vessels.  We were very taken by the helpfulness of the shop keepers, one even left his shop to walk 100yds down the street to point out where the Unisex Hairdresser was located as Noel was in need of a 'tidy up'.  I was amazed when he emerged, I have seen more hair on a sheep when it has just been shorn.  I can tell you that a 'full Caribbean' haircut and beard trim has nothing on a 'full Florian'! 

As we wandered around the narrow streets, we were first spotted by Caesar in his taxi cab, he stopped and chatted to us nonchalantly blocking the one way street.  Then we were hailed by the Spanish yachtsmen (whom Noel helped yesterday) in their hire car.  They asked if we needed a lift and as the return bus to Lajes did not leave for another two hours we took up their generous offer.  As we were in no hurry, we found ourselves being taken on another trip around parts of the island as they explored and enjoyed the island, it really is quite spectacularly beautiful.

We spent the rest of the day, devising ways to protect and make Rustle more secure on the foredeck in preparation for our next passage as well as making the galley ventilator watertight.   All jobs are now complete, we shall wait for the wind from the right direction to carry us to Horta.