September 17, 2021
Ruth: We have now settled into our apartment in Santa Cruz da Grasiosa and had our first day of exploring on the Island of Graciosa in the Azores.
After three flights and more than 20 hours in a face mask we arrived on the island of Graciosa. More excited than exhausted, we headed out for groceries and a turn around town before it was dark. This is a beautiful town and our tiny apartment is perfect.
This morning we went for another walk around town and then came home to build our bikes. After lunch we took our bikes on a loop of the north island. This island is small! It’s 6.5 kilometres wide and 12.5 kilometres long. We will likely cycle all the roads more than once while we are here.
On our bike ride we turned off the road to look at a picnic area and stumbled upon one of the best natural swimming pools I’ve ever seen. We leaped off the bikes and jumped into our swim suits for a plunge.
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The Island is gorgeous and looks like a perfect place to leave the cares of the world behind. Can’t wait to read more about your adventure!
Ponta da Barca is the name on the label of our favorite inexpensive wine we drink. It is light, good and not offensive to intellect ;). No hangover next day.
What a nice cosy island you found – looks wonderful.
Yum, sounds good!
is the water warm?
Yes warmer than we ever have. It’s about 20 degrees.
This looks absolutely gorgeous! Enjoy!
OMG!!!! So incredibly jealous!! Looks wonderful! So happy for you!
i dont know from which parynof Canada you are from but i was puzzled by the 20hour travel time.
the Azores have been inmy cycling radar dor a while orecisely because there are direct 4 hour flights, though maybe only from Toronto, and that was pre- COVID
so how 20.hours?
heck i could get to Malltirca and back in less time
excuse the typos.
i hate typing on a phone…..
Hi Peter,
There are direct Sata flights from Toronto still. We started on the other side of Canada in Victoria, spent a night in Toronto and then flew to Ponta Delgata on São Miguel. Our destination to Graciosa took two more flights. Waiting time in all the airports plus flights equaled 20 hours in a mask. We had six hours in Ponta Delgata.
It’s like a dream! I am so proud of you for living it!
It certainly is!
Happy to see Larry’s bike getting a holiday!!! Looking forward to your posts.
The tires made it over some cobblestone streets!
Beautiful photos! Did you fit your bikes in carry on? 🤪. Looking forward to following your adventures.