AZORES  - DAY THREE - Terceira East

Blogs: Day 1 - Getting There | Day 2 - Central | Day 3 East | Day 4 West | Day 5 Last Day | Day 6 To Pico | Day 7 Madalena | Day 8 Pico Mountain | Day 9 Pico to Faial | Day 10 Pico East | Day 11 Pico North | Day 12 To São Miguel | Day 13 São Miguel North East | Day 14 São Miguel North West | Day 15 São Miguel Furnas | Day 16 São Miguel Pineapples | Day 17 São Miguel Baths | Day 18 São Miguel Filling the Gaps | Day 19 São Miguel ABF

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NOTE: There is no "Wendy's World" at the end.  She usurped my blog and inserted her own commentary where ever she wanted.  WOMEN!!!!

Today we headed East following the coast all the way to the North side and back down the middle (not actually that far, it's a small island!) We came across some swimming holes built using the ocean's water and the natural lava rocks formations. A little to chilly now, but I am sure fun in summer.  There are hundreds of these Natural Pools all over and very popular!

Next was a lighthouse, the only one on the island.  This lighthouse has been rebuilt several times since it's origin in 1882 - mostly due to earthquakes. Wendy is more a fan of iconic and classical conical build than square build.  Conical is the traditional way of building, square is a recent modernization that is much more economical and results in less building materials.  She is kind of a light house fanatic! 

(From Wendy - The proper term is PHAROLOGIST!  Not Light house fanatic!  You got the F sound right at least!! LOL)

Then a small harbor, and I mean small. Too small to keep boats in the water, they sit on trailers which are then pushed into the water to launch them.

At the harbor there was a food truck. We had 2 different breaded sea creatures, no idea what they were.  One had a claw as a handle and the other tasted more like a hush puppy according to Wendy. Both were extremely tasty and fresh.

Then a man arrived in some sort of government truck.  He ordered a coffee and whisky, chased that with a beer and went back to work. Seemed like a good idea to me, so I ordered a whisky and coffee. Was just over $2 and tasted fantastic!  Also warmed the cockles of my cold, cold heart.  LOL

Then we ran into a couple of domestic rabbits that seemed to think they commanded the road until their owner came running out after them. What's hysterical, that same government worker who had a coffee, whiskey and beer chaser - it was HIS house the bunnies ran from that went wild and then bunny twerking in the streets!  Really, people, I can't make this shizzit up!

Next was another cow traffic jam, with the farmer walking them up the road.  We were happy just to let them be, however, the farmer wanted us out of there ASAP!  He kept telling us to move on, yet the cows had other ideas.  Since Wendy nor I wanted to potentially run over our future dinner, Wendy drove a little more gingerly than the famer wanted. Watch the video below!

Then we hit the "Big City", Lajes. 

Large public beach which was mostly empty. I'll bet it is standing room only in summer. Lots of restaurants and bars. A huge marina.

This city is where the airport is located and guess who shares that airport? The United States Air Force! The only US base in Portugal, a great place military planes can refuel before flying on to Europe or Middle East. We saw several jet fighters on the tarmac.  As we were on a road that had several signs indicating "PROHIBDO" we didn't think it prudent to take pictures for this blog.  Wendy wondered when we would be locked up with the key thrown away as she was positive we worm holed our way in accidently.  Just take our word - it was cool!

We found another tiny port and right up the road was a suicide road, better to be sure to make that turn otherwise this is where ya going - straight into the Atlantic!!  The grade to get down here was at least 50-60 degrees!  The roads here - you know you're not in Florida anymore!

Upon returning to our "home town" we stopped at a pub for a glass of local wine and beer for $2.70 - not each...TOTAL!  Try to beat that. Then we went home to be invited by our landlord to his home where he showed us how he makes wine from the grape vines in his yard. Tasted AMAZING!!!  Above are his vats and this past season he made 500 litres of wine from the vine!  WOW!!!   Wendy makes about 50 litres and she cheats!  The grapes are already processed!  You got some catching up to do girl!

And finally...

I have come to discover there are very, VERY few public restrooms in the Azores. I guess it's not a Portuguese thing. Not a single restroom at any of the beaches, gas stations or tourist attractions or swimming pools. NADA!!  I had to go to https://www.pee.place (whoever thought I would need an app like that?) to find that only 8 public restrooms are available on the entire island! We we went to one (see above pic), and guess what? It was locked up for the winter! There's a bush in my future!!

(From Wendy - there were a LOT of bushes he frequented today! LOL!   I, on the other hand, chose not to pop a squat.  Even tho the urge crossed me several times, I waited, with dignity, until I got home to the FROZEN FRIGGIN TOILET SEAT!!  Why does this country not have hiney warmers on toilet seats!!!????!!!)

Until tomorrow ...