{"id":11215,"date":"2018-09-14T09:00:25","date_gmt":"2018-09-14T13:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/snappingtheglobe.com\/?p=11215"},"modified":"2018-09-14T00:32:08","modified_gmt":"2018-09-14T04:32:08","slug":"azores-day-by-day-part-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snappingtheglobe.com\/?p=11215","title":{"rendered":"Azores, Day By Day. Part One"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a9 2018 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved<\/i>.<\/p>\n

Earlier this summer I visited Portugal for the first time.<\/p>\n

Lisbon on two separate occasions was enlightening and refreshing, but, I was aware that there were so many other parts that I wanted to visit…what an understatement!\u00a0 I was thinking Porto…Faro.\u00a0 Then, I heard about the Azores.<\/p>\n

Now, I am a person who prides herself on geography knowledge, but I have to admit, I had no idea where the Azores were located and was amazed to find that it was part of Portugal!\u00a0 \u00a0I decided I had to take a quick trip to check out this archipelago.<\/p>\n

After a quick flight from New York, we were touching down in the light of the early morning hour, ready to discover everything available to us.<\/p>\n

\"\"Despite my usual attention to detail, I found myself a bit unprepared for this trip, driving out of the airport rental car lot with only a vague map snagged from the rental car company.<\/p>\n

\"\"Our hotel was easy to find on the harbor in Ponta Delgada, however, our room would not be ready until later that morning.\u00a0 Driving past, we headed east, following the rugged coastline, interspersed with black sand beaches and sapphire waters.\u00a0 Finding ourselves in Lagoa, we marveled at the colorful homes and businesses lining the narrow cobblestone streets and the white stone churches that seemed to be everywhere!\u00a0 It truly seemed that we were in Italy, not Portugal!<\/p>\n

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\"\"Driving through Sa\u00f5\u00a0Roque I spied a beautiful church along the coast.\u00a0 Igreja de Sa\u00f5\u00a0Roque is the main parochial church of the area and includes the Chapel of the Holies,\u00a0<\/em>an altar of immense value and decorated in hand-painted azulejo tile.\u00a0 It is also known as the burial place for the grandmother of the Marqu\u00eas e Pombal.<\/p>\n

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\"\"Re-mastering my little stick-shift (which I had not driven in about 25 years), we cruised along the narrow lanes and sometimes highways, heading wherever…we had no plan in that moment.<\/p>\n

Finding outselves at the Miradouro do Ilh\u00e9u de Rosto de C\u00e3o, we parked the car and ventured over to check out the interesting rock formation jutting out from the ocean from one of the many overlooks dotting the islands’ landscape.\u00a0 We also found here Forno Da Cal, a rocky fortress-like structure which was transformed from a site used for the production of lime to one used for tourism.\u00a0 Resembling a small fort, its higher vantage point give visitors an amazing view over Ponta Delgada, S\u00e3o Roque, the hills and the Atlantic Ocean.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"Finally, heading back into Ponta Delgada, it was time for check-in and a much needed shower and nap.<\/p>\n

After our refreshing siesta, we headed out on foot, eager to explore the town laid out before us.<\/p>\n

I must admit,\u00a0 I wasn’t sure what to expect from the Azores and was surprised to find it a blend of many architectural styles and exuding the characteristics of many other countries.\u00a0 In the square, housing the 18th century City Gate, some of the buildings reminded me of those I encounter in Switzerland and Germany.\u00a0 And, as I mentioned before, I got the sense of Italy along the coastline in the small villages dotting the landscape.\u00a0 As we headed through the countryside, I felt as though I was glimpsing Ireland and Scotland, with the low, stone walls separating the green, rolling hills.\u00a0 The Azores was truly a revelation!<\/p>\n

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\"\"Strolling along the main street, we dodged the occasional rain shower, peering into the shops and restaurants and hoping that the dark skies would not open up. Our destination, Fort de Sa\u00f5 Bras de Ponta Delgada, was situated on the outskirts of the city and I was anxious to spend some time walking along the ramparts and admiring the harbor views.<\/p>\n

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Paying our entrance fee, we entered the active military installation and set out to see what this place was all about.<\/p>\n

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\"\"Constructed in the 17th century, the Renaissance fort’s purpose was to defend the area against pirate raids as well as the Spaniards and the French.\u00a0 During both World Wars, the fort secured the safety of Allied shipping and today acts as a base for the Portuguese navy as well as housing a military museum.<\/p>\n

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\"\"Across the main road, we found the church of Sa\u00f5 Jos\u00e9.\u00a0 Looking like a typical Portuguese church from the outside, it offers a feast for the eyes on the interior.\u00a0 In the early 1500’s the Franciscan Friars built a convent in the location.\u00a0 Construction of the church was began in 1709 and showcases three naves and three chapels, including the Chapels of the Lord of the Thirds and Our Lady of Sorrows.\u00a0 Decorated with rich gilded woodwork, it also features important 18th century blue and white tiles and jacaranda appointments.<\/p>\n

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\"\"Another church, in the adjacent square is Igreja do Santo Cristo.\u00a0 Also exhibiting a beautifully gilded interior, this one threw me for a loop.\u00a0 As I positioned myself discreetly to photograph the altar, I noticed the door opening and a gentleman crawling on hand and knee into the church.\u00a0 Making his way to the rear of the building, he remained prostrate before a gated area.\u00a0 Many after him, came to the gated area and knelt for extended periods of time.\u00a0 Waiting patiently for a spot to open on one of the benches facing the bars, I finally made my way there and took a seat.<\/p>\n

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\"\"I was intrigued…what significance did this church have?\u00a0 After doing a bit of research later that evening, I learned that this chapel houses Senhor\u00a0Santo Cristo dos Milagres<\/em>, the wooden image of Christ which represents the Jesus of Nazareth as he was presented to the crowd wearing a crown of thorns on his head and with his bruised, beaten, whipped torso exposed.\u00a0 Created by an unknown artist, the statue is on display here in the church and is used to lead a procession through the city during the city for the festival honoring the Lord Holy Christ of the Miracles on the fifth Sunday after Easter and lasting until Thursday of the Ascension.<\/p>\n

This is truly a place of pilgrimage, spirituality and extreme faith.<\/p>\n

So moving and so touched was I by those coming to pay their respects and seek favor, I did not take any pictures of the statue.\u00a0 Anyone visiting Ponta Delgada should come and see\u00a0Senhor\u00a0Santo Cristo dos Milagres\u00a0<\/em>for themselves.<\/p>\n

Having seen three churches on this day so far, anyone would think that I would have had enough, however, there was one more that had captured my attention as we walked near the main square earlier, Igreja Matriz de S\u00e3o Sebasti\u00e3o (The Church of Saint Sebastian).<\/p>\n

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This church’s bell tower, the only one in the city, snagged my attention as I had walked nearby earlier during the afternoon.\u00a0 Built between the years of 1531 and 1547, the Azotian church’s exterior is quite similar to the the previous ones I had visited earlier in the day.\u00a0 Often referred to as the “Matriz”, this church was built on the site of a small chapel dedicated to the first patron saint of the island.<\/p>\n

\"\"The interior was lavishly decorated with carved cedar and other exotic woods and the opulently carved altar and choir stalls guided me around the structure.\u00a0 As I made my way around the church, I was drawn to the age-old paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries, the elegant jacaranda furniture,\u00a0 the glazed tiles and the colorful images of the saints etched onto the windows.\u00a0 In the sacristy, an immensely valuable collection of gold-embroidered liturgical vestments can viewed.<\/p>\n

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Snapping away with my camera at the beauty that was displayed here, I was suddenly aware of a gentleman staring at me as I walked around.\u00a0 As I glanced around, it became apparent that no other visitors were taking pictures and I had probably disturbed the man with the continual clicking of my shutter.\u00a0 Indeed, as I exited the church, I noticed the sign that I had missed upon my entry…no photography was allowed.\u00a0 Though I had not purposely ignored the instructions, I did feel terrible for my mistake.<\/p>\n

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\"\"Continuing on, we made our way through the cobblestone streets made of volcanic rock, admiring the beautiful patterns that led the way.\u00a0 So many things diverted our attention…musicians, shops displaying Azorian wares, people spread out in the promenades enjoying the lovely afternoon.<\/p>\n

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Finally, the effects of traveling through the night and lack of sleep was finally taking its toll.<\/div>\n
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Heading down to the waterfront, we spotted the restaurant that had been recommended to me by a coworker.\u00a0 Enjoying the freshly prepared seafood, we admired the sweeping views of the working harbor, inhaling the scent of the salt infused air and appreciating being able to finally give pause to our weary bodies.<\/div>\n
\"\"A good night’s rest was definitely needed…tomorrow was to be a day filled with more exploration of this unique and beautiful island.<\/div>\n
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For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.<\/div>\n

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Itt6xx[;-0p0-[greja de Sa\u00f5 Roque<\/strong><\/p>\n