On our final excursion of the around-the-world trip, Ryan and I travelled through the fascinating island of São Miguel in the Azores on a tour that included spectacular overlooks, astounding scenery, and a visit to a pineapple plantation. We began by driving through the stunning vistas and towering volcanic peaks of the majestic Serra de Água de Pau, protected as a natural reserve, to the charming coastal city of Ribeira Grande. We walked for a little bit with the tour guide before getting a little bit of free time to enjoy a refreshment (a delicious pastry) and stroll a bit among the distinctive 17th- and 18th-century Baroque buildings. The sights within the city itself were beautiful, with lovely parks and open spaces.

After our time wandering around, we continued the excursion by following a dramatic scenic mountain road to an elevation of nearly 3,000 feet, where we stopped to take in the breathtaking view of Lagoa do Fogo, or Fire Lake, a natural wonder that fills the crater of a caldera formed by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century. We were able to walk a little ways down a trail, but not as far as we would have liked to go. Had we had the time, Ryan and I agreed that we would have gone on a long hike to fully appreciate the views. Even with a little haze, the views were incredible. In fact, Ryan said it may be the most beautiful place he has ever seen. Given all of the picturesque places we’ve been, that says a lot.

Our final stop on our excursion was to a pineapple plantation where we learned how this fruit’s industry thrives in a non-tropical climate thanks to greenhouses.  We were able to wander through the greenhouses and gain a better understanding of how they grow and cultivate the pineapples. The best part, however, was getting to sample some pineapple juice and treats (for Ryan) and a pineapple beer (for me). They were absolutely delicious!

After the stop at the plantation we headed back to the ship. Worthy of mention was a sight we saw throughout the day all along our path: hydrangeas. They were everywhere and gorgeous. These beautiful flowers, which were introduced to the region centuries ago by Portuguese explorers and missionaries, once were so invasive on these islands and were growing so wild that it resulted in the devastation of a great deal of the endemic flora of the region. Though once a pest for the region, the hydrangeas are now a symbol of pride and are the national flower. They use the flowers as natural fences between properties, among other things. They lined the roads and were everywhere we turned. Absolutely stunning, no doubt. It was like the cherry blossoms in Japan – a sight we were lucky to see and one that will stay with us for a long time. Ryan mentioned that these might be his favorite flowers now. 😊

We very much enjoyed our time in the Azores. It was a wonderful place to end our around-the-world adventure before heading back to the ship for a long journey across the Atlantic. Apparently there are relatively inexpensive flights to the Azores from Boston… so worth another trip someday I’d say…