The Azores, Sao Miguel island—Wednesday, 21 April 2010, all day

A view from the Crow's Nest.

After 11 days at sea, we are in the Azores, Sao Miguel Island, Ponta Delgada.

The Star Clipper line has arranged an island tour for two buses of passengers—one for those who speak English and one for those who speak German—to the village of Sete Cidades (Seven Cities). The nearby volcano-formed lake contains water that is blue on one side of a bridge and green on the other side. The reality has to do with the way sunlight hits the water, the tour guide says. But legend tells of two star-crossed lovers, a princess and a poor farmer, whose marriage is forbidden. With her blue eyes, she cries tears of blue to form one side of the lake, and from his green eyes comes the green water on the other side.

After the tour, I walk about two miles to find a massage therapist who the tour guide has recommended. Against the odds, I am able to book an appointment for later that afternoon.

Perfect. I find a barbershop, thanks to incomplete directions from a patron of a small eatery who speaks only a little bit of English. The barberia is on a small street near the center of town with no significant sign to mark its location. The barber speaks no English, but we both know the reason I’m there. The only real question is how much to cut off, and we communicate that through hand motions.

Then, I hustle back to Royal Clipper to climb the mast to the lower crow’s nest, about 10 meters above the deck. This endeavor challenges my fear of heights, but there is no time for trepidation—I’ve got a massage appointment to keep and no way to call the therapist—so I climb into the safety harness and clamber up the ratlines. Three others are there ahead of me: Robin from Liverpool, Doris from Germany who loves to travel by ship, and 93-year-young Joan. I enjoy the view and snap some photos while Paul, the young man from The Netherlands, joins us. Then Dave, manning the belay line below, says someone has to come down to make room for another, so I volunteer. On the deck that features the Tropical Bar, I grab a bite of food and water from the afternoon buffet then rush to the massage.

After another two-mile walk, I arrive at exactly the appointed minute. Patricia (pronounced Pah-treece-ee-ah) doesn’t speak English. But, as with the barber, we both know the purpose of this appointment. The massage is good, as I had expected, but the massage oil was exceptional: sweet and silky, it warmed under Patricia’s hands on my back and legs. Afterward, I asked Sophia, the receptionist, how I can buy a bottle. “We make it ourselves, and we don’t sell it,” she says. A pity? No, a temporary delight, worth sailing the ocean to attain.

That night, aboard Royal Clipper, we are entertained by Group Folclorico Ilha Verda, 25 musicians and dancers from Ponta Delgado, men and women who invite the ship’s passengers to get up and dance with them.

This picture is from one of my fun all-girls group aboard Star Clipper while sailing from Cannes, France.

I am a travel agent with Adventure Travel and have taken five groups on Star Clipper and Royal Clipper sailings. They were all WONDERFUL.I am looking forward to more sailings in the future.

Julaine Condon
Pensacola, Florida

Puerto Banus is located on Spain’s famed Costa del Sol. Part of Marbella, Spain, the luxury marina and complex is a relatively recent travel destination, having been for a number of years a well-kept secret among the rich and famous.

Built in 1970 by José Banús, a local property developer, the marina can berth up to 915 boats — who knows, guests may find themselves docked next to the King of Saudi Arabia or another of the world’s wealthiest individuals who keep their yachts in this sunny spot.

Synonymous with the Costa del Sol (sun coast) region, Puerto Banus boasts over 300 days of sunshine each year making it the perfect place for sunbathing on the golden-sand beach. Sailing into port guests will catch views of La Concha Mountain, one of the coast’s landmarks, and glimpses of streets filled with designer boutiques and nightclubs.

In true luxury, Puerto Banus features superb shopping. Guests can head over to the Marina Banus Shopping Center or for a more local feel they can explore smaller, more traditional Spanish shops and boutiques. A must-see if visiting on a Saturday is the weekly market held in the bullring — just watch out for the matador.

The surrounding areas of Puerto Banus feature the Sierra Bermeja Mountains rising up to the north of the town and numerous golf courses are scattered nearby.

Royal Clipper will call at Puerto Banus on the 12-night Grand Mediterranean sailing departing Malaga, Spain, April 26, 2010.