Santa Maria, Azores
We have gone full circle, one thousand miles or so and now we are back to the beginning. This evening finds us quietly at anchor in the port of Ponta Delgada where we started our journey not so long ago.
Eight of the nine Azorean Islands have played host to our inquisitive souls. One could tell they were related, of a family so to speak, all with volcanic origins, steep sided and highly contoured. Roads rose and fell between verdant pasture walls where cattle grazed or vegetable sprouts stretched upward in search of the sun. White homes with red tiled roofs were prevalent. But looking back we now can see that each sibling had a distinct personality.
The eldest, Santa Maria had the air of stateliness. For most of her eight million years of life she faced the elements of wind and wave alone. Nearly six hundred years ago man discovered her charms and slowly over time changed her native flora. Lichens were painstakingly gathered from along the shores, their fermentation products imitating the purples of royalty. Yellow flowered woad was introduced and cultivated for indigo color. Now grape-vines grow on terraced slopes embraced by rocky partitions. Flowers wash across the land painting everywhere with brilliant color. Orange nasturtiums, magenta verbena, violet African daisies, purple morning glory, red aloe and more line the roadsides and carpet the fields. Tonight they will decorate the pavement with their petals to celebrate the beginning of the Festival of our Lady of Fatima. As we explored the island from Vila do Porto in the south to São Lourenzo Bay on the north and east and back to Baia do Praia, the youthful population walked the roadways in pilgrimage to her chapel.
An afternoon at sea with marine turtles and dolphin species provided quiet time to rest and reminisce, to synthesize and solidify the memories of our journey.
Tonight the festival lights line the streets of the island of São Miguel and a party atmosphere prevails.
We have gone full circle, one thousand miles or so and now we are back to the beginning. This evening finds us quietly at anchor in the port of Ponta Delgada where we started our journey not so long ago.
Eight of the nine Azorean Islands have played host to our inquisitive souls. One could tell they were related, of a family so to speak, all with volcanic origins, steep sided and highly contoured. Roads rose and fell between verdant pasture walls where cattle grazed or vegetable sprouts stretched upward in search of the sun. White homes with red tiled roofs were prevalent. But looking back we now can see that each sibling had a distinct personality.
The eldest, Santa Maria had the air of stateliness. For most of her eight million years of life she faced the elements of wind and wave alone. Nearly six hundred years ago man discovered her charms and slowly over time changed her native flora. Lichens were painstakingly gathered from along the shores, their fermentation products imitating the purples of royalty. Yellow flowered woad was introduced and cultivated for indigo color. Now grape-vines grow on terraced slopes embraced by rocky partitions. Flowers wash across the land painting everywhere with brilliant color. Orange nasturtiums, magenta verbena, violet African daisies, purple morning glory, red aloe and more line the roadsides and carpet the fields. Tonight they will decorate the pavement with their petals to celebrate the beginning of the Festival of our Lady of Fatima. As we explored the island from Vila do Porto in the south to São Lourenzo Bay on the north and east and back to Baia do Praia, the youthful population walked the roadways in pilgrimage to her chapel.
An afternoon at sea with marine turtles and dolphin species provided quiet time to rest and reminisce, to synthesize and solidify the memories of our journey.
Tonight the festival lights line the streets of the island of São Miguel and a party atmosphere prevails.
