23rd April, Ponta Delgado, Azores

We approached  Ilha De Sao Miguel, on which Ponta Delgado lies in the early morning of the 22nd.  I had asked for an early call, although it was not really necessary.  I had slept fitfully, the movement of the ship in the large swell and the howl of the wind outside my cabin window was a portent of the weather outside.

I had been expecting it of course, the forecast had been promising a westerly gale and, unfortunately, it had been far too accurate.  Delgado lies on the south side of the island, the harbour lies in a shallow bay, more of a small indentation in the coastline than a bay and, similar to many of these Azores ports, was protected to some extent by a breakwater.  Unfortunately, with the wind direction as it was, there was little shelter from buildings, it was coming straight into the harbour.  Outside, on the breakwater, the large swell was breaking, sending towering spray over the top and dissipating in the wind.

The orange glow of the town lights lit the darkness and the flashing red, at the end of the breakwater made a good reference for our approach.  Nothing fancy here, if we followed our intended track, we would put the wind on our beam and drift sideways like a train, so instead I kept it ‘flat’, keeping the red light fine on the bow and using the wind  to set me into the harbour.  

During all this, we tried to embark our compulsory pilot, however it took an age due to the waves and wind; I concentrated on the approach, while Friso kept me informed on our pilot’s progress.  He eventually reached the Bridge when I was almost in.

Overview

Overview

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Our track is the ‘dotted’ orange. We were in fact heading west, the wind set us along the north-west resultant track.

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Inside and working her towards the dock

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On the dock, yeah!

We wallowed in the swell, even though I kept a stabiliser out and the Quartermaster was having a hard time steering; then, mercifully, we were in and now I had to stop her, we had needed the speed to steer her in, now the dock was a ship’s length ahead.  Switching to joystick, (she stops faster using it), I slowed her down, still keeping head to wind as much  as I could and slowly worked her over towards the dock, adjusting the heading until parallel and then pushing her on, as the wind was now on our starboard side.  All fast, the swell manages to penetrate the harbour and we found ourselves ‘ranging’ up and down under its effect.  We put out ropes in a veritable knitting pattern  😯  , we had 48 hours here and the weather would not abate.

We watched the “Island Princess”, making an unscheduled stop, having to back into the harbour and an admirable job that the Captain accomplished too.  Coming astern through that swell, one could only imagine the ‘thumps’ and flexing that must have been felt, until she was inside.

The Island Princess, with tugs fussing around her, like mother hens, backs into the harbour.

The Island Princess, with tugs fussing around her, like mother hens, backs into the harbour.

Looking west, over the breakwater

Looking west, over the breakwater

Looking north-west, towards the town

Looking north-west, towards the town

Looking north-east

Looking north-east

Looking north

Looking north

Both of us on our respective berths

Both of us on our respective berths

Being an inaugural call, I attended a plaque exchange ceremony with local dignitaries and then a jaunt ashore for photos.  It’s a lovely town, surrounded by rolling hills.  It is famous for its cheeses and the island exports and supplies 40% of  Portugal’s milk, 40 containers of the stuff leave every week .

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Fresh fish

Fresh fish

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The temperate climate is good for growing exotic fruits.

The temperate climate is good for growing exotic fruits.

The island is famous for its scenic volcanic craters and the black & white inlaid streets.

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Grace posing for the camera in Campo S. Francisco square

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An alternative form of transport; some of our guests hitch a buggy ride.

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The fort of Sao Bras, dominates the old harbour, it is now a museum

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Karen, Libby and Grace

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The smallest library in the world??

2015-04-23_0021 It is 5 hours until we sail, the wind hasn’t abated and the seas outside the breakwater are still rough.  I expect a bumpy ride until tomorrow lunch time and we are taking precautions for securing our ship.  There are a series of weather depressions rolling across the Atlantic, my work is cut-out to try and avoid the worst of them……

10 thoughts on “23rd April, Ponta Delgado, Azores”

  1. We missed the opportunity to say thanks for a great 2015 GWV. It was another successful voyage with the usual itinerary chances to make it more interesting. I’m the passenger who shared some NASA material with Oliver and send him some more in the UK. Looks like we have a future Mars astronaut in training. One question; Will you be the Captain on the Amsterdam for the Incan Empires voyage November-December 2015? Thanks again for a great voyage and many more to come.

  2. It was another enjoyable cruise for those of us that went through your postings and pictures. I’m just disappointed that once you got back to Ft. Lauderdale that you didn’t post something about the crossing and where you go next. I guess a real vacation on land.
    After dry dock do you return to Alaska as you did in 2014??? enjoy your time off.

    1. Hoping you are looking at old post. Just wonder what has happened after time off from the world cruise and no word about the summer cruises if you have been in Alaska with the Amsterdam.
      I think your followers are anxious to know

  3. Many thanks for your photos & comments over the past few months,
    made us feel as though we traveled along with you & our friends, Jan & Ian Thompson
    Take care,
    Pat & Denis Fennessy

  4. Happy Birthday Captain! (For tomorrow)
    Hope you are both well ans that the voyage is going well.
    Still not sure whether we are going ro fet to see you in May. Can you let me know your movements and if I can get to you I will.
    Not much news from this end. Both busy (its hard work being retired) and family well. Election causing a few headaches!

  5. I was wondering if you tied up with the braided steel cable or regular ropes?
    Lovely photos – compliments to your photographer!

    Patricia

  6. Enjoy your photos and reports, thank you. Will you be the Captain on the 2016 Grand World Cruise? We hope so!

  7. My dear Captain Mercer: Thanks for another trip around the world. Have a good crossing, and get ready to hit the links in a week or so. By the way, the “Island Princess” sure does look like Regal Princess. Must be a new coat of paint!! 🙂

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