Tag 1: Let's go!

7/5/2020

Today we're heading to the Azores!

Hopefully...

At least the plane is already 'on time' over the Atlantic at 9:30.

It's now 2:00 p.m., we're at the airport sitting at Gate B12 in Terminal 1, waiting for the plane which is still nowhere to be seen.

The plane isn't full, we've moved our seats to the back rows 25 and 26. Rows 24+27 are supposed to be unoccupied, as well as the seats next to us. Lots of space!

There's hardly anything going on at the airport.... Unbelievable! Especially since it's the start of the summer holidays!!!

The security check employees are sitting around twiddling their thumbs, and it seems like the employees on the apron are bored as well.

2:02, boarding begins!

We even get a free airport tour since our plane is parked in an outdoor position.

We pass by many planes.

In the distance, we see the 'Lufthansa parking lot', the current parking spot for large planes.

A sad sight....

Next to it is a Singapore Airlines plane and our small Air Azores SATA plane, an Airbus A320.

We board from the back and take seats in rows 25 and 26. Actually, all the rows around us remain empty. So we have about 36 seats all to ourselves. We don't even have 40 passengers on the entire plane. It can hold almost 200 passengers when filled.

It's crazy, I've never flown on such an empty plane before! And during the 'high season' too.

Surprisingly, we take off relatively on time towards São Miguel.

Contents:

# Ham and cheese sandwich (not tasty)

# Chips (always good)

# Cookies from the Azores (especially the dark crispy ones are delicious)

# Applesauce?! (Not quite definable)

# KitKat (good!)

# Orange juice and water

This time, the famous drink carts with soft drinks, coffee, or tea aren't available. But we don't mind since it's a short flight.

After getting our suitcases, we go through the airport, out next to the parking lot, where a large COVID test tent is located. A bunch of masked figures, wrapped in full-body suits, gloves, and masks, is already waiting for us here.

After filling out several forms, we go into the tent for the test.

My son breathes a sigh of relief when he finds out that he DOESN'T have to take the test. The test is mandatory for ages 12 and up, and my son is still 11 today (he'll turn 12 in a few days), but the age at the time of entry is what matters! He got lucky there.

We're the last passengers in the tent. The test team is very nice, they explain everything to us, and then I can start the procedure. The long swab in the nose is unpleasant but bearable. I find it almost worse in the throat because the gag reflex sets in quickly, but it works on the second attempt.

Husband and daughter also get through the test, and then we can move on.

The COVID test team is so cool that they even do a 'Mexican wave' to say goodbye. Very cool!

Now it's time to wait for 12-18 hours!

After walking a bit, we're picked up by the car again and warmly welcomed by Marion and Dieter Schmitz at Quinta Velha (https://www.azoren-urlaub.com/).

Here we settle into our beautiful vacation rental 'Casa Moritz' and explore the large, well-kept garden with a pool and, to the delight of the kids, many animals.

There are dogs (my son immediately takes a liking to the little 'Lumpi'), cats, goats, ducks, chickens, and horses. A true children's paradise.

Marion has bought some groceries for our dinner since we're officially in quarantine and not allowed to go shopping.

After dinner, we quickly fall into bed. After all, we have a 2-hour time difference, 2 extra hours, so the internal clock is already ticking, and it's midnight when we hit the sheets.

What an exciting day!

Hopefully, we'll get our test results tomorrow!