Portugal, Week 1, Sao Miguel Azores

"Ola" - Arrived without a hitch on Saturday morning, 7:30 Azores time while most of you were sleeping at 3:30 back in Ontario. As Canadians, we love to talk about the weather, so let's start there. Days are 16c and it feels cool and damp unless the sun is shining and then it's quite comfortable. Evenings are 12c, cool but residents, stores, restaurants all leave the windows and doors open to let in the fresh air. The Portuguese are a hearty lot, no heaters or furnaces. Thank goodness we packed thermal underwear!

We are spending our first week on the largest island in the Azores archipelago, in the city of Ponta Delgada, home of the only 2 shopping malls on the 9 volcanic islands. Talk about luck eh! 

We are staying in a home in the historical area where the streets are mostly 1 lane, so to avoid being side-swiped parking is safer on the sidewalks which are about 30" wide. As a pedestrian you have to be concerned about getting struck by a side view mirror on the small import cars zipping along the lava cobblestone streets. 

Most buildings, fences and roads have been built using lava rock with modern architecture using blocks cut from these rocks to give a more refined and uniformed construction.

The market is open every day selling locally grown pineapples, oranges and vegetables. Separate enclosed stalls sell beef, pork and fresh fish.

Restaurants won't allow you to bring in your own wine, and really with the price of an exceptional bottle selling for approximately $6.50Cd. there is no need, but there are establishments where you can bring in your own fish and they will cook it for you! 

There are about 94,000 dairy cows on this island that is only 213km in circumference and Sao Miguel is known for their wonderful cheese, wines and well...what else do you need?

On Monday, we road on a local bus line 15km from the south shore of the island to Ribeira Grande on the north shore, the widest width of the island. We watched surfers and because of the Gulf Stream, the water is warm enough for swimming. We've not seen the long sandy beaches we love, but hey, it beats the snow.

Today we toured the Chapel of SantaBarbara that was a convent in the 1800's. It was originally built by the Jesuits before they were banished from the island forever. Pictures are not allowed to be taken inside, but warm, beautiful smiles were permitted outside.

"Obrigado" for reading our 1st weeks' adventure.

(Oh-Bree-gah-doe)