Mark and Minda had recently discovered a beach at one of Faial’s few fajas, the steep drops down to basalt flows that are so common on Sao Jorge. This one ended in a black sand beach as well as a basalt swimming hole that we managed to have all to ourselves.
Lijia and George had kindly included us for dinner with Mark and Minda on their last night on the island. We started with all sorts of appetizers and wines from the Azores, including the famous morro cheese (half way between a brie and a burrata), and figs from their backyard. It was almost so much food that we wouldn’t need dinner.
We took a break and wandered down to the field where neighbor Andy was milking his herd. The life of a farmer is hard here on the islands, as you rarely have help (spouses and family have other jobs outside the home), and you often have another job yourself. The cows that day were mostly cooperative and were milked and fed without issue.
It was then off to dinner with the group (which also included Lijia & George’s friends Rosa & Emmanuel) for a most memorable meal at Pasquinhas with a beautiful view. It was a wonderful way to cap off a visit.
After Mark, Minda, George & Lijia flew back to the States, we took the time to engage in one of Horta’s long traditions – painting a small mural about your boat, passage, etc, on the marina walls, benches or walkways. There are at least a thousand paintings all over, so finding a spot faded enough so that it’s completely illegible is tricky, but we persevered.
Legend has it that leaving a mural brings good luck on future journeys.
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