Well, I’ve been here in the Azores for a week now and things have been so hectic I’m a bit behind in posting…

I am here working for Biosphere Expeditions, an award-winning conservation company that leads volunteer expeditions. Their main web site is : https://www.biosphere-expeditions.org/ and the direct link to the expedition I am leading is: https://www.biosphere-expeditions.org/1-week-projects/conservation-work-with-whales-dolphins-turtles-a.html

Where the heck are the Azores? In the Atlantic Ocean, about 1000 miles off the coast of Portugal. The I’m on the island of Faial, and our base camp is in the city of Horta.

Horta is a nifty town, and not like most port cities (dirty and ugly). It’s quite bright, hospitable, and still friendly to tourists. There’s a laid-back atmosphere that’s the norm, yet it’s not an “I don’t care” attitude…just a slower pace.

Faial is also amazingly cheap! You can get a coffee here for less than a Euro ($1.25), and a full meal with a drink and dessert for less than 10Euro ($13.00). Biosphere Expeditions is quite ecologically conscious, so we try to buy everything local that we can. And since there is an amazing amount of sunshine, they can grow quite a lot of things year-round here in the Azores. The Azores have one of the most sustainable fisheries in the world, so you know that all the fresh fish is FRESH and has a minimal inpact on the environment. Plus all the animals here are free-range, so guilt-free eating!

If you are scientifically-minded (or not) and want to have a look at the reports on our work here in previous years (or on any other expedition we offer, have a look here: https://www.biosphere-expeditions.org/expedition-reports-and-scientific-publications-archive.html

And now some pictures…