Azores Islands (Portugal) - March/April 2021
People of Azores
Living the ocean
Michael Costa, manager and head skipper of the CW Azores on Pico. After some years in Canada decided to come back and stay in touch with nature, building on the legacy of whaling - just no whales are killed now. Professional with a joy transmitted to the clients on a rough zodiac ride.
Growing tea
Handmade and all Bio, at Gorreana Tea Factory on Sao Miguel.
Hospitality
Sharing local wine while stuck on Corvo island
Innovation of traditions
This family is bound together and to their Faja dos Vimes on Sao Jorge. Father and daughter grow coffee, a not-well-known skill brought to Azores from Brasil after the abolition of slavery. Step by step learning, hand picking, sun drying and roasting. Mother developes local textile handcrafting.
Art and land
Adriana Gonçalves, a young artist that after studies came back to beloved Azores. Today she is a perfect guide in Gruta Torres lava tube system.
Accommodation
Quinta Velha Das Amoreiras (Sao Miguel)
Magical place on the southern coast. This is the view from the apartment, that is well equipped and has a fireplace. This web was born here. The owners very pleasant. In the ocean below the house there is a small natural pool.
Villa Varzea Hikers Nest (Sao Miguel)
Faial Marina Apartments (Sao Miquel): clean and comfortable apartment centrally located in Horta.
Apartamentos Garrett (Faial): Nice old-style apartment short walking distance from the Ferry Terminal in Horta. The owner was waiting for me till the late night arrival of the delayed ferry.
Hotel Comodoro (Corvo): A motel style place with a huge living room. I was the only guest and the owners made me feel at home. Each morning fresh breakfast left there in the kitchen so I could serve myself during the day, should I wish.
Casas da Quinta (Flores): I did not manage to arrive to Flores because all conenctions were cancelled for several days due to bad weather. So I cannot tell anything about the property. But I did not like how the owner managed the situation. Would not go there.