(October 5 – 7, 2017) It took us two days (one day sailing and one day motoring) from Madeira Island to La Graciosa Island in the Canary Islands. Motoring is noisy and the diesel fumes are smelly. A Bright moon appeared sometimes which helped the nightly watches. A small bird traveled with us on the boat. John found two dragon flies and also got bitten by a black/yellow striped fly. Where were they from at sea? He also found a flying fish on the deck. (After arriving at a new place, I grilled the flying fish and gave it to Swat,

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(September 23 – October 5, 2017) Portugal has a massive ocean fishing territory because it also owns the Azores and Madeira Islands. Madeira is a small island in the Atlantic Ocean, closer to Morocco in Africa than to mainland Portugal.

Until I visited Madeira Island which relies heavily on tourism; I didn’t know much about this island. It was a surprise to see yellow or red double decker tour buses, cable cars (from harbor to top), jeep tours, bike tours, walking tours, boat tours, and all the other organized tour operations. When we visited Funchal, the capital city of Madeira;

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*** (September 10, 2017) From the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, I have been monitoring Hurricane Irma. I am somewhat relieved that Irma didn’t directly go over South East Florida but extremely sad that it destroyed many islands in the Caribbean completely and more on the West Coast of Florida. My thoughts go out to the people who lost their lifetime accomplishments. I am praying for their swift recovery and hoping for the better without them losing their dreams.

(August 11 – 30, 2017) As the Azorean islands are volcanic, there are hardly any anchorages.

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When I first arrived in the Azores (total 9 islands), it seemed it was remote and less traveled. I have been in the Azores almost for six weeks, the longer I stay here the more tourists I see on the islands. There is a good transportation service between islands during the season. The other day, we took a ferry from Sao Jorge Island to Pico Island. Pico Island is well known for the highest peak (2,351 Meters = 7,700 Feet) in Portugal. We wanted to hike to the top. It allows only 200 people in the trail. For us to get a chance,

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We officially cleared immigration and customs in Horta Marina in Faial Island. The process was simple and easy. To check-in at the marina, we provided the boat insurance policy along with other documents. The 90 day stay in European Union counts starting as we cleared customs by the officials here.

In Faial Island, there are many tourists. Some camp in tents at a park by the beach or other camp sites on the island. Others travel with backpacks and the majority stay in the hotels. In the first weekend in August in Faial Island, there is a well-known annual event called ‘Semana do Mar (Sea Week)’.

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(July 16 to 25, 2017): Friends and families, if you love hiking and seeing unspoiled nature and have time and money saved, visit Flores Island in the Azores, autonomous region of Portugal. We loved all the things in Flores Island . Just going up the hill for 30 minutes from the marina/anchorage, you are all alone with nature. We enjoyed hiking and walking around the town. One day, we took an all-day island tour. Another day, we took a fast boat ride to the next island Corvo and walked into the Caldera at the top. Walking the trails, I solely listened to the birds and dove myself into the forest of wild flowers,

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