Sao Miguel is the largest of the 9 islands that make up the archipelago of the Azores. Once you leave the city of Ponta Delgada, there’s lot of curvy narrow roads big enough for two cars (unlike Ireland or Cornwall!). In many places, close to scenic overlooks or just near a village, there are very nice little parks with wood or concrete picnic tables and grills for outdoor cooking.
The top photo is a park with grills up closer to the view of the water. These concrete table and benches are sweet- we may have to make some at home
The villages all seem to have a public water faucet- not sure if leftover from other times when indoor plumbing wasn’t widespread?
We did see a man filling bottles from one public water faucet, but others had signs that the water wasn’t potableWe saw some beautiful tile art in several villages, telling the story about other days or commemorating a historical moment
We hiked a trail into a waterfall and stumbled upon what looked like an old mill that had used the river for its work.
You can see where the stream/river ran underneath when this was a working mill.Steep incline with some wooden steps and a steel cable to hang onto going back up!Will was brave enough- not me! Not warm enoughBack on the road, the hills seem to roll on endlessly, some boundaries marked with stones, some with grown over fences, others with trees. All look really artfulCows seemed to be the only occupants in most fields. We got a close up visit with a few. They weren’t interested in us- they wanted their dinner.
Wednesday we headed to the west coast to check out a place called Ferraria where the volcanic history is much more evident, and there are warm springs that warm the salt water. The spa isn’t open this time of year, but there is an ocean pool that Will managed to get into at one point.
Leave it to Will to get this amazing photo of a very architecturally cool building- the changing rooms for the outdoor sea poolI was a little slower to get down the hill when I saw these sweet flowersVolcanic rock field on the approach to the shoreThe shore edge was rough and full of small and large holesCouldn’t resist filming this- it looks so much like sand dribblesVolcanic heart rock!The pool ahead is where Will went in. Will got a closeup of the pool as he shedded his clothes and got in. There are warm springs in the water he could feel as he moved around, holding onto the ropes that go across the pool in several places.I got a non-alcoholic version of a Volcano later in the afternoon. Curvy roads to drive warned me off the one with gin.Our final two nights we stayed in this lake area called Sete Cidades. If the weather were clear, these two lakes would appear as one being green and the other blue. Still beautiful in the rain. Every village had a creche of some sort outside the church. We saw some make of white cloth stretched over wire forms, others made of wood like this one. A window in a “recycle” shop- post-holiday sale?This was on the bar where I got the Volcano drinkI have to say this little plump angel was one of my favorites!Boas Festas everyone (Happy New Year)
Susan J. Levine LCSW,MSW, RYT (She/Her) 261 Main St Yarmouth, Maine 04096 207.846.6352 Email sjlevinelcsw@gmail.com
Regarding the Use of Email — Although I use a firewall and my computer is password protected, my emails are not encrypted. Therefore, I cannot guarantee confidentiality of email communication. If you choose to communicate confidential information with me via email, I will assume that you have made an informed decision and I will view it as your agreement to take the risk that email may be intercepted. Please be aware that email is never an appropriate vehicle for emergency communication.
This message is private and confidential communication intended for the addressee only. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please do not disclose, copy, distribute or take any other action with this communication, other than to notify the sender of the error and delete this message from your records.
WARNING: the unauthorized interception or retrieval of e-mail may be a criminal violation of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 USC 2510-2521.
The volcanic rocks are beautiful. We did not see Will in the pool near the Spa – the sea was a bit agitated. What a lovely island. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos. Patty and Sam
Birdgirl’s travels 
Wow!!! Stunning photos!!!!!
Susan J. Levine LCSW,MSW, RYT (She/Her) 261 Main St Yarmouth, Maine 04096 207.846.6352 Email sjlevinelcsw@gmail.com
Regarding the Use of Email — Although I use a firewall and my computer is password protected, my emails are not encrypted. Therefore, I cannot guarantee confidentiality of email communication. If you choose to communicate confidential information with me via email, I will assume that you have made an informed decision and I will view it as your agreement to take the risk that email may be intercepted. Please be aware that email is never an appropriate vehicle for emergency communication.
This message is private and confidential communication intended for the addressee only. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please do not disclose, copy, distribute or take any other action with this communication, other than to notify the sender of the error and delete this message from your records.
WARNING: the unauthorized interception or retrieval of e-mail may be a criminal violation of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 USC 2510-2521.
>
LikeLike
OMG! It’s all so beautiful. You’re such a good photographer. It’s so nice to see you in a photo as well. xoxoxo, k.
LikeLike
The volcanic rocks are beautiful. We did not see Will in the pool near the Spa – the sea was a bit agitated. What a lovely island. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos. Patty and Sam
LikeLike