Day 4: Angra do Heroísmo

प्रकाशित: 09.07.2020

July 8, 2020

This morning it looks like a sunny day, but unfortunately it completely clouded over after breakfast.

Speaking of breakfast: somehow I missed that breakfast is included when booking.

Guillaume told us yesterday that he is not allowed to offer a breakfast buffet due to Covid-19, but he will bring breakfast to our door in the morning.

Cool, that's even better! Yesterday there was already honey, jam, milk, yogurt, and 2 types of bread with cheese in the refrigerator.

This morning we get a folding crate with croissants, bread, cheese, fresh hummus, and tomato salad delivered to our door.

We are very excited! Super delicious!

Since the weather doesn't play along today, we decide to visit 'Angra do Heroísmo', the oldest city in Portugal, whose old town also is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


Off to Angra do Heroísmo
The dog is riding in the back
Moooo

First, we drive to Monte Brasil. Monte Brasil is the remains of a volcano (and a peninsula) that connects the south coast of Terceira to the central Azores with a view of the city of Angra do Heroísmo. Monte Brasil is flanked by two bays: the Bay of Angra (named after the city) to the east and the Bay of Fanal to the west and has been used as a defense point throughout Angra's history. So you can still find fortresses, cannons, and earthworks on top of the mountain, including the fortress of São João Baptista overlooking the city.

Road to Monte Brasil
Monte Brasil
On top of Monte Brasil

Good thing we didn't drive into the hinterland today. It's cloudy there.

Angra do Heroísmo

On Monte Brasil, we find some animal enclosures and a lot of chickens and roosters running around. They are very trusting and come to us curiously as we look at the enclosures.

After exploring everything, we park at the foot of the mountain and walk along the sea to the city.

The city beach is lonely at the foot of the city. Currently, only the two lifeguards are sitting on their posts and turning somersaults.

The Portuguese have quickly adapted to Covid as well and have created a kind of one-way traffic system. There are 2 stairs down and 2 stairs up, everywhere signs hang that you should keep your distance. Sun umbrellas and loungers are available in reduced form.

However, today there is no one at the beach, just a few dead jellyfish on the beach and in the sea we see the hated Portuguese man o' war floating.

The old town is really beautiful. The colorful houses all look in great condition.

We take a detour to the Duke of Terceira Garden and watch the frogs and fish in the many small ponds for a while. The flowers are blooming and each plant is equipped with a sign and explanation.

We walk down to the harbor and pass by the only open whale watching stand of 'Water4Fun'. Here we are immediately greeted friendly and it is mentioned that a whale watching tour is planned for tomorrow, but so far only 5 people have registered.
Wouldn't we like to join, they would go out with at least 8 people.
Actually, we didn't plan on whale watching on Terceira, but why not!
We get a discount of €5/person and agree to join tomorrow. The tour will take place on a Zodiac boat.
I suddenly get shortness of breath, because I'm not at all comfortable with boats & ships. Just the thought of this 'inflatable boat' gives me a stomachache.
So far, I have only been whale watching once, in Sydney 2 years ago, on a fairly large ship.
Thanks to half a bottle of Vomex, I managed the 3.5 hours at sea quite well.
Vomex will come to my rescue tomorrow too - I hope... if I dare to get on this Zodiac.
I'm still not sure if I really want to do it....

After visiting the city, we continue to the Queijo Vaquinha cheese factory. We don't get an insight into the cheese production here (or we can only look through the windows where the production takes place), but we get a plate with 4 types of cheese and bread.

Delicious - 'cheese tasting'.

There isn't much going on at the visitor terrace, they apparently expected a lot more visitors.

The cheese tasting comes in handy, after all, we haven't had lunch yet.

In the end, we buy the orange packaged 'Pikante' cheese and continue to the bathing spot 'Cinco Ribeiras'.

We briefly consider going for a swim, but jumping into the 19-degree 'warm' water without the sun is not really our thing.
In addition, at the rock pools, the current is very strong due to the tide, and in the swimming area on the other side, the Portuguese man o' wars line up one behind the other and drift ashore. No, today nothing draws me into the water here.
We sit on the hot lava stones for a while and then drive back through the mountains towards Biscoitos.


In Biscoitos, it's not as cloudy, so we stop by the rock pools.
The husband dares to jump into the protected rock pool, where many children are playing in the water. After a few strokes, he's back out again. It's probably quite chilly.
On the way back to the house, Vitor from Whale Watching calls again. Another group of 4 people has signed up for tomorrow, so good news, the whale watching can take place!
The kids are happy, I'm not sure if I should be happy.
So, Zodiac tomorrow.... oh my...

To distract myself, I jump into our 'red' pool with my son once again. Also very refreshing, before the day ends with relaxation on the couch.

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