DAY 9 & 10 - PORTO SANTO

We finally arrived at Porto Santo marina after eight full days sailing, 3,5 days after our estimated calculations. In the morning we were granted permission to enter the bay to anchor.

To check out the this golden island we launched the dinghy and buzzed off to shore. On the first day we walked along the beach to Vila Baleira, the nearest town, and further on to the tourist frame between Praia do Penedo and Praia do Fontinha.

We needed to prepare our departure in a couple of days and refueling was an important task on the list. As the filling station at the marina was under repair it became a complicated affair. We took a taxi to the nearest petrol station to fill two jerry cans, dragged them back on the dinghy and onto the boat.

On day 2 we repeated the dingy ride, walked back to Vila Baleira again and hopped on a tourist bus that took us around the island. First stop was SE to Ponta da Calheta, the southernmost tip of the island. We snapped some photos of Praia da Calheta and Ilhéu de Cal before heading north to Miradouro do Porto das Salemas and Fonte da Areia where we could see Ilhéu da Fonte da Areia sticking up like a wart from the Atlantic Ocean.

Further on we stopped at Pico Castelo viewpoint where we had spectacular views of Porto Santo, the marina and the Atlantic. This place was in memory of António Bon de Sousa Schiappa de Azevedo (1870-1926) who was a foresty regent who carried out important afforestation in the archipelago during the first decades of the 20th century. The patch of green on Pico Castelo is especially important, while also making a remarkable contribution to work on controlling the effects of torrential rains. Ref. the photo of the plaque that stands in his memory.

On our first day we noticed a catamaran, Trim1, with a New Zealand flag. We were lucky to be on the same bus as the crew and had a drink with them after the bus ride. They were German owner Sina and New Zealand couple Glenda and John. We will be crossing paths many times during our adventure.

We stayed on the boat all night preparing for departure tomorrow.

Facts: The island of Porto Santo, belonging to the Archipelago of Madeira, is situated 71 km NE from the island of Madeira. The golden island, as it is also known, has an area of 11km long and 6km wide.

Go back to Day 8 - Sailing, Arriving Porto Santo

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