Day 20
So we wake up at 6am lisbon time (1Am Toronto time) hjave quick showers and wait for a cab in the hotel lobby. We get to the train station at 630 have a coffee and snack and wait for our 7:19 train to lisbon.
i have to say taking the train is always worth the first class price difference... there's plenty of room and service is good... I get a paper from the steward and read ... he takes our breakfast orders and within 30 minutes our food arrives. It helps make the 3 hour ride to Lisbon a little smoother especially knowing i'm going to a place i really dislike... That's right i'm still bitching about Lisbon... ever since that bird pooped on me i was in a foul mood about the place and the STENCH!
We make it to Lisbon with plenty of time to spare so we put our baggage in a locker and head out to the Vasco De Gamma shopping centre... we go in almost all the stores and buy nothing... even at H&M where i tried on a few sweaters. we grab some food and decide we should go head to the airport.
We arrive at the airport and check in it only takes like 15 minutes so we think we are great on time... what i didn't know was that european airports on the mainland have much more checkpoints before you make it to your gate to load the plane. I go for smoke and then decide we should head in... my goodness... talk about line ups, we spiraled through the first line in just under an hour.... while we waited a lady fainted behind us and the first aid responders came... it was really hot and one line for the whole terminal... FML... we make it through the line and get split up again there are 8 line ups for the metal detectors... we just waited in line to get into the line we needed to wait again...WTF.
Finally land of the airport gates... we decide to go to duty free and i get a carton of butts. Get some coffee ice cream and chips and make our way... gate 41A... 16.17.18.19. and then 20-65 had to go through customs cause they were international gates... again another spiraling line up SHEESH. 35 mins and we make it through and just in time to grab water before they were calling our boarding... we get on the bus to the plane.... i don't know why, but they could've taxied the plane right to the gate and didn't... we get in our seats Aisle 15 all four seats :) and we make the long 8 hour journey to Pearson.
We arrive and outside is my friends Dave and Brad with my precious puppy moxy in the car waiting to take us home... we load up and drive DT... It's nice to be home. I miss the family and friends i made while i was there.... maybe i'll go back soon... I may continue with the blog a bit more there seems to be alot of people reading it ... so far in 3 weeks i've gotten just under 500 hits. Pretty good and i enjoyed reading your comments and emails... and suggestions for the trip. I'll post some pictures as soon as i go through them... maybe i'll do a slide show thingy with some tunes.
Peace out
B
Friday, September 17, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Day 19 Algarve 15-9-10
Day 19
Another day in the Algarve, where i did nothing.
I woke up late and missed breakfast... Justin went to use the internet so I went to him and told him I'd be at the beach. I went and got a big bottle of water and 2 tosta mistas ( toasted ham and chesse sandwiches) and a bag of Ketchup chips. After yesterday I learned that i needed to have some kind of food products in order to maintain being at the beach all day... the day was blah... it was cloudy but hot... not humid at all but i was determined to not let that bother me.
It was about 11:30 am when i decided i was in the right spot to stay for the day. I laid my towel down got undress and ate a sandwhich... Dripping with butter... i had a Marlboro and went on my stomach so i can read some of my book which i've been neglecting.
Next thing i know it's about 8pm and i've been on the beach all day. Met Justin at the hotel...showered and went to eat Cruji Coques... AMAZING CRUNCHY PIZZA.
Big Day Tomorrow i have to be up at 530 ... Cab at 6 to catch a train for 7 back to that horrendous place called Lisbon... Next time i write will be from my home... with my baby girl Moxy.
Lots of Love from Portugal
B
PS... i'll be posting pictures of my trip soon.
Another day in the Algarve, where i did nothing.
I woke up late and missed breakfast... Justin went to use the internet so I went to him and told him I'd be at the beach. I went and got a big bottle of water and 2 tosta mistas ( toasted ham and chesse sandwiches) and a bag of Ketchup chips. After yesterday I learned that i needed to have some kind of food products in order to maintain being at the beach all day... the day was blah... it was cloudy but hot... not humid at all but i was determined to not let that bother me.
It was about 11:30 am when i decided i was in the right spot to stay for the day. I laid my towel down got undress and ate a sandwhich... Dripping with butter... i had a Marlboro and went on my stomach so i can read some of my book which i've been neglecting.
Next thing i know it's about 8pm and i've been on the beach all day. Met Justin at the hotel...showered and went to eat Cruji Coques... AMAZING CRUNCHY PIZZA.
Big Day Tomorrow i have to be up at 530 ... Cab at 6 to catch a train for 7 back to that horrendous place called Lisbon... Next time i write will be from my home... with my baby girl Moxy.
Lots of Love from Portugal
B
PS... i'll be posting pictures of my trip soon.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Day 18 Algarve - 14-9-10
Day 18
I went to the beach by myself. Enjoyed the hot sun and read some of my book... This is a vacation, it's all did!
B
I went to the beach by myself. Enjoyed the hot sun and read some of my book... This is a vacation, it's all did!
B
Day 17 Algarve, Albufeira 13-9-10
Day 17
I wrote the whole blog and then my comuter shutdown before i got to post it... It is unrecoverable. So I guess i'll have to write it again. Short form though.Thankfully Day 18 was very easy to write.
So we started the day by getting up super early to head to the Oriente Subway Station so we can catch the train to Albufeira. We had breakfast at the train station overlooking Vasco DeGamma Shopping Centre as well as on the train itself.
We arrived in Albufeira Algarve and the weater was amazing... and there was no stink. We take a cab to a hotel... little did we know we got a resort... we paid 85 Euro per night at a 4 star Hotel exactly 5 minute walk to the beach, not only that but our room is only accessable from the outside... meaning we don't have to walk through the hotel lobby. Which is a nice little extra since we wont be carrying sand our feet all over the place. We dropped off our bags and went straight to the beach. Breath taking...the waves... the golden sand... and the best part was it smelled like the beach and not an overflowing toilet the way Lisbon does. I will restate that I tried to find Lisbon's beauty and other than the archetecture(also graffiti'd) I dont think Lisbon has anything to offer. Why didnt anyone warn me... they just kept saying its beautiful and that i'd love it. Even the people were ugly except for a few of the tourists.
Algarve...Oh sweet Algarve...dwarfed by the natural beauty of the azores is still beautiful. It is way hotter here which i love. But i do miss my family and friends. I tried to see if i can go back to Pico for a few more days, getting there isn't a problem it's getting home that was sold out. So I guess I'll just have to suck it up and wait it out. Until then i'm going to soak up as much sun as i possibly can, stay away from Caipirinhas and just wind down before i head back to the concrete jungle known as Toronto.
Peace Out
B
I wrote the whole blog and then my comuter shutdown before i got to post it... It is unrecoverable. So I guess i'll have to write it again. Short form though.Thankfully Day 18 was very easy to write.
So we started the day by getting up super early to head to the Oriente Subway Station so we can catch the train to Albufeira. We had breakfast at the train station overlooking Vasco DeGamma Shopping Centre as well as on the train itself.
We arrived in Albufeira Algarve and the weater was amazing... and there was no stink. We take a cab to a hotel... little did we know we got a resort... we paid 85 Euro per night at a 4 star Hotel exactly 5 minute walk to the beach, not only that but our room is only accessable from the outside... meaning we don't have to walk through the hotel lobby. Which is a nice little extra since we wont be carrying sand our feet all over the place. We dropped off our bags and went straight to the beach. Breath taking...the waves... the golden sand... and the best part was it smelled like the beach and not an overflowing toilet the way Lisbon does. I will restate that I tried to find Lisbon's beauty and other than the archetecture(also graffiti'd) I dont think Lisbon has anything to offer. Why didnt anyone warn me... they just kept saying its beautiful and that i'd love it. Even the people were ugly except for a few of the tourists.
Algarve...Oh sweet Algarve...dwarfed by the natural beauty of the azores is still beautiful. It is way hotter here which i love. But i do miss my family and friends. I tried to see if i can go back to Pico for a few more days, getting there isn't a problem it's getting home that was sold out. So I guess I'll just have to suck it up and wait it out. Until then i'm going to soak up as much sun as i possibly can, stay away from Caipirinhas and just wind down before i head back to the concrete jungle known as Toronto.
Peace Out
B
Monday, September 13, 2010
Day 16 - Lisbon 12-9-10
Day 16
So Day 16 is kinda like day 15. Although the weather is exactly what i want. The smell is something that i can seem to get over.
I've heard of people coming to Lisbon my whole life and how much they enjoy it. I'm trying really hard to find that wow factor. The graffiti is a major disappointment all over the place. The food is ok the disco's are worse than a Toronto subway in winter although i'd rather be in the subway. I don't understand why the smell is soooo bad. I've been by the water a few times but I refuse to go in... this part of the ocean is so dirty... what's up with that. My quest on the mainland is to find that wow factor otherwise i will go home disappointed about this part 2 of my trip. Many people told me i would have a great time, where when and how... Maybe part 3 of my trip which starts tomorrow will shed some light as i'll be in the Algarve. Although from what i hear it smells way worse than lisbon... Total Epic Sadness!
Anyway last night i started to write my blog and didn't get the chance to write about my 'adventures' of the Lisbon nightlife. I've read many reviews about how great it is, i'd agree if i was 16 like the other guys that were out. It's a haven for young, abnoxious and hideous looking people. I'm starting to think that i too may be one of these ugly's considering i'm Portuguese myself. The good thing was i could grab a mojito 1/2 litre and walk around with it and hit the bar's which were empty cuz everyone was hanging out on the street. This would be fine, i'm always up for a street party....But remember this smell i've been talking about... well it doesn't go away at night.... in fact it gets worse. The streets end up smelling like urine and vomit cuz the men here are pigs and instead of finding a toilet they feel that they can just whip it out and pee where ever they want. Now if that kind of thing floats your boat then great come to Lisbon otherwise stay clear. At 3 am and 3, 1/5 litre drinks later i realize i need to get some food in my system before we head to the discoteque. Justin and I walk around and around and nothing is open... we end up at McDonalds. We eat from the very limited menu options... thank god a Big Mac still tastes like a Big Mac and the Fries still taste like whatever they hell they are. We get to the club which the internet boasts as being one of the best with 2 floors. All i'm going to say is a Vodka Redbull Costs 12 Euros and i felt like a sardine in a full can.
We get home and Justin goes to sleep... i go check to see what it would cost for me to go back to Pico since i was having such a good time. I should have never left... Lessons Learned!
After a short Cat nap my day is only just begining... I have breakfast at 8 at the B&B I'm staying at. Which was just ok. Take a shower and Justin and I head over to the starbucks we found yesterday and make it to the metro to head to the Oceanarium, I'm ready for excitement here...and we walk around a huge tank a few times so we can see fish that we normally wouldn't see from many different angles. Whoever is writing reviews for these places needs to get smacked on the head. We leave after seeing all the exhibits and i'm proud of some of the video and pics that i was able to take but there was still no wow.
We buy our train tix for tomorrow ... Again no wow.
We pass through the mall... WOW... 120 Euro for some poorly made "designer" clothing.... hardly the wow i was looking for lol.
Then we go to Belem. Which is a town in Lisbon. We get off the Tram right in front of the Monestary of Jeronimo's. The church is old and the archetecture is beautiful. The wow in me is building but quickly fades since we didn't get a chance to continue to see the inner Garden. We hang around a little bit longer to see the un set behind the tower of Belem and go get something to eat.
Went back to the hotel and then slept we have to catch a train at 7
So Day 16 is kinda like day 15. Although the weather is exactly what i want. The smell is something that i can seem to get over.
I've heard of people coming to Lisbon my whole life and how much they enjoy it. I'm trying really hard to find that wow factor. The graffiti is a major disappointment all over the place. The food is ok the disco's are worse than a Toronto subway in winter although i'd rather be in the subway. I don't understand why the smell is soooo bad. I've been by the water a few times but I refuse to go in... this part of the ocean is so dirty... what's up with that. My quest on the mainland is to find that wow factor otherwise i will go home disappointed about this part 2 of my trip. Many people told me i would have a great time, where when and how... Maybe part 3 of my trip which starts tomorrow will shed some light as i'll be in the Algarve. Although from what i hear it smells way worse than lisbon... Total Epic Sadness!
Anyway last night i started to write my blog and didn't get the chance to write about my 'adventures' of the Lisbon nightlife. I've read many reviews about how great it is, i'd agree if i was 16 like the other guys that were out. It's a haven for young, abnoxious and hideous looking people. I'm starting to think that i too may be one of these ugly's considering i'm Portuguese myself. The good thing was i could grab a mojito 1/2 litre and walk around with it and hit the bar's which were empty cuz everyone was hanging out on the street. This would be fine, i'm always up for a street party....But remember this smell i've been talking about... well it doesn't go away at night.... in fact it gets worse. The streets end up smelling like urine and vomit cuz the men here are pigs and instead of finding a toilet they feel that they can just whip it out and pee where ever they want. Now if that kind of thing floats your boat then great come to Lisbon otherwise stay clear. At 3 am and 3, 1/5 litre drinks later i realize i need to get some food in my system before we head to the discoteque. Justin and I walk around and around and nothing is open... we end up at McDonalds. We eat from the very limited menu options... thank god a Big Mac still tastes like a Big Mac and the Fries still taste like whatever they hell they are. We get to the club which the internet boasts as being one of the best with 2 floors. All i'm going to say is a Vodka Redbull Costs 12 Euros and i felt like a sardine in a full can.
We get home and Justin goes to sleep... i go check to see what it would cost for me to go back to Pico since i was having such a good time. I should have never left... Lessons Learned!
After a short Cat nap my day is only just begining... I have breakfast at 8 at the B&B I'm staying at. Which was just ok. Take a shower and Justin and I head over to the starbucks we found yesterday and make it to the metro to head to the Oceanarium, I'm ready for excitement here...and we walk around a huge tank a few times so we can see fish that we normally wouldn't see from many different angles. Whoever is writing reviews for these places needs to get smacked on the head. We leave after seeing all the exhibits and i'm proud of some of the video and pics that i was able to take but there was still no wow.
We buy our train tix for tomorrow ... Again no wow.
We pass through the mall... WOW... 120 Euro for some poorly made "designer" clothing.... hardly the wow i was looking for lol.
Then we go to Belem. Which is a town in Lisbon. We get off the Tram right in front of the Monestary of Jeronimo's. The church is old and the archetecture is beautiful. The wow in me is building but quickly fades since we didn't get a chance to continue to see the inner Garden. We hang around a little bit longer to see the un set behind the tower of Belem and go get something to eat.
Went back to the hotel and then slept we have to catch a train at 7
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Day 15 In Lisbon 11-9-10
Day 15 - Lisbon
So today was very sad.We left the island of Pico and came to lisbon. What made it sad was having to say goodbyes, especially my grandmother.
We were at the airport by 10am and the Diana and Cristina met us there. Also my aunt Paula and Renata showed up to say farewell.
The flight to Lisbon was not bad at all and the view from the plane was overwhelming. It kinda dwarf's Toronto by a long shot. We checked in to the Lisbon Dream Guesthouse and realized there was only one queen bed for our room we are taking it for the night since i'm sure there will hardly be any sleep with the lineup we have planned for tonight and be switching rooms in the morning. We got set up with the buzz code and internet access right away and without any setbacks we decided to make a trip and get aquainted with the city.
My first reaction, on foot, was moderately good... within 15 minutes of leaving the hotel i got shat on by a pidgeon. Some of you will say it's good luck but it's not you that got shit on. As we continued around the city i noticed that this city has an infestation of pidgeon even more than i've seen in Toronto. We walked into a classy hotel with shit on my shoulder and back pack strap and made my way to the bathroom to clean up. At this point i'm so not impressed. I clean up and thankfully for the blow dryers i was able to leave as if nothing happened to one of my favorite shirts.
We walk down Russio and over to an esplanade and we have some delicious treats. Natas and queijadas. GUESS WHAT!!!???!!! STARBUCKS. Venti Americano i say and i proudly make my way around dt Lisbon coffee in hand. Justin and walk around snapping pictures every once in a while. and i have to say in about a 30 minute walk i was offered Hash, Cocaine and Pot about a dozen times for sale of course. I kindly declined and continued on my merry way. Now prior to coming to Lisbon i had high expectations and still do. As most of you know i'm a very difficult person to please. We sat for a bit watching some skateboarders failed attempts at ollying off a raised platform. We didn't even make to the water and there was a horrible stench. I have never smelled anything like it's. It's worse than Spadina and Dundas(Toronto's Chinatown) on a hot summers day. When we finally got to the water i totally understood why. There were like a million fish schooling around on the shoreline... and it was just disgusting.
At this point the sun is setting and i manage to take a few good pictures thankfully they are not scratch and sniff...i almost regret leaving the beautiful island of Pico to come here.
Before posting this blog i though i should give this city another chance. I'm not all that impressed.
So today was very sad.We left the island of Pico and came to lisbon. What made it sad was having to say goodbyes, especially my grandmother.
We were at the airport by 10am and the Diana and Cristina met us there. Also my aunt Paula and Renata showed up to say farewell.
The flight to Lisbon was not bad at all and the view from the plane was overwhelming. It kinda dwarf's Toronto by a long shot. We checked in to the Lisbon Dream Guesthouse and realized there was only one queen bed for our room we are taking it for the night since i'm sure there will hardly be any sleep with the lineup we have planned for tonight and be switching rooms in the morning. We got set up with the buzz code and internet access right away and without any setbacks we decided to make a trip and get aquainted with the city.
My first reaction, on foot, was moderately good... within 15 minutes of leaving the hotel i got shat on by a pidgeon. Some of you will say it's good luck but it's not you that got shit on. As we continued around the city i noticed that this city has an infestation of pidgeon even more than i've seen in Toronto. We walked into a classy hotel with shit on my shoulder and back pack strap and made my way to the bathroom to clean up. At this point i'm so not impressed. I clean up and thankfully for the blow dryers i was able to leave as if nothing happened to one of my favorite shirts.
We walk down Russio and over to an esplanade and we have some delicious treats. Natas and queijadas. GUESS WHAT!!!???!!! STARBUCKS. Venti Americano i say and i proudly make my way around dt Lisbon coffee in hand. Justin and walk around snapping pictures every once in a while. and i have to say in about a 30 minute walk i was offered Hash, Cocaine and Pot about a dozen times for sale of course. I kindly declined and continued on my merry way. Now prior to coming to Lisbon i had high expectations and still do. As most of you know i'm a very difficult person to please. We sat for a bit watching some skateboarders failed attempts at ollying off a raised platform. We didn't even make to the water and there was a horrible stench. I have never smelled anything like it's. It's worse than Spadina and Dundas(Toronto's Chinatown) on a hot summers day. When we finally got to the water i totally understood why. There were like a million fish schooling around on the shoreline... and it was just disgusting.
At this point the sun is setting and i manage to take a few good pictures thankfully they are not scratch and sniff...i almost regret leaving the beautiful island of Pico to come here.
Before posting this blog i though i should give this city another chance. I'm not all that impressed.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Day 14 in Pico 10-9-10
Day 14
So I've just finished packing we were going to go to the disco but i'm not really feeling up to it.
The day started off with us driving to Madalena to a place called Dark. It's a little cafe/restolounge bar all rolled into one... Diogo and I played pool while justin and my mother waited for food. The food was edible but nowhere as good as the other food i've been eating.
We left and went to pick up my sisters contact lenses...so Sarah if your reading this I didnt forget...and my mother bought me a pair of Rayban's.
We went to my sisters god-fathers house and said some goodbyes not before getting some places advice on places to hang out in Lisbon where we'll be tomorrow.
We came home and i had some fresh cheese to munch on and after drove over to my grandparents house on my dad's side alone. It was a little emotional considering i don't know when and if i'll see them again. It was really nice though. She gave me a wine kozy and a tray cover all knit in that algora type thread that she did herself... She wished me a good trip and i was on my way.
When i got home Diana and Cristina were there to get their nails done... they didn't realize that we were going out to dinner. We invited them to come along since there was no way my mom was going to be doing anyone's nails this night. It was nice to have the people that i enjoyed being with the most on this trip come along for my last meal in Pico and was it ever the meal. I don't think i ever had such a good piece of Cod Fish the way i did. Justin had the squid which he seems to really enjoy as well. The restaurant wasn't like any other one we had been to while we were here. The setting was rustic and the food was great. We left and made our way to the festa do lagido.
There everyone was dancing to the chamarita again and we downed a few beers. The weather today was cold and rainy so it didn't make for an enjoyable time to be outdoors probably the worst weather we've had since i've been here. However the company is what's made it a very good time. I'm going to miss this place... the animals and the peoples and the coffees even though i haven't had an americano in 2 weeks. I can't wait to hit a starbucks i just hope to find one on the mainland.
I'm not going to post any pictures today. I have taken a few but they are memories i'd just rather not share and keep to myself.
So i guess i'll be signing off and the next time I write will be from Lisbon... hopefully the internet will be faster there. So hope you've enjoyed my Pico trip as much as i have even if it's just through this blog.
To the people that i'm leaving behind... I'll see you soon I'm sure. Amigos para sempre!
Ciao
B
So I've just finished packing we were going to go to the disco but i'm not really feeling up to it.
The day started off with us driving to Madalena to a place called Dark. It's a little cafe/restolounge bar all rolled into one... Diogo and I played pool while justin and my mother waited for food. The food was edible but nowhere as good as the other food i've been eating.
We left and went to pick up my sisters contact lenses...so Sarah if your reading this I didnt forget...and my mother bought me a pair of Rayban's.
We went to my sisters god-fathers house and said some goodbyes not before getting some places advice on places to hang out in Lisbon where we'll be tomorrow.
We came home and i had some fresh cheese to munch on and after drove over to my grandparents house on my dad's side alone. It was a little emotional considering i don't know when and if i'll see them again. It was really nice though. She gave me a wine kozy and a tray cover all knit in that algora type thread that she did herself... She wished me a good trip and i was on my way.
When i got home Diana and Cristina were there to get their nails done... they didn't realize that we were going out to dinner. We invited them to come along since there was no way my mom was going to be doing anyone's nails this night. It was nice to have the people that i enjoyed being with the most on this trip come along for my last meal in Pico and was it ever the meal. I don't think i ever had such a good piece of Cod Fish the way i did. Justin had the squid which he seems to really enjoy as well. The restaurant wasn't like any other one we had been to while we were here. The setting was rustic and the food was great. We left and made our way to the festa do lagido.
There everyone was dancing to the chamarita again and we downed a few beers. The weather today was cold and rainy so it didn't make for an enjoyable time to be outdoors probably the worst weather we've had since i've been here. However the company is what's made it a very good time. I'm going to miss this place... the animals and the peoples and the coffees even though i haven't had an americano in 2 weeks. I can't wait to hit a starbucks i just hope to find one on the mainland.
I'm not going to post any pictures today. I have taken a few but they are memories i'd just rather not share and keep to myself.
So i guess i'll be signing off and the next time I write will be from Lisbon... hopefully the internet will be faster there. So hope you've enjoyed my Pico trip as much as i have even if it's just through this blog.
To the people that i'm leaving behind... I'll see you soon I'm sure. Amigos para sempre!
Ciao
B
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Day 13 in Pico 9-9-10
Day 13
As I sit here writing today's blog and Justin is washing is feet (we walk in sandals alot) I can't help but think that this leg of my trip is coming to a close. I just did some pre packing as tomorrow is my last day here and that we will be leaving Saturday morning for Lisbon. I am anxious to get there but part of me wishes i could stay. I'm gonna miss feeding my moms chickens, ducks, peacocks, cats, dogs, a goat and a sheep named Sean-ay. At first some of the animals are hestitant around new people but after seeing them everyday and attempting to make friends with them slowly i've gotten to the point that when i'm walking around the back yard i have a sheep following me and a goat getting up on her hind legs to greet me. :) Not only are there the animals that i'll miss but the breath taking views of the landscapes and the people including but not limited to family. Today was a very short day considering the amount of Caipirinhas that we drank last night. Not that i got drunk or anything like that be we were up till about 6 in the morning. After getting up and starting to move around it was already 2 in the afternoon... my mother had gone to Horta to take my Grandmother to a Dr's Appt. She had mentioned that she needed some stuff from the beach house so I decided we would go get it.
I called my aunts restaurant and ordered a pizza so that we can take down and eat then we would grab the stuff and come back. We grabbed the pizza and made our way down a street that i've gone down so many times before and it hit me that it would probably be the last time in a while that i make this trip again to a place i have many fond memories of as a child. I thought i would take some pictures since it would probably be the last time i see the place the way it is today considering that everytime i come here things seem to change. We ate the pizza and sat on the cliffs watching the high tide waves pounding the rocks at the bottom. I decided to go down to the pools where i learned how to swim, Justin went swimming and i just sat with my feet in the water. I wasnt really in the mood to be submerged in water today. We were done after a while and i went to back to the beach house picked up the espresso machine and microwave and loaded the car up.
(they are seperate but attached)
I had promised my aunt that i would go back and take a look at what they did with the land. She has many many many more animals than my mother does. The best part were the pigs... she has like 97 of them and at the end of the month expects to have about 20 more since there are some sows that are expecting. We said our goodbyes and came to shower... we stink at this point from the pig pens.
We didn't want the whole day to go to waste so we hopped in the car and decided to go to the mountain area and see things that we missed the other day. First stop Pico de Urze. The pictures like many of the others that I've take don't do any justice to the views in person. We arrived at Pico de Urze approx 895m above sea level. My ears popping the whole way but totally worth the view at the top. One moment everything is clear and the next there are clouds everywhere, weaving through trees and bushes and even swirling around us, just amazing.
Next stop we decide to find out what we needed to do to go up the mountain, so we make our way to the summit. We get there and it's already dark. The time just seems to be flying here. we watch an introduction video that they have set up there and since we didn't come prepared for it we decided we would come back tomorrow. Whether we do the whole climb or not that's still up in the air although it is something i'm sure will be really good for the both of us (I've already don't it once myself) He head back to the house. Kinda took a wrong turn up on the mountain roads and a trip that normally would've been 15 mins back to the main road took about 45 mins to an hour back to the house. Since we really didn't have any set plans it didn't matter and we just enjoyed what we were experiencing. we had to get out of the car a few times to read the signs since the growth of the trees and vines were covering them and we needed to know where we were going. I got a few phone calls while we were treking in the wilderness one from my cousing Manuela, she wanted to hook up for a drink. We met at Rochedo, where i learned the server was an extended cousin of mine. The Kitchen was closing but thanks to Manuela and the guy learning i was his cousin they made Justin's and my meal. I had the Bife a casa and Justin had the squid Manuela had a vodka redbull. We ate paid and headed to Clube Naval to catch a few drinks before 2. The scene there is just too much to explain but to make it simple public displays of drunkeness can be somewhat amusing to watch until someone gets kicked out of the bar and putt putt's home on a scooter. Who knows where that drunk ended up... just hopefully not under a car.
So with mixed emotions about the last day approaching i'm closing off today with as much excitement for the next leg of this trip and i'm going to make the best of my last day tomorrow even though i'm sure there will be some tears.
B
As I sit here writing today's blog and Justin is washing is feet (we walk in sandals alot) I can't help but think that this leg of my trip is coming to a close. I just did some pre packing as tomorrow is my last day here and that we will be leaving Saturday morning for Lisbon. I am anxious to get there but part of me wishes i could stay. I'm gonna miss feeding my moms chickens, ducks, peacocks, cats, dogs, a goat and a sheep named Sean-ay. At first some of the animals are hestitant around new people but after seeing them everyday and attempting to make friends with them slowly i've gotten to the point that when i'm walking around the back yard i have a sheep following me and a goat getting up on her hind legs to greet me. :) Not only are there the animals that i'll miss but the breath taking views of the landscapes and the people including but not limited to family. Today was a very short day considering the amount of Caipirinhas that we drank last night. Not that i got drunk or anything like that be we were up till about 6 in the morning. After getting up and starting to move around it was already 2 in the afternoon... my mother had gone to Horta to take my Grandmother to a Dr's Appt. She had mentioned that she needed some stuff from the beach house so I decided we would go get it.
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| Adega/Beach house |
I called my aunts restaurant and ordered a pizza so that we can take down and eat then we would grab the stuff and come back. We grabbed the pizza and made our way down a street that i've gone down so many times before and it hit me that it would probably be the last time in a while that i make this trip again to a place i have many fond memories of as a child. I thought i would take some pictures since it would probably be the last time i see the place the way it is today considering that everytime i come here things seem to change. We ate the pizza and sat on the cliffs watching the high tide waves pounding the rocks at the bottom. I decided to go down to the pools where i learned how to swim, Justin went swimming and i just sat with my feet in the water. I wasnt really in the mood to be submerged in water today. We were done after a while and i went to back to the beach house picked up the espresso machine and microwave and loaded the car up.
(they are seperate but attached)
I had promised my aunt that i would go back and take a look at what they did with the land. She has many many many more animals than my mother does. The best part were the pigs... she has like 97 of them and at the end of the month expects to have about 20 more since there are some sows that are expecting. We said our goodbyes and came to shower... we stink at this point from the pig pens.
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| One of the pigs. i have some videos of the smaller ones but for now this is the only picture i have. |
We didn't want the whole day to go to waste so we hopped in the car and decided to go to the mountain area and see things that we missed the other day. First stop Pico de Urze. The pictures like many of the others that I've take don't do any justice to the views in person. We arrived at Pico de Urze approx 895m above sea level. My ears popping the whole way but totally worth the view at the top. One moment everything is clear and the next there are clouds everywhere, weaving through trees and bushes and even swirling around us, just amazing.
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| The view from Pico de Urze at sunset |
So with mixed emotions about the last day approaching i'm closing off today with as much excitement for the next leg of this trip and i'm going to make the best of my last day tomorrow even though i'm sure there will be some tears.
B
Day 12 Pico 8-9-10
Day 12
What did i do today?
I woke up at 930 because of a stupid fly that kept on landing on me. I woke upand made my way to the couch and left the fly for Justin to deal with. I woke up and found my mother had put a blanket on me.
Justin, Diogo and went to Clube Naval and i had the worst service ever... they brought out their food and then waited for them to eat it all then brought out mine....if you know me then you know what happened next.
We went to the grottos and the bamboo bay... it was all really nice.
Then we came home and drank caipirinhas again....everyone got drunk with the exception of Justin and I but we laughed and were in histerics regardless. i think justin is starting to understand portuguese more and more although he's not speaking any of it.
What did i do today?
I woke up at 930 because of a stupid fly that kept on landing on me. I woke upand made my way to the couch and left the fly for Justin to deal with. I woke up and found my mother had put a blanket on me.
Justin, Diogo and went to Clube Naval and i had the worst service ever... they brought out their food and then waited for them to eat it all then brought out mine....if you know me then you know what happened next.
We went to the grottos and the bamboo bay... it was all really nice.
Then we came home and drank caipirinhas again....everyone got drunk with the exception of Justin and I but we laughed and were in histerics regardless. i think justin is starting to understand portuguese more and more although he's not speaking any of it.
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| lavaflow around a rock looks like a ghost |
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| Being led on lava tunnel tours |
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| Red iron in the rocks shows how rich the stone is in minerals |
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| We are walking in the largest lava tube in all of portugal |
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| Entrance/Exit to the cave/lava tube |
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Day 11 Pico 7-9-10
Day 11.
So today the day started waking up at 11 to go on around the island by car. We started in Sao Roque do Pico and headed east on our journey around the island. We made a quite a few stops and took some very good pictures. We even headed around on the mountain roads. To our suprise they were quite good roads better than we had expected, we didn't get lost but we also didn't have any set agenda on where we were going. We hit the major parts of the island and even managed to grab a bite to eat along the way. The sun was super hot and was not that great to take pictures. So i'm not gonna write much today but i'll post some pics with some captions.
ENJOY!
B
So today the day started waking up at 11 to go on around the island by car. We started in Sao Roque do Pico and headed east on our journey around the island. We made a quite a few stops and took some very good pictures. We even headed around on the mountain roads. To our suprise they were quite good roads better than we had expected, we didn't get lost but we also didn't have any set agenda on where we were going. We hit the major parts of the island and even managed to grab a bite to eat along the way. The sun was super hot and was not that great to take pictures. So i'm not gonna write much today but i'll post some pics with some captions.
ENJOY!
This flower had an amazing smell we stopped the car and the area had one of the most amazing aromas in the area. I was lucky enough to catch a bee going crazy at it.
Just some more plants.
This is a type of wild strawberry. They can be found in different area of the island.
I think these are lily's. They were all over the place on this drive.
This is one of the lakes that we saw passing through the mountainous terrain.
This cow we drove by and I did a double take out window. Yes he's missing part of his leg. I proudly named him george and we moved on. I miss you already George.
Another lake blurred with the foreground in focus. I did this on purpose.
Anyway, The trip went well we survived. We missed a few places that we wanted to see but there's always tomorrow.
We came home and Justin got some rest. We had Caipirinhas and we taught some cousins and friends of mine the game, I never. Lets just say they got shit faced.
RECIPE FOR CAIPIRINHAS:
Makes 1 glass
1 Lime cut in to quarters
1 Soup Spoon of Torbino sugar
Fill your glass with very fine chopped ice.
Add Cachaca till the flavor is right
Use a blender that will help with the mixtures.
I'm going to shower cause i stink so good night all.
B
Monday, September 6, 2010
Day 10 in Horta, Faial 6-9-10
Day 10
Well if there was every anything that i can think of to write today is that day so be prepared be very prepared.
The day started with us waking up super early (9:45 am) and getting ready to hop on a boat to go the beautiful island of Faial. We barely made the boat at 10:45 cuz we had to find a parking spot. i grabbed the tickets and Justin found the spot. We were one of the last people to get on the boat PHEWF!
The ride to Faial is about 20 minutes away and thankfully neither him nor I got sea sick we just sat back and enjoyed the view.
We arrived in Horta (the city) and went straight away for breakfast at the world famous Peter Cafe. I should probably start by saying that Horta is home to one of Europs biggest Marina's so the pictures attached will make some sense. Peter Cafe is a hub that allows travellers to leave messages pinned (for people coming to visit) to the walls and their flags of their boats. We had a Toasted Ham and Cheese sandwhich and coffee.... MMMMM DELICIOUSNESS!
After that we went to a church, dont ask me the name as Portugal is LOADED with them. I took some pictures in there but don't worry I didn't leave without making a donation and lighting a candle for my late friend Nelson. Here's a picture of a statue and saint section.
We stopped at a Travel Information Centre to pick up a map and headed to our first destination. Praya Porto Pim. Now this is a Beach that is on a cove and i'm sure there is nothing like it elsewhere in the world. The Azores really is a hidden gem in this huge world and it's great to get away from the concrete jungle of Toronto. Breathtaking to a point that words do not really do it justice.
The sand here was black and got into every crevice you can imagine :P OK... one thing a little rant on my part what's up with boys wearing board shorts and their underwear at the same time... Cotton and seawater with sweaty parts must not be very pleaseant not for anyone EW GROSS I'm OVER IT!
We stayed at the beach working on our totally awesome tans for about 2 hours. Then went to the beach cafe and had a coffee and top up our refreshments. We decided to go for a hike to the Calderinhas which is a word for crater. We had no idea what to expect. We passed a Museum which was amazing unfortunately we couldn't take any pictures there so you'll have to take my word for it. The Hike took about 30 mins up hill on a winding road with many look out points on the way, including this one of "home"
Then there was a little mini colleseum stadium type thing with real look out point which i'm sure were once used for watching out for invaders.
We continued up hill staying next the huge aloe plants the whole time and even stopped to apply some to our wounds :) it's amazing what fresh aloe does to your body. What we saw next you wouldn't believe me if i told you.
The view was just incredible... We got to the top and then took the stairs down and avoiding the road. it was truly a great experince. What to do next? ... GET FOOD! The whole day passed us by and we didn't eat anything since 11 and it was already 5 The time here just seems to be going really fast. We got to the snack bar by the marina which was over flowing with boats and in addition to people leaving their marks in Peter Cafe they also leave their marks on the sea walls.
We ate our cheese burgers and caught our boat for 8pm to head back to Pico.
My cousin's husband was on the boat so we chatted for a bit. Got to Pico, again no sickness. Remember i went to go get the tickets in the morning while Justin parked the car well we weren't necessarily all that close it was up a ways and we finally got there and headed to the beach house. We ate then went fishing till about 1:30 am. We caught a few fish Catch and release and i even caught something that wasn't a fish. EW GROSS. It Squirted at me.
Disgusting Sea Cucumbers... otherwise known as Ocean Dick!
Anyways it's bed time. Hope you are enjoying this Blog... I know that there have been many more hits than i expected. So if there is something you'd like to see more of let me know.
Peace out
B
Well if there was every anything that i can think of to write today is that day so be prepared be very prepared.
The day started with us waking up super early (9:45 am) and getting ready to hop on a boat to go the beautiful island of Faial. We barely made the boat at 10:45 cuz we had to find a parking spot. i grabbed the tickets and Justin found the spot. We were one of the last people to get on the boat PHEWF!
The ride to Faial is about 20 minutes away and thankfully neither him nor I got sea sick we just sat back and enjoyed the view.
We arrived in Horta (the city) and went straight away for breakfast at the world famous Peter Cafe. I should probably start by saying that Horta is home to one of Europs biggest Marina's so the pictures attached will make some sense. Peter Cafe is a hub that allows travellers to leave messages pinned (for people coming to visit) to the walls and their flags of their boats. We had a Toasted Ham and Cheese sandwhich and coffee.... MMMMM DELICIOUSNESS!
After that we went to a church, dont ask me the name as Portugal is LOADED with them. I took some pictures in there but don't worry I didn't leave without making a donation and lighting a candle for my late friend Nelson. Here's a picture of a statue and saint section.
We stopped at a Travel Information Centre to pick up a map and headed to our first destination. Praya Porto Pim. Now this is a Beach that is on a cove and i'm sure there is nothing like it elsewhere in the world. The Azores really is a hidden gem in this huge world and it's great to get away from the concrete jungle of Toronto. Breathtaking to a point that words do not really do it justice.
The sand here was black and got into every crevice you can imagine :P OK... one thing a little rant on my part what's up with boys wearing board shorts and their underwear at the same time... Cotton and seawater with sweaty parts must not be very pleaseant not for anyone EW GROSS I'm OVER IT!
We stayed at the beach working on our totally awesome tans for about 2 hours. Then went to the beach cafe and had a coffee and top up our refreshments. We decided to go for a hike to the Calderinhas which is a word for crater. We had no idea what to expect. We passed a Museum which was amazing unfortunately we couldn't take any pictures there so you'll have to take my word for it. The Hike took about 30 mins up hill on a winding road with many look out points on the way, including this one of "home"
Then there was a little mini colleseum stadium type thing with real look out point which i'm sure were once used for watching out for invaders.
We continued up hill staying next the huge aloe plants the whole time and even stopped to apply some to our wounds :) it's amazing what fresh aloe does to your body. What we saw next you wouldn't believe me if i told you.
The view was just incredible... We got to the top and then took the stairs down and avoiding the road. it was truly a great experince. What to do next? ... GET FOOD! The whole day passed us by and we didn't eat anything since 11 and it was already 5 The time here just seems to be going really fast. We got to the snack bar by the marina which was over flowing with boats and in addition to people leaving their marks in Peter Cafe they also leave their marks on the sea walls.
We ate our cheese burgers and caught our boat for 8pm to head back to Pico.
My cousin's husband was on the boat so we chatted for a bit. Got to Pico, again no sickness. Remember i went to go get the tickets in the morning while Justin parked the car well we weren't necessarily all that close it was up a ways and we finally got there and headed to the beach house. We ate then went fishing till about 1:30 am. We caught a few fish Catch and release and i even caught something that wasn't a fish. EW GROSS. It Squirted at me.
Disgusting Sea Cucumbers... otherwise known as Ocean Dick!
Anyways it's bed time. Hope you are enjoying this Blog... I know that there have been many more hits than i expected. So if there is something you'd like to see more of let me know.
Peace out
B
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Day 9 in Pico 5-9-10
Day 9
It's about 1:30 and i'm just getting home... After writing yesterday's blog i went and took another nap.
I HAD THE HANGOVER FROM HELL!
We went to Arcos again to put something in our stomachs even though we had plans to go to dinner at a cousins house for 530 and it was already 400pm.
We arrived at my cousins house to find out dinner was delayed a bit so thank god for that. We sat aroundand chatted as aunts, uncles and cousins showed up. Then my grandmother on my dads side showed up. That was fun to talk to her one on one for a while.
Dinner is served! I dont think i've ever in my life had that much seafood.. flathead lobsters (Cavacos), Limpets (Lapas), Conch, squid, barnacles, crabs, Octopus. And the list went on. I only wish I had taken a picture of the food to do it the justice it deserved if only you could taste it all mmmmmm. OMG and the desserts.
We went back to arcos to catch the rest of the Festa. Justin was tired considering the little amount of sleep we got so he dozed off in the car for a while.
Cristina and Diana wanted to go see the people dancing but it was slightly wet tonight and we didn't have any umbrellas so we used my moms beach sun-umbrella and paraded down the street to the area while getting weird looks from everyone. LOL! Who Cares!?!
Anyways time for bed i'm exhausted... Tomorrow, weather permitting, we will be in Horta, Faial. So make sure to come back and take a look at some of the pics.
Till then Peace out!
B
It's about 1:30 and i'm just getting home... After writing yesterday's blog i went and took another nap.
I HAD THE HANGOVER FROM HELL!
We went to Arcos again to put something in our stomachs even though we had plans to go to dinner at a cousins house for 530 and it was already 400pm.
We arrived at my cousins house to find out dinner was delayed a bit so thank god for that. We sat aroundand chatted as aunts, uncles and cousins showed up. Then my grandmother on my dads side showed up. That was fun to talk to her one on one for a while.
Dinner is served! I dont think i've ever in my life had that much seafood.. flathead lobsters (Cavacos), Limpets (Lapas), Conch, squid, barnacles, crabs, Octopus. And the list went on. I only wish I had taken a picture of the food to do it the justice it deserved if only you could taste it all mmmmmm. OMG and the desserts.
We went back to arcos to catch the rest of the Festa. Justin was tired considering the little amount of sleep we got so he dozed off in the car for a while.
Cristina and Diana wanted to go see the people dancing but it was slightly wet tonight and we didn't have any umbrellas so we used my moms beach sun-umbrella and paraded down the street to the area while getting weird looks from everyone. LOL! Who Cares!?!
Anyways time for bed i'm exhausted... Tomorrow, weather permitting, we will be in Horta, Faial. So make sure to come back and take a look at some of the pics.
Till then Peace out!
B
Day 8 in Pico 4-9-10
Day 8
How do I start a blog after drinking as much as i did last night! Between beers, G+T's, Whiskey, absinthe and Vodka i think i pretty much hit and surpassed the legal limit in any country. But i guess i just needed it. I was pretty pissed off at a cousin of mine who said he was going to take us up the mountain and waited to the very last second to cancel. Call me passive aggressive if you want i dont give a shit but you just dont do that you call earlier and say "look i'm no going" i would've been fine with that and i would've arranged to have a guide to take me up there. Anyway enough of my rant.
Last night we went to the Discotec in Madalena. They had some Dj's in from the other islands. They had an out door party and i must say i had a freakin blast. That's where all my drinking happened good thing i wasn't driving. Justin and I partied till the sun came up, good times.
Earlier in the day we went for a drive. We went Cachorro which means Dog in portuguese and you can see why it's called that from the picture.
Very nice eh! that's a natural rock formation that has been fixed because of people breaking it. But it's a "landmark" of that little township.
We continued on to Madelena to show Justin some of the things to see and stopped my by my sisters Godfathers house and got some pointers on some other places to go and must see in Pico and in Lisbon. We had lunch at a restaurant called simpatia and then went off to the beach house. We stopped in Lagido where Justin got out of the car and let me drive standard. A) I hate driving B) i don't know how to drive standard but i didn't stall the car till i stopped driving. Pretty good if you ask me.
Goodness my head hurts!
We've taken alot of pictures today, i just wish we had faster internet connection and i'd upload more than i have been. Maybe i'll have some luck when i'm on the main land.
Not gonna write much more my head hurts and i'm nursing a hangover. Looking at this screen is making me semi nauseated.
So till later today... because i was out way past the time i normally write this Have a good one.
BTW I miss being home in the TDot!
B
How do I start a blog after drinking as much as i did last night! Between beers, G+T's, Whiskey, absinthe and Vodka i think i pretty much hit and surpassed the legal limit in any country. But i guess i just needed it. I was pretty pissed off at a cousin of mine who said he was going to take us up the mountain and waited to the very last second to cancel. Call me passive aggressive if you want i dont give a shit but you just dont do that you call earlier and say "look i'm no going" i would've been fine with that and i would've arranged to have a guide to take me up there. Anyway enough of my rant.
Last night we went to the Discotec in Madalena. They had some Dj's in from the other islands. They had an out door party and i must say i had a freakin blast. That's where all my drinking happened good thing i wasn't driving. Justin and I partied till the sun came up, good times.
Earlier in the day we went for a drive. We went Cachorro which means Dog in portuguese and you can see why it's called that from the picture.
Very nice eh! that's a natural rock formation that has been fixed because of people breaking it. But it's a "landmark" of that little township.
We continued on to Madelena to show Justin some of the things to see and stopped my by my sisters Godfathers house and got some pointers on some other places to go and must see in Pico and in Lisbon. We had lunch at a restaurant called simpatia and then went off to the beach house. We stopped in Lagido where Justin got out of the car and let me drive standard. A) I hate driving B) i don't know how to drive standard but i didn't stall the car till i stopped driving. Pretty good if you ask me.
Goodness my head hurts!
We've taken alot of pictures today, i just wish we had faster internet connection and i'd upload more than i have been. Maybe i'll have some luck when i'm on the main land.
Not gonna write much more my head hurts and i'm nursing a hangover. Looking at this screen is making me semi nauseated.
So till later today... because i was out way past the time i normally write this Have a good one.
BTW I miss being home in the TDot!
B
Friday, September 3, 2010
Day 7 in Pico 3-9-10
DAY 7
So today I'm gonna start the blog at the end of my day and work my way to the start of my day just to change it up a bit.
Justin and I are sitting on my mom's roof top taking pictures of star trails. See the beautiful picture.
We went to for walk along the sea wall to show him "Cais Velho" and the little shops everything is closed but just wanted to give him an idea of the area since we've been sleeping so much after staying up so late last night and our very eventful day today before 5 pm. Prior to this we went to the "festa dos arcos" at my mom's beach house, this festival will be going on all weekend. My aunt was babysitting some kid who i found adorable... ya right me find a child adorable :P But i'll let ya'll decide for yourselves
Actually now that i look at it maybe not so much HAHAHAHA! But damn i look hot!
So before this approx 5-8 i took a nap on the couch so i guess there's nothing to write about there unless make up some story of some dream i never had.
Justin, Diogo and I went to Santa Antonio to the Swimming pools and have the ocean water fed into them the water was absolutely freezing. We grabbed some sun near the "Gindash" (i doubt i spelt that right) but to explain it's a cliff that people jump off and into the water below. There were some crazy lean kids jumping off and i was getting my stomach in knots just watching... I used to jump off when i was a kid but i guess as we get older we get scared of things that we don't even think twice of as a child. Needless to say neither Justin nor I jumped we just basked in the sun and made sure to keep an eye out for Diogo... My mother would kill me if something happened to him and i wasn't paying attention. I learned a little bit too... We met a guy from Czech Republic who was taking pictures of the area. He comes down to Pico every September... What i didn't know was that this cliff is a free divers dream there are underwater caves about 8 meters under water and about 50 Feet long, he says it a real rush ... trust me when i say that this is not something i'll be trying anytime soon although i wish i had the guts too.
After the Pools and suntanning we went to Rochero which is snack bar by the pool and had some Ice Cream. MY GOODNESS I forgot how much i missed the flavour of an almond magnum. Brings back many childhood memories.
So the day started off with Justin and I waking up at 12ish... pretty good for us considering that we went to bed around 5am. Diogo him and i went to Clube Naval for Breakfast and i was quite suprised with Justin's Breaky. He had Surf and Turf with fries and rice and just had a Bitoque. His was much more delicious than mine. I will be sure to get that tomorrow and bring my camera to take a picture and show all of you.
Till then enjoy.
So today I'm gonna start the blog at the end of my day and work my way to the start of my day just to change it up a bit.
Justin and I are sitting on my mom's roof top taking pictures of star trails. See the beautiful picture.
We went to for walk along the sea wall to show him "Cais Velho" and the little shops everything is closed but just wanted to give him an idea of the area since we've been sleeping so much after staying up so late last night and our very eventful day today before 5 pm. Prior to this we went to the "festa dos arcos" at my mom's beach house, this festival will be going on all weekend. My aunt was babysitting some kid who i found adorable... ya right me find a child adorable :P But i'll let ya'll decide for yourselves
Actually now that i look at it maybe not so much HAHAHAHA! But damn i look hot!
So before this approx 5-8 i took a nap on the couch so i guess there's nothing to write about there unless make up some story of some dream i never had.
Justin, Diogo and I went to Santa Antonio to the Swimming pools and have the ocean water fed into them the water was absolutely freezing. We grabbed some sun near the "Gindash" (i doubt i spelt that right) but to explain it's a cliff that people jump off and into the water below. There were some crazy lean kids jumping off and i was getting my stomach in knots just watching... I used to jump off when i was a kid but i guess as we get older we get scared of things that we don't even think twice of as a child. Needless to say neither Justin nor I jumped we just basked in the sun and made sure to keep an eye out for Diogo... My mother would kill me if something happened to him and i wasn't paying attention. I learned a little bit too... We met a guy from Czech Republic who was taking pictures of the area. He comes down to Pico every September... What i didn't know was that this cliff is a free divers dream there are underwater caves about 8 meters under water and about 50 Feet long, he says it a real rush ... trust me when i say that this is not something i'll be trying anytime soon although i wish i had the guts too.
After the Pools and suntanning we went to Rochero which is snack bar by the pool and had some Ice Cream. MY GOODNESS I forgot how much i missed the flavour of an almond magnum. Brings back many childhood memories.
So the day started off with Justin and I waking up at 12ish... pretty good for us considering that we went to bed around 5am. Diogo him and i went to Clube Naval for Breakfast and i was quite suprised with Justin's Breaky. He had Surf and Turf with fries and rice and just had a Bitoque. His was much more delicious than mine. I will be sure to get that tomorrow and bring my camera to take a picture and show all of you.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Day 6 in Pico 2-9-10
Day 6
Some would say i'm wasting time here in Pico. But today was just another lazy day since i was waiting around for Justin. I helped my mother clean up a bit and run some errands.
I didn't have much time to take too many pictures today so I'll just be posting some randoms. The weather again today has been up and down and hasn't started raining till late this evening. I promise to take some more pictures over the next few days considering there will be some festas at beach house in the area where the picture above was taken.
After the errands were completed my mothere and I went over to Clube Naval for brunch were I had a Bitoque which is a Beef with a fried egg on top with some rice and french fries it is kind gross and bland but after adding my own mixture of spices that I conjured from the kitchen it was pretty darn good.
We got ready to go get Justin at the airport and i got a text message from him saying that the plane was delayed about half an hour so we went for a coffee with Cristina and Diana at there work place and then headed over to the airport. As Justin said the plane was delayed so we waited and waited till the PA came on announcing the plane was cancelled. My mother yelled in the airport "Fuck Man" and then came to get me where i was waiting watching the tarmac to see if the plane would finally land... Shortly after i get a text from Justin and then I call him.. he told me what his options were and that he'd be arriving in Horta, Faial by plane and then by Ferry to Pico... Being a good friend i drove to the marina to see if i can catch the ferry to Horta to catch him but i missed the last boat to Horta :( I told him i would wait at the marina for him. Shortly after he appeared. Poor guy 22 hour journey from start to finish including all the wait time. The pic below is the port where Justin landed.
We came home had dinner, went for a drink then grabbed the car and went to the beach house and showed him the swimming hole. Mind you it was dark out so we couldn't see much but we still had a good time just chatting and catching up over the last few days.
Anyways more tomorrow it's time to sleep now.
B
Some would say i'm wasting time here in Pico. But today was just another lazy day since i was waiting around for Justin. I helped my mother clean up a bit and run some errands.
I didn't have much time to take too many pictures today so I'll just be posting some randoms. The weather again today has been up and down and hasn't started raining till late this evening. I promise to take some more pictures over the next few days considering there will be some festas at beach house in the area where the picture above was taken.
After the errands were completed my mothere and I went over to Clube Naval for brunch were I had a Bitoque which is a Beef with a fried egg on top with some rice and french fries it is kind gross and bland but after adding my own mixture of spices that I conjured from the kitchen it was pretty darn good.
We got ready to go get Justin at the airport and i got a text message from him saying that the plane was delayed about half an hour so we went for a coffee with Cristina and Diana at there work place and then headed over to the airport. As Justin said the plane was delayed so we waited and waited till the PA came on announcing the plane was cancelled. My mother yelled in the airport "Fuck Man" and then came to get me where i was waiting watching the tarmac to see if the plane would finally land... Shortly after i get a text from Justin and then I call him.. he told me what his options were and that he'd be arriving in Horta, Faial by plane and then by Ferry to Pico... Being a good friend i drove to the marina to see if i can catch the ferry to Horta to catch him but i missed the last boat to Horta :( I told him i would wait at the marina for him. Shortly after he appeared. Poor guy 22 hour journey from start to finish including all the wait time. The pic below is the port where Justin landed.
We came home had dinner, went for a drink then grabbed the car and went to the beach house and showed him the swimming hole. Mind you it was dark out so we couldn't see much but we still had a good time just chatting and catching up over the last few days.
Anyways more tomorrow it's time to sleep now.
B
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Day 5 in Pico 1-9-10
Day5
I don't know how to begin today's blog since there really wasn't much happening. I decided I was gonna give my body a break from the sun so that I don't burn like mofo. I still have 17 days left theres plenty of time. I'm glad i did i gave my tan a chance to bronzify from the sun I've already collected :)
How did I spend my afternoon... I sat in a tanning chair in the shade reading my book... went to take a look at some of the animals in the backyard.
I had Coffee with my mother. Pretty much today i was in relax mode. My mother cooked up that fish i caught last night and a few others that she went to grabbed at the fish market, just to complete the meal. Then we picked up my grandmother and met some cousins and other friends down at the cottage and had a feast. It was absolutely amazing.
Since I had a slow day there really isn't much for me to write about. So today's blog is gonna be short. I promise to take more pictures in the days to come!
B
I don't know how to begin today's blog since there really wasn't much happening. I decided I was gonna give my body a break from the sun so that I don't burn like mofo. I still have 17 days left theres plenty of time. I'm glad i did i gave my tan a chance to bronzify from the sun I've already collected :)
How did I spend my afternoon... I sat in a tanning chair in the shade reading my book... went to take a look at some of the animals in the backyard.
I had Coffee with my mother. Pretty much today i was in relax mode. My mother cooked up that fish i caught last night and a few others that she went to grabbed at the fish market, just to complete the meal. Then we picked up my grandmother and met some cousins and other friends down at the cottage and had a feast. It was absolutely amazing.
Since I had a slow day there really isn't much for me to write about. So today's blog is gonna be short. I promise to take more pictures in the days to come!
B
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