This is why I think we may need more time in the Azores. All of these islands have some characteristics in common and all have something different from one another, and then there are the islet clusters which have something different yet.
Good Day ROAD TRIPPERS!!! Today we are exploring the island of Faial in the central group of islands in the Azores. From the wiki: Faial Island (Portuguese pronunciation: [fɐˈjaɫ]), also known in English as Fayal, is a Portuguese island of the Central Group (Portuguese: Grupo Central) of the Azores. The Capelinhos Volcano, the westernmost point of the island, might as well be the westernmost point of Europe, if the Monchique Islet, near Flores Island, is considered part of North America, for it sits on the North American Plate. Its main village, or little city, is Horta. With its nearest neighbours, Pico (east across the channel) and São Jorge (northeast across the channel), it forms an area commonly known as the Triângulo (English: Triangle). The island has also been referred to as the Ilha Azul (English: Blue Island), derived from the writings of Portuguese poet Raul Brandão, due to the large quantity of hydrangeas that bloom during the summer months. Here is a link to the wiki for this island: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faial_Island This is a gorgeous little island that has an area of 66.82 square meters and a population of approximately 14,875 residents. So lets get started!!! Our first stop of the day is Caldeira do Faial. This is a large volcanic caldera. I hope you are ready for a good hike!! The Cabana Boys are on hand to assist anybody that may need it and we have the bubble traks available as well. Here is a link to the government parks site for this caldera: http://parquesnaturais.azores.gov.pt/en/faial-eng/what-visit/trails/walking-trails/caldeira Our next stop is the Vulcão dos Capelinhos. From the wiki: The Capelinhos is a monogenetic volcano located on the western coast of Faial Island in the Azores. It is part of the larger volcanic complex of Capelo, which includes 20 scoria cones and lava fields that are aligned west-northwest to east-southeast from the Cabeço Gordo caldera. Here is a link to the wiki and some other links to a government parks and tourism sites: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capelinhos http://parquesnaturais.azores.gov.p...tro-de-interpretacao-do-vulcao-dos-capelinhos https://www.visitazores.com/en/the-azores/places-to-visit/capelinhos-volcano-interpretation-centre https://www.visitportugal.com/en/node/156060 Next we are going to the Whale Factory of Porto Pim at Praia do Porto Pim which is the most visited beach in the Azores. Here is a link to a government site on the Whale Factory and a link to a tourism site: http://oma.pt/fabrica.php#guias https://www.visitazores.com/en/the-azores/places-to-visit/fabrica-da-baleia-de-porto-pim Our next hike is the 10 Volcanos. This is a long hike so get your stuff in order and lace your boots on tighter. Here is a link to the government parks site: http://parquesnaturais.azores.gov.pt/en/faial-eng/what-visit/trails/walking-trails/10-volcanoes Next up is the Nature Reserve of Morro de Castelo Branco. This is a large rock basically. Here is a link to the government parks site and a Geopark site: http://parquesnaturais.azores.gov.p...areas/natural-reserve/morro-do-castelo-branco https://www.azoresgeopark.com/geoparque_acores/geossitios.php?id_geositio=6 The next stop on our adventure is Peter Cafe & Scrimshaw Museum. Scrimshaw is the art of carving a design on a polished ivory whale tooth. The food here is great and the museum is upstairs, and they distill their own gin. Here is a link to their website: https://www.petercafesport.com/museu/ Our next stop is the Porto Pim Aquarium. This is a very nice aquarium, not as flashy as some of the others, but still a great view. Here is a link to the government parks website: http://parquesnaturais.azores.gov.p.../aquario-do-porto-pim-estacao-de-peixes-vivos Our next visit is the Jardim Botânico do Faial. This is a gorgeous botanical garden with an Orchidarium. Here is a link to the government parks website: http://parquesnaturais.azores.gov.p...r/centros-ambientais/jardim-botanico-do-faial Next we will be going to the Horta Regional Museum. This museum has some very elaborately carved pieces made from the pith inside of the twigs and branches of fig trees. Here is a link for information on the museum and the second link shows a couple of pictures of these types of carvings: http://www.azores.gov.pt/Portal/en/entidades/pgra-drcultura-mh/ https://www2.palomar.edu/users/warmstrong/figpith.htm Up next is Casa dos Dabney. This is the residence of an American man appointed first General Consul of the United States to the Azores in 1806. Here are links to a couple of websites: http://parquesnaturais.azores.gov.pt/pt/faial/oquevisitar/centros-ambientais/casa-dabney https://parquesnaturais.wixsite.com/roteirodosdabney/copia-pt-familia-dabney Our final stop in our Faial adventure is the Casa dos Botes. This was the most important hunting post on the island for whaling. It has a whaling boat and other exhibits and photographs. Here is a link to the government website: http://siaram.azores.gov.pt/centros-interpretacao/Casa-dos-Botes/_horario.html Cocktail hour is 6 pm and dinner is 7 pm at O Cachalote Restaurante on Terceira Island.
Mmmm steak on a stone for dinner! I'm just waiting for mine to get to medium rare. Not sure what the house sauce is like, but I'll try it. Can always switch to garlic butter
We have a restaurant here called Black Rock. The actually bring the stones to the table with the raw meat, and you cut it up yourself and place it on the hot stone and it cooks itself because the stone is so hot. It's sort of cool. And they have the best zip sauce for dunking the steak in. I'm hoping they can open back up and don't end up going out of business with all the stay at home stuff. They couldn't do carry out or curb side pickup because well you cook your own steak, and they can't be giving out those hot stones to people LOL. They've been closed up for about 3 months now. I worry about some of my favorite places and hope they survive the shut down. I did notice today though our local barber shop finally got to open back up, and Liberty's groomer is open again now too, thank god she really needs it.
In 2020, the summer solstice falls on Saturday 20 June, its most common position, although it can be any date between 20 and 22 of the month. The astronomical summer then lasts until the autumnal equinox, which this year lands on Tuesday 22 September.
We are just continuing on through with our SUMMER ROAD TRIP 2020!!! How thoughtful of you to remind us to change the name in a couple of days!!! You have been having such fun that I didn't think you would remember any more than the rest of us!!!
Good Day ROAD TRIPPERS!!! Today our expedition is going to Graciosa Island. I want today to be somewhat leisurely. So I chose this island which is relatively small and undeveloped. We will have plenty of time to go solo or in groups to revisit other sites we have seen or visit sites on other islands we have been to that we did not see, before cocktail hour and dinner this evening. I thought it was time to stop and smell the hydrangas as a group!!! I hope nobody minds. This is from the wiki: Graciosa Island is referred to as the White Island, the northernmost of the Central Group of islands in the Azores. The ovular Portuguese island has an area of 60.65 square kilometres, a length of 10 kilometres and a width of 7 kilometres. There is an approximate population of 4,391 people. Here is a link to the wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graciosa I hope you have your good hiking boots on, your comfortable clothing, your water/drinks and snacks, camera or fully charged phone, hat/sunscreen, and your swimming gear in your backpack, this island is an outdoor paradise. We are beginning our exploration with a stop at the Furna do Enxofre Visitors Centre. The Furna do Enxofre is a volcanic cavity with a perfect domed ceiling within the Caldeira da Graciosa. Here are a few links: https://api.visitazores.com/en/the-azores/places-to-visit/furna-do-enxofre-visitors-centre http://parquesnaturais.azores.gov.pt/pt/graciosa/o-que-visitar/centros-ambientais http://www.azoresgeopark.com/geoparque_acores/geossitios.php?id_geositio=16 https://www.visitportugal.com/en/NR/exeres/CA19BE18-291C-4C1D-AAC6-3B99537A756D Our next stop is Porto Afonso. This is a former fishing port which has some very unique geology going on. Here are a couple of links with some very stunning pictures: https://pt.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porto_Afonso https://viagens.sapo.pt/viajar/viajar-portugal/artigos/acores-o-gracioso-e-deslumbrante-porto-afonso Next we are going to the Museu da Graciosa. This is an integrated museum that covers various aspects of the culture and ethnography of the people of Graciosa. Some exhibits include windmills, whaling, a threshing house, collections of pottery, farm implements, tools, and more. Here are some links: http://www.museu-graciosa.azores.gov.pt/static/historial/ https://www.visitazores.com/en/the-azores/places-to-visit/graciosa-museum Ok everybody, now for something completely different!!! No, it really is different for us!! I have scheduled all of us for a session at the Termas do Carapacho. This is a hot spring that is fed from the aquifer under the Caldeira da Graciosa. All of the hot spring baths are private, so you do not have to worry about anybody else seeing you. These baths are good for many different conditions including arthritis, skin, and liver diseases. This is a full service spa so you can do as you please, use a private pool, the hot spring immersion baths, massage, or anything else!! Here are a couple of links: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Termas_do_Carapacho https://byacores.com/termas-do-carapacho/ I had to read that name a few times because I kept seeing carpachio...I kept thinking we are not chopped raw meat!!! Now that we are all relaxed and stress free, we are going to visit the Ponta do Carapacho Lighthouse. Here is a link to the wiki: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farol_da_Ponta_do_Carapacho Lastly, we have to stop at the Queijadas da Graciosa bakery. This is what I have read about this bakery: They used to be called Milk Cups, and they were omnipresent at all island celebrations. Then, their confection became limited to Vila da Praia beach and they became known as “queijadas da praia” (beach queijadas). But their fame soon transcended the limits of the beach, and as they conquered the hearts of admirers across the archipelago, they took the name of the island where they were born. Today, the Queijadas da Graciosa are a glorious mixture of milk, sugar, butter and eggs; Azorean products transformed into small and delicious cakes by Maria de Jesus Santos Bettencourt Félix, the owner of this brand of certified origin and quality. Get them fresh from Pastelaria Queijadas da Graciosa and take advantage of the opportunity to try the rice cakes, a sweet that was once on the verge of extinction. Ok since we are quite early returning to Terceira, I am going to visit the Copacabana. This is a dessert cafe that has amazing desserts, coffees, and teas. If anybody wishes to join me, please feel free, and the best part, everything is available for take out as well!!!! Cocktail hour will be at 6 pm and dinner will be at 7 pm at Quinta dos Acores here in Terceira. They have a European, American, Portugeuse, Contemporary menu as well as a full bar.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...6918B7D2B75E137783FF691&view=detail&FORM=VIRE I think I'm eating octopus from now on. It seems quite fresh in this area.
[ distant red lights flashing ] Uh, oh. I wonder if whomever is trying to fold up the airship knows it is self-defending when I'm not there to stop it ? It can fold an attacker, it doesn't like being folded, into a valise or a steamer trunk. Oh well, I forgot the password to stop it from folding someone into a steam trunk, instead of a valise. So... likely that person is going to be fitted into a valise, or small vase. Maybe the pottery will shatter ? I'm not going any where near it when its in a bad mood. Nope, not me. See you all in a day or two.
Yup! Summer roll-over weekend. We've seen lots of interesting places and I'm sure there are a lot more!
Good Day ROAD TRIPPERS!!!! Today our adventures take us to Santa Maria Island. This is from the wiki: Santa Maria, Portuguese for Saint Mary, is an island located in the eastern group of the Azores archipelago and the southernmost island in the Azores. The island is primarily known for its white sand beaches, distinctive chimneys, and dry warm weather. It has an area of 37.41 square miles and a population of approximately 5,552 people. Here is a link to the wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Maria_Island This is another light day as far as stops goes but have your best hiking boots on laced up tight, your comfortable clothing, drinks/water and snacks in your backpack, camera or phone fully charged, hat and/or sunscreen, flashlight, and swimming gear, you never know where the winds will take us!!! So lets get moving... Our first stop of the day will be the Cascata do Aveiro. This is an 80 meter high waterfall, the highest in the Azores. Here is a link to a tourism site: https://www.guiadacidade.pt/en/poi-aveiro-waterfall-18566 Our next stop will be the Mirador de São Lourenço. This is a scenic viewpoint of the bay. Here is a link to the same tourism website, with some awesome pictures: https://www.guiadacidade.pt/es/poi-miradouro-de-sao-lourenco-18580 Next we are going to the Gonçalo Velho Lighthouse. This was originally named the Farol da Ponta do Castelo and began operating 15 November 1927. It was renamed on 03 March 1930. Here is a link to the wiki: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farol_de_Gonçalo_Velho Next we will be visiting Poço da Pedreira. This is a slag cone that was turned into a quarry that is now basically a nature site with a pond and gorgeous views. Here is a link to a geo site and a link to an Atlas Obscura article: http://www.azoresgeopark.com/geoparque_acores/geossitios.php?id_geositio=30 https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/poco-da-pedreira The next adventure is the Ribeira do Maloas. This is a geologic formation that resulted from lava coming in contact with the sea. Here is a link to a geo site: https://www.azoresgeopark.com/geoparque_acores/geossitios.php?id_geositio=32 Next we are stopping at the Dalberto Pombo Environmental Interpretation Centre. This is also known as the House of Fossils. Here is a link to the government parks website: http://parquesnaturais.azores.gov.pt/pt/smaria/o-que-visitar/centros-ambientais Our next jump is to the Natural Monument of Pedreira do Campo, Figueiral and Prainha. This is a very interesting geological area with underwater volcanos, caves, a man-made cave, and a lot of different visible strata. Here is a link to the government parks site, which does not mention that in the man-made cave you can see stalactites, stalagmites, and fossils on the walls and floors: http://parquesnaturais.azores.gov.p...as/monumento-natural-smaria/pedreira-do-campo We are stepping over to the Barreiro da Faneca Açores. This is a desert!!! Here are links to the government parks website and to the wiki: http://parquesnaturais.azores.gov.p...area-de-paisagem-protegida/barreiro-da-faneca https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protected_Landscape_of_Barreiro_da_Faneca Next we are time-warping to the Museo Santa Maria. This is a historical, cultural, and ethnographic museum. Here us a link to the government website, you can scroll through the pictures under the museum tab to see a bit of what they have or you can click on each link under exhibitions and collections: http://www.museu-santamaria.azores.gov.pt/museu/ Next we are time-warping again to Centro Histórico de Vila do Porto. This is the main village on the island. Here is a link to a wiki: https://acores.fandom.com/wiki/Vila_do_Porto Our next stop is the Estacao Geodesica e Espacial de Santa Maria - RAEGE. This is a radio telescope the only one of its kind in Portugal and one of a network of 4. Here is a clip from a RAEGE - EU document: Located in the Azores archipelago’s most stable island, sitting on the African tectonic plate, the Geodetic Fundamental Station of Santa Maria is the first of its kind in Portugal. A new technological potential was open in Portugal in 2015 with the inauguration of this 13.2m radiotelescope, dedicated to geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) - the RAEGE "Colombo" radiotelescope at Santa Maria that is part of the International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS) network (RAEGSMAR). This station currently hosts: ✓ Tri-band receiver operating in S-band (2.2 – 2.37 GHz), X-band (8.15 -9GHz), and Ka-band (21.77 – 24.45 GHz), and a new broadband receiver (2 – 14 GHz) planned for the end of 2018. ✓ Two permanent GNSS geodetic stations - one belonging to RAEGE, integrated in the International GNSS Service (IGS) and EUREF networks, and another one belonging to the regional network of permanent stations (AZSM - REPRAA] ✓ Gravimetry pavilion, comprising one gravimeter and one seismograph ✓ Maser clock ✓ Meteorological station ✓ Data centre ✓ Control room to operate the radiotelescope and monitor observations ✓ Office and residential facilities for staff and visitors. Our finale is a stop at Água-Viva. This is a small gift shop that sells locally made products as well as t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc... I thought it was time for a bit of retail therapy!!! Cocktail hour is 6 pm and dinner is 7 pm at A Travessa Cafe Snack Bar. Here on Santa Maria. They serve German, European, and Portugeuse food. Its called a cafe snack bar as the cafe part is for the main food service, the snack part is a full bakery part, and the bar is a full bar with a tapping system that fills the glasses from the bottom up!!!
German food on Santa Maria? Must have lots of tourists from there. I'll have the octopus starter (seems like a lot of octopus in the area so it must be good.) Followed by the roasted ribs and carrot crème. I'll save the German food till we visit that area.
Good Day ROAD TRIPPERS!!! Today our adventures take us to the island of Pico. From the wiki: Pico Island, is an island in the Central Group of the Portuguese Azores. The landscape features an eponymous volcano, Ponta do Pico, which is the highest mountain in Portugal, the Azores, and the highest elevation of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The island has an area of 176.2 square meters and an estimated population of 14,806 people. Here is a link to the wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pico_Island Make sure to have your best hiking boots on and laced up tight, comfortable clothing, drinks/water and snacks in your backpack, camera or phone fully charged, hat or sunscreen, swimming gear, and a flashlight. As you know, we never know where we will end up until we are there!!!! This is a very interesting island and has a lot of outdoor sights and quite a few indoor sights compared to the other islands we have visited so far. Today may be a long day!!! So without further ado.... Our first stop will be Montanha do Pico. This is a stratovolcano. We will also be visiting the Casa da Montanha here which is the visitors center. Here is a clip from the wiki and a link following to the wiki and a link to the government parks page: Mount Pico is a stratovolcano located on Pico Island, in the mid-Atlantic archipelago of the Azores. It is the highest mountain of Portugal, at 2,351 metres above sea level, and is one of the highest Atlantic mountains; it is more than twice the elevation of any other peak in the Azores. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Pico http://parquesnaturais.azores.gov.p...tected-areas/natural-reserve/montanha-do-pico http://parquesnaturais.azores.gov.pt/pt/pico/o-que-visitar/centros-de-interpretacao/casa-da-montanha Our next stop is Gruta das Torres. This is a lava cave, of course we will be going through the visitors center first. Here is a clip from the wiki, a link to the wiki and a link to the government website: The Gruta das Torres, is a lava cave, a geological formation of volcanic origin formed from the flow and cooling of subterranean magma rivers. This formation is located outside the parish of Criação Velha, in the municipality of Madalena, on the western flanks of the island of Pico. Just a little note for when you read the wiki, it talks about 2 types of lava pāhoehoe and ʻaʻā. The easy way to remember the difference between these two types of lava is pāhoehoe is smooth like glass so if you walked on it with bare feet it would not hurt, whereas ʻaʻā is jagged and rough, so if you walked on it with bare feet it would be like walking on broken glass, so you would be sayin awww awww!!!!! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gruta_das_Torres http://parquesnaturais.azores.gov.p...tion-centers/gruta-das-torres-visitors-centre Next we are going to the Museu dos Baleeiros and the Museo do Vinho. This is the most comprehensive of all of the whaling museums in the Azores. I detest whaling but we have to acknowledge the past to not allow it to repeat. The Wine Museum is located within the complex and along with the whaling museums are called the Museu do Pico. Here are a few links: http://www.museu-pico.azores.gov.pt/museu/museu-dos-baleeiros/ http://www.museu-pico.azores.gov.pt/museu/museu-da-industria-baleeira/ http://www.patrimoniocultural.gov.pt/pt/museus-e-monumentos/rede-portuguesa/m/museu-do-pico/ http://www.museu-pico.azores.gov.pt/museu/museu-do-vinho/ Our next visit is to Picowines. We will be embarking on their Giant Frei Tour. We will have a guided tour with a specialized guide of the vineyards, they will teach us about the grape varieties, different methods of winemaking in the winery, and different methods of aging the wines. We will have tapas and a tasting of 6 different wines. Here is a link to their site: https://www.picowines.com/explorar/ Next we are headed to Forte de Santa Catarina. This is the only remaining site of fortefication on the island. Here is a link to an informational site: http://fortalezas.org/?ct=fortaleza&id_fortaleza=1545 Next up is a stop at the Centro de Interpretacao da Paisagem da Cultura da Vinha da Ilha do Pico. This is a visitors center for the Vineyards of Pico. Here is a link to the government parks site: http://parquesnaturais.azores.gov.p...interpretacao-da-paisagem-da-cultura-da-vinha We are hopping kitty corner across the road to the Casa dos Vulcões or the House of Volcanoes. This is an informational and experience center for the volcanism of Pico and the Azores in general. Here is a link to the government parks site: http://parquesnaturais.azores.gov.p...erpretacao/110-pni-pico/3289-casa-dos-vulcoes Next we are going to Adega A Buraca. This is a cultural, gastronomic, and historical journey according to their website, here is a link: http://www.adegaaburaca.com/conceito.php Since we will be looking at a couple of shops that sell locally made handicrafts, I thought you all might enjoy this link that has some pictures along with informative descriptions on how some of the items are made: https://agendacores.pt/top-azores-artesanato-dos-acores/ Next stop is the Artes Em Basalto. This is a small shop owned by a woman named Nidia that crafts jewelry, incense holders, spoon rests, small bowls and more from the black basaltic lava. Our next visit will be to Fonte Gourmet. This is another shop that sells locally made and internal products, here is a link to their website: https://www.azoresislands.travel/fonte-gourmet Our next stop is Azulejos da Ponta da Ilha. This is a hand painted tile shop, here is a link to their site: https://azulejosdapontadailha.com/ Our final stop on Pico is Mundo Acoriano. This is another shop, they sell locally made wines, cheeses, pastries, and candies. They also have a selection of handcrafted traditional games, hand painted tiles, magnets, jewelry, volcanic stones carved out to hold candles, gift sets of wine and cheese, music boxes, wooden carvings, hand carved home goods, handmade traditional dolls, and more. Cocktail hour is 6 pm and dinner is 7 pm at Bar - Clube Naval here on Pico Island.
square kilometers or square meters ? Any Who, who couldn't make it. Gero drives around in his submarine, zooming right along, he doesn't hear the fishies scream, actually they are just blowing bubbles, but there could be screams inside them. Oh dive deep, and broach up over the waves, Gero is driving around in his submarine !
Good Day ROAD TRIPPERS!!! We have now transitioned to the SUMMER ROAD TRIP (by Airship) 2020. Today we are visiting the island of São Jorge. Here is a clip from the wiki and a link to the wiki: São Jorge is an island situated in the central group of the Azores archipelago and part of the autonomous region of Portugal. Separated from its nearest neighbors by the 15 kilometres Pico-São Jorge Channel, the central group is often referred colloquially as part of the Triangulo group or just "The Triangle". This island has an area of 94.07 square meters and an estimated population of 9,171 people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/São_Jorge_Island Lets get started!!! For our first stop, I chartered a boat to take us to the Fajã de Santo Cristo Lagoon. This is a very unique lagoon and its formation was very unique as well. Here is a link to a wiki: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagoa_da_Fajã_de_Santo_Cristo Next we are taking a walk to the Piscina Natural Simao Dias. This is a group of natural pools surrounded by basaltic cliffs. Here is a link to tourism website: https://azoresbycar.com/poca-simao-dias/ Next we are taking another walk to the Arco Natural de Velas. This is a natural stone arch. It is absolutely gorgeous and it is inside of the town of Velas just a short distance from the town center. https://www.allaboutportugal.pt/en/velas/natural-resources/arco-natural-de-velas Our next stop is the Casa do Parque de Sao Jorge or the São Jorge Park House. This is a visitors center that shows you all of the areas of the island, geology, cultural, environmental, heritage, biodiversity, and more, it also has a gift shop to help support the parks system. Here is a link to the government parks website: http://parquesnaturais.azores.gov.p...-de-interpretacao/casa-do-parque-de-sao-jorge Our last stop on São Jorge is the Cooperativa de Artesanato Sra. da Encarnacao. This is a handicraft cooperative. Here is a link to their website. If you are using Google Chrome and it does not auto-translate, right click on the page and select translate: https://senhoradaencarnacao.wixsite.com/senhoradaencarnacao/historia Very large island but very few sites that are separate from one another!!! We have a lot of time left today, so we will forge ahead to our final island in the Azores, São Miguel. Here is a clip from the wiki and a link to the wiki: São Miguel is the biggest island in the Portuguese Azores archipelago. It’s known for its volcanic scenery, flora and rich marine life, including whales. Ponta Delgada, the capital, is home to the 18th-century City Gates, Gothic St. Sebastian Church and 16th-century Fort of São Brás. The twin crater lakes of Sete Cidades, one green and one blue, lie to the northwest. To the east, Furnas has fumaroles and hot springs. This island has an area of 287.5 square meters and an estimated population of 137,830 people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/São_Miguel_Island Our first stop is the Caldeira das Sete Cidades. This is a stratovolcano with a 5-km wide summit. Here is a link to the Smithsonian Volcanism site, there are some tabs on this page with general information and some photos, not the tabs at the top, the ones below the map and the main picture: https://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=382080 Our next stop is the Parque Terra Nostra. This is a huge garden with thermal pools. Here is a link to their website: http://www.parqueterranostra.com/en-us/history.aspx Our last stop of the day is a new one for us, the Arruda Pineapple Plantation. Here is a link to their website: https://www.ananasesarruda.com/ Cocktail hour is 6 pm and dinner is 7 pm at Restaurante da Associacao Agricola de Sao Miguel. This restaurant serves American, European, Portugeuse, and is a Steakhouse with a full bar.
