Just right before our hotel there are beautiful tidal pools made for swimming and relaxation… we didn’t try the swimming as there currently are quite some jellyfish, but the relaxation for sure works

The tide comes in…

Large pools

And it’s flowing over the lava rocks

The basaltic lava here produces very many beautiful natural sculptures

In an amazing detail

And such beauty…

As we were a bit lazy and didn’t want to walk too much that day we took a small stroll down a road to a nature reserve. At the end the path continues through fields

crosses some river

and in general is very pleasant

At the far end is a public camping ground (cold showers) – yet beautiful, peaceful and just a lovely spot

Yet if you continue it gets even better… The coastal line is nothing short of amazing

Small islands

Wonderful scenery

and the occasional waterfall (the small river we walked above before)

Considering the relations this can be much bigger I guess…

Another angle, same island

Due to the water all kind of water plants grow at the bottom of the wall

Driving up the eastern coast you find another scenic overview

And an evening view of the village (hamlet…)

The next day we made some trip to the west coast, but checked out some high country first…

On a lava road you cross streams

But discover nothing too thrilling… So back we went, now to the west… Here the fast flowing lava combined with cold water produced these segmented octagonal pillars like in some other places on the world (Giant’s causeway in Northern Ireland would be one)

Really amazing

The countryside is getting lovely again

Yet you can see the structure coming through everywhere

Finally we reached the starting point of our walk… As we didn’t want to take a taxi or bus from the end we decided to return before it went over the cliff some 3/4 way down the track (or roughly 6 km one way).

The beginning is gentle, calm and shaded

I am always amazed by the rhizome of the ginger

Absolutely amazing

The laurel forest is getting denser

and we even saw the fruit of the laurel tree

Just nice hiking

the only problem are constant descents / ascents with some 50 – 120 m which slowly kill you… 28°, 80% humidity – Wet T-Shirt contest

What a challenge… Finally we made it to Mosteiro

And couldn’t believe it… A mobile bar

Sparking carbohydrate refreshment with nutrients Absolutely the best beer ever…

Communication with the people was rather challenging as absolutely no other language was spoken and they didn’t understand our Portuguese, which might not be their fault… Yet it was obvious that the concept of humidity didn’t say anything to them – why should it, it never changes here

Further down the path – looking back – we decided to return as the next parts were not too promising

So we went over the mountains again

And were just lucky to see both caldera lakes this time nearly clear…

The left

 

And the right

Again – different perspective

Over the mountain top in sunshine

bathing everything in gold

Producing a total different sight of the landscape again

Finally in the North we took the hike (only the first 1,5 km or so) of the famous #1 from Ponte Delgharda down the west coast

It was just beautiful weather; a slight breeze to keep the flies away and the temperature down

A small break

Wonderful paths – yet extremely slippery when wet

Lovely views of Corvo with hair flying in the wind

And hollow paths

Just about everything you need…

As we had pre-ordered octopus in the restaurant “Peixador” the next treat was just about waiting for us… It turned out to be the best octopus ever (so far) made in the oven with potatoes and spicy sauce… Lovely