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São Jorge Island:
A full day tour of
the island from the port of Velas
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Sailing 147 nautical
miles overnight from Corvo island, we arrived at the small
port of Velas on São
Jorge Island just before 8:00am.
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The port of Velas. The
weather didn't look too promising, but perhaps it was just
early morning cloud. |
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From the port at Velas,
we drove west to the Sete Fontes (Seven Springs) Forest
Park, where we had a rather misty walk and fed some of the
deer. From there we drove back a little way before turning
north, stopping at a cheese factory for a tour and tastings.
Driving along the north coast we stopped at a viewpoint
(miradouro) and then on towards our lunch venue (Os Amigos
on this map). After lunch, we travelled along the south
coast towards our starting point, stopping at what is left
of a church in Urzelina, a craft/artisan workshop and finally
at another viewpoint overlooking the town of Velas and the
port where we could see our ship. (click the map for a more
detailed view). |
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It was a pity that we
couldn't see very much during our walk, because it seemed
like a really nice place. |
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We drove through Rosias
Village on the way to our next stop. |
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In the small village
of Beira, we stopped at the cheese factory (União
de Cooperativas Agricolas de Lacticínios de São
Jorge). |
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In order to be allowed
on the planned tour, we had to put on some protective gear.
Bruce especially loved his pointy blue shoe coverings, not
to mention the rather fetching headgear. |
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After the very interesting
tour, we were taken to the shop, where we bought some of
their cheese to take back home as a gift. Luckily we had
a fridge in our cabin on the ship to keep it at the right
temperature. |
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We were treated to a
tasting of three of their special cheeses; the 4, 12 &
24 months matured ones. The oldest one in particular was
very nice. |
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Leaving Beira, we headed
for the north coast... |
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...passing through Norte
Grande... |
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| ...to a nearby viewpoint... |
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Driving for another
half an hour and crossing from the north coast to the south,
we arrived in Calheta,
which is where we were going to have lunch. |
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We were treated to a
very generous buffet lunch at the Os Amigos ("The Friends")
Restaurant. |
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After lunch, there was
some free time to relax and admire the views. |
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Edwina, a friend of
our friend Angela, guessed who we were and made herself
know to us. Bruce had to send a photo to Angela! |
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Leaving Calheta after
lunch, we travelled along the coast towards our starting
point this morning... |
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...but we still had
a few planned stops along the way, the first of which was
at a ruined church in Urzelina,
a village whose character was shaped very much by the volcanic
eruption in 1808. |
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Just the other side
of Urzelina, we stopped again at a craft workshop. |
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The final stop on our
road trip was at this viewpoint, overlooking the town of
Velas
and of our ship in the port. |
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It was a relatively short
drive from the viewpoint to the town itself. |
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Once we got off the
coach for the last time today, we could have gone straight
back to the ship, but chose instead to follow our guide
for a short walking tour of the town. |
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Peeking out above the
clouds, we could see Ponta do Pico on the island of Pico,
which we would be visiting tomorrow. |
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The passion fruit boule
for dessert was a triumph! |
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Our ship was scheduled
to remain in the port overnight because it would only be
a short crossing to Pico in the morning. We were told that
there would be an evening festival/procession at the local
church, so after dinner we took a stroll back into town
to see it. |
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Returning to our gleaming
ship, we were looking forward to a good sleep while the
ship remained in the port overnight, after what had been
a long yet very interesting day. |
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