Me, On A Sailboat, On Tuesday, In The Azores

When Jason shared his photos from the trip I was surprised how many there were of me. I am just not bothered by having my picture taken so it doesn't really register. We both only had our phones with us in terms of cameras but Jason came away with more pictures. I thought I would show what our sailing day looked like based on photos, it was a nice post to do about Monday, lets do it for Tuesday too. (All photos are Jason's unless otherwise noted)

Setting off! A beautiful day, a beautiful boat!

Skipper Pedro (left), First Mate Rui (right), and Jason

Photo by ME

Touring along the coast, passing cities and towns.

The architecture is very 'European.'

They let me drive!

I think there was some type of autopilot going too, 

but when I turned the wheel the boat moved.

Left the wheel to hang out at the bow.

One of the quiet coves along the southern coast of Sao Miguel.

I can see it! Our destination far ahead. 

It doesn't lie far off the coast of the city of Vila Franca do Campo,

but we left from Ponta Delgada so had to travel east to get to it.

The reason for it all!

This is the Islet of Vila Franco do Campo, 

something that I REALLY wanted to explore.

While we didn't see it from this angle (helicopter?)

you did get a sense of its shape from sailing around it,

climbing along the rocks on the inside, swimming in the lagoon, etc.

Photo from Tourism Website

We are getting closer.

The weather was perfect.

Just enough wind to be exciting,

not enough wind to make Jason uncomfortable.

I can't take my eyes off of it.

It is literally an ancient submerged volcano, and looks like it.

Rounding the islet to get to the entrance.

The cliffs show the rocks at strange angles and formations.

So beautiful.

Not just lava rocks and harsh cliffs,

also tropical vegetation.

(And later we would learn,

tons of newts and crabs.)

Time to swim!

We reach the entrance and they anchor the boat.

Jason and I swim into the Islet to explore.

Docking the boat.

After our excursion, we went into town for lunch.

It has moss still on the shell!

My reaction to one of the pieces of seafood served at lunch.

Full on tentacles.

But then I had fresh octopus for my main course,

it was amazingly delicious, melt in your mouth good.

Saying goodbye. 

Left the islet and the city Vila Franco do Campo,

time to sail back to the main port.

Dozing.

Spent the ride back enjoying the sun.

A bit bigger than us.

Came into port just as a cruise ship was leaving.

We want to thank our friends and family who supported this trip, which was our honeymoon, and those who participated in our crazy wedding back in September. The money that was gifted to us was used on this trip and allowed for the types of adventures we might not normally splurge on. We had so much fun and are very grateful.