Horta/Azores What a disappointment

V

Viking

Well-Known Member
Joined
23 Jan 2002
Messages
1,063
Location
Ålesund, Norway.
Visit site
Heard alot about one of the 'international' yachties famous mid Altantic stop-off spots Horta!. What a disappointment.
You would think that such a 'famous' marina would have a 24hrs marina service. Specially at this time of the busiest west to east crossing time of the year!
The marina office didnt open till 10mins after the opening time, with a queue of boats tied up to the fuel jetty. And queue of boats coming in and dismissed in a off-hand, all most rude 'why are you bothering me' manor over the VHF by the 'single' member of the office staff!
NO 24hr toilet factilies. I witnessed a glowing queue of 'senior' sailors outside the toilet/shower block at 08.00 (opening time) still waiting at 08.20! Even here in Norway in the smallest marina you have 24hr toilet factilty!
The 'famous' sailors boat motifs, now painted on every availble wall, pavement, road, free surface and space. With old faded 'motifs' still not blanked out for any new fresh 'motifs'! frankly make the place look scruffly!
Peters 'famous' Sports Cafe, now very expensive (compaired to other local establishments) with its own expensive 'bouquet' next door (also at the airport). All very sad! :0(
 
Viking said:
Heard alot about one of the 'international' yachties famous mid Altantic stop-off spots Horta!. What a disappointment.
You would think that such a 'famous' marina would have a 24hrs marina service. Specially at this time of the busiest west to east crossing time of the year!
The marina office didnt open till 10mins after the opening time, with a queue of boats tied up to the fuel jetty. And queue of boats coming in and dismissed in a off-hand, all most rude 'why are you bothering me' manor over the VHF by the 'single' member of the office staff!
NO 24hr toilet factilies. I witnessed a glowing queue of 'senior' sailors outside the toilet/shower block at 08.00 (opening time) still waiting at 08.20! Even here in Norway in the smallest marina you have 24hr toilet factilty!
The 'famous' sailors boat motifs, now painted on every availble wall, pavement, road, free surface and space. With old faded 'motifs' still not blanked out for any new fresh 'motifs'! frankly make the place look scruffly!
Peters 'famous' Sports Cafe, now very expensive (compaired to other local establishments) with its own expensive 'bouquet' next door (also at the airport). All very sad! :0(
Click to expand...

A lot of people are afraid to do down famous icons.
The Cote D'Azure in the south of france has exactly the same problem, it's just a honky-tonk low class Butlin's resort just like the Costa's, but dare anyone say it.......

The truth will free you. :p
 
A wise man once told me, when you make landfall, always walk past the first pub/restaurant, because thats where the sailors go. Go to the next busy one instead. It seems to work quite well.

The sport cafe was terrible for food/drink 10 years ago too, but when it gets going of a night, was quite entertaining.

You have to admit surely, the volcanoes are pretty epic too.
 
ProMariner said:
A wise man once told me, when you make landfall, always walk past the first pub/restaurant, because thats where the sailors go. Go to the next busy one instead. It seems to work quite well.

The sport cafe was terrible for food/drink 10 years ago too, but when it gets going of a night, was quite entertaining.

You have to admit surely, the volcanoes are pretty epic too.
Click to expand...

Nah, First bar every time. You can all ways move on.

I have a very fond memory of my Dad and I taking my Mum and Wife into a spit and sawdust fishermans bar, just after an opening.
My mum sat there with her martini and yellow wellies, killing herself laughing as one fisherman after another would get flung out the front door and there buddies would let them back in the back door.
Saw the same one bounced at least 3 times. :)
Never been to Horta though. All ways wanted to
 
The Sports Bar has the worst counter service since the barman dropped dead in the cellar and no-one noticed all evening. Excellent preparation, though, for waiting for winds in the Azores High (when it gets round to forming).

Other than that, + another with Webcraft et al.
 
I have arrived twice at Praia do Vittoria on Terceira in the middle of the night. Security men have come and taken my lines and offered me shower facilities as soon as I was settled. The toilets are open 24 hours a day if you have the code. But showers which you pay for can only be accessed normally when the office is open.
Personally I avoid Horta and particularly Peter's Sports Bar if I possibly can. It is quite unfortunate that something as good as Mid Atlantic Yacht Services is located in such an overcrowded facility.
 
So what were you looking for then?
Horta lived up to it's reputation for us in every way.The marina staff were efficient without being obsequious, the facilities were adequate, the other sailors we met helpful and engaging in the way that long distance cruiser types are:shared meals, equipment, stories. We met a fascinating bunch from all parts of the world mixed in with a couple of locals who bought fish down to the quay to share with us.
Peter from Cafe sport gave us a couple of free whale watching trips in exchange for a favour we did him,sure service is slow in the bar but hey who cares when you're sitting in a place that has seen so many historical sailing figures pass through-and the food was good too!
Sorry but I really disagree with you, every place is what you make it-
 
Gerry said:
So what were you looking for then?
Horta lived up to it's reputation for us in every way.The marina staff were efficient without being obsequious, the facilities were adequate, the other sailors we met helpful and engaging in the way that long distance cruiser types are:shared meals, equipment, stories. We met a fascinating bunch from all parts of the world mixed in with a couple of locals who bought fish down to the quay to share with us.
Peter from Cafe sport gave us a couple of free whale watching trips in exchange for a favour we did him,sure service is slow in the bar but hey who cares when you're sitting in a place that has seen so many historical sailing figures pass through-and the food was good too!
Sorry but I really disagree with you, every place is what you make it-
Click to expand...

+ several... I am quite worried about people who expect western standards of service and facilities wherever they go in the world. IMHO it's not what travelling is all about and it certainly isn't what I expect when I go cruising in far flung places....
 
ProMariner said:
A wise man once told me, when you make landfall, always walk past the first pub/restaurant, because thats where the sailors go. Go to the next busy one instead. It seems to work quite well.

The sport cafe was terrible for food/drink 10 years ago too, but when it gets going of a night, was quite entertaining.

You have to admit surely, the volcanoes are pretty epic too.
Click to expand...

Can't agree, their toasted sandwiches were great last time I was there & beer cost was OK & low - had to be, we spent best part of a week stuck in Horta due to very bad weather - most of it in the Sports Bar.

Also lots of locals, so had to be cheap.
 
Horta/Azores What a disappointment -

‘What a disappointment…the marina office didnt open till 10mins after the opening time…….a queue of boats tied up to the fuel jetty. And queue of boats coming in….all most rude 'why are you bothering me' ... the place look scruffly…all very sad’

Last time I arrived in Horta, a chap on the quayside offered help with my lines (I was singlehanded), offered diesel immediately (none needed as it happened), showed me where the toilets and showers were and how to access then and then politely informed of what I needed to do next to clear in. A local resident then took me under his wing after finding out that I’d been at sea for 35 days on my own and ascertained that as the office was about to close for lunch, it would be so much more convenient for me if he bought me lunch and a couple of beers. After lunch, I cleared in quickly and the marina staff found me a prime berth (no rafting), and again helped me over and took my lines. I found the locals and officials to be unfailingly polite, helpful and friendly. Must be the way I talk to them or something. Shocking really. I won’t be going back soon. Well not until August, when I have some leave. Dunno why really, they’re all so nice, the island’s beautiful, lovely cruising area, but not sure I can take much more of the moaning yachties….
 
Yes! The island is very pretty, But its name is made from it being a 'stop-over' center for crossing the Altantic and this is the point I was trying to make, It was just disappointing!
 
Viking said:
No! just a service level, equal to the status of the marina!
Click to expand...

Status of the marina-what on earth is that!

Don't think you'll find any of the great 'gateways' brimming with 5*American style services. The late Panama Canal Yacht Club was a fabulous decrepit spot that catered to the long distance cruiser admirably. Cheap docking, cheap meals, great bar and a collection of characters passing through who could yarn for hours and hours


Dunno but I like my cruising with character not sparkling bathrooms....
 
Perhaps I was expecting too much? Heard alot about Horta, I only agree with as far as other sailors go.
Then you must have arrived at a less busy time and when the marina office and toilets were OPEN! Glad it worked for you!
I'm really an easy bloke to please. My favourite spot, here in Norway as NO factilites at all No power, water, toilets just a pontoon.
But other posts seem to agree with me!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top