We were treated to a parade outside the hotel as we were leaving this morning – part of carnival season preceding Lent.

What an extraordinary place this is! The entire island is like a manicured park and workers are out in force trimming the banks, pruning trees and sprucing up the rest areas – which are like mini-parks. I kid you not! all the azaleas along the side of the road have been pruned and shaped!

More spectacular scenery with steep cliffs dropping to the ocean.

Tidy villages dot the landscape with their white and black (volcanic stone) churches.

Like a couple of crazies we took heed of the warning and walked down to the lighthouse (Farol Ponta del Arnel). The walk down was hard enough, but the hike back up had our hearts racing!

We earned the beer!

I love these local pineapples! Terrific market here in Punta Delgada!