We climbed up at a 35% grade from Bretanha to the ridge of the volcano overlooking the crater lakes of Sete Cicades, but we were in the clouds and could see nothing. It was eerily quiet on the narrow and partially dirt secondary road. Dennis likes to call then cow paths! So we descended on the other side and set off for Ferraria where there is a thermal spring in one of the ocean pools. We didn’t have our swimsuits with us, and nobody else was in the pool, but the area was fascinating with lava rock covering the entire cove. (The thermal pool is the top right photo).
It was here among this dramatic scenery, where the Atlantic laps into the pools and crevices, that we decided to build our memorial totem to our dear friend, Tom, who died on March 20, 2018. He was inspired to visit the Azores in January after hearing us talk about it, and we, in turn, loved hearing of his adventures here on Sao Miguel.
By the time we finished exploring Ferraria and drove back to Sete Cicades, the clouds had cleared and we took a long walk along the lakes edge.
It is so wonderful to be amongst the fresh Spring greenery and blossoms.
Climbing back up on a different ridge and despite the clouds we were rewarded with spectacular views of Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde.
