A 20-minute flight takes us to Horta on Faial island, a distance of about 90-miles. There is then a very short drive to the Hotel do Canal.

 

Our first full day on Faial (Monday, May 20th) commences with a whale-watch that departs from the nearby harbour - we get sightings of dolphins plus a couple of sperm whales in the area between Faial and the nearby island of Pico

In the afternoon we explore the village of Horta, again using our guide book to find the best sights. The harbour has many colourful images relating to ships' names - created by boat owners' as part of a tradition that doing so will ensure their return. A large luxurious yacht has the name Bland Date, but it does not belong to Cilla Black.

 

In the town itself we find the Jardin de Florencio Terra with its clock tower and a magnificent dragon tree. In a small private garden that we pass, the owner has cultivated some beautiful orchids.

We go to the popular Peter Cafe Sport for coffee and muffins and discover that most of our tour group are in the upstairs scrimshaw museum. The museum was closed but our tour manageress has negotiated its opening and we have missed her message to this affect. However, we now are able to visit the museum where there are amazing examples of high quality scrimshaw work