The sun can’t shine every day, right? I only had 3 nights on Faial and a full itinerary of things I wanted to see. Foremost amongst them, the volcanic outcrop at Capelinhos and the Caldeira at the centre of the island. To see both in a day it had seemed a good idea to book a taxi tour of the island, which is quite small. But there’s no accounting for weather, especially in mid-Atlantic. Ever hopeful, we rounded the bay and began the drive up Monte de Guia to the viewing point on the top. Senhora de Guia looked down, with arms folded in prayer.
A damp mist lingered about us as we drove up towards the Caldeira, growing ever thicker. An impression of verdant shrubs as we gathered rain capes around us and headed for the dripping tunnel entrance. Sometimes it clears for a few seconds, just long enough for you to look down into the extinct volcano, our driver assured us. I peered hard, willing the clouds to part just a little, but our driver was already shrugging his shoulders and retreating to his dry cab. I had to settle for photos of the information boards. Sensing our dampened spirits, he kept up pleasant and informative chat as he drove to the north of the island, hoping for better.
Coffee and cake sweetened us, ready for the drama of Capelinhos. An earthquake in 1980 had ‘thrown’ new land out into the sea, creating an extension of the island. The surrounding land is parched and arid and a forlorn lighthouse gazes seaward, turning its back on the enemy within.
Luminous green algae glowed at us from the rock pools, and the driver talked of the venom in the Portuguese Man of War that wash ashore. A lone fisherman struggled with the waves, and we were told that in former days whaling was the only possible livelihood on these isolated islands. Returning along the coast we encountered many houses left in ruins by the earthquake, abandoned and never reclaimed by their owners. Many had gone to start a new life in Massachussets and Canada, never to return. It was all rather sad.
Back in Horta, the sky was starting to clear, just a little bit, and we wished we had taken the afternoon tour, or perhaps stayed at the underground research centre in Capelinhos. Our driver kindly dropped us off at the botanic gardens on the outskirts of Horta, making sure that we knew our way back down afterwards. Just as we parted company a light drizzle began. On with the rain capes again.
The gardens were created to preserve the native flora of the islands. A labrynth of paths wind around a small quarry and lake, the colour pallet almost all green and muted brown. I searched for that pop of colour that I love, but it was not till we were back on the street that I found what I was looking for. Of course, the hydrangea is not native to the Azores.
It was a gentle stroll back down into Horta, and we took our time because that reluctant sun had decided to shine. We were surprised to arrive at a bridge over a stream, but had we paid attention to the map we would have realised that the River Conceicáo flows into the bay, beside the ferry terminal. The sea rolled gently onto the black sand beach, barely stirring the pebbles.
The afternoon ferry was arriving. The same one we had arrived on the previous day. We had come full circle and there was nothing for it but to find a waterfront café, and wait patiently for Pico to reveal itself, through the misty corolla of clouds. Our next destination!
I’m traveling these next few days, so may be slow with my response rate, but I’ll do my best. Catch up with you soon!
As you say not every day can be sunny. Gorgeous moody photos.
Thanks, Sue 🙂 🙂 We still had an enjoyable day.
Wonderful visit to Faial, Jo, albeit overcast and wet. Mountains and calderas are so iffy when it comes to weather. But I’m glad the cake and coffee helped, and that you eventually got to enjoy some sun…and so many gorgeous scenes. That luminous green algae is super cool!
The sun’s always shining somewhere, Jet 🙂 🙂
You may have noticed that I love the misty cloudy days, but when you have a limited amount of time to see calderas I suppose it can be a bit disappointing. That hydrangea was its own reward! Beautiful (and a great capture by you!)
It was a bit annoying because if we’d gone in the afternoon we’d quite possibly have seen into the caldeira, but you can never know that, and I’m so grateful for all we did see. 🙂 🙂 Thanks, hon!
Don’t know if it’s different on your side of the planet, but around here most of the time the mornings are misty, but the mist clears off when the sun burns it off. It’ll also make a difference in temperature.
Here it varies. We often have clear blue from the get go, but temperatures do increase. It’s often hottest at 7 in the evening and people are just coming back from the beach. 🙂 🙂
Interesting! Thanks.
Such beautiful photos, Jo, and I think the rain made them even prettier. I love the notion of new land being “thrown” into the sea by an earthquake (as long as it’s not here). This is all fascinating, and makes me want to visit. 🙂
They are very fascinating islands Lynn, and with plenty of variety. I hope to return to visit another couple. 😍💕
You know I can commiserate given my less-than-stellar travel weather luck! Still looks like a fun outing!
You can always make the best of it, Lexie. Mick’s birthday today and I had planned beach life but it was grey. Train ride to Coimbra and another tick in box 😆💕
Looks like that garden added some colour and cheer to your glum day!
And a little wind and rain, but that’s fine too 🙂 🙂
Although it was a glum day, You showed beautiful and colorful photos. I enjoyed them very much Thank You.
You can always find beauty in this world, can’t you, Sartenada? 😆
Thank You. 🙂 I try my best, but so are You doing also!
The green algae is certainly something. I have never set eyes on something like it in person. Fascinating travels, Jo, even though the mist was a bummer. Though I do like the look of the lighthouse better under those dark skies. Gives it more of a brooding personality, no? 🙂
I so wanted to be here, Dippy! Atmosphere in spades whatever the weather 😊⛅⛵💕
That is what counts. What do they say again about bad weather? 🙂
Glum day=Beautiful photos 🙂 That’s my kind of math.
I know! Strange but true 😍💕
Even though you didn’t have the weather you wished for that first photo is certainly dramatic! We both love visiting botanic gardens whenever we come across them, in different places, always interesting to see local flora and usually a good place to feel restored by nature. That IS a beautiful hydrangea (albeit not local)…
Peta
I developed a hydrangea obsession in the Azores, Peta 🙂 🙂 Fortunately there were plenty to enjoy. And the weather was mostly very kind, so no complaints…
Great captures! Have a great trip…
Thanks a lot! 🙂 🙂
You can’t let a little rain stop you! The photo of Our Lady looking out into the mist is amazing.
We seldom do, Albert. It’s only weather 🙂 🙂 Thank you!
These are dreamy-like photos, Jo. I love these. The last four are especially beautiful.
Enjoy your trip! 🙂
Thanks, hon! It’s a wonderful landscape, Amy 🙂 🙂
may not have been the views you hoped for, but certainly dramatic!
Hope the weather is proving kinder in the north these few days xxx
Unbelievable, Becky! I thought the Algarve was the warm bit. How can it be 35C up here? 😎💕
remember you are still very south!! Hope you have lots of suncream packed xxx
Still looks great even in the cloudier weather. Guess you can’t have it sunny and hot constantly can you? Might be a nice change maybe. Great pics as always Jo.
I like a breath of fresh air now and again, Jonno. Thanks hon 😎⛅🌊💕
You’ve still got some great photos. Very atmospheric! X
It’s a beautiful place and I love it! Weather’s weather! You have plenty where you live 😊⛅⛵🌊💕
Safe continued travels.. 😉
Back on the mainland and having a good time 😍💕
Actually am drawn to your first image with its charm and mystery. It seems soothing and a place to hide from this incredible fractured world.
I’m very good at switching off from the real world, Sally. It’s what keeps me sane. 🙂 🙂
Sooo disappointing when the weather doesn’t cooperate with plans.
But at the end of the day it’s only weather, isn’t it, and I was so lucky to see what I did! I loved almost every second of my time in the Azores, Joanne. 🙂 🙂
Your photos looked even more dramatic with the bad weather. Beautiful flowers at the Botanical gardens.
The gardens weren’t spectacular, Gilda, but the walk back from them was lovely 😍💕