Sao Miguel, Azores

The Azores are a chain of Portuguese islands in the Atlantic. Sao Miguel is the main and most populous island in the Azores, with Ponta Delgada being the largest city on the island. Sao Miguel is big enough that you can spend a couple of weeks and still have things left over for another visit. We rented a scooter for eight days and were only able to scratch the surface. We were there from July 27 - August 3, 2018.

Things to know if you visit

• Renting a car or scooter is needed to see the island properly. There are public buses but the routes can be tedious. We ended up going with a scooter since we enjoy riding them and they are reasonably priced (€255 for 8 days.)
• We highly recommend using the secondary roads when going around the island and avoiding the highways. While the highways may be a few minutes faster, we found the secondary roads to have much better views and plenty of viewpoints to stop at along the way. 
• The Azor Hotel is a good option if you've got Marriott points. It's a design hotel, so you don't get any of the Elite status perks like free breakfast, but the rooms are modern and the location is good for quick access to Old Town (walking) and rest of the island by hoping on the highway or secondary roads. 
• Passion fruit is abundant on the island. The soda drink called Kima can be found in every restaurant and is fantastic. 
• Almost everyone speaks English on the island. 
• Scuba diving is fun in the Azores but do not expect vibrant colors like in Asia. It's more about unique fish and the WWII shipwreck. The water wasn't that cold either, so don't let that scare you. They give you 7mm wetsuits with hoods. 
• Places to visit:
• Drive to Nordeste with stops at Miraduro Santa Iria, Praia de Moinhos, gazebo in Miraduro Do Frade, Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Ajuda, Miraduro de Ponta do Arnel, Miraduro Ponta de Sossego, Cha Porto Formosa, Miraduro Ponta da Madrugala
• Salto de Prego hike takes 3 to 4 hours. You get to see a waterfall, hike through a jungle, and walk through a cute little town called Sanguihno
• Sete Sidates are volcanic crater lakes that you must see. Drive to Miraduro de Boca do Infernos, and walk along one of the many trails with stunning views of the crater lakes. 
• Hike down to Lagao de Fogo, another beautiful crater lake. This time you get to be right at the edge of water rather than just looking down into the crater.
• Visit Ferraria geo thermal pool during low tide. You get to be in hot water (40 C) and look out into the freezing Atlantic ocean. There are ropes dividing the areas based on heat levels. They also help if you don't want to tread water for thirty minutes and just hold on instead. Do not go during high tide like we did the first time. The water is freezing and you just get slammed against the rocks.
• Stop by Queijadas de Vila Franca do Campo (Do Morgado) for a delicious Portuguese tart. 
• Our favorite restaurants include: A Tasca, Trezze, O Americo de Barbosa (must get the pulpo), Tea House (Opeojo), and Quinta Dos Sabres for fancy prefix menu.

Fun facts

• Fate earned the nickname Madam Miraduro on this trip by making Mohit stop the scooter at every viewpoint possible. 
• Sao Miguel has seven volcanoes! 
• People will work on their tan at the Azorean beaches even if it's 65F and the beach is jagged rocks
• Azoreans (no clue if that's a word or not btw) will make liquor out of anything.

Summary of pictures

Jardim Antonio Borges near Old Town

Praia dos Moinhos where every wave looks like its part of a rip current

Miraduro do Frade

Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeiroes - worth it for a quick stop if you've got the time

Nordeste viewpoint chasers at their best

Porto Formoso tea gardens

Beginning of Salto de Prego hike!

View from Sanguihno near the end of the Salto de Prego hike

View of Caloura from Miradouro do Pisao. We will be back to actually swim in this pool one day!

Hydrangeas. Hydrangeas everywhere!

Magical Siete Sidates 

Lago de Fogo

We're smiling because it's low tide

Little walk near Vila Franca do Campo to end the trip.