Change of beds

The night is short, the flight leaves at 9:55 AM, meaning we need to leave the hotel by 8:00 AM at the latest. After a 20-minute drive and another 20 minutes for returning the car, we find ourselves in the check-in line at a really small airport and have to see that our flight is delayed.

With a 2-hour delay, we board the small propeller plane.

The guys and gals here at the airport are really quick, from arrival to departure in less than 30 minutes. Our flight attendant looks like Bastian Pastewka.

After a brief safety briefing, our 35-minute flight is already taking off.

There is no time for drinks and snacks.

The smell of peppermint tea is in the air, which we noticed as we left the plane.

Our hotel Quinta dos Misterios is just a minute's drive away, right by the runway.

An old house built over 300 years ago. Lovingly restored by the owner and furnished with charm and love. Right at the beginning, we get a house/museum tour.

Previously, where the communal living room is now, there was a stable with an adjacent animal-operated grain mill.

Wine was also produced here in the past, as evidenced by the equipment in another room. In the old kitchen, the only remnants of the old stove have been replaced by a newer model. Here, the hostess whirls around preparing breakfast.

A look into the huge garden reveals chickens that provide eggs for breakfast, rounding off the tour.

And I suspected as I had to climb the way-too-high steps for the first time, that we would definitely be staying at the very top and there is no elevator.

I should play the lottery - because my guess was exactly right. All rooms are on the first floor; only ours is on the second - yippee.

We are greeted with a room featuring a four-poster bed, the only balcony (if one can call 30 cm depth a balcony) and a 140 cm bedding bed,

 

with the best view of the Pico - the highest mountain of the Azores on the island of the same name.

No air conditioning, no minibar, no television. Away with the modern gadgets - back to shared evenings with games, singing, and entertainment. It's just too bad that the other guests didn't join us. We waited for hours in the living room, but no one came 😢. That's just how it is with tourists these days.

So where are we, actually? - On the island of São Jorge

Facts: São Jorge is 54 kilometers long and 6 kilometers wide. The island was first discovered by the Portuguese explorer Diogo de Silves in 1439. The island has around 9,000 inhabitants, and the charming town of Velas serves as the capital.

Today, aside from a midday nap, shopping, and eating, we aren't doing anything else. Many restaurants are closed on Mondays, so those that are open are quite busy, but we were lucky to get a spot at Tasca dos Sabores

still to get a spot. The food was delicious and priced normally like everywhere else.