As Bob and Tania moved on to the other islands in the Azorean chain they enjoyed each special area wherever they went...

• The approach to Praia da Vitória on Terceira (meaning "third island" in Portuguese - the name assigned when it was discovered in 1450) showed different terrain from what they had been used to.  Houses are apparently not allowed to be built above 200 meters sea level.  So most buildings are contained around the perimeter of the island and thus appears to be not as habited as it is.  Bob flew  141's into Lajes Airbase when he was in the Air Force reserves some twenty years prior and he vowed he would sail ME into port there one day!  Here I AM!  In the marina on C Pontão! 

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• Bob found lots of changes in the years since he had been there.  There are several large beach areas, new hotels, piers, moles, and restaurants.  All this change has made for fun explorations.  Our view from my stern to the beach and town.  Pam and Andy Wall were on B Pontão with Kandarik (Bob and Tania had met them in Horta 2006)  Pam works for West Marine and Andy is a rigger (who has been sailing the Oceans for over 40 years).  They circumnavigated the world with their children in the 1990's.  They currently have a home in Fort Lauderdale so Florida stories were exchanged (they BOTH were babysitters for my sail maker - Peter Grimm, Jr. when he was growing up...story of how they met).  Great People!

• They worried the rental car people wouldn't understand the story behind what happened to the car...ha ha - glad to see Bob survived! 

The northern coastline was spectacular.

• The walking trail up to Facho and the Madonna statue also boasted a huge welcome sign that looked out over the port area.  Once again the Hydrangeas were in full bloom all over the island (lots of darker purple and pink colors).  A C-130 sits on the tarmac at the air base.  Because of Bob's retirement status from the Air Force they were able to make use of the facilities on the base.  It was a treat to visit the Commissary, Shopette, and BX's to find American cleaning products and junk food. 

• The animals on the island once again were a special treat.  Whether it was a small goat family, the daily occurrence of the cows moving from field to field down the middle of the road (even on the "Rapido" - major 5 lane highway through the middle of the island in a 90 K speed zone), or the donkeys taking milk to the local collection sheds, it always reminded them of how the simple life still existed there.

• In Praia, Bob and Tania took a hike up to the Facho lookout and the Madonna statue which looks out over the port.  The "Imperios" (small chapels) which every town and village in the islands has one are each beautiful and unique. They are used mostly during the Feasts of the "Divino Espirito Santo" (Divine Holy Spirit) which  takes place on each island commencing with Pentecostal Sunday and many Sundays following it, which differ in characteristics from town to town and island to island.  But the Coroas Espirito Santo (Crowns of the Holy Spirit) are housed in each of the Imperios and the services take place as part of the celebrations (Tania experienced this on São Jorge with her friend Raquel).

• Here I am looking up at the Facho lookout point with the Madonna statue.  You can see some of the tents getting ready for the big Praia Festa coming August 3 through the 12th. You can also see the Bem-Vindos sign just a bit up the terracing on the hill.  Bob and Tania get to meet a lot of different people from all over the world on their voyages and adventures.  Here is 85 year old Bill Marden from Austin, Texas on "Fancy Free".  Yes!  He just turned 85 a few days prior to these pictures.  He is traveling by himself in a yacht he helped design and build in Asia some thirty years or so prior.  Bob helped him slip his lines and he was off again.  This time to São Miguel and points eastward...Fair Winds Bill!