Stanley had a wonderful time and someday would like to visit the eight other islands of the Azores; Santa Maria, Terceira, Graciosa, Sao Jorge, Pico, Faial, Flores and Corvo.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
CHA GORREANA TEA
The only tea plantation in all of Europe is on Sao Miguel Island. The plants look like rows of low green hedges. They are harvested every year between the months of April and September.The machinery to process the tea is from the late 1800's except for a newer machine to make tea bags.
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| Stanley resting in the tea plants |
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| fields of tea plants |
Sunday, September 15, 2013
PINEAPPLES - PLANTATION ARRUDA
Pineapples here on Sao Miguel are grown in greenhouses. This the only place in the world that pineapples are grown this way. It takes three years for one pineapple to be ready to eat. This is the only place in all of Europe where pineapples are grown commercially.
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| Stanley in the greenhouse at the pineapple plantation |
Saturday, September 14, 2013
THE FURNAS VALLEY
Stanley is visiting the inside of a crater in an active volcano. Below the surface the ground is very hot. Water and steam percolate to the surface. The ground was warm under his feet.
This is where they cook a traditional Azorean dish called cozido. Beef, chicken, sausages, cabbage, carrots and potatoes are layered in a pot. The pot is placed in the ground to cook for seven hours. The pot is then removed and taken to a local restaurant. Of course Stanley had to try the cozido. He liked it. There had a very different and delicious flavor.
After lunch Stanley visited the town of Furnas where more hot springs bubbled and steamed from below the earth's surface. You could not touch this water because it was to hot. The smell of sulfur was in the air.
This is where they cook a traditional Azorean dish called cozido. Beef, chicken, sausages, cabbage, carrots and potatoes are layered in a pot. The pot is placed in the ground to cook for seven hours. The pot is then removed and taken to a local restaurant. Of course Stanley had to try the cozido. He liked it. There had a very different and delicious flavor.
After lunch Stanley visited the town of Furnas where more hot springs bubbled and steamed from below the earth's surface. You could not touch this water because it was to hot. The smell of sulfur was in the air.
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| placing the pot of food in the steaming ground |
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| covering the pot of food so it can cook for seven hours |
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| Stanley watching the food being removed |
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| Cozido ready to eat |
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| Steaming and bubbling hot springs in the town of Furnas |
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| Stanley smells the sulfur |
Friday, September 13, 2013
LANDSCAPE AND WATERFALLS
The mountain sides are covered with wild hydrangeas, palm trees, ferns, tall cedars and spruce trees. The drop to the ocean is very steep in many places. There are many areas where there are waterfalls. Some are used as power to turn large stones called mill wheels to grind corn.
There are many beautiful lakes with very steep sides. That is because these lakes are in a volcanic crater. There are also flat areas here where people live along the lakes.
There are semi-flat areas where about 75,000 cows graze in fields divided by lava rock walls or hydrangea hedges. The cheese and butter made from cow milk is very tasty. There are also many goats on the island. Goat's milk is used to makes some delicious cheeses. There is a lot of corn grown for cows and people. Farmers also grow a variety of other fruits and vegetables.
There are many beautiful lakes with very steep sides. That is because these lakes are in a volcanic crater. There are also flat areas here where people live along the lakes.
There are semi-flat areas where about 75,000 cows graze in fields divided by lava rock walls or hydrangea hedges. The cheese and butter made from cow milk is very tasty. There are also many goats on the island. Goat's milk is used to makes some delicious cheeses. There is a lot of corn grown for cows and people. Farmers also grow a variety of other fruits and vegetables.
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| Stanley in the hydrangea high above the Atlantic Ocean |
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| fields separated by hydrangea walls |
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| rocky coast |
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| The island has many waterfalls. |
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| A waterfall runs this mill that grinds corn |
WHALING
The Azores providing harpooners to New England whaling ships which came to the area until end of the 19th century to hunt sperm whales. This activity was continued by the inhabitants of the Azores until 1984. The islanders had whale lookouts on the high shores. When whales were spotted the Azoreans ventured forth to sea in narrow rowing-sailing boats to hunt the whales. This was a large part of life in the Azores during the 19th and early 20th century.
Products from the whales were meat, oil used in machines and for lighting lamps, perfume and candle making. Other things such as electricity replaced the need for whale oil.
Products from the whales were meat, oil used in machines and for lighting lamps, perfume and candle making. Other things such as electricity replaced the need for whale oil.
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| Stanley looking out to the Atlantic for Sperm Whales |
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| view out to sea |
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| watch tower called a Vigia |
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| replica of boats used for whaling |
Thursday, September 12, 2013
PRESIDENTIAL PALACE, PONTE DLEGADA
A special invitation was given Stanley to see the presidential palace and meet the President of the Azores, Vasco Cordeiro. Unfortunately, after the palace tour Stanley was told that the President was still in a meeting, he missed seeing Stanley.
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| Stanley at the entrance to the palace |
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| presidential palace |
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| Stanley on the main staircase with historic paintings |
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| Palace living room |
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| This is the chair where the president sits while visiting with guests. |
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