After a calm trip across from Flores, Horta appeared yesterday at about noon, out of the fog and mist. Like Flores it is a beautiful island from the sea, with steep cliffs, topped with little tile-roofed villages and green fields, marked with hedgerows.
After sailing around the south end of the island, we entered the harbor, signed in with the captain of the port, immigration, and customs, and found our way to a berth on the sea wall.
This is a lovely small city, with a distinctly European feel. It looks across a small strait to the island of Pico, with its looming 8,000 foot peak.
For many years, it has been a stop for cruising ocean sailors, so it has all the amenities, including clean showers with hot water! And a great laundromat! (We have bushels of soggy, salt water soaked clothing.)
There is a large port with large ships of all types, and hundreds of sailboats, from all over the world, of all sizes, shapes, and colors. Many seem to have just been left here, perhaps their owners were to tired to continue. Others look like floating vacation condos.....
This a great spot for us to repair our leaks, get our mainsail repaired, fill diesel and water tanks, and stock up on groceries.
It is warm and sunny and beautiful today.
I hope to post some pictures soon, as we have great Wi-Fi.
We are well and having a great trip!