How did we end up on the Azores in the first place, you may ask? In short - the hubby.
Years ago he told me how he found the Azores' history, geographically and culturally, fascinating due to all the different influences over the centuries. I, honestly, didn't really look into it, except to check where the Azores actually are.
The Azores in the middle of nowhere
Or so it seems when you google their location. Here's a screenshot to give you an idea. Off the coast of Portugal which they belong to doesn't quite cut it IMO
Over the years hubby and I have been together I googled flights to the Azores a few times but it was always a bit inconvenient from the US. You had to fly overnight to Lisbon to connect to Ponta Delgada and thus lose a whole day to travel. Not great, considering the few vacation days (compared to Germany) you get in the US. Hence we never went.
By happenstance, I had a look only four weeks ago and, guess what? Now there's a direct flight from Newark, NJ to Ponta Delgada, Azores! It is still a red-eye flight but only five and a half hours. Spontaneously, I looked for specific flights, Friday or Saturday to Saturday, handed in PTO at work and booked two flights EWR to PDL. And here we are!
Impressions of Sao Miguel
Sao Miguel is the Azores' biggest or main island, and this is the view when you're about to land.
Spoiler alert: These are exactly the two or three main colors you will enjoy during your stay:
Blue | Green | White
Due to the mild and sub-tropical climate the islands get their fair share of rain especially during winters,a nd summers are moderately hot. It is already Thursday as I am typing this now and we have had the most beautiful weather, including rain.
Upon arrival we picked up our car, and then checked into our little hotel in the middle of the town on a quiet street in a pedestiran zone. A little hard to find and get to but well worth it
Nine Dots, Azorean Art & Boutique Hotel
I highly recommend this hotel if you ever come to Ponta Delgada. The hotel is small and very new but in a renovated old house. It has a restaurant, bar and an indoor wellness pool and steam-bath. You may also book massages and stuff but we ran out of time with all the exploring. Breakfast is included and it is a wonderful selection of buffet items or you can go a la carte with omelettes and such. It's pretty much perfect!
The room is fairly small, but - you'll be out and about so you don't need a big residence, right? Coffee maker is there and fresh fruit and a mini bar as well. We were lucky and got upgraded - woohoo - and got a room with a roof terrace which we put to good use on the very first night by having our dinner right there.
The afternoon of our arrival day as well as the following morning we explored the town of Ponta Delgada. Mstly we stayed close to the marina because water and boats. Here's a collection of impressions:
And since the Azores are surrounded by the Atlantic what is it that cannot be missing in Ponta Delgada? Corret, a harbor including (small) container ships and a marina. And it even comes with a fortification built in the 16th century.
Those last two photos show you another thing we noticed about Ponta Delgada. Pedestrian zones and side walks are decorated in these black or gray and white cobble stone mosaics that are just beautiful to view and walk on. I couldn't stop taking photos of them. Well, I guess I did because there were so many more than these few and all different patterns.
And last but not least - a lot of the houses have colorful doors, so many colors, just look at these.
And that's it for today for Ponta Delgada, Azores. I'm sure there is more but these are our impressions of the city.
Coincidentally, this is also the time of hubby's birthday so I went ahead and booked a couple of fun tours. More of those in my next Azores travel post.
Till next time!
Have a great rest of your day!
Cheers,
(Ocean)Bee
