How to create your own memory

In the beginning of the year we had the pleasure to do some trips with Erika Gerdes, among the other guests. I could not help but notice that she was gathering all kinds of small things, what other people would discard of. At one point I had to ask, what she was planning to do with all those things...
As an answer she sent us photos with her own explanation in German. Following is a loose translation, as it is very difficult to translate feelings.

It lasted a little, because I had always add something. At the moment it´s still missing the American flag ( to represent 10-th Azorean Island) and a rainbow. I used as many things as possible:

- Obsidian stands for Pico Island

-  Paper from teabags, to represent the tea factory

- I didn't forget to put  a “Roque” (big stone) from Sao Roque

- And also volcanic crater of Vila Franca Islet

- Red dots for the lighthouses

- A small piece of fishing net down under, next to Santa Maria Island and above the Portuguese flag

- Butt from a local cigar, Pérola, smoked by me

- Cover from local “Atlantic” wine bottle

- Cap from “Kima” (local passion fruit drink)

- Different stones: brown, black, sulfur-colored, light-colored pumice

- Black sand, small pink shell fragments, which once covered the black sand

- Lichen, different seeds, eucalyptus

- Small picture of a cow

- Cruise chip, left top side, close to sun and stars

- On the second row 5 blue dots, to represent rain

- 6 blue harts, on the 3.th row, left, next to Faial, representing my love to the sea

- Above the wine cap, small blue symbol for the wind and big waves

- Lagoa de Fogo is bit faded, It was marked with blue-colored flower-bud

I hope you like it as much as I do -  a great memory of a wonderful vacation.

We think it´s wonderful, thank you so much Erika.

Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo - Combi jeep tour

Spring is in the air in the Azores!

As the seasons change we see the landscapes of the Azorean islands transform. Spring is the time that the islands are the most beautiful, as it is now that the flowers bloom and cover the fields and mountain slopes in a rainbow of colours. Right now the pink azaleas are blooming and we can see many of them scattered especially around the lakes of Sete Cidades. During the past two days we were able to enjoy this beautiful sight in Sete Cidades combined with the impressive mountainous landscapes of Lagoa do Fogo on our combi jeep tour. 

Futurismo's full day combi tour is the best way to see the regions of both Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo in one day. It is the perfect choice for people who do not have time to see both regions on separate days. Today we were very lucky with the weather throughout the whole day. The sun followed us and the clouds seemed to part in just the right places for us to enjoy all of the magnificent viewpoints in both regions. We started in the volcanic complex of Sete Cidades where we had several stops to enjoy the different views of the crater as well as the lakeside at the bottom. The lunch that is included in the trip was traditional Azorean food in a local restaurant. In the afternoon we explored the region of Lagoa do Fogo, with stops at the viewpoints over Fogo lake and the nature reserve of Caldeira Velha. We had a perfect end of the day with a visit to the liquor factory in Ribeira Grande where all the traditional liquors are made and can be tasted and bought.

A perfect start to the morning with a rainbow just after leaving Ponta Delgada

Pico do Carvão viewpoint

Aquaduct remains - used to transport water from the lakes to Ponta Delgada during the 17th-18th Centuries

Vista do Rei viewpoint

The most famous viewpoint for photography

Vista do Rei means King's viewpoint. Named so because after the King of Portugal visited in 1901

Pink azaleas - one of the many beautiful flowers that grows all over the island

The west of São Miguel island

White azaleas

Driving around the blue lake of Sete Cidades

Two of Futurismo's nature guides - Irene and Nuno

View from halfway up Lagoa do Fogo mountain down to Ponta Delgada

View of Lagoa do Fogo from the road

Lagoa do Fogo - Fogo lake

On top of the world

Caldeira Velha natural reserve

Naturally heated bathing pool in Caldeira Velha. Here you can enjoy a soak in water of about 37-38ºC

Sete Cidades full-day tour

It was a very foggy day in the crater of Sete Cidades which unfortunately obstructed a lot of our view of the surrounding landscape. However, the group were determined not to be put off and briskly set off on a 2 and half hour walk around the volcanic crater towards the town also named Sete Cidades. The walk was nice, and although there wasn't anything to see further away from us, we could still get up close with, and learn about, the different plants and rocks along the trail as well as seeing many dairy cows and wild birds.

We stopped at the town for a little while to eat lunch and drink coffee as well as having an independent wander around the town to look at the beautiful buildings and the church. After this we set off in the bus to the area of Ferraria which is situated on the far west side of the São Miguel island. Ferraria is a natural hot spring at the bottom of the volcano, right next to the sea. When the tide is out, the pool is very warm - around 30°C. The rock is made from lava which flowed from the volcano and cooled and hardened very quickly once it met the sea. The patterns from the lava flow can be seen in the rock.

We finished off our trip at the Arruda Pinapple Plantation where we learned about how the pineapples are grown and how they are the iconic fruit of the Azores. We were able to sample the products made on site from the pineapples such as pineapple liquor, chutney and marmalade.

Ilex azorica - Azorean holly / Azevinho

 Laurus azoricus - Azores Laurel / Louro

Erica azorica - Azorean heather / Urze

 Myrsine africana - African boxwood / Tamujo

Dairy cow

A foggy trail

Milk cart

 São Nicolau / St Nicholas Church

 Farol de Ferreria - Lighthouse of Ferreria

 Pineapple

Pineapples growing in the greenhouse

Lagoa do Fogo half-day Jeep tour

This afternoon we visited Lagoa do Fogo (Lake of Fire) on a half-day Jeep tour. The lake is situated in the crater of the Agua de Pau volcano. The view of the lake was absolutely spectacular, and we picked a nice day to view it. The volcano beneath the lake and the area around it is still dormant, and the Caldeira Velha hot springs nearby prove this. We visited the hot springs after we soaked in enough of the view of Lagoa do Fogo. Some of the clients took a dip in the warm 35°C fresh water pools, which are heated by the magma underneath (but close to the surface of) the Earths crust. One of the pools was extremely hot, boiling temperatures at above 100°C - there was no swimming to be had in this one! As well as the warm pools, Caldeira Velha is a really scenic place to visit with an almost Jurassic feel to it. A much recommended place to spend an afternoon.

After resting and relaxing in the hot springs, we journeyed on to Ribeira Grande to where local liquors are made. We walked round the factory seeing the huge wooden casks in which the liquor was kept to mature. Afterwards we were allowed to try samples of the liquor and was also able to buy some to take home!

Laden with goods, we headed home. Such a nice way to spend the afternoon, São Miguel really does have some beautiful scenery.

Stunning views of Lagoa do Fogo

The waterfall at Caldeira Velha

Bathing in the hot springs

You can see the steam rising from the hot springs

Plenty of frogs thrive in the warm water. You can constantly hear them croaking to one another

Walking trail - Moinhos da Ribeira Funda

The winter is also important for the guides of Futurismo to get to know more trails and discover more alternatives for our guests. Yesterday we walked the trail "Moinhos da Ribeira Funda" on the North of São Miguel Island. The day started very cloudy, but soon after we had a beautiful summer day with amazing views of the ocean and coast.  These are just some pictures from today: