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As Pico was the youngest island geologically in the Azorean archipelago, its terrain was different from that of Faial. Here, instead of hedges separating the fields, lava rock walls were built. The early settlers created their first vineyards by building small lava-wall enclosures to protect their plants from the salt winds and also gain extra heat for the plants. As we traveled along on the bus, it was exciting to still see these small enclosures. Even today, most of the Azorean wine is still grown on the island of Pico. Before catching our ferry back to Faial, we visited a small wine museum in Madalena.

While in Horta, we enjoyed some of its festivities. One took place on a Saturday evening when a small village procession of drums, children carrying village heirlooms, young women dressed in �capote� capes, and decorated ox carts with squeaky wooden wheels paraded down to the waterfront proudly displaying their heritage and deep-rooted traditions.

Sea Week (Semana do Mar), held the first week in August, was Horta�s biggest festival of the year. Throughout the month of July we watched as colorful lights were strung along the waterfront, booths were put up, and stages erected. During the days of the Portuguese empire and later during the whaling days of the 1800�s, Horta was a major port and repair facility. During its prime as a whaling center, there could be as many as 150 whaling ships anchored in Horta bay at any time. Now it was a major port of call by yachtsmen from around the world. Thus it seemed fitting that Horta have a big sea week celebration. As such, we the cruisers at the Marina were presented on the Friday proceeding Sea Week with a blue hydrangea plus a bottle of Pico�s best white wine, Terras da Lava. We postponed our transit to Terceira by a few days to enjoy some of the festivities of Sea Week. These included partaking of fish soup and pork shish kebob, watching the opening ceremonies on Sunday, observing the festival of Nossa Senhora da Guia, and enjoying some of the nightly entertainment.

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