Road tripping along the north coast

August 30, 2014
Posted on November 25, 2014

On a warm sunny day, there is nothing better than to hop on your scooter and see where the road takes you. With about 50 km separating our starting point from the far east end of the island – the parish of Nordeste – we had a long way to go. It’s peanuts by North American standards, but this is the Azores! Anything could happen!

Azores, Sao Miguel

You could meet a cow.

Azores, Sao Miguel

The cows

You could study the large tile murals on the sides of churches.

Azores, Sao Miguel

Ribeira Grande

You could find some gravel roads.

Azores, Sao Miguel

The open road.

You could stumble upon some odd looking sunflowers.

Azores, Sao Miguel

Teddy bear sunflowers

Azores, Sao Miguel

They smell just as you’d expect.

You could learn more Portuguese and make even better guesses at the meaning of things. Igreja means church, hence Rua da Igreja is going to be the main, fanciest street in town.

Azores, Sao Miguel

Rua da Igreja, Maia

Azores, Sao Miguel

Riding by Rua da Igreja

You could stand on top of a hill and finally spot the perfect quiet beach to snorkel in. You might not feel 100% about going down a steep road towards it, but it will work out.

Azores, Sao Miguel

Parish of Maia, with its beach all exposed.

Azores, Sao Miguel

Hairpin leading to the beach.

You could be starving and end up having lunch in beautiful location overlooking nothing but corn fields and endless ocean. No other dry land ahead, all the way to Iceland.

Azores, Sao Miguel

The blue and the green.

Azores, Sao Miguel

The fish.

You could keep going seemingly forever (or until you run low on fuel).

Azores, Sao Miguel

Another twisty road.

Azores, Sao Miguel

You never run out of flowers.

Azores, Sao Miguel

When one parish ends, another soon begins.

Azores, Sao Miguel

The mountains hide behind the clouds.

You could fuel up at a Repsol gas station.

Azores, Sao Miguel

Unleaded, please.

You could climb up a hill to see if things look better from the top.

Azores, Sao Miguel

View from the top.

You could take an unmarked dirt road, reach its end, snap a photo and turn around.

Azores, Sao Miguel

The dirt is usually orange.

Azores, Sao Miguel

The skies – dramatic.

Azores, Sao Miguel

The green – limitless.

You could reach Nordeste and revel in its positively metropolitan feel. (I hear it’s like, 1300 inhabitants.)

Azores, Sao Miguel

Nordeste.

Azores, Sao Miguel

Nordeste, infrared.

Azores, Sao Miguel

A multilevel town.

Azores, Sao Miguel

A friendly local.

Azores, Sao Miguel

And just as you thought the day was over, you could find the most beautiful spot to watch the sunset.

Azores, Sao Miguel


2 Comments »

  1. Valery says:

    Unreal. Especially the last photo.
    What time of the year was it ? I am from Montreal and planning a trip soon hopefully.

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