açores

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Arrival on São Miguel- the biggest Island of the Açores IMG_0812 IMG_0817 IMG_0813 IMG_0828 IMG_0825 IMG_0822 IMG_0821

next day we took a flight to the Island of Faial.

DSC01857in downtown Horta a man called Peter presented himself quite flashy, as his name appeared on every other store sign..

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DSC01878Horta..

DSC01886our first visit of the Caldeira de Faial- due to the thick fog we decided to take the walk around to another day

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DSC01950Ponta dos Capelinhos

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DSC02050View of Pico Mountain on the Island of Pico- Portugal’s biggest mountain (2???m above sea level, some 6ooom below)

DSC02056second try to walk around the Caldeira- this time no fog

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DSC02121back in Port Horta with a beautiful of Pico Mountain to look at

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DSC02141As a tradition, sailors anchoring at Horta paint emblem-like pictures at the quay walls..

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DSC02225bye bye Faial..

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DSC02253..Hello Pico..!

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DSC02263Port of Madalena

DSC02267swimming and dining at São Roque’s coast- just across the street our landlords Ramos (the famous)

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DSC02329breast-like pico-peak

DSC02330next day we got up early to see if we’re lucky to see some whales near Lajes de Pico. But first the guys from Espaço Talassa gave us a lecture about the ocean, climate change & waste, marine life and what (not) to expect of this trip.

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DSC02400mean, mean potuguese man o' war / Portugiesische Galeere - beautiful devil

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chilling on the sun-deck.. reloading with some warm sunrays (that’s my girl!)DSC02680 ..and then..a real life, amazinglingly tall blue whale!!DSC02685..and then two.. DSC02759..and a trail fin.. DSC02819 DSC02820 DSC02821(Blue Whales are the biggest animals of all times) DSC02822 DSC02878 DSC02901 ..so close..DSC02948..and then.. DSC02963..the big man gave us a high five..DSC02979 DSC02982 DSC02984

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..8 Blue Whales..

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..and one more tail fin, yes please.. DSC03181 DSC03182 DSC03183 DSC03184 DSC03185 DSC03186 DSC03187 DSC03190 DSC03204 DSC03224 DSC03229 DSC03233 DSC03241DSC03243 DSC03252

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seemed like this gang of Sperm Whales and Risso’s Dolphins wanted us to leave.. DSC03362 ..but actually they were power-napping DSC03382 DSC03383 DSC03394 DSC03436 ..another Fin Whale..DSC03482..fooling around with his Blue Whale mate..DSC03488 DSC03506the spotters -spot- the ocean for whales from this little cabin DSC03546 back in Port LajesDSC03560 DSC03565 Lava walk- almost as discribed by Bu(ss)mann in his (otherwise mostly good) guidebookDSC03571 DSC03574 DSC03590 Mitch?DSC03603 DSC03610 DSC03612 DSC03614 DSC03619 DSC03622 DSC03626 DSC03628 DSC03630 DSC03631 DSC03632 DSC03634 DSC03638 DSC03639 DSC03640 DSC03643 DSC03644 DSC03650 DSC03651 DSC03652 DSC03654 ..sammsing stinks..DSC03656RIP little bird DSC03657 DSC03660 DSC03661 DSC03662 DSC03663 DSC03664 old (wine)carriage trail in the old lava flowDSC03669 DSC03672 DSC03673 DSC03677 DSC03678 DSC03679 DSC03680 DSC03692 DSC03700 DSC03701 DSC03713 DSC03721 DSC03724 DSC03725 DSC03751time for dinner.. DSC03755

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