Discovering The Azores Day 3: Santa Barbara Beach, Salto do Cabrito, Caldeira Ribeira Grande and Botequim Acoriano Restaurant and
A New Day
The Sun was shining brilliantly as I awoke. To my surprise I had slept in and the time was 9 AM. A quick shave and brush followed and off I went to Minuvida for breakfast. Today we had a plan to do a tour with Remi and Joao. Shortly after breakfast we were on our way to our first location of Santa Barbara Beach.
Praia de Santa Barbara
The beach was located on the north coast of Sao Miguel and is one of the longest beaches in the Azores. It is frequented by serious surfers as the waves are consistent and large. Just outside of the area of Ribeira Grande it is usually warmer than the surrounding area as it is quite sheltered by huge volcanic walls of eruptions gone by.
Interesting things about this beach as it harbours the only Azores endemic Genus of the Vidalia plant. It grows among the many lava rock outcroppings near the beach. Close to the beach are very old protective stations used in years gone by to stave off pirates and like.
The beach also homed "Toka Tula", a restaurant of high repute. The name meant "Over here;over there!"
We then went to another beach called Piscina Naturale di Ferreira
Piscina Naturale di Ferreira
The way down is steep! Parking is easy and there is a nice refreshment bar just before the beach. The lava rock is sharp and can be treacherous to the careless and the volcanic walls near the beach have been known to have rock slides. However, the ocean water is warm and heated by volcanic activity at the bottom. If one is careful, the adventure is in the water and the beauty surrounds in the form of many shapes of lava deposits.
After Ferreira we were off to Salto do Cabrito.
Salto do Cabrito
The road to Salto do Cabrito was an interesting one which saw us go up and down some exceptionally winding roads and up (and) down some very high hills. We arrived at what appeared to be a small river that was being fed by a very high waterfall. We made our way through some dense, heavily treed areas to arrive at the waterfall which was some 50 metres in height and dropped into a pond area.
The clear cool water seemed inviting but none of us went in. Instead we climbed up a staircase which went up to 37 metres to a spot where part of the waterfall was fed. Huge amounts of water pushed its way through a small space and over lava rock smoothed by the constant powerful flow.
The area seemed an ideal picnic spot but was often used by hikers on a circular trek around the falls. The massive amount of flora here made it an interesting space to dwell for several hours in one had time. Trees and plants such as eucalyptus, acacias and ctryptomerias abounded.
After some serious exercise up and down a large number of steps we were once again in the car heading for our next destination.
Caldeiras de Ribeira Grande
Lunchtime was spent near some natural volcanic hot springs in a small village that was once quite active on the tourist front. The air seemed drenched with the small of sulfur and of course there were an ample number of baths and spas as well as a restaurant at which seemed to be having quite a party at the time we were there.
Lunch was in the form of a lunch basket made prior to the trip. It consisted of a large Hummus sandwich, orange, drink and small desert.
After viewing the Hot Springs we were off to the Town of Ribeira Grande.
Ribeira Grande
Located about 18 kilometres northeast of Ponta Delgada is the City of Ribeira Grande which was settled around the 15th and 16th Centuries. The old town is made up of two parishes, Matriz and Conceicao. There is much architecture from the 17th and 18th Centuries which includes the Town Hall and the parish church of Espirito Santo.
The municipal garden with its huge New Zealand Fir trees is a must see. The city has a charm all its own. Some time was spent touring the lower area near the river plus the garden/bandstand area.
Then we were off for home!
Botequin Acoriano
Almost settled for the night when a knock came to our door. Klaus and Yuli who we were to have a glass of wine with later, came to the door and asked us if we wished to go to dinner. Not planned but certainly a marvelous idea we freshened up and soon we were heading to the Botequin Acoriano which is a highly regarded restaurant in the area.
We had a superb meal with some fine local wine. I had a wonderful fish soup followed by a phenomenally cooked Red Snapper. My pal Klaus had Octopus with potatoes and veggies while Chicken stuffed with bacon and ham was he other choice.
It was a super night all round.
Back at Minuvida
The celebrations did not stop there. Later that evening I promised Klaus a taste of Canadian Riesling. I brought out an Inniskillin Pinot Grigio/Riesling blend. It met with super approval and went well with the cheese and olives supplied by Klaus and Yuli!
Then it was time to go to BED!
End of Day Three
The Sun was shining brilliantly as I awoke. To my surprise I had slept in and the time was 9 AM. A quick shave and brush followed and off I went to Minuvida for breakfast. Today we had a plan to do a tour with Remi and Joao. Shortly after breakfast we were on our way to our first location of Santa Barbara Beach.
Praia de Santa Barbara
The beach was located on the north coast of Sao Miguel and is one of the longest beaches in the Azores. It is frequented by serious surfers as the waves are consistent and large. Just outside of the area of Ribeira Grande it is usually warmer than the surrounding area as it is quite sheltered by huge volcanic walls of eruptions gone by.
Interesting things about this beach as it harbours the only Azores endemic Genus of the Vidalia plant. It grows among the many lava rock outcroppings near the beach. Close to the beach are very old protective stations used in years gone by to stave off pirates and like.
The beach also homed "Toka Tula", a restaurant of high repute. The name meant "Over here;over there!"
We then went to another beach called Piscina Naturale di Ferreira
Piscina Naturale di Ferreira
The way down is steep! Parking is easy and there is a nice refreshment bar just before the beach. The lava rock is sharp and can be treacherous to the careless and the volcanic walls near the beach have been known to have rock slides. However, the ocean water is warm and heated by volcanic activity at the bottom. If one is careful, the adventure is in the water and the beauty surrounds in the form of many shapes of lava deposits.
After Ferreira we were off to Salto do Cabrito.
Salto do Cabrito
The road to Salto do Cabrito was an interesting one which saw us go up and down some exceptionally winding roads and up (and) down some very high hills. We arrived at what appeared to be a small river that was being fed by a very high waterfall. We made our way through some dense, heavily treed areas to arrive at the waterfall which was some 50 metres in height and dropped into a pond area.
The clear cool water seemed inviting but none of us went in. Instead we climbed up a staircase which went up to 37 metres to a spot where part of the waterfall was fed. Huge amounts of water pushed its way through a small space and over lava rock smoothed by the constant powerful flow.
The area seemed an ideal picnic spot but was often used by hikers on a circular trek around the falls. The massive amount of flora here made it an interesting space to dwell for several hours in one had time. Trees and plants such as eucalyptus, acacias and ctryptomerias abounded.
After some serious exercise up and down a large number of steps we were once again in the car heading for our next destination.
Caldeiras de Ribeira Grande
Lunchtime was spent near some natural volcanic hot springs in a small village that was once quite active on the tourist front. The air seemed drenched with the small of sulfur and of course there were an ample number of baths and spas as well as a restaurant at which seemed to be having quite a party at the time we were there.
Lunch was in the form of a lunch basket made prior to the trip. It consisted of a large Hummus sandwich, orange, drink and small desert.
After viewing the Hot Springs we were off to the Town of Ribeira Grande.
Ribeira Grande
Located about 18 kilometres northeast of Ponta Delgada is the City of Ribeira Grande which was settled around the 15th and 16th Centuries. The old town is made up of two parishes, Matriz and Conceicao. There is much architecture from the 17th and 18th Centuries which includes the Town Hall and the parish church of Espirito Santo.
The municipal garden with its huge New Zealand Fir trees is a must see. The city has a charm all its own. Some time was spent touring the lower area near the river plus the garden/bandstand area.
Then we were off for home!
Botequin Acoriano
Almost settled for the night when a knock came to our door. Klaus and Yuli who we were to have a glass of wine with later, came to the door and asked us if we wished to go to dinner. Not planned but certainly a marvelous idea we freshened up and soon we were heading to the Botequin Acoriano which is a highly regarded restaurant in the area.
We had a superb meal with some fine local wine. I had a wonderful fish soup followed by a phenomenally cooked Red Snapper. My pal Klaus had Octopus with potatoes and veggies while Chicken stuffed with bacon and ham was he other choice.
It was a super night all round.
Back at Minuvida
The celebrations did not stop there. Later that evening I promised Klaus a taste of Canadian Riesling. I brought out an Inniskillin Pinot Grigio/Riesling blend. It met with super approval and went well with the cheese and olives supplied by Klaus and Yuli!
Then it was time to go to BED!
End of Day Three
posted by Chuck Byers - Wine Consultant | 3:10 PM
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