Three days ago I knew three things about the Azores

1 It is an autonomous region of Portugal.

2. It’s a long archipelago in the eastern part of the Atlantic Ocean.

3. Christopher Columbus made an unscheduled stop there on his return from the New World when the Santa Maria was damaged.

I had assumed it was a collection of desert like islands similar to the Canaries and not all that interesting. Of course , I was wrong

It’s stunningly beautiful. Untouched by the mass tourism found in places like the Canaries and the largest tea growing region in Europe, who knew !

We started our day going on a hike to view the northern shore of the island. Rodrigo picked us up in his Land Rover and drove us to a small village on the north shore where we wandered through the town and then made our way to a path that led downward. When I say downward I mean straight down .

Protected by a thick canopy of Red Cedar we walked down to a river and sauntered along its banks. One waterfall after another. Totally deserted . Had it been a bit warmer we would have jumped in for a swim !

Finally we reached the coast and the last cascade that flowed directly into the sea.

The only problem with a steep three mile hike down means a steep three mile hike up . It was a killer. I was surprised Rodrigo and John didn’t leave me along the trail for the buzzards to find! I really can’t describe the views but check out the photos and imagine the reality was twice as stunning in person.

After a champagne lunch in which the other half drank almost entire bottle of Champagne we headed to the Lake of Fire ..crystal clear filling an old caldera and then back to the city of Ponta Delgada and a stroll.

9 miles of walking , back on the ship and then we found ourselves sailing away.

I often visit someplace and say “oh I will definitely return here”.In this case I actually see myself returning and exploring the 6 other islands. Until then I’ll just remember the blue of the water , those waterfalls and the three mile hike up the hill