Thursday 9th February - Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, The Azores.

It's been six days since we left Barbados.  It wouldn't have mattered where we landed, as long as we landed.  As it happens, we docked into Ponta Delgada at about 7 am this morning, and everyone on board ship is very happy about it.  It feels good to walk on ground that doesn't suddenly lurch up to meet you. 

Peter and I were determined to take advantage of the sensation and went ashore straight after breakfast.

Ponta Delgada - A city that the Toon Army would be proud of - it's all symmetry and black and white patterns.  I'm told that seeing patterns everywhere gives us humans the illusion of being in control.

Whatever the reason, it is very pretty.The roads and pavements are made of small black and white stone blocks in a vast array of mosaics. They seem to be very hard wearing and patterns are quite lovely.  These are the City Gates or "Portas de Cidade".


But we've taken a bus ride on this stuff (see Cape Verde).  It's not the smoothest of surfaces to drive on and I bet mechanics are making a fortune fixing vehicle suspension problems.  And I reckon there's a good chance that doctors have to do the same for people after they've rattled around in said vehicles for a few years.

And this tree is amazing. It's a metrosídero, also known as a Pōhutukawa, or a New Zealand Christmas tree, or an iron tree. It's evergreen and the was given to the island by Australia in 1870. In the summer it blooms with beautiful bright red pompom flowers. The branches are being held up with metal scaffolding type poles, and the air roots make it look like the tree has a beard. Maybe they should be grey? I mean, it's 140 years old.

I dunno what the locals do to their trees, or how the trees survive it, but the stubby tree on the left is quite normal here and in Madeira.  I tried to get an arty shot with the sun and the blue sky, but failed, so I've posted this one instead, it's outside the Forte de Sao Bras.




A Micro Library>>>
How cool is that!









And last but not least a couple of examples of graffiti.  Awesome!

After exploring all morning, we were out again after lunch to take advantage of the local wi-fi and escape the confines of the ship for as long as possible.  All too soon it was time to leave and start the last leg of our cruise.  We've got three sea days until we reach home, and the weather forecast is not good.  Fingers crossed it's not too bad either.