This morning we hiked on Monte Brasil.
The mountain is a protected area with many hiking trails and lookout points. Some of the trails are quite narrow and change quickly up or down. So, I was able to try my hiking poles and they were a really big help.
We saw many plants including native Azorian heather plus others that were introduced to the Azores such as Japanese Cedar trees.
One of the mountain lookouts is a whale watching station. The whaling industry was very important on Terceira until the 1970s and eventually outlawed in 1983. Today whale watching trips are very popular and the Azores are one of the top destinations for this activity. There are 24 species including some that reside here all year long since the weather is so temperate and consistent. The staff at the lookout station is there to alert the boat captain as to where to find the whales just like in past centuries, but now just to entertain the tourists.
From the peak of Mont Brasil we had wonderful views of Angra do Heroismo. It was fun to see the city from above.
After our hike we had lunch at our hotel where they prepared a delicious vegetable soup and a traditional stew called Alcatra. Since I love braised meats, this was a great treat.
In the afternoon we had free time. Three other Road Scholar travelers and I walked around town. We returned to the municipal garden where we had been on our first day. Then, we climbed to an obelisk that is a monument to Pedro IV who was King in the 1800s. From there we could see the town from a different perspective which was fun. After we came back down, we stopped to see the local church which is quite beautiful. And, there was a wedding taking place!
Next, we walked to the marina because we heard there was a gelato shop. There was, and it was delicious. I had fig gelato for the first time. So good!
Tonight a group of us will go for dinner at a local restaurant that features authentic Portuguese cuisine.
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