December 21st.
Angra de Heroismo
Hamburger in a café, then fried sugary, flat donut. Then I wandered through the city, looking for the Municipal Gardens. I would up at the Memorial with great vistas and down through the gardens. I went back by way of the fort and was surprised to find a sign with Hebrew writing. I happened upon the Jewish Cemetery. Then back to the hotel for a good dinner and nights rest. Fly to Pico tomorrow.
Pico
December 22,23, 24, 25, 26.
I am staying in a basalt house in Pico. It is quiet, except for the humming refrigerator. It is cold and beautiful. Spent the morning drive the coast, old winery in Lajido, to the port Madalena. I caught the 13:45 boat to Horta on Faial Island. There was a rainbow as we left. The ride was rocky, but I could be outside and it only takes half an hour. In Horta I got a map at the tourist office and started walking. Lunch in a Chinese restaurant, coffee and a palmeira at 4, back to the boat by 5 for 17:15 boat back. The ride back was like a roller coaster. I hate roller coasters. The rain started as we took off and the ride back was thankfully just a half hour too. Guess I wouldn’t make it on the open seas.
Next day, I drove around the island. Too many awesome wave photos but I kept trying to capture the turquoise. Lunch in Lajes, good pizza, all of the whale museums are closed and most shops and restaurants too. I expected Christmas to be like that. I had planned to just walk tomorrow. I hear the rain is not going to stop. So I’m in the middle of the Atlantic but warm and dry in my cute little house.
Back to Angra, rented a car and drove around the island of Terceira. Looked at the Air Force base, great location. Had a great lunch at a restaurant called Caneta. Green, and lovely and rainy. Hotel in Praia de Vitoria, pouring rain from 6pm on. After 4 hours in the airport the next day, our flight was canceled. They put us up in a nice hotel in Angra and we got an extra day, the rain stopped in the afternoon. Got out and made all my connections the next day. Even had my luggage at the end! A restful and beautiful trip.