Knapp 1400 The Azores are located west of the Portuguese coast in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. To the West you have only more 4200 Kilometres, to reach the American coast. The island group was, It consists of nine larger and inhabited islands as well as several small, early on for the sailors from all over the world a popular and strategically important point. In the second world war the American on their way were refueled here once again to Europe and back in the United States long-range bombers. Thus, the Azores also from a military point of view were a very valuable base.

After we after arriving only once with a regular white sausage breakfast had strengthened us and then have allowed a relaxed sleep break us, We went to a first exploration tour.

We are on Santa Maria, the easternmost island of the Azores,landed. It has an area of 97 Square kilometres and is inhabited by only five and a half thousand people.

The harbour is protected from wind and waves very well maintained and well. Hier werden wir sicher gut und sicher schlafen können 🙂 Es waren noch viele Liegeplätze frei und mehrere Yachten stehen noch im Winterlager an Land. Apparently the Azores sailing season here has not really started.

The landscape around the harbour is unusually green and lush vegetation for us :-). The largest city of the island is located directly above the Harbour: Vila do Porto. Let's see, was die so zu bieten hat 🙂 Einen kurzen Fußmarsch später befanden wir uns auch schon im Zentrum.

There are a lot of churches in any case, but also the physical well-being is extensively provided. Several restaurants and bars, and two well stocked supermarkets were open no wishes.

Just outside of the town it was again amidst the impressive nature. Here you can walk safely wonderfully. Before we would have to talk a first word but again with the weather God. Denn im Regen ist das ja nicht so lustig 🙂

Back in the Marina, we thought not to trust our eyes. Of course had been reported by the abundance of fish of Azores us :-), but that the rays in the Harbour off the Jetty were, hatten wir nicht erwartet 🙂 Jetzt freuen wir uns natürlich ganz besonders auf die hier geplanten Tauchausflüge.