Day 4 - Looking into the Caldeiras

At 9 am we were picked up to what was being called "two half day jeep tours to Lagoa do Fogo and Sete Cidades". Actually, it was a Land Rover and it was Hugo again with the apprentice Rodriguez.
Since we had been pleased with Hugo two days ago we were sure it was going to be good.

It was about a 30 minute drive to the first stop. The island St. Miguel is not very big. And there was the first volcano caldeira (crater) full of water making a lovely lake. The drive was really something else because it was very curvy and around every corner was another beautiful view. Sometimes you could see the north coast and the south coast at the same time.

I could have taken a thousand photos and often felt like shouting "stop, stop" but Hugo stopped plenty of times of course.

We had been told to bring a bathing suit and towel because we would be getting into "hot water" but we were almost there when Hugo got a call from the office saying that because of lots of rain they were cleaning it. But we still could see it.

The sulphur smell was unmistakable. And it was quite interesting. I don't think I was very upset that we didn't get to do it (I wasn't so keen on it anyway) but James got wet running to a chinese shop to buy towels since we were told in the hotel that they would not let us borrow any from the pool. I must say that I thought that rather poor from a 4 star hotel especially since we offered to leave a deposit.

James was looking at some display while I was drawn to the sound of some frogs. They were in the creek right next to the hot pools. I think the creek is a bit warm too and they must have had a good time. I saw at least three. In the display I had seen that the frogs on the island were not native but introduced and they don't know from where. It averages about 7.5 cm in length. I think it is the same as the one we saw in the botanical garden.

The tree ferns were also introduced. Actually a lot of the plants and trees were. But they look really nice and seem to do well here.

There was a fast food snack place were Hugo had parked and that is were the two were waiting for us. James and I had a quick cup of coffee con leche. That felt good.

And off doing some more off-roading. Hugo drove the most impossible dirt roads but he wanted to show us this little waterfall where there was a hydro electric station. Interesting.

On the way to Sete Cidades we drove through the town of Ribeira Grande on the north coast. Here they make all sorts of liquor. We were invited to a tasting. It's 11:30 am and before lunch so we had to be a bit careful. The selection was incredible. What to try?

These were all the little bottles with different tastes. We selected some at the end to take home.
Note: We had a taste at the end at last nights dinner. That lady only had 4 bottles for us to choose from, ha-ha.

Sete Cidades is breathtaking. We were lucky that finally the sun was shining. This was a look-out where just behind us loomed a once 5 star hotel which was abandoned after not even 2 years in operation. Hugo described this most luxurious place. It's standing empty but rumors are that chinese have bought it and want to restore it.

There is actually a town in this crater with the lake and we are going to drive into it. There is even a bridge from one side of the crater to the other.

Hop into the Land Rover and a little further hop out again. I didn't get many steps today but lot of hopping.

This is a smaller lake in a separate little crater we see later again.

Now we are in the town in the crater and are going to have lunch. It is almost 1:30 pm. James and I had a sandwich each and I also had a soup. I love the soups.

Across was a little park and a church. We were encouraged to look into it but when we did it just had bare walls which were being renovated.

Hugo went into a side-road which went along the shore. He wanted to show us what is called the tunnel. It just to be a big problem for the town when it rained too much because the crater lake came up very high. With the construction of the tunnel which is kind of an overflow the problem is gone.

Another stop. This must be pretty much the most north-west edge of the island. The photo was labeled "Mosteiros". Hugo told us that there are old stories about those rocks.

And now it really got adventures. Off-roading around the rim of the crater. Glad I didn't have to do the driving. It was pretty clear that Hugo knew most of the gigantic potholes and water run-offs. But so gorgeous. 

Like here, you could see the caldera on the right and the ocean on the left. Deep steep drop-downs on both sides though.

Mmhh, weather is coming in. But this is the highest point on the island. A must see. Besides Lagoa Azul (the lake at Sete Cidades) there are several smaller craters/lakes. It is suddenly getting cold.

But: VIDEO!   (0:38 sec)

The way got worse before it got better but then we were on our way back. We could see the rain come in. We even saw a rainbow but before we could stop it was gone.

A little further and there it was again. I took the photo out of the window. It was raining.

We were dropped off at the hotel at about 4:30 pm or so and both had a hot shower which felt soooo good. And guess what? This is out of the our window (taken by James).

James went onto the balcony. He asked whether I didn't want to know where the pot of gold was. Well, I know already exactly where my pot of gold is!!!

Well, but this wasn't it for today. It is Valentine's Day. Not that James and I really focus on that. We think every day for us is special and try to make it special for each other. But here is the rest of the story:

After 7 pm we decided that we probably should have some dinner. Hugo had pointed out this morning the restaurant Marisca which we had passed on the way to Gastronomo yesterday. We thought it would do tonight. Plain and simple like Apito. Oh no, no room in the inn. Only reservations. Ok, let's try the Tixico which was recommended yesterday by the hotel reception. Full. Only reservations. Wow, people here really take Valentine's Day serious, don't they?

So, we walk and are soon at the harbor. We had seen many restaurants at the other side of the pier yesterday when we were investigating. When we walked along somebody in front of one of the places told us that they had something special today and not to look at the big board menu. Fixed price for two with several courses. "You will like it"

We didn't want to walk any more. Decision made. Let's go in.

Really kind of cute place. Welcome drink!

First course with veggies and cheese sauce.

Next: something with fish. Accompanied with a glass of white wine.

Next: pork, sweet potato on top, large white beans in the (plexi) glass, glass of red wine.

Dessert: Ice cream. James had a coffee.

When we left the place was full! We had fun and were not hungry either. The photo is of the pier where we were in one of the restaurants.

Short walk back to the hotel. We know our way by now. A little more wine in the room and time to shut the eyes. We have to set the alarm for tomorrow morning for what we hope will be whale watching.

step count so far: 11,281