Day 4: Angra do Heroísmo

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.

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.

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

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.

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'.

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.