Sunday, 21 May 2023

Sailing from the Azores to Ireland

It has been two days since my last blog and today the Zuiderdam is at sea again, heading for southern Ireland. After one more sea day tomorrow we reach Ringaskiddy, the port for Cork and Tipperary. I have spent two very busy days on land in the Azores, Portugal's westernmost extension into the Atlantic.

Friday, 19 May, 2023
Praia di Vitoria, Terceira, Azores

This morning the Zuiderdam is in the first European port of the cruise, Praia di Vitoria on Terceira, the third largest of the Azores. We will be here from eight in the morning to eleven at night. This is my first visit to Terceira.

My HAL shore excursion, Terceira Island and the City of Lords, starts at 8:30 and lasts for seven hours. From the port in the east, we will make a complete circle round the island, stopping at various viewpoints and sites of interest. We drive north and west on good roads through a variety of agricultural landscapes and charming small towns

At the town of Biscoitos, about half way across the north coast, we stop to view the amazing volcanic rocks and tide pools that line the coast. All of the Azores were formed by volcanic eruptions, and some of the smaller islands still suffer hundreds, even thousands of tiny earthquakes every day. Of course there are also less-frequent larger explosions, which often force the evacuation of the entire island.

We continue our circuit around the western side of the island, passing through the small town of Santa Barbara and then eastward through São Mateus, until we reach the viewpoint atop Monte Brasil, the highest point above Angro do Heroismo (City of Lords, or Heroes, depending upon translation). From atop Monte Brasil, there are panoramic views of Angro do Heroismo and the fortress of São João Baptista.

Narrow Streets Tour Buses Must Navigate to Ascend Monte Brasil . . .

. . . and Even Narrower Gateways

View of Angro do Heroismo Cathedral from Monte Brasil

View of Fortress of São João Baptista from Monte Brasil

At the top of Monte Brasil sits a commemorative monument.

It is now lunch time and we are let loose in the center of historic Angro do Heroismo. I use most of the free time to wander and take photos. But I do take advantage of a sit-down at a small outside cafe that serves excellent baguettes--mine filled with creamy chicken salad and fresh lettuce and tomato.

Angro do Heroismo is a charming small city, honored by UNESCO for its reconstruction after a devastating earthquake in 1980 (luckily no lives were lost). Narrow cobblestone streets, colorful buildings of limestone and local volcanic stone, and views over the North Atlantic, make it a pleasant place for residents and visitors.

View from Tour Bus as We Enter Angro do Heroismo

Central Square

Narrow Street Leading to Cathedral

View of Harbor and North Atlantic

We continue eastward and then north as we complete the circle of the island and return to our port city, Praia di Vitoria. But the tour isn't quite over. We drive up to the highest point in the city, atop which sites a monument to the Virgin Mary. Below is a panorama of the city, with a view of the Zeiderdam in the port.

We are given a short time to wander in the newer part of town below the monument before being driven back to the ship, right at the expected time. Since we are in port until 11pm, there are free shuttles running from the ship to the historic center of town. I would like to take advantage of this service, but it's been a long busy day so I decide to relax, have dinner, and try an early bedtime. I am not awake when the ship leaves the harbor.

The next blog will cover the second port in the Azores, Ponta Delgada on the island of São Miguel. I expect to publish it very soon.