Day 3: From Sao Miguel to Terceira

7.07.2020

This morning, we still haven't received any test results, neither by email, SMS, nor phone call. How stupid, our flight to Terceira is at 14:00 - or maybe not!?

We have a leisurely brunch and then pack our suitcases. Marion and Dieter kindly host our 4 bodyboards until we return from Terceira, so we have much less luggage on the plane and especially in the rental car.

On the way to the airport, the weather changes. While the sun is still shining on the north side of the island, it is raining just a few kilometers away on the south side near Ponta Delgada.

The airport is very organized, we are alone with another traveler at check-in (she seems to be transporting only 2 dogs and 2 cats to Terceira, no suitcases.)

Until now, we have not received any message on how our Covid test turned out. We also have no idea if the plane will take us. Although we were told after the first Covid test that we could definitely fly, even if the result was not yet available, we are still unsure.

Relief at the counter: no one asks for our Covid test. Phew. The luggage goes onto the conveyor belt, we wait outside until departure, where we can take off our masks. After all, we have to wear the mask until we leave the airport building on Terceira.

The Covid test tent outside is well attended - a Ryanair plane has just landed (and it is much fuller than our SATA flight)

At 1:30 pm, we go through security checks to the gate. Here too, no one asks us for the Covid test.

At Gate 9 (flight to Terceira), there are 10 people seated. Very organized... :-)

Boarding starts on time at 2:00 pm. We walk across the tarmac to our twin-engine turboprop, a Dash 8 - in the rain.

Sao Miguel says goodbye with rain. I'm curious to see what the weather is like on Terceira.

The plane is seated with 2 seats on each side. We have row 9, right next to the propeller. In front of and behind us, 3 rows are empty. We sit one row ahead to be able to see out the window. Here you sit slightly in front of the propeller.

The plane starts its propellers with a deafening noise and shortly after zooms down the runway into the air. Wow, this little thing is pretty fast. 

A short time later, we're already above the clouds in the sunshine.

The flight only lasts about 40 minutes, then the plane is already descending. Unfortunately, I'm seated on the wrong side and can't see the island properly during the approach.

One thing is for sure: it's not raining here!

On the contrary, Terceira welcomes us with sunshine!

The small airport building is deserted. We are the only passengers at the baggage claim. Apparently, we are the only ones with checked baggage (except for the lady with the two dogs who also flew in the cargo hold.)

After picking up our suitcases, we go to the car rental company 'Ilha Verde'. Since we are now here 5 hours earlier than planned due to all the vacation booking marathon, we also need the rental car earlier. I asked from Germany if that would be possible, the broker wanted lazy 100€ for 5 hours (we pay 250€ for 5 days!). No thanks!!

The nice lady at the counter tells us that it would be no problem to pick up the car earlier - FOR FREE!

For an extra 16€, we treat ourselves to an upgrade to a larger station wagon with more space for luggage. We pay an additional 10€ for the 'Covid' cleaning.

Our rental car is a Fiat Tipo station wagon, completely scratched and dented. But that's how the cars look here, and shortly afterwards we know why, because a big car is a real obstacle on the narrow streets and lanes.

While we are at the car rental counter, we receive the long-awaited call from the Portuguese authorities: all our Covid tests are NEGATIVE! Yay!

Here we go to Biscoitos. We drive 25 minutes to our accommodation for the next few days, the Caparica Eco Lodge.

I booked the 'Maison du Pomar' cottage here.

The lodge is located at the foot of the forest on the mountain with a great view over Biscoitos to the sea. It feels like sleeping in the middle of the jungle.

Landlord Guillaume warmly welcomes us. He thanked us many times for coming. We are the first 'non-Portuguese' people since March, almost all vacationers canceled their reservations.

Our house is right by the red pool (a special color), further up in the forest are the Eco Lodge treehouses.

We settle into our cottage and unpack the essentials, then we explore the island.

First, we go to the natural swimming pools of Biscoitos.

They are really cool.

Various rock pools are connected by bridges.

In between, waves splash into the pools.

The first pool is very protected and has few access points to the sea. Only small waves occasionally splash through small rock crevices. Ideal for children.

Towards the open sea, there is a platform with a ladder and a diving platform. The husband is already rubbing his hands.

Unfortunately, the back rock pools are all closed. Too bad. Because of Covid!?

No: masses of Portuguese man o' wars (highly toxic jellyfish) float here like little sailing ships in the pools. They can be easily recognized by the blue-pink shimmering air bladder, which resembles a plastic bag. How stupid...

We briefly consider jumping into the water quickly, but then decide to continue driving.

The sun is shining, so off to the next viewpoint.

We stop at Ponta do Rominho. Here, there are several great viewpoints to the island of Graciosa and the cliffs of Terceira.

It seems to have rained recently. The ground is still wet and the clouds pass by the coast, while the sun comes out more and more.

We continue towards Serreta.

Before Serreta, we turn towards 'Farol', in the direction of Ponta do Queimado.

On the way back up, we greet some little calves.

After thoroughly exploring everything, we drive back to Biscoitos.