Mare De Agosto!!

The initial reason for my trip, or at least the excuse for it, was THIS festival. 

Craziness on Santa Maria, on the best beach in Portugal (and the world) crowned by 3 nights of music. 

There are festivals EVERY WEEKEND of the summer, on at least one of the islands. I'm trying to track them all down!

While I have wifi, let me share a photo or two. I might appear on TV, and can be found in the VIP area. ;)

NB: My mom had told me that the Sopas Festas were also on various islands, but sometimes I've found multiple ones on one island on the same day! (Multiple sopas are not recommended!)

Rough Seas and Abibliophobia

Rough crossing between Santa Maria & Sao Miguel (warning: don't drink milk or eat dairy products before getting on a boat)

I'm usually fine.

Riding today to Faial, a much longer trip, that will last about 13 hours. Traveling with my aunt, who tends to get seasick....

Was terrified of running out of reading material, as usual, and I still may try to find a bookstore & look for anything in English!!

(An aspiring novelist's best friend can be opportunity, or desperation. If I get my book into stores which normally have an English selection of 5 books, my chances are pretty good!)

This should outweigh the overwhelming feeling of free books available on the internet. I loaded up this morning, just in case...

I'm now heading to parts unknown, unknown about the internet, that is.

Will get back to the real world when I can!

--

PS Is there anything more lovely than a bright hotel morning with a giant pot of coffee & OJ before you explore a city?

Ah, caffeine!!

Anjos, in the Sunlight

Tonight, I'll be leaving for Sao Miguel, on my way to Faial.

I'll be back in Santa Maria before Mare de Agosto, but I'll miss every moment.

After going to a festa last night, in Santa Barbara, and then sopas in Mae de Deus today, we went for cafe in Anjos.

The sun reflecting off the ocean.

It was/is perfect.

Sopas in Mae de Deus

It is on the edge of Vila Do Porto, a darling little spot on the edge of the valley.

And today, there was no line in the heat!!

I went with my cousin & friend. And of course, immediately met people from Cambridge, right next to where I grew up. Also people from Hudson, the natural gathering spot of Azoreans in the area.

There was chanting throughout, and they killed 9 cows for the occasion!!

All in all, it was short & sweet. Probably the quickest, and most authentic I've been to. At least in the past few weeks! ;)

Top 5 Beaches on Santa Maria: Full List

So, to recap, or just in case you couldn't be bothered to look at each individually! ;)

#6: Prainha-hard to get to
#5: Vila do Porto-small, a bit of a walk, close to town
#4: Maia-far by car, just a pool
#3: Anjos-a pool, but a cool cafe
#2: Praia Formosa-beautiful beautiful beautiful.  If you like the open ocean.
#1: Sao Laurenco-The only way to improve upon perfection. Cafe, pool and BEST scenery.

All of the above are well worth checking out, see the individual posts about each.  I will add more as I find them.