Mon 9/26 Agra Terceira Island Pousada Forte Agra
Our flight was not till noon so we took a nice morning walk then headed to the airport for our flight to Terceira. By the time we got our rental car and drove to our hotel it was about 3:30. Our hotel is modern rooms built into and old forte overlooking the ocean. It was a slight hike downhill into town. We followed the marina which led right into a very lively city center. We stopped to see about a whale watch, but the gal told us they are not booking anything for tomorrow or Wed because they are expecting very high winds. She suggested we call Wed. to see if they are going out Thurs. We then walked. and checked out the street with all the restaurants and made reservations for Wed and Thurs nights. We checked out a couple of shops, then walked back to our hotel which was a hike all up hill. We decided to just eat di8ner at the hotel, then we called it a night.
Our flight was not till noon so we took a nice morning walk then headed to the airport for our flight to Terceira. By the time we got our rental car and drove to our hotel it was about 3:30. Our hotel is modern rooms built into and old forte overlooking the ocean. It was a slight hike downhill into town. We followed the marina which led right into a very lively city center. We stopped to see about a whale watch, but the gal told us they are not booking anything for tomorrow or Wed because they are expecting very high winds. She suggested we call Wed. to see if they are going out Thurs. We then walked. and checked out the street with all the restaurants and made reservations for Wed and Thurs nights. We checked out a couple of shops, then walked back to our hotel which was a hike all up hill. We decided to just eat di8ner at the hotel, then we called it a night.
Tues 9/26. Terceira Island
Today we were picked up at 9:30 for an all day private tour with our guide Antonio. We had an excellent and full day. Antonia was a wealth of information. We started by a tour through the city center which is really charming. Next we drove to a old fort which is still an active military base. It was on top of a hill and we got great views over the city. Next stop was in a small village where we toured an old church where they discovered old frescos underneath the plastered walls. We drove through a fishing village, then out to high on the hills to dairy country. We drove to the top of an old crater and the whole floor was incredible farm country. The winds were honking at about 65 miles per hour up there, almost enough to blow you over. We then drove through a town that had been invaded by the Spanish. There were over 1000 Spanish and about 100 local farmers who were no match for the a Spanish. One of the local women organized the farmers to release all of their bulls, and the bulls ended up killing most of the Spanish, and remaining Spanish all fled. We then drove through the only sandy beach town to our lunch spot. The restaurant was located at the commercial port so the outside was nothing, but the inside was really pretty and the meals were the best we have had this entire trip. After lunch we then drove through the vineyards, then to a rocky beach with crashing surf on the north side. We then drove back over the hills and stopped at a beautiful cedar lined lake that was full of ducks and roosters. Our last stop was amazing. We climbed in to an active volcano that had just caused a 4. Earthquake yesterday. The descent was quite challenging, but spectacular. You could see all the way to the opening and eventually the bottom which was a lagoon. There are only 2 active volcanoes in the world you can climb into, this one and one in Iceland so it was a very unique and magical experience. Antonio stopped at the grocery store where we picked up sandwiches and pastries for dinner because it was suppose to rain later tonight and we did not want to get caught in it walking to town for dinner. We got back around 6:00 and decided to explore the fort we are staying in. We then ate in our room watching the rain from our balcony, and the sea beyond. Tomorrow we are heading out in our car to explore.
Today we were picked up at 9:30 for an all day private tour with our guide Antonio. We had an excellent and full day. Antonia was a wealth of information. We started by a tour through the city center which is really charming. Next we drove to a old fort which is still an active military base. It was on top of a hill and we got great views over the city. Next stop was in a small village where we toured an old church where they discovered old frescos underneath the plastered walls. We drove through a fishing village, then out to high on the hills to dairy country. We drove to the top of an old crater and the whole floor was incredible farm country. The winds were honking at about 65 miles per hour up there, almost enough to blow you over. We then drove through a town that had been invaded by the Spanish. There were over 1000 Spanish and about 100 local farmers who were no match for the a Spanish. One of the local women organized the farmers to release all of their bulls, and the bulls ended up killing most of the Spanish, and remaining Spanish all fled. We then drove through the only sandy beach town to our lunch spot. The restaurant was located at the commercial port so the outside was nothing, but the inside was really pretty and the meals were the best we have had this entire trip. After lunch we then drove through the vineyards, then to a rocky beach with crashing surf on the north side. We then drove back over the hills and stopped at a beautiful cedar lined lake that was full of ducks and roosters. Our last stop was amazing. We climbed in to an active volcano that had just caused a 4. Earthquake yesterday. The descent was quite challenging, but spectacular. You could see all the way to the opening and eventually the bottom which was a lagoon. There are only 2 active volcanoes in the world you can climb into, this one and one in Iceland so it was a very unique and magical experience. Antonio stopped at the grocery store where we picked up sandwiches and pastries for dinner because it was suppose to rain later tonight and we did not want to get caught in it walking to town for dinner. We got back around 6:00 and decided to explore the fort we are staying in. We then ate in our room watching the rain from our balcony, and the sea beyond. Tomorrow we are heading out in our car to explore.
Wed 9/27 Teceria Island
Today we set out on our own to explore…. We quickly discovered that google maps is not accurate and resulted in us driving the wrong way on a very steep up hill narrow cobble stone road. We had almost reached the top, when a car going the correct way approached, and a woman in a house was yelling at us, did we figure out we were on a one way. We had to back up and finally found a place to turn around complete with low rock walls we did not see and all I can say it was a good thing we purchased the car insurance. We continued on or way and stopped at a beach side cafe for lunch, then continued on our drive. We made the mistake again, of trying to go off the main road and again, ran into a huge tractor on a narrow, dirt, rutted, rocky road that necessitated us having to back up about 1/4 of mile, but it felt like 2 miles ! We both agreed enough excitement and that we would stick to main roads. We decided to head back via the middle of the island, and ran into rain and pea soup fog, uuugghhh…… We finally got back home around 5:00. We walked into town for dinner at O Cincos, and were joined by a couple we had our hotel from Canada and had a really enjoyable evening.
Today we set out on our own to explore…. We quickly discovered that google maps is not accurate and resulted in us driving the wrong way on a very steep up hill narrow cobble stone road. We had almost reached the top, when a car going the correct way approached, and a woman in a house was yelling at us, did we figure out we were on a one way. We had to back up and finally found a place to turn around complete with low rock walls we did not see and all I can say it was a good thing we purchased the car insurance. We continued on or way and stopped at a beach side cafe for lunch, then continued on our drive. We made the mistake again, of trying to go off the main road and again, ran into a huge tractor on a narrow, dirt, rutted, rocky road that necessitated us having to back up about 1/4 of mile, but it felt like 2 miles ! We both agreed enough excitement and that we would stick to main roads. We decided to head back via the middle of the island, and ran into rain and pea soup fog, uuugghhh…… We finally got back home around 5:00. We walked into town for dinner at O Cincos, and were joined by a couple we had our hotel from Canada and had a really enjoyable evening.
Thurs 9/28 Terceira Island
Today is our last day…….. We headed back out to explore the last section of the island we had not gotten to yet. After google drove in circles 3 times, we finally got out of town and headed up the coast. Or first stop was a quaint fishing village. It was very picturesque and I think we were the only tourists there. Next we stopped and a beautiful park and we hikied around, it was almost neon green it was so beautiful !! We then headed back across the middle of the island. Our last stop was at another park that we walked around until it started to rain then headed back to our hotel. We got back around 2:00, and because it was raining out, we decided to just grab lunch at the hotel, then got packed and organized to leave tomorrow. It cleared up and we were able to walk to a fabulous local restaurant for dinner and had a really delicious final meal with local wine. We ae really enjoyed our time in the Azores. It certainly was very scenic, relaxing and an easy flight from Boston.
Today is our last day…….. We headed back out to explore the last section of the island we had not gotten to yet. After google drove in circles 3 times, we finally got out of town and headed up the coast. Or first stop was a quaint fishing village. It was very picturesque and I think we were the only tourists there. Next we stopped and a beautiful park and we hikied around, it was almost neon green it was so beautiful !! We then headed back across the middle of the island. Our last stop was at another park that we walked around until it started to rain then headed back to our hotel. We got back around 2:00, and because it was raining out, we decided to just grab lunch at the hotel, then got packed and organized to leave tomorrow. It cleared up and we were able to walk to a fabulous local restaurant for dinner and had a really delicious final meal with local wine. We ae really enjoyed our time in the Azores. It certainly was very scenic, relaxing and an easy flight from Boston.