Leaving Portugal

After two days on Ilha do Flores, we catch a flight – late of course – to Ponta Delgada on the Island of Saõ Miguel. Travel around the Azores is usually in and out of Ponta Delgada because the islands are really too small to operate a big airport. During the past 10 days, I’ve…

The Island of Fog

We said goodbye to Graciosa this morning and caught another SATA plane, landing in the town of Santa Cruz on the island of Flores. Of course, that plane was delayed as well. And it was raining. And foggy. And I swear, we taxied for at least 10 minutes before we finally came to a stop….

Land of my ancestors

The next island we head for is Graciosa, “the White Island.” It has been classified by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve and it is the second smallest island in the Azores archipelago, roughly eight miles long and five miles wide. It is also the birthplace of my great-grandfather, Antonio de Mello. My great- grandfather…

Ilha Preta – Ilha do Pico

We get up at 4:30am on Wednesday, June 4th, to leave the hotel by 5 to catch a POD back to the airport. The receptionist is on her game this morning and charges us for the ride over, £8 each… but I figure since this is our fourth trip by POD, which should have cost…