2023 Azores Trip – Sabbatical II – São Miguel Island & Ponta Delgada
During my recent Atlantic and Island adventure, spanning northern Spain, Iceland, and now the Azores, I found myself on the enchanting island of São Miguel. It’s a vibrant spot, especially compared to the quieter Fajal / Horta I visited prior. I stayed at a fabulous beachfront hotel in Ponta Delgada, with the sound of waves and the Atlantic wind as a constant lullaby.
São Miguel brims with history, with each corner telling a tale of its past. To fully embrace the island, I embarked on two day-long tours, one to the west and the other to the east. Accompanied by a lively group of Americans and Canadians, laughter and stories were as abundant as the scenic views.
In the west, Sete Cidades, with its mystical twin lakes, was a highlight. Here, nature paints in greens and blues, varying with the light. Then, journeying through the Água de Pau Massif, most renowned for Lagoa do Fogo, I truly understood why this island is called “The Green Island“. In the east, the unique geothermal activity around Furnas was more than just a sight; it offered a culinary experience: At a local restaurant, we savored meals cooked underground in the natural heat of the caldera with some “purple” green tea – a volcano wonderland!
Each tour was a blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and, of course, good company and humor. São Miguel, a true gem in the Atlantic, is an experience I will not forget.
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Due to the number of pictures, I’ve split them into separate blog entries:
- 2023 Azores Trip – Sabbatical II – São Miguel Island → West Tour
- 2023 Azores Trip – Sabbatical II – São Miguel Island → East Tour
Here are some impressions from Ponta Delgada. In reality, there’s much more, but due to the rain, I spent most of the time in pubs and had some lazy days and a nice stroll in one of the botanical gardens, Jardim Botânico António Borges, so there are no ‘official’ and suitable pictures i can present here 😉
