Azores - Ponta Delgada and a tearful Legend

With a shopping (Parque Atlantico) within walking distance to the Sao Miguel Park Hotel , part of the morning was spent looking around the shops and part was spent going into the city centre as well. 
We bought souvenirs as well as a few of pieces of clothing and returned to the hotel around lunchtime to meet up with our brother in law and young niece and have lunch together.

The hotel was very comfortable, had an indoor pool, sauna and gym, as well as an outdoor pool which wasn't being used at this time of year.
The staff was also very friendly and attentive and the breakfast buffet was excellent. 

The Sao Miguel Park Hotel

Our hotel room 

Views from the hotel balcony

Views from the hotel


Sunset view from the hotel 

Murals on a garage door near the Hotel

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Traditionally all the buildings in the Azores islands are painted white with the dark volcanic basalt stone surrounding window and door frames. 
Churches and other important older buildings show off intricate designs around their doors, windows and gates.

Basalt door surround

Basalt columns support the gates

A pale blue building in the city centre and a city park


Portas da Cidade -  The city "doors" (photo from net)

Portas da Cidade (Doors of the city), built in 1783 originally by the old city harbour, were later transferred to this area in 1952. They are an architectural landmark in the city, in the middle of a cobbled plaza made with basalt from the region and white marble from Portugal. 

                                                                        The city doors at night, and a church

                                                                                                                                                                           After lunch, we drove about 26km to Lagoa das Sete Cidades  (Seven cities Lagoon) on the western side of the island.
This lagoon in a volcano crater, the biggest lake in the island, is made up of 2 lakes narrowly connected, and crossed by a bridge, with the particularity that one side appears to be green and the other blue. The width of the lakes is 4,2km and the depth reaches up to 33mt.

Legend has it that in this local, a blue eyed Princess fell in love with a green eyed goat herder. The King who wished for his daughter to marry a Prince, when he heard about his daughter's love interest, he prohibited their relationship. The Princess asked for a last meeting with her love and while they both talked about their sad destiny, they both cried so much, that from her blue eyes the Blue Lagoon was formed, and from his green eyes the Green Lagoon was formed. Both were separated, but their tears were forever united side by side in the Seven Cities Lagoon. Isn't this beautiful?

From the top of the crater, 250mt above sea level, there is a scenic viewpoint called - Vista do Rei (King's View) - so called, because this was the place where in 1901, the Portuguese King D. Carlos and Queen D. Amelia, were dazzled by this view, when they visited the island.

Seven cities Lagoon in the crater of a volcano

The lakes with the bridge across them and the Sete Cidades town on the other side

At Kings View - The family with the lagoons behind.
Left to Right (back) - Jose, his youngest brother, my brother in law, our daughter Karina                        L  to R (front) - my middle sister, our Azorean niece and I.

Panel made with tiles showing the lagoon

A half finished and abandoned Hotel looks a bit desolate amidst the beautiful scenery

We drove down the twisting roads to the village of Sete Cidades, and on the way stopped to photograph some cows  freely grazing in the green fields.

The Azores produce one of the best meats, very tender and tasty, and this is all due to the fact that their cows roam around eating grass. They are also producers of good quality milk, butter and various cheeses - one of my favourites being - Sao Jorge cheese, with a peppery taste. We even bought some to bring to Australia!

Cows grazing in grassy fields in Sete Cidades

By the water's edge there was a complex being developed that will include restaurants and Cafes, but at the moment, only one Cafe was in operation. We sat down for a while drinking coffees and teas, and at the same time taking cover from the drizzle that was falling.

Although we mainly got sunny days at this time of the year, being the end of winter, it was still slightly cool. The island also gets a lot of rainfall, but most times it's just a drizzle, not even enough to warrant opening an umbrella! 

Rainbow over the lake

I took some photos that showed the beautiful blend of colours around the lake, and managed to catch a rainbow too.

We drove back to the hotel and while the men played pool, my sister and I enjoyed some relaxing time in the sauna, jacuzi and swimming pool before getting ready for dinner.

After dinner we had a drink at the hotel bar and I remembered my cake and went to fetch it from our bedroom.

As soon as I walked in the bar with the cake box, the lady behind the bar quickly came over to our corner and handed us plates and cake forks and a knife!

Wow, I was surprised with the good service, we hadn't even asked for those things and she anticipated what we needed!

So once again the staff at the Sao Miguel Park Hotel deserve a big THANK YOU!

As there was still enough cake after we all had a slice I gave her a slice as well as a slice each for the two American couples at the bar.

Another day in Paradise!!

Hope you are enjoying the Island visit, there's more to come soon.

Tuesday 3 March 2015