Day 8: on to Terceira Island

The tour is island hopping today. We are flying from São Miguel Island to Terceira Island.

We said good-bye to our guide Ayla and meet our new guide Marina. We make a quick stop at a local grocery store to pick up snacks, water, and lunch. I love a good grocery store.

As we are driving I noticed the cows are all laying down so hopefully they are just resting and not a sign of something bad is coming.  I think the Azores has the happiest cows because such a beautiful area with volcanic rocks and lush green pastures.  No time is wasted as we head to our hike for today, Rocha do Chambre, that is rated as average.

The first few miles were walking on large rocks formed from lava . . . not easy!

Then into the forest . . . at any minute I expected the Hobbit to pop out!

Well it was a lie as this is was HARD!  See those metal grates and green ropes?  That is how we had to get up the trail.  I was so afraid of falling backwards to my death!  It was tough . . . big steps while balancing weight and trying to hoist myself upward with the ropes.  

Just when I thought we were walking flat . . . 

. . . I was wrong . . . up, up, up we go!  

 

I hope you don't think that I am miserable and hating this experience.  I really am glad I am doing it.  It sort of proves to me I can do hard things which was one of my goals when I quit teaching.  Of course I did complain to myself because it was hard and I was out of shape but that is all my fault!  The end was near  since we were at the highest point of the hike!

The bus was waiting and I was last again!  We made the drive to Ponta dos Biscoitos which is a coastal area known for swimming.  I was so ready for lunch!  I was starving after all that hiking.  I was very happy with the lunch I purchased and ate it all.

There was still free time so headed out to explore and watch the waves crash into the huge lava boulders; the water has to be freezing cold.

We drove the highest point of Angra do Heroismo where we will be staying the next two nights.

And that was all I saw of Angra do Heroísmo tonight as I hunkered down in my room to relax!  The hotel hallways were interesting . . . into the woods we go . . .

. . . but the room was comfortable and the shower amazing!