When we arrived on Terceira, a common suggestion for an activity was to drive around the perimeter of the island. One relatively clear Monday afternoon, we decided to do just that. If you drive straight with stopping, it would take about 2 hours. But, our rule for the day was: if you see something to see or do, stop and explore! Perhaps you noticed in the title the number "1". Well, we only got half way around the island before it was time to return home for the evening activities! We haven't done the second half yet -- another adventure to come.
The above picture was our first stop: São Mateus with the church towering above it all.
Then, following the road along the water front, we came to the local cemetery with an old church in the middle.
Don't know why, but I like walking through cemeteries, looking at the names, the dates and just wondering about their lives and experiences on this earth.
Here is a small church. All Catholic churches have at least one bell tower.
The front part of the inside. The churches here most use paint on elaborate plaster designs for decoration.
A very typical view of Terceira! The entire island is divided into pieces by the walls of stones making fields for the cows to graze or to grow the corn. There are still some wooded areas, but they are on the top or steep sides of the old volcanic cones.
As we were driving around, we decided to try Mount Santa Barbara. as the highest point on the island, where you should be able to see everything!! It looked clear, but it turned into a race to see if we could get to the top before the clouds settled on it.
It looks like we lost!!
We tried to get down below the cloud as it descended as well, but we were quite low before we got a clear view.
Another time!! The scenery will be incredible!!
Further along the road at a view point! You can see the road cutting across the fields. The best way to know if there is a road is to see a line of houses!!
The sign said turn here to go to the light house.
So we did,
and here it is!!
It used to be bigger, but now with the electronic technology, this is sufficient.
Past the light house and down to the end of the road was a large parking place and some rocky stairs. It is, remember, a volcanic island!!
While walking around, we saw some people fishing -- great fishing spot!!
We were hungry by now and stopped for lunch here and enjoyed the scenery while eating. Below is the view of the coast where we had just been. The point farther away is the rocky point shown above. The cow pastures go right to the edge of the cliff.
The stone walls are essential!
Just a ways down the road, we came a sign pointing the way to a volcano cone, Pico São Simão, near the ocean. We could see our destination, but it took us awhile and one U-turn to find the small country road that took us to its foot. We climbed up -- our exercise for the day. Here is a panorama from the base:
and some views at and from the top
Another church!! Every village has their church. But they are not always open. This one is in Altares, the home for some of Dave Viera's ancestors.
And the inside.
We have reached our half way point around the island here in Biscoitos. Here, there are natural swimming pools and they have developed them by putting in concrete walkways, platforms and stairs to get from pool to pool. There is a large parking lot, so I think during the summer it is pretty busy. This would be an awesome place to swim and have fun in the water. I am glad we are senior missionaries!!!
But first!! There is the Furnas do Enxofre -- basically sulfur vents -- from the volcanic depths below. It is basically on the way home. We have to take another road, but then we will connect with Via Rápida (Fast road) and it won't take that much more time.
You can see the various vents with smoke coming out. A trail circles the little valley with signs pointing out the various plants, vents etc. It definitely had a sulfur smell, but wasn't that strong or noxious.
And it was pretty and unique in it own way.
We are on the way home and are going past kilometers of stone walls covered with a blooming plant. They are actually a little past prime, but the walls are still beautifully decorated!
And so, that is our half of Terceira adventure!! Maybe the next half will be in the Spring with whatever that season has to offer!!
We shall see.
