In his weekly column, Jeff Hoyle enjoys a spot of island hopping in The Azores.
The Azores, a group of Portuguese-owned islands in the Atlantic, was the destination of the trip. Initially, the location was not well-known, but it was discovered that the islands are situated on the mid-Atlantic ridge at the junction of three tectonic plates, further west and north than expected.
Out of the nine main islands, four were visited, each with its unique characteristics. One of the islands, Faial, is at the centre of the trans-Atlantic sailing scene, serving as a stopover for almost everyone who crosses the ocean.
The harbour in Faial is decorated with thousands of patches, which, according to tradition, each visiting crew paints on the wall or pavement with their names, place of origin, and an illustration.
Jeff Hoyle enjoys a spot of island hopping in The Azores.
Author's summary: Exploring The Azores islands.