Angra and Marina from Monte Brazil

Friday 30 July 2021

Yesterday was a rare event as weather forecast was incorrect to give us a most beautiful beam reach in twelve to fifteen knots from end of Sao Jorge to Angra do Heroismo. VHF call to Angra Marina approved going ashore last night before clearing in this morning. By the by, read that full country paperwork and charges would be required each anchorage, but not so. Very easy and no more covid tests, at least so far. Everyone has been wonderfully laid back and friendly.

Slept in before venturing ashore for coffee and snack then a couple spasms of mountaineering. First the Duke of Terceira Garden, which seemed easy until in back where it's up a cliff to memorial for D Pedro IV, whoever that is. Great views of Angra and harbor. Then walked across town to Portao da Fortalezza de Sao Joao Baptista (except for water, not sure what the guy who popularized baptizing had to do with harbor defence) at base of Monte Brasil. Somehow, someone decided hiking to top of mountain was a keen idea. We each blame the other. Views were spectacular.

Sunday

Aggressively pursued sloth Saturday to include renouncing utilization of pants. Never left boat, went to bed early then slept late. Had nothing to do with getting rode hard and put away wet Friday - was entirely laziness. Now well into afternoon enjoying coffee and omelet at pastelaria. Hey listen, if we didn't do it, who knows if it would get done? Decadence becomes us.

Assuming ability to scrape up a modicum of initiative, will trek to Forte de Sao Sebastiao, other side of city from Saint John, but closer to harbor and at lower elevation - no mountain behind to tempt repeat of arduous self-actualization, which is occasionally good, but we like to explore bottom of Maslow's pyramid as well as top... except for transcendence. Hallucination is best left to users of LSD.

Jack & Jan