Dienstag, 30. August 2011

Terceira

Pictures 1-5 Angra, 6-8 Praia

Back to Angra do Heroismo for the fourth time and still our favorite town in the Azores. With more and more of the old houses restored every year, it is getting ever prettier, wasn't it for the gigantic, ugly and always under construction hotel building at the harbor entrance, it would be perfect.

This time we didn't rent a car and just enjoyed the town and what we think is the best restaurant in all of Portugal. Otherwise it was quiet, as fiestas and fireworks were over. Being here a month later than last year, it does feel a bit late in the season, despite the fact that it is hotter than we ever experienced it here.

For sailors the island of Terceira does not only offer the new (2002) marina in Angra, but also he very economic (still) marina at Prais da Victoria. The later has always been very popular with sailors who want to stay in the islands for the winter. At a third of the price of other marinas in the Azores, this is no surprise. Those used to prices in the Med would actually consider it close to free. Add to this that the marina is deep inside a huge bay that is protected by long breakwaters and is one of the few safe place to keep a boat in the water for stormy winter season. A big Travellift and a large area to lay up boats on land was another bonus, but that looks like it is now a business they don't want to continue.

Anyway, in settled weather the large bay offers a nice anchorage, where you can swim right off the boat, dive if you like and even catch an octopus from your anchor. We did all of that and enjoyed an excellent octopus salad.

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