Laid Back Stroll Through the Jardim Publico and Farewell Dinner

November 16, 2016

Our last full day in Angra do Herosimo was a day of clouds and sunshine.  Sweaters and a light jacket were all we needed as the weather was in the 60s with lots of clouds and breaks of sunshine.  We saw several rainbows today.  We began the day late ... almost missed breakfast in the hotel again!  But I woke up in time to toss some clothes on and dash down for the coffee, fruit, quiche (it was a seafood thing that I did not love this morning), and a bit of bread.  From there we came back to the room and I decided that I really needed to work on the travel blog (since that was why I schlepped the computer across the Atlantic to get here).  While I compiled pictures into different posts and learned a few more Blogger tricks, Jeff answered some email and then went out for what he calls "a tromp around the ramparts."  He's serious ... you CAN tromp around the ramparts at this hotel.

A bit after noon we wandered down to the front desk and asked them to call us a taxi to take us up to the Obelisco da Memoria (Memorial Obelisk) in the Jardim Publico (Public Garden).  It is a long climb up to the Obelisk, so the recommendation of some fellow travelers was to start at the top.  

Waiting for the taxi driver we saw the first of many rainbows for the day, just outside of our Pousada (Inn).  We got a non-English-speaking cab driver (the first we have encountered on the trip) who had been told by the front desk where we wanted to go, but clearly did not understand.  He drove us out into the countryside and stopped far out of town, saying "Boa" (meaning, "Good? OK?").  We said, "No, obelisco; Jardim Publico."  He suddenly got out of the cab and walked away leaving us totally confused.  He went into a little bar or restaurant or grocery store -- not sure what it was -- and came out with a Portuguese lady in an apron.  We showed them a map (I'm not sure the cabbie could actually read), and she figured out where we wanted to go.  We thanked the lady (obligata), and the cabbie was clearly annoyed and took off, driving like a crazy person through the narrow cobblestone streets.  I was hanging on for dear life.  Jeff gave him a big tip when we finally got to the Jardim, and he seemed happier.  An Azorean adventure for sure!

We finally made it to the Obelisk of Memory, built in honor of the visit that King Pedro IV made to Tereceira Island.  From there, we began the descent to the city. 

You can see the marina just in front of the blue and white Iglesia de Miseracordia that we visited the other day.  It really is quite a climb to the top of the Jardim.

And from this angle, you can see our hotel off to the left side of the picture.  It was breathtaking to look down on the city we had spent so much time wandering about in over the last week.

These marker posts show the distances and direction to such places as Toronto, India, Lisbon, etc.

The sun today played peek-a-boo, poking through at odd times throughout the day and shining down on the town.

The steps down through the park were steep, but well laid out, making it a fairly comfortable walk through the garden.  I loved seeing species that we can grow at home:  portulacas, which I remember my grandmother growing in her garden around the house, cling to the volcanic rocks used to build a decorative wall.

Jeff had to inspect this oriental looking pond to see if there were koi -- there weren't.  Later on our walk, however, we did find a pond with goldfish/koi in it.

I couldn't resist taking these shots of a perfect yellow rose (there were roses of all colors and types blooming happily) and these perky birds of paradise (which we saw all over the island).  I do wish we could grow the bird of paradise at home, for I truly love them.

Back down to the pier.  In this photo you can just make out the Memorial Obelisk in between the buildings, beyond the Christmas star that is waiting to be lit in a week or so.  Quite a distance from our favorite Cais de Angra (pier of the bay) spot.

~*~

Our last event of the trip was the "Farewell Dinner" organized by the owner and staff of our hotel and held at the Lawn and Tennis Club (who knew there would be such a place on Terceira Island?).  The photo above is the entrance to the courtyard.

We were greeted by the owner of our hotel and his son and offered a welcome drink - a delicious Portuguese port.  CNN was playing on the television as we sat and chatted with our fellow travelers.  There seemed to be a core group who participated in many of the organized activities, so by now we know each other and can call one another by name.

Our buffet dinner included Alcatras, a very aromatic dish that is considered a highlight of the Terceira kitchen.  The word "alcatra" translates to "rump" in English, and that is more or less what we were served.  There were four varieties of this stew-like dish containing beef, beans, octopus, and fish.  It had an interesting flavor -- lots of spices, such as nutmeg, peppercorn, cinnamon, and the like.  There was also rice and potatoes as well as a traditional cabbage soup called Caldo Verde (green soup).  For dessert we had Bolo de Amelia (Amelia Cake) and Arroz Doce (rice pudding).  The Amelia Cake is named for Queen Amelia, who visited the island with her husband King Carlos in 1901.  It is a dense chocolate torte (very little flour) with honey or molasses and raisins.  Very delicious.

During dinner we were entertained by traditional Azorean singing and dancing.  They were very entertaining.  A young woman who spoke very good English introduced the songs and let us know what they were all about.

The dancers came into the audience and grabbed some of the men and women from our group (including Jeff) to come up and dance with them.  It was great fun with lots of laughter.  The wine was flowing freely again, and everyone was in a good mood.

Back to our hotel for a final night's sleep before the long journey home tomorrow.