Sao Miguel

Hi everyone,

We spent five nights in Ponta Delgada marina on Sao Miguel island.  The marina is notorious for its surge and the associated snatching at mooring lines.  It wasn't too bad while we were there apart from one day.  We used our snubbers and doubled-up all the mooring lines.  Apart from the surge the marina is good.

Ponta Delgada town square

We were there with four other OCC cruisers and berthed alongside sv Metzi.  We spent a couple of days doing boat jobs and exploring the town.  Ponta Delgada is quite a large town.  The town centre is pretty with the usual Portuguese black & white paving, interesting buildings and lots of cafes.

Zen Again and Metzi in Ponta Delgada marina

OCC sv Spirit of Gaia

Ponta Delgada street

Ponta Delgada buildings

On Tuesday we booked a hire car with the Metzis and toured the island.  For much of the day we were with the Cabillito de Mar IX crew who also hired a car.  We had a great day touring the highlands, swimming in a geothermal 'pool', walking around a tea plantation and driving around the ialsnd.

Highlands in the clouds

Highland lake

Lakeside forest

View over a caldera to a lake

More lakes

Seaside geothermal pool

Coastal view

Amazing flowers everywhere

View over the tea plantation

Entering the town of Nordeste

Nordeste town square

Sao Miguel is our last island in the Azores.  It's been fantastic visiting so many of the islands.