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Faial Island in the Azores
- some shots of life in this little part of the
world...
  
- The local lab checks on his table at Peter Cafe Sport.
The children are constantly busy in the summer here in the water
all the time, whether in boats or swimming. Some towns
have local swimming pools made out of the natural volcanic rock
and are nothing but tidal pools from the ocean. Some are
painted to look like regular swimming pools though. The
yellow flag means caution for safe swimming today (weather or
tidal issues determine the flag color ). The water temperature
stays mostly in the 70 degree range (a bit to cold for Bob and
Tania). This "swimming pool" was at Varadouro - near Horta.
  
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Vulcão dos Capelinhos is where in 1957
through 1958 a volcano came to life on the northwest end of
the island. It completely ruined that part of the
island and most of the inhabitants where permitted to
immigrate to the United States (President Kennedy at the
time allowed this). The large lighthouse was
completely covered with the ash/mud from the eruption, but
over the years wind, and weather have eroded around it and a
new glass top was added just in the past few years - it is
still not functioning though. Plans call for a
complete re-hab and turning it into a museum. It is
an amazing place to visit.
   -
The old red windmills are still
around on various islands but most are no longer
functioning. On December 9, 2005 the CP Valour from
Canada enroute to Spain put into the bay of Fajã
Praia do Norte (just around the
corner from safe harbor at Horta) for some reported
engine repairs, a major mistake as you can see.
However, because of weather, they were only just able to
retrieve most of her 600+ containers that were on board in
July 2006 (they risked life and limb to retrieve the
dangerous goods ones earlier). She has also been leaking
fuel onto the beach since then so that area (which is very
beautiful ) has been off limits this year. The locals
all come here to view the latest event though. The
plan is to float her back to the continent as opposed to
cleaning and sinking her for a reef (apparently a cheaper
decision).
  
- The flowers are everywhere on the island. The
Hydrangeas (called "Hôrtensias" here) are used as fencing for
pasturelands and all along the roads. Wild tea roses as
well as other flowers create a palette that is almost to intense
to look at some times (sunglasses recommended). Cows are
everywhere and one has to be careful driving as just around the
corner you may meet "Bessie" (here she is shy about her
close-up...)
  
Tania loves taking "flower pictures" so guess what...But
you can see how prevalent they are...
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