From the Coast to the Clouds

The night was bearable even without air conditioning. Here on the island, it is somewhat cooler than on Terceira, and also a bit drier.

A delicious breakfast awaits us on the sun terrace.

After the lazy day yesterday, we want to explore a part of the island today. There are lighthouses at both the right and left ends of the island. Today's destination is Topo - a 45 km stretch from our hotel, with a driving time of 1 hour. Everything moves a bit slower here. And with the roads, which by the way are better than many country roads in good old Germany, 60 km/h feels like speeding. The roads are narrow here (most roads have walls or hydrangeas on either side), winding and hilly - everything we are not used to.

So, well-rested, we set off to explore the island's highlights. The weather is also nice, and we drive along a ridge road towards Topo. You can’t get enough of the nature and the coast.

One moment you are in sunshine, the next you find yourself in the clouds.

That is quite remarkable.

The waterfall Cascata do Cruzal - just before Topo - is said to be impressive. We park our little Opel Corsa in the designated parking lot and walk the 50 meters to the viewpoint. I would say it's not the Niagara Falls, but at least it has water, which we have experienced differently in many countries.

What is truly impressive is how much effort the locals put into such places. Always clean and almost new sanitary facilities, seating areas with barbecue facilities, and well-laid-out paths. And no matter how small the attraction is, it is always maintained and kept clean.

The lighthouse Farol da Ponta do Topo is unfortunately closed today (it is only open on Wednesdays).

While Shahat wants to photograph the typical vineyards in the Azores (similar to those in Tenerife), he speaks to the owner (the local mayor's husband). He tells him that he is American. He moved here with his parents at the age of three and stayed. He loves the tranquility here. His wife is a nurse and a local councilor in this region. She drives for an hour to work on this small island, respect for how one manages that.

Recently, they built a small barbecue house by the sea swimming pool, with a welcome sign in three languages. We continue to the Piscina Natural da Pontinha do Topo to check it out.

Here on the island, there are several of these seawater swimming pools - however, it is too cold for us to swim right now. But the view is marvelous.

After a short stay, we head to the only coffee plantation in the Azores. Serpentines lead us down to Fajã dos Vimes, where Café Nunes is located. The Nunes family grows some coffee behind their café - we haven’t seen the plants in person, but fellow travelers from our hotel have spotted the four little trees. The Arabica beans are offered in liquid form at Café Nunes by Manuel Casimiro in the village, but are not available as souvenirs. Thanks to the microclimate, there are two harvests a year.

The espresso was delicious.

Now we are tired. Let's grab something to eat and wind down the evening with a sangria.