Hike Faial from Horta Marina to Monte Carneiro 22 Sept 2012

By the afternoon of 22 September, Tropical Storm Nadine had passed and we felt we needed a walk. So walked from the marina eastwards along the water front until we reached the Rua da Vista Alegre where we started our climb to Monte Carneiro

Passed this Spirito Santo Emperium

 and this huge Dragon Tree

 Stopped at the Miradour Vista Alegre for views of the new ferry terminal

 with Pico in the background

 and the ravine below

 After 1 1/2 hours mainly climbing on roads, reached the top of the Monte Carneiro

 

 which gave superb all round views

 Unfortunately the Caldeira was in the cloud

 Retracing our steps, had views of the north coast including the commercial area near the power station on the airport road

 around about here Mike was attacked by the only bee we had seen all day, which decided to commit suicide and sting Mike just above the right eyebrow

 Jeannette managed to remove the sting. A passing car gave us a lift to the Horta Hospital. However, they wanted 115 Euros cash to see a Doctor which we did not have on us. So having decided that Mike was not allergic to bee stings, we just walked back to the boat.

The next morning Mike's eye was swollen closed.

An eyewash with Optrex helped to reduce the swelling remarkably so after about 3 days the eye was back to normal.

Hike Faial PRC5FAI Morro de Castelo Branco 31 July 2012

In the afternoon of 31 July, the weather cleared up so at 1730hrs we set off once more on our scooter for another hike. This time the short 1 1/2 hour hike PRC5FAI  to Morro de Castelo Branco on the south coast

Start of the hike

down between the bamboo separated fields

view of the Varadouro bay to the NW

First view of the Morro Castelo Branco

Morro Castelo Branco in full view

the rocky peninsular is a nature reserve where the Cory Shearwater and nests - access by the public is not allowed

weather still unsettled

Back on Dutch Link by 2030 hrs -a very pleasant short hike and we were lucky to miss the rain showers.

Hike Faial PRC2FAI Porto da Faja 31 July 2012

Weather forecast was for rain in the afternoon so got up early and by 0800hrs 31 July were on our Scooter on the Northern coastal road heading West

Objective was the hike PRC2FAI to the Porto da Faja which starts in the village of Praia do Norto

By 0900hrs we arrived at the start - weather not looking too good

the flowers cheer us up

The first part of the hike was through small fields separated by bamboo

 

first glimpse of the Faja below

into the woods

another glimpse of the Faja

by now the rain has set in

entering the Faja along a stream

typical old stone house surounded by vines

looking back to the cliffs down which we had descended

walking in the rain ....

Porto da Faja - raining hard. There is a popular sandy beach here - no takers today

we sheltered from the rain under this handy tarpaulin doing Sudoku while we waited for the rain to lessen

sort of manor house with church

more vines

rain stopped

wonderful display of Montbrecias

We were planning to do another hike but weather looked too unsettled. So drove back to Horta for lunch on Dutch Link - arrived 13.30hrs. We were driving in cloud/fog most of the way back.