Beautiful Ponta Delgada in Sao Miguel

It was a lovely sail from the island of Terceira on the evening of Tuesday 5 June towards Ponta Delgada on the island of Sao Miguel. Some ARC Europe boats typically begin to split up from the fleet in the Azores, some decide to stay within the archipelago and cruise for longer whilst others want to head North to the UK and other Northern European regions to return to work or simply be home for the Summer time. This year has been no exception and a total of 19 yachts have made it to Sao Miguel, our penultimate Azorean stopover, with 5 more due to leave the rally here in Ponta Delgada and head North.

  
A plane flies over Marina de Ponta Delgada            An example of some of the historic buildings

After a free evening last night to walk around the historic city of Ponta Delgada and enjoy some fine cuisine, the enthusiastic participants met up again this morning at 9am for an organised complimentary bus tour of the east coast of Sao Miguel, visiting one of the seven wonders of Portugal – the Twin Lakes (Lagoa Azul & Lagoa Verde). These remarkable lakes are divided by a narrow bridge and have two clearly distinct colours, green and blue. They are crater fresh water lakes, being filled or topped up by both rainwater and also underwater springs. The participants enjoyed some ideal photo opportunities, as the weather was kind to us, and some great commentary from our tour guide Serafina Silva.


This photo was taken from one of the highest points of Sao Miguel just before we reached the
lakes facing South.


The beautiful twin lakes in Sao Miguel... a very impressive sight

Serafina highlighted the Hydrangeas that seemed to grow all over the side of the roads and also used to separate property boundaries, these beautiful Summer blooming flowers were originally from China however began to prosper once established in the Azores and quickly became the flower of the Azores and is now used as the Azorean national emblem. Also highlighted was the importance of milk and beef farming in the Azores, cattle play important roles here in these islands. The tour finished with s brief stop off at the pineapple orchard, it was very interesting as most participants had never thought how these fruit actually grow and on what type of plant or tree. Most expected the fruit to emerge from the soil similar to a potato but were indeed surprised with the outcome.


The participants who joined Kieran and Serafina on the bus tour this morning... smiles all around!

Tonight the fleet will enjoy some complimentary drinks kindly sponsored the Acoriano oriental yacht race, which 17 ARC Europe boats will be participating in tomorrow night from Ponta Delagada to Santa Maria.