May 4, 2015 Ponta Delgada, Azores (Portugal)

Lilly says, “LAND”!!! and up everyone gets to look at the window. Seeing land again after 7 days at sea is very exciting. The volcanic island was quite a site as we sailed in to a beautiful sunrise slowly beaming across the land. An airplane flew in to the man made runway, very exciting. Birds flew around the ship and a sailboat hugged the island. They call it Hawaii in the Atlantic because of all the lush foliage and the beautiful flowers. We ate breakfast at the buffet so we can watch the ship come in.

            Once they cleared the ship off we go to find a cab. We find a cab to take us to the Crater Lakes for a two hour tour- cost $100 euros- half the price of ship excursion so we saved $100! The cab driver was Joao Aguiar gave us the royal treatment answering our questions. We saw the old man-made fences that used lava stone to divide the property lines. Becky was excited by the cows all over. They were mainly black and white dairy cows, and the island is known for its cheese. The cab driver told us that the island was paradise, always nice, not hot, not cold. He said there were no wild animals, all were brought over and the only natural species is rabbit. As we curved around the roads up the mountain we see the vegitation change from small trees and flowers to everygreen and finally to only moss.

            The Crater Lakes are famous because one is green and one is blue. The minerals determine the color. Naturally it was cloudy when we are there so while we could tell green we could not see the blue. There was a cute village, Setes, near the lakes. We continue on and the driver said he would take us to two lakes the cruise ship tours can not go. Sure enough we turn onto a one lane mud road, straight up hill to get to two lakes. The road is amazing itself and has a broken water main spewing water all over the cab. Once we reach the lakes they are both surrounded by Azaleas. I could not help but think my brother would be thrilled. In only a couple weeks those flowers will be in full bloom and surely it will be spectacular. We are able to stand in one spot and see both lakes, turning one way for one and another for the other.

            We journey down the mountain stopping for amazing views and photos. The driver lets us off in the city center near the main cathedral (St Sebastain Parish). We enter the church, Lillys first experience with European churches, totally beautiful. Right off its noticeably different from most in Europe because the marble is fake and the floor is lava stone not marble. This island has no marble. Afterwards we walk around some shops and stop back across the street at the Barcarola for lunch. Tina and Debbie have Azore Cheese on Salad (4.50 Euro) while Becky has Chicken Salad (5.50 Euro) and Lilly makes a mistake and gets a Cheesburger (4,00 Euro). The girls have local wine at only  2.0 Euro per glass and love it. Becky orders a coffee to find out its an expresso for all of .80 Euro. We stop and have custard tarts, totally amazing for only 1 Euro.

            We then walk up the hill to the “Garden” where the Palace is only to find it all closed. Later we learn on Monday everything is closed. We find our way down a very well to do street with strange trees and beautiful houses to a park (Jardim Antero De Quental). Unusual trees, benches and birds its very beautiful. Debbie finds the biggest tree and scatters a teaspoon full of Davids ashes, the first to return to the sandbox. This place that David and Debbie were docked at but did not get to see two years ago on their crossing (medical evacuation). David would have loved it here foresure, so green, so very beautiful. 

Ladies at Crater Lakes

Our Azalia lake

Beckys cows

Lunch

Debbie at Davids tree- a new part of the sandbox

            After a bit more shopping Tina and Debbie headed back. They stopped at the “Yacht Club” and had cheese, bread, chocolate fondue with fruit, organge juice and Sangria. After finishing Tina realizes Becky has her sea pass to get on ship so they wait at security for an hour and a half for Becky and Lilly to return. Meanwhile Becky and Lilly walked around, saw another church, and sat on the sea wall enjoying the day. They stopped at a hotel and found out it was 79Euros.  Reunited we came back to the room to get ready for dinner. Dinner was great then off to watch another sunset. This sunset was the best but also cold as we each wrapped in 3 beach towels and a blanket! Tonights plans are pretty simple- two more sea days.