Ponta Delgada ——> Lisboa

We checked out of the condo around 10:15, stopped by the store to by towels and then headed to the beach before heading to the airport. We tried a new beach and fortunately there was a restaurant there so Marshall and I got coffee and tea while we watched the boys. Pretty great way to wrap up the Azores.

Our flight was a bit delayed to Lisbon so we arrived at our apartment in Bairro Alto (the party district) around 8:00. We headed to a Miradouro (look out) right by our place and then headed out for pizza. To me, it is so cool to stay in this old part of Lisbon in an old building (apartment completely redone), but D-man asked about safety when we were walking home by the graffiti strewn trams and T-man told me he was scared when he went to bed. Neither Marshall nor I anticipated this, but in hindsight we should have. While we were in another country in the Azores, it was  something the boys are used to - staying in a condo, driving around, hiking, etc. 

I’m hopeful today will be better and we can make the city relatable. I hope to talk to him about how it is brave he is trying new things and also talk about all the explorers from Portugal that left from here (they studied explorers this year in school) and how important it is to see and experience different things. 

Last morning at the condo 

Crazy streets on San Miguel that Marshall drove on 

Marshall’s awesome flight to Lisbon 

View from back of apartment 

View from the front of apartment


View from Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara by our apartment


Lisbon is the city of 7 hills 

Cheers

Trams 🚋

View at night 

Birthday Celebration in the Azores

Memorial Day weekend birthdays have their advantages. This makes the 3rd year in a row we have been on a family vacation (Mr. Rushmore, Yellowstone/Teton, and the Azores). The crowds are less and the rates down. We have had great weather while here in the Azores- way better than I expected - woohoo!! 

We got up and at ‘em on the 29th to go whale watching. We saw sperm whale and bottle neck dolphins which are both native to this area. We were hoping to see more as this area is on the migration path for several different species. The win was not throwing up on the boat! 

We headed to lunch and ended up at a place overlooking the ocean in Villa Franca do Campo- it was perfect. We then headed up the mountain and down into the valley to Furna where we went to the Terra Nostra botanical park and went swimming in the natural pools- quite the experience! 

We drove back down and took in true views of Lago do Furna and then went to the Cha Gorreana tea factory. When we wrapped up there, we stopped by the grocery store to buy a couple things and decided to change up our evening plans - beers on the beach while the boys swam in the ocean followed by an easy meal. We got caught in a rain storm when headed home. Some wine and a “cake” with matches made for a perfect last night in the Azores. 

Waiting for the whale watching 

 4 sperm whales 🐳 🐳🐳🐳

Birthday lunch on the beach 

Exploring 

Botanical gardens 

Swimming the natural spring water 

Yes we swam in that 

Lago do Furna 

Tea factory and plantation 

Beers on the beach 

Birthday love 

Happy birthday to me! 🎂 

Amazing Azores Day 2 - the West Side

When we did cherries and pits over birthday cake and ice cream, my pit was that we have to leave. I’m a little worried we have done all the “fun” things at the beginning of the trip, but I know it will be filled with more adventures. 

On Monday, we slept in and got rolling around noon (stopping into town for our SIM cards for our phones). We headed to the west side of the island to check out Sete Cidades - twin lakes each of a different color. We did some hiking and had some amazing views. We then headed to some natural swimming pools (Mosteiros) and then to Ferreira where the hot springs mix with the ocean to make for a warm ocean experience. The boys loved this as the waves come crashing in and make for a fun time. We ended up having dinner on Ponta Delgado as we got back so late. Marshall has been amazing at driving us all around this island. 

Gates to Ponta Delgado

Lots of churches 

Above Sete Cidades 

Mosteiros 





Jumping off the rock 

Ferreira - crazy place 

Sabbatical Part II - The Azores

After a red eye flight from Boston, we arrived bright and early Sunday morning at 6:30. We rented a car, for some groceries, made a couple stops and were able to check in early.

We took naps as it wasn’t going to be feasible to got all day today without a bit of rest. After we snacked on goodies left for us by the host, we headed to Lago do Fogo (a volcanic lake) for a hike and some amazing views of the lake and both sides of the island. We made a couple stops at some hot springs and returned to the condo for an easy spaghetti dinner. 

The boys wanted to head to the beach so away we went. It was a bit chilly, but you would not have known it. A great wrap up to our first day here. 

After the flight - glasses on 

The view from our condo 

Lagoa do Fogo - so glad the sun was out 

Tough shot to get

So lush 

Taking it all in 

Hanging at the beach after dinner 

Busy beach (not)