Azores - September 11

We slept until 8:00 this morning, then rationalized it by noting it was 4:00 AM in Boston.  We had a leisurely breakfast.  Our driver Carlos arrived at 9:30.  

Today we toured the central section of Sao Miguel.  We drove out to the east, then turned northeast ascending to Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake).  The top of the mountain is 3,000 feet above sea level.  It is part of the volcanic rim in which sits the lake.  We then proceeded to the fishing village of Rabo de Peixe, turning east from there and passing through Ribeira Grande, Riberia Seca to Matriz before returning to Ponta Delgada about 2:45.  Along the way we had a nice lunch in a no-name restaurant in a small village.  

As with yesterday's blog, I have opted for captioned pictures rather than robust text. 

An abandoned tuna processing plant near Ponta Delgada.

Ponta Delgada viewed from the east.

A tree outside monastery in Logoa...

...and the monastery.

Ascending Lagoa do Fogo both the north and south
coasts can be seen - a span of 8 kilometers.

Another view back at Ponta Delgada

Caldeira Vehla hot springs park

Heated gases warm the water.

The heated water flows into this swimming hole.

A bit further on in the park was
a swimming hole with unheated water.

Along the north coast of Sao Miguel
are caves dug into the shoreline.

In another time, when pirates approached,
the villagers descended into the caves.

They hid in an undoubtedly more primitive
version of these caves until the pirates left.

Neither a villager nor a pirate.

In 1563, this village fountain was buried under six feet of lava.

Main cathedral in Ribeira Grande

Another view along the north coast looking west

A bit further along and looking east

Impressive size for a hydrangea
- and we saw lots of them this size.

Makes entering the Westport River in a blow look easy by comparison.

We ate dinner at a local seafood restaurant across the street from our hotel, walking both ways in the rain.  

Back in our room we finished most of our packing in preparation for our early departure tomorrow to Madeira.