ilha da Santa Maria

The first island to be discovered of all the nine in Açores was Santa Maria, also known as the "Yellow Island" (Ilha Amarela). This nick-name is because of its landscape, quite different from the other islands: actually this island has the particularity of having a desert and also one of the most beautiful beaches in Açores with white sand (Praia Formosa). From São Miguel you will need two hours of ferry to reach the island. 

 

Baia de São Lorenço

Praia Formosa and Parque do Campismo

Some weeks ago (15th-17th july) we attended the Santa Maria Blues Festival in Anjos, on the north of the island, which was really cool with such good rock and blues music.

 

But this last weekend we went to the Maré de Agosto Festival, which takes place in Praia Formosa for 4 days. The groups that played: Ronda da Madrugada (PT), Mumbai Queen (UK), Kaophonic Tribu (FR), Blastu (PT), Ana Moura (PT), Cheikh Lô (SENEGAL), Peatbog Faeries (Scotland), Dj Panko (Spain), Frankie Chavez (PT), James Hunter (UK), Katchafire (NZ), Stereo Addiction (PT), Raul Midón (USA), Diabo Na Cruz (PT), Asian Dub Foundation (UK), No Djs (PT)

Streaming Peatbog Faeries, from Scotland.

Streaming Ana Moura, (Portugal)



Streaming Dj Panko (Spain)

ilha da Terceira

Some weeks ago we visited the island of Terceira, which belongs to the central group of the  Açores islands. This is the second biggest one after São Miguel with 402 squared kilometres. To move from one island to another one there are some ferrys during the summer, and if you are under 30 and buy a special card every trip will cost you just 5 euros, which is really worthwhile.

Among other events, Terceira is quite popular for its festivity on 24th June, Sanjoaninas, celebrated in the city of Angra do Heroísmo, where one of the events are the touradas a corda. Later in August take place the Festas da Praia in Praia de Vitoria.

Here a few captures of Angra do Heroísmo, UNESCO's World Heritage

Jardín Duque da Terceira, Angra do Heroísmo

Monte Brasil, Angra do Heroísmo. From the top of this mountain you will have a nice view over the city, apart of enjoying the natural background. You will discover that this was  one of the defensive points of the city (also the Fort of São Sebastião and the Fort of São João Baptista) to prevent from the attacks of pirates, spanish ships and so.

Praia de Vitoria. Described as "One of the most modern towns in Açores", and the second one most important in the island. The name of the city is in remembrance of the first victory of the Liberals against the Royalists. Also in the nearby there's the international airport and the Nord-American Base Aérea das Lajes.

Trip to Sete Cidades

Sete Cidades is one of the natural wonders of São Miguel and also in Portugal. It's a volcanic area located on the west side of the island. The caldera of the volcano is well known for its lakes: one, Lagoa Azul, curiosly has blue water, and in the other one, Lagoa Verde, the water is green. The legend says the lakes come from the tears of a princess and her lover, a young shepherd, one with blue eyes and the other with green ones, when they had to separate.

As it is common in the island, there are several "trillos" hikings to do around the lakes or to visit other ones which are in the nearby, so if you are thinking to go, don't forget a good pair of shoes.

Back to Ponta Delgada: Miradouro da Ponta do Escalvado

Navio Escola "Sagres"

Entre os dias 29 de Julho e 2 de Agosto, o Navio Escola "Sagres" visitou Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, atracando en Portas do Mar. Aqui estão as fotos que eu tirei :P 

Para os interessados em visitar o navio, a próxima atracação será em Horta, Faial, até o dia 6 de Agosto.