Tuesday, July 21 a tour of Faial Island

Written by Jack van Ommen on July 22nd, 2009

We rented a V.W. Polo and made a circle tour of the island of Faial. The day started out with some clouds but in the early afternoon it was mostly overcast and heavy drizzles. This prevented us from going up to the volcano crater in the center of ther island. The visibility at the crater would have been near zero. There were some gorgeous vistas from the higher elevations down over farm fields and ancient villages down to the black volcanic pebbled beaches. The picture below of Santa Barbara the patron saint of the Seafarers and Architects ( coincidence that my two favorite men friends, two nephews and my oldest grandson are architects..) was taken in the town of Cedros in the church of Santa Barbara. Lisa, our oldest daughter, was babtized in the Santa Barbara Mission in California in 1964. The town of Cedros was settled in the late 15th century by the Flemish. The name Cedros (Cedar) comes from a prevalent tree the Cedros-das-Ilhas or Cedros-do-Mato found in the pasturelands and forests of the area; in Latin, Juniperus brevifolia. It  looks just like a California Redwood. While on the botanical subject, the island of Faial is covered with wild light blue Hydrangeas (Hortensias).  They are used to form the hedges/fences for the cow pastures and grow all along the roads.  We spent at least two hours in the museum underneath the old light house that lost it’s promitory when the 1957 earthquake formed a new shore farther out to sea. Fascinating movies and visual exhibits about the eruption.         My berth neighbors, Eric wife Michelle son Thiebaut and friends Xavier and Catty invited us over for a drink. They gave me valuable information on my approach to Loctudy which they know well. They are from Concarneau, next door.  They gave us four good size Parrot Fish (Peroquet), yesterday and we have had them for dinner again to-night. There are still more chores to be done to-day (it is now Wednesday) but if they are done and the weather improves we will set off for Pico next door or Sao Jorge, 20 miles to the East.

Wild Hydrangeas,Azores

Wild Hydrangeas,Azores

Santa Barbara in S.B. church in Cedros, Faial, Azores

Santa Barbara in S.B. church in Cedros, Faial, Azores

 

1 Comments so far ↓

  1. Rose vanOmmen says:

    Hi Dad,
    Just wanted to let you know Olivia got her birthday e-mail from you. She says thank you and she loves you too.
    Are you coming home for Thanksgiving?

    Miss you and love you lots!
    Daughter #2