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