Tag: São Miguel
-
Azores Index
The Azores (Açores), Portugal (March 2001) We traveled to four of the nine principal islands of the Azores during our way too brief trip. I’d love to go back someday and catch the rest. Island of Faial Horta Street Scenes Horta Waterfront Ferry Between Pico and Faial Island of Pico Ferry Between Pico and Faial…
-
Miscellaneous Scenery of São Miguel
São Miguel, The Azores (Açores), Portugal (March 2001) This page focuses on miscellaneous scenery throughout São Miguel. We took lots of photographs as we drove throughout the central and eastern portions of the island. However there weren’t enough photos to justify an individual page for each of the locations shown below. Caloura The picturesque town…
-
Furnas Fumaroles
São Miguel, The Azores (Açores), Portugal (March 2001) Furnas (map) is reputed to be one of the most active geothermal areas in Europe. It is like a miniature version of Yellowstone in Wyoming. However, visitors generally don’t have to deal with swarms of tourists. Steam and heat scorch the earth, leaving behind a barren landscape…
-
Furnas Scenery
São Miguel, The Azores (Açores), Portugal (March 2001) Furnas is a Portuguese word that is similar to its English cognate “Furnace.” In this case it applies to a town and a region in a broad interior valley on the eastern side of São Miguel. Furnas rests in a caldera basin surrounded by mountains on all…
-
Vila Franca do Campo
São Miguel, The Azores (Açores), Portugal (March 2001) Vila Franca do Campo sits about midway along São Miguel’s southern coast (map). It served as the first capital city of São Miguel until it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1552. Now the capital is located in Ponta Delgada. Vila Franca do Campo has a wonderfully…
-
Logoa do Fogo
São Miguel, The Azores (Açores), Portugal (March 2001) Lagoa do Fogo, or “Lake of Fire” floods the bottom of a caldera in São Miguel’s middle interior (map). However, this isn’t some ancient formation. A volcano created this caldera within the period of human habitation. It happened in 1563 and it could happen again. A well…
-
Ponta Delgada Scenes
São Miguel, The Azores (Açores), Portugal (March 2001) Ponta Delgada is the capital of the Azores and its most populous city. It hugs São Miguel’s southwestern coast (map). These old “City Gates” or Portas da Cidade probably personifies Ponta Delgada more than any other image. They dated back to the 18th Century. Back then the…
-
Ribeira Grande
São Miguel, The Azores (Açores), Portugal (March 2001) Ribeira Grande, translates to “Large Stream” in English. It serves as the main town on São Miguel’s northern coast (map). A large stream runs through town as the name implies. It provided power for grain mills in the early days of settlement, and a town flourished along…
-
Caldeira Velha
São Miguel, The Azores (Açores), Portugal (March 2001) Caldeira Velha clings precariously halfway down the volcanic mountain that forms Lagoa do Fogo in São Miguel’s middle interior (map). One of the amazing features of the caldera is a naturally heated swimming pool built beneath a gentle waterfall. The water’s rich mineral content stained the incline…