Horta
The first point of contact for sailors on Faial is the town and marina at Horta. It is where one needs to clear into the country when arriving from overseas, but cruisers also need to clear in and out when transiting between the islands as well. The town has a distinctly European Portuguese flair, mixed with a hint of something else, creating a unique atmosphere.
The island has done a good job of marketing to sailors, creating two attractions that draw sailors and others. The first is the Peter CafĂ© Sport in Horta, which has been a going concern for over 106 years and has become a de facto required stop for sailors. In my case, I had another reason to visit. I’ve become a member of the Ocean Cruising Club, and the local port officer is JosĂ© – who also happens to run the cafĂ©.
The next requirement is to paint, or spray, the boat name somewhere on the docks or breakwater. There are some truly impressive pieces of art memorialized in sizes both large and small. We found a spot on the docks to spray paint and went at it. It is now manifestly clear that neither Lincoln nor I should think about changing careers and becoming artists.Â
VulcĂŁo da Caldeira
The caldeira volcano is the highest point on Faial and is around 2 KM in diameter with a circular form and a hiking path around the rim. The bottom of the caldera is about 400 meters down from the rim. The path is not an easy one, with some difficult-to-navigate spots, and is only about 2 meters wide in parts, with a steep drop-off on both sides. The walk takes between 2 and 3 hours, and I was tired afterward and knew that I’d be sore on the morrow.
We sailed over to the island of São Miguel and Ponta Delgada. next.