Todays tour was Crater Lakes. We made our way along very well maintained roads with our first stop being a pineapple factory - it was set amongst beautiful old houses covered in ivy.
This plantation had 14 greenhouses each holding 640 pineapples. Ponta Delgada export 1.5 million pineapples per year - a big trade for a small island.
Enough on pineapples - where's the lake??
Finally on our way, we passed beautiful countryside, azaleas & hydrangeas lined the roads, rock walls divided farms & properties, it was lush, green & the view of the lakes truly beautiful.
They lay in the centre of an extinct volcano, one lake looks blue, the other green - this was the kind of scenery we were hoping to find.
Coastal views
Back in town it was quiet with very few people - The streets were practically deserted - it was Sunday & in this country almost every shop is closed, people go to church & then spend the day with their families. We wandered cobbled & mosaic streets lined with whitewashed houses with balconies & there were churches on almost every street
We came across a little cafe for lunch - massive size meals, wine served in pretty little blue & white jugs & friendly staff.
We came across another little bar - Cliff just had to stop & sample local beer served in aluminium cups & a local sangria for myself.
This was an island you could spend weeks exploring - it was fantastic
But sadly time to leave.
The end of our cruise is upon us and let us say we have had a wonderful time cruising - your days are your own - you can do as much or as little as you like, we have met some wonderful people and it has been a truly memorable experience.
We are now looking forward to catching up with Rob and Doug to begin the next chapter of our land-based adventure.
Cheers everyone xxx
