Sailing vessels needed a place to re-supply and repair on voyages between Europe and ports in Africa, the West Indies and the East Indies. Angra do Heroísmo (Angra) on Terceira Island in the Azores was the ideal port of call. But only if you were the correct nationality at the time. Angra has had shaky times both politically and literally.
The Azores sit on the Azores Triple Junction, the spot where the North American, Eurasian and African tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart. This makes them vulnerable to tremors and volcanic eruptions. A severe earthquake hit the islands of Terceira and São Jorge in 1980 leaving scores dead and thousands homeless. In Angra, many historic buildings were damaged. The town was so faithfully restored that the town centre became a World Heritage Site in 1983. The town square and 400-year-old military fortifications are key historic features.
Battles have been fought on Terceira twice. In the 1580s, the islanders fought against the Spanish occupation of the Azores, before eventually losing control to Spain. The Sao Joao Baptista do Monte Brasil Fortress was built by the Spanish, who defended it until the Portugal restoration in 1642. The fortifications are now protected in Monte Brasil Natural Park. During the Liberal Wars (civil war) of the 1820s, Angra served as the capital of Portugal for a government in exile. Angra’s citizens won a battle in 1829 which lead to Angra earning the honorary title of do Heroísmo "the Heroic”. Not a bad title to brag about.
 |
 |
We docked in the container port of Praia de Vitoria by 8. 30. Set off on a Whale Watching tour before 9am: this was an extra tour arranged for our benefit, as the previous one, a few days earlier, had been cancelled, due to dangerous conditions at the side gate. There were 17 of us,plus Robin and Seb, and we went by coach to Angra Do Heroismo, some 30 minutes away. There we boarded a boat for a 2 - 3 hour whale watch . We eventually found our way to the front deck and we had a marvelous display of dolphins and saw a number of whales blowing, but none really close up.
Click on any thumbnail photo and get a larger photo
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Back on shore we left the group who took the bus back to the ship and walked round the town, having lunch on the front , then some more exploring before taking a taxi back to Praia de Victoria.
Angra do Heroismo is a charming UNESCO heritage town with the distinct Mediterranean appeal of cobblestone streets. Angra is the Portuguese word for inlet or bay. The name "Heroismo," or the heroic, was granted by Queen Maria II when local citizens mounted a successful defence of the island against an attempted overthrow in 1829. Visit Misericordia Church, built in the 18th century on the site of a 15th century church, and attached to the first hospital in the city. The 16th century Se Catedral, the main church of the island, which had a reconstructions of the 1980s. The statue of Vasco da Gama on the harbour - the boys introduced themselves to him, and they were not able to stop the taxi to play with the bulls
Click on any thumbnail photo and get a larger photo
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
From here, we sailed , with a day at sea, to Madeira.