7/12/24 Island "Learning and Discoveries."

We were extremely lucky with today's fickle weather, which included heavy fog and light rain. After Catia assessed the situation, she flipped the itinerary before we left, hoping the Serra do Cume panoramic view would magically clear up in time for our arrival.

Just before we arrived at Piscinas Naturais Biscoitos (AKA Biscuits Natural Pools) on the northeast coast of Terceira, the sun broke through and revealed an incredible view of the island's most famous summer destination where lava solidification of ancient volcanic eruptions created numerous formations surrounding the deep blue of the Atlantic Ocean into tiny private pools of relaxation.

Where was my bathing suit when I needed it???

The day continued to improve with a visit to Materramenta D.O. Biscoitos for wine tasting (sigh if we must).

The current winery on this original church's first floor 

only produces white wine. 

Owners are hoping to convert the upper levels to B&Bs by 2027.

Across the street, one two-story building is already nearing completion, and plans include converting the storage area into more B&Bs.

We toured the vineyards, divided into nine plots, with Andre. Grapes were protected from fierce winds and ocean salt by rock walls and holes rooted in volcanic soil surrounded by rocks, which heated the plants during the day and released warmth during the evening. Incredibly, everything was done by hand.

Afterward, we toured the winery and tasted three white wines mixed with different fruit combinations grown on the property.

Lunch was a short drive from the winery, where we tried the island specialty, Alcatra. This dish is cooked for 12 hours in a type of clay pot. Sliced sweet Hawaiian bread is plated, then topped off with beef or fish scooped out of the pot, along with the sauce. 

Soon, we headed to Casa do Farol on the Eastern Coast of the island to meet Tania, whose academic work focused on the missing children of the Azores between the 1940s and 1970s, when they were separated from their parents suffering from extreme poverty and unable to provide for their families. These families found an unofficial solution to the problem by giving away their children to American families looking to start a family back home.

The fog lifted, and the weather was perfect, but the wind was howling when we reached Serra do Cume for the best panoramic view on the island. Even the viewing platform struggled to remain upright.