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After six days, we reach land! Actually, none of us are all that desperate for land because sea days have been treating us just fine, thanks so much. (But neither are we unhappy to reach land.) We’re in Ponta Delgada, Azores. The last time we were here was nine years ago during another Transatlantic, and the water was so rough that they couldn’t dock the boat. The navigation crew tried their best for about half an hour, but then had to give up and sail on. The poor crew was stuck on the boat for nine days straight. It’s better seas this time and no trouble docking. We have no excursions planned and no real agenda, just a wander around the city and some souvenir shopping.

The Azores are an archipelago of volcanic islands that are part of Portugal (though 1,500 kilometers away from Portugal proper.) Ponta Delgada is the main port of the Azores and it’s the largest municipality on Sao Miguel Island. It’s a beautiful city – the buildings and largely black and white brick and the downtown area – right next to the port – is very pedestrian friendly. We visit three churches briefly – St. Peter’s Parish Church, Igreja de Sao Jose, and Church of Saint Sebastian. Susannah, in a bit of a mood all morning, hollers, “Are we just gonna visit churches all day?” halfway through the first church. We don’t have the heart to tell her, “Basically, yes.” We also see the city gate and the market, and we stop to let the kids buy souvenirs. Teddy gets a deck of cards with the names of the island, Susannah gets a small dolphin stuffy, and Veronica one-ups her with a dolphin stuffy that’s also a pen. We also hit a playground on the way back, which is as big a hit with the kids as anything else we’ve seen that day.

Downtime on the ship after lunch. Veronica and I sneak out to wall climb and she absolutely crushes it this time, making it to the top three times. There is much rejoicing.

Sarah’s parents have dinner at Giovanni’s Table again, and their experience is 200% better than last time. Sarah and I have dinner at Izumi, the ship’s sushi restaurant, and it is the best damn meal I have on the ship. If you happen to stroll onto the Jewel of the Seas some day and wander into Izumi, I highly recommended the Baked Snow Crab and Eel Dynamite and the Creamy Lobster Tempura Roll. It’ll change your life. Or at least make you very mouth-happy.
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