The Azores are a real paradise for nature lovers. The nine islands are gracefully shaped, decorated by mountains and tranquil valleys covered with exuberant vegetation and beautiful lakes within the craters of extinct volcanoes. Outside the cities we see cows everywhere and if they happen to be on the road they have priority over any vehicle.
San Miguel is the main island, where I spent last weekend. Unfortunately the weather was not fine at all. As we get into the baggage claim lounge we see a section of a trunk of the so-called Japanese cedar (cryptomeria japonica), a species that is widely planted in the Azores islands.
Despite the cold and windy day, I visited the market that was not very impressive to me, apart the beautiful flowers for sale. There were stalls full of bananas, pineapples and colourful vegetables.
From the market, I walked through the old district but didn't see many people. The low temperature and the strong wind probably had made them stay at home. The city was too quiet for my taste. I returned to the hotel where I enjoyed swimming in the pool. On the following morning I had to get up very early (I'm a night owl) to play golf.
From the market, I walked through the old district but didn't see many people. The low temperature and the strong wind probably had made them stay at home. The city was too quiet for my taste. I returned to the hotel where I enjoyed swimming in the pool. On the following morning I had to get up very early (I'm a night owl) to play golf.
As I opened the window and saw the heavy rain along with strong wind, I felt discouraged but I couldn't give up playing. My friends were waiting for me. Off we left to the golf club and half an hour later we reached it with no expectation of playing under comfortable conditions. It was very humid and the wind had not stopped blowing strongly. It never stopped raining for the nearly 5 hours on the course and the wind never stopped accompanying us, either. After lunch, the sky cleared up... It had not been our lucky day!
Fortunately, on the following day the sky was not very cloudy and we could enjoy a round island sightseeing tour.
To be continued soon...
Meantime, enjoy the slide-show...
~~ Have a great weekend ~~
~~ Thanks for stopping by ~~
Beautiful Azores!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had camera fun at least. Again those interesting painted doors, the mural on wall with corset and hanging door, had me in tears of laughter The country side is magnificent, sorry about the weather, the problem with some sports, you don't stop because of a bit of rain and wind ( I can remember doing a speed round , show jumping, with pumping wind, lashing rain and thunder, once the lightening got too close they closed the course, while it passed) Beautiful interesting images and a couple of locals eyeing our Belita, sneaking up on them, camera ready. *smile*
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking me there Belita.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend.
As always your slideshows are beautiful. I learned more about the Azores than I would have learned in a geography lesson. You have a lot of fun photographing images. You capture the locals in all of your slideshows. This gives a good sense of what life is like wherever you travel. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, Belita. I enjoyed them very much!
ReplyDeleteyou still made the best of the weather ~ although all those hours in rain could not have been pleasant! I enlarged the slide show to really enjoy each photo, you make it all so wonderful!
ReplyDelete