The Travels of an Old Lady

  View from the front entrance to the museum, looking towards the port. You forgot to bring the piece of chalk so we could find our way out of the museum! It was easy to get lost here, the hallways wind around, there are areas closed off because they are unsafe.  When the earthquake in 1980 damaged so many historical buildings the city began a massive effort to repair and preserve them. Significant progress has been made but the building is so large it will take some time. Meanwhile many items are archived and not on display. There are mysterious narrow stairways that lead to closed upper areas……private access for the nuns who lived here. Massive closed doors with antique locks that look like they have been closed for decades. Some dark recesses in the hallways actually creepy . Very easy to get turned around and it took me some time to figure out how to get back to the entrance. They had to come and find us! Here are more photos of the treasures We  discovered there. Azo...

  This finely detailed chest has delicate ivory inlaid into the black enameled wood.  In perfect condition. Carved ivory, gold and silver details. Notice the tiny silver crown on baby Jesus. Look closely at the details on the hands. Do you see the man on the bottom of the ivory carving in the middle?  

  These islands were the familiar destination of pirates and trade vessels. They have been invaded by Spain and dominated by Portugal until they obtained their right to govern themselves. Treasures have been found here, some hidden still and others the subject of legends. Pirates frequently raided the small villages. They are literally in the path of the trade winds and early explorers knew them well. The Azores were a source of fresh water, fruit, vegetables and additional crew. This report from 1589 gives you an idea of the wealth carried on these ships, laden with treasure and goods they would come into the port on their way  to Spain. "In November 1589 two other large ships coming from the same West Indies, arrived in Angra do Heroismo not without running many great dangers. Their cargo was five million silver ingots of eight or ten pounds each......as well as gold, pearls and other rich goods." So today you found one of the treasure chests at...

Every island is unique. You might think that because all nine Azorean Islands are in the same archipelago, have fishing villages, green pastures and living hedges of hydrangea they would be the same. There are differences in the way the homes are decorated, cultural variety in their food and heritage.  Terceira has curious chimneys not found on any of the other islands. They are called mao-postas (Hands in Prayer). They look like an A-frame or wedge and on top they have a canopy made of bricks or tile. The design prevents the rain from entering. The early residents came from Southern Portugal -Alentejo & Algarve region and you will see these unique chimneys there as well.  You can see the difference in many of the rural homes.There will be colored edgings around the doors , windows and corners of the exteriors. Against the white walls painted with lime it is striking. Each home will have a small garden and you may see maize hanging in tree branches drying. The more pros...

                         Angra do Heroismo, Terceira, Azores, Portugal Everything is so clean here. The air, the water, the streets and every corner of this hotel. You see the housekeepers mopping the tile floors 2 or 3 times a day. They vacuum the rugs in the halls multiple times . The rooms smell clean. The bathroom has a generous sized tub. If I am going to fall it most likely will be here. The bottom of the tub is slightly rounded and very slick. Even without soap it is precarious . I am being very very careful. Holding onto the adjacent wash basin with one hand and showering in slow motion. It takes a long time this way. My caution is driven by fear. If I fell then the hotel would call the local fire department. They don’t go anywhere without using their sirens. If I fell while showering I would be naked.  It is a horrifying thought to contemplate all those strangers in my bathroom and their arrival announced by ...

The Hotel Lobby Where This Event Took Place ! We discovered a universal language being spoken in the hotel lobby this afternoon. Commonly referred to as “Papaese” or “ Grannyese” or something similar. We heard singing and the sound of kisses. There was a couple holding their cell phone at selfie distance. They were on a video call and obviously talking to a little grandchild. She was tossing imaginary kisses at the phone and waving. He began singing a children’s song. Technically it was in Portuguese but we could understand every single word…..we already knew the song. It’s a “Small World” and they knew every line. Oblivious to being in the middle of the lobby and smiling ear to ear this delightful conversation went on for 5 minutes.  They probably did not realize it at the time but the rest of the people in the lobby were smiling ear to ear too.

                       The Bulls of Terceira YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE WHAT YOU ALMOST DID TODAY ! You booked a “Moonshine” tour. A four hour tour! What on earth were you thinking? How do people do four hours of moonshine. Yea, I know you said you were told it would be educational and you believed it…..really? Alcohol can kill brain cells, how can THAT be educational. So what did you learn in those four hours? What to talk about that? Yes, We are going to talk about it. When the tour van arrived that  usually holds 6 to 8 passengers, no one was in it except the driver. I was dreading the possibility that we might wind up driving around in a van full of tipsy foreign tourists speaking strange languages. He explained I was the ONLY reservation for the day and he does not cancel a tour if there is even one guest. His feeling is people have come a long way and the Azores should not disappoint them...

  Imagine that almost everything on your menu was grown, raised, caught or made here. Imagine it is fresh, plentiful and artistically presented. Imagine you can afford it.  Actually you don’t need to imagine anything because that is the reality. The breakfast buffet that is included with your room features local cheeses. Each island makes a distinctive cheese and they are all worthy of second helpings. You get to eat five different kinds this morning.  There are baskets of six different kinds of fresh bread. Lots of fresh butter and local jams. My personal favorite is Portuguese Sweet Bread. It is called Massa Sovada. You may have tasted something similar called Hawaiian Sweet Bread . The bread was brought to Hawaii by Azorean Portuguese immigrants who came to work thecane plantations.It is uncommon to find this bread on mainland Portugal. My Ava (Grandmother) use to make Massa Sovada around Easter. Her recipe took a dozen eggs, which is what gives the bread the ligh...

  Oh my goodness, you will just not believe this. It is mid day and warming up. I had the balcony door slightly cracked to let in the soft breeze. I was sitting on the bed making some writing corrections on my iPad. Then suddenly there was this deep low sort of  moaning sound. I mean right in my room! It seemed to be coming from the area by the open door and almost sounded like dogs growling. Carefully I approached the area, tennis shoe in hand to defend myself. Two of the largest doves I have ever seen had entered the room and were behind the drapes making the noises. I might be wrong but I think they they were having sex. I was stunned because they were so casual about it. They acted like they slip into this room all the time. Do you think I should report them to hotel management or just leave the door open so they have some privacy?  This is a photo of the actual culprits. Ha! Look at them they are acting like they don’t even know each other!

  I think I am confusing some of you. No I am not really traveling with a friend. You are my traveling companion and I am pretending you are vicariously sharing this adventure with me. Now go back and read some of the blogs with that in mind. You will have to take a nap to keep up. We have a lot of things to see and do in the next 8 days. If you have any travel tips, please share them. Calvin Clark posted this one. I appreciate his words of wisdom and will memorize that response incase needed.   Tip of the week: When going through airport security and the TSA agent asks, "Do you have any firearms with you?" do not reply, "What do you need?"

  Ok, Now that we are on the island of Terceira, lets get to know more about it.  One of 9 tiny islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.You can drive across the entire island in less than 30 minutes and you don’t have to drive fast to do so. The entire island is 153 sq.mi. Terceira is know as the “Lilac” island. That was the sweet fragrance coming though the balcony door last night. There is a small American Air Force base located here along with the Military Command for the Azores. This is the island famous for it’s bloodless street bull fights. Well almost bloodless sometimes the participants or spectators get hurt but never the bulls. We are here too early to join the watching crowds. The daily event begins May 1st. And lasts until October 15th. This happens in all the cities and they take turns hosting the event. I will need to return to get you some photos. During the bullfight, the bull runs through the streets, held by a long rope, as a group of men contro...

  A walk in the garden this morning. The fragrance of lilac trees just beginning to bloom, the sounds of many doves and gentle water falls trickling everywhere. They planted this lovely park in the middle of the old city and God waters it for them. There are no sprinklers. It is immaculate. Perhaps an invisible person slips out at night to gather the leaves and weed. A friend at home cares for my yard this way. He comes and goes and I hardly see him, but I notice the weeds disappear and the walkways are free of leaves.  There was no one in the garden when I first arrived and when I left just a few couples had entered and were admiring the flowers. Lots of benches to sit and just soak up the peacefulness. The song loop in my brain kept playing the hymn "I Come To The Garden Alone." Sing along with me. Enjoy the photos. The photos publish quite small but if you click on them they get larger.  The pathways are decorated with mosaics of butterflies, dragon...