TIME TO GO BACK TO WISCONSIN

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.

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.

Stanley resting in the tea plants

fields of tea plants

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.

Stanley in the greenhouse at the pineapple plantation

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.

placing the pot of food in the steaming ground

covering the pot of food so it can cook for  seven hours

Stanley watching the food being removed

Cozido ready to eat

Steaming and bubbling hot springs in the town of Furnas

Stanley smells the sulfur

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.

Stanley in the hydrangea high above the Atlantic Ocean

fields separated by hydrangea walls

rocky coast

The island has many waterfalls.

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.

Stanley looking out to the Atlantic for Sperm Whales

view out to sea

watch tower called a Vigia

replica of boats used for whaling

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. 

Stanley at the entrance to the palace

presidential palace

Stanley on the main staircase with historic paintings

Palace living room

This is the chair where the president sits while visiting with guests.

PONTA DELGADA

Ponta Delgada is a small city with a nice harbor for cargo ships, fishing boats, pleasure boats, tour boats and swimming. The city entrance is marked by a gate to the city. There is a large food market where people come daily to get local fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and other foods. In the old section the streets are very narrow.  The roads and sidewalks are made of small 3x3 black and white stones making beautiful patterns. The city has many beautiful churches.

harbor

Harbor with salt water swimming pool and cement platform to right of round pool for ocean swimming.
In the background is docking for large ships with a crane for unloading them.

Stanley at the gates to the city

gates at night

Stanley at the daily food market

Narrow streets with black and white stone patterns

main church and square

inside the main church

SAO MIGUEL, AZORES

Flat Stanley began his trip by traveling from Wisconsin to Massachusetts.  In Boston, he got on an airplane.  

After a four and a half hour flight, Stanley arrived on the island of Sao Miguel, Azores. The island is in the Atlantic Ocean about 900 miles west of Lisbon, Portugal. Sao Miguel is the largest of the nine islands that make up the Azores.

Stanley is staying in the main town and capital of the Azores, Ponta Delgada.