To be present might be exactly what we’ve needed all along. To feel a place while we’re in it. To be fully with people while sharing time. To know this moment and this moment only may actually be the closest thing to ecstatic living we’ll experience. So, wherever you are, be there. In your body. One foot in front of the next. –Victoria Erickson
Have you ever thought back to when you were a child and wondered what you would be at 30? Did you have ideas of a life that you used to dream of at night as you fell asleep? I did, more times than not. I thought I had it all planned out. I’ve always been a big dreamer when I envision my life encapsulated as a whole, when I look back at the end of my days. I have a heart that bursts with passion for everything that my soul loves. Sometimes realistic and both non-realistic, but none the less, they fill my heart with goals and things to strive for. To fight for. To know that with each choice and decision that I made every second of the day led to what my life would look like one day.
Sitting with my eyes glowing towards the sky in an A310 aircraft over the Atlantic heading to Portugal for my 30th Birthday, I can’t help but believe that I made it to 30 in one whole piece! I can’t help but reminisce on my past 30 and continue to dream of my next 30. But one of the biggest realizations is that my life today is nothing to what I had dreamed of as that little green-eyed girl chasing lighting bugs on those Carolina nights. I had a heart full of naive hope that a girl with great dreams and good intentions would get where she wanted to go. I went with my full heart and am still running strong. My life looks completely different than that of others my age but I, as a person, am close to what I had dreamed of and strived to be. Along with many of the things that I have achieved thus far, there are still so many things that I had dreamed of that have yet to come into fruition and what I’ve learned is- that’s ok. Life has graciously given me the opportunity to so many added blessings that my wildest imagination could have never dreamt up myself. Everything in moderation, right? Sometimes the paths we envision for ourselves aren’t what God had in mind, they are better! And sometimes looking back, the darkest days turned into some of the most beautiful chapters. Life at 30 isn’t where I thought it would be, but I can smile and thank God for exactly where it is.
With those things that lack, I have gained experiences and things in ways that I never could have dreamed. Life changes, and it grows you in ways that you could have never even begun to imagine. Life takes you to unexpected places, and brings random people and experiences into your life to help mold you into who you are. You come out on the other side of nights sobbing on the bathroom floor with your life falling apart thinking, “I’ll never make it through this.” But you do, you learn to put one foot in front of the other, and you keep going. You grow through what you go through. You meet people with that soul recognition and you know that you will never be the same because of them. You see and experience places that will leave you with a smile on your face when you think of the memories, because somewhere, a piece of you is still lying on the sandy shores or on the peaks of the mountain tops. You learn that God’s plan is ALWAYS greater than your own and you learn to embrace those heartbreaking days and that gut wrenching news. You learn to trust more and more in him and not in other people, circumstances, or your own strength. You learn to embrace the quality and forgo the quantity. It may take years, but you learn to find your peaceful place and to never let that go, to run there and gather yourself, to save yourself by being washed by his presence when you seek it. You learn to love people and to accept their bad days because we are all broken people revolving in this life together- Like children still crying out of an adult human body. You learn to love your family through thick and thin because they will always be there. You never know when that goodbye hug walking out the door will be your last time you ever get to feel that heartbeat. Embrace them fiercely. You learn that you don’t need money to have experiences, just stepping outside may give you some of the best memories of your life. You learn that some of your most unconditional love here on this earth will come from your 4-legged furry friend. You learn that you’d rather be the person that smiled than the person who did not. The person who loves the most versus the person who did not love enough. And most off, you learn to love yourself. To be unapologetically yourself in every way possible, because that’s how God loves us. Just as broken as we are. I have so many character defects that I spend relentless energy working on, but the important thing is embracing them and growing through them. Progress is relative to priorities. I spent years being my own worst critic, I still am and will always be, but I’m learning to not hate myself for my faults. I wasn’t meant to be perfect, only God can be that. You learn that life is short. One day you look back and you are 30. How does that happen? I was raised by a mother who taught us to embrace each and every moment and I am beyond grateful for that everlasting lesson that was instilled in the deepest parts of me. Saturday mornings we tried so hard to sleep in and you would hear her coming down the hall with the vacuum saying “get up! You’re sleeping your life away!” To this day, I still can’t sleep in because I hear that little whisper. As much as I want to sleep, I smile, say my good morning prayer and put my feet on the floor and count my blessings for another breath and day of life. This is my platform, and I will thank God for those little life pushes that make me realize how precious it truly is.
It’s better to take the chance and embrace the fall than to not take the chance at all. Here’s to 30 more beautiful, messy, and unapologetic years to this grind we call life. To slowing down and embracing moments more. To becoming more of me than I’ve ever been. And to gaining and loosing those very things that are meant to finding their way. Cheers to 30 more!
While preparing for the trip, quite a few asked me out of curiosity, “Why the Azores?” And to be completely honest, the sincerest answer I can give that makes sense to even my own mind is simply that I’ve never been here before. If I were to write down everywhere I would like to go before I die, every country and city would make the list. All of them, far and wide. From cozy mountain towns in the Alps to the crystal-clear beaches on the western hemisphere and everywhere in between. I just want to experience places that I’ve never been. I want to immerse myself into the cultures of the world and to see what other norms are, compared to mine. I want my eyes to glow with sights so foreign to my mind that they literally take my breath away. I want to eat of the foods from around the world and try things, anything, at least once. I simply want to do and see things that my entire being has yet to appreciate. This is what traveling is to me. This is that wanderlust strand of DNA that is buried deep into my anatomy that sets me apart and makes me thrive on things such as these experiences. It changes me. Every single experience changes me. So, for my 30th birthday, a milestone of being an official woman into the adult world. No better place to bring it in than somewhere my soul has yet to feel. So here it goes, here goes new experiences to new lands and new experiences to myself.
Day 1:
We arrived at Terceira Island today, one of the 5 archipelago islands off of the coast of Portugal. Our plane got in around 6:35 in the morning. As we were landing my eyes watched in wonder as the full moon lit up the ocean beneath us and the white puffs of clouds began to glow. It lit up the sky so much that for a second, I could feel what was coming my way. The feelings that I was about to embrace on this 30th birthday adventure became very real within a moment’s notice. The excitement of the unknown and the reality of embracing a new culture sent chills down my entire body.
We had 6 hours to kill before check-in at the Terceira Mar Hotel and decided what a better time to get right on the road and explore. With every new country I visit, I always take this precious time that my eyes first see the lands to truly take every second of it in. I like quiet. I like to let it sink deep down into some of the deepest parts of me. I do believe this is where I begin to shed pieces of me into everywhere that I go. My eyes wonder in an eagerness to not miss a second, one single second, for these are the moments that will be embedded in my being forever. I like to watch the trees sway and I like to watch the people in their very own element of what “life” is for them. I like to see the animals and to figure out the pace in countries that are so different from my very own where I reside. I like to smell the smells and feel the air. I like to hear the noises that play throughout the wavelengths that are normal to the locals. I like it all, I love it. Not one second do I want to let pass by me or go unnoticed.
I find Terceira Island to be a mix between the landscapes of Costa Rica and Ireland with a feel between a Tuscan and Spanish vibe with a little Italy mixed in. Interesting, right? I’ve never seen anything like It! We had lunch at the most adorable outdoor café on the marina in Prai da Vitoria, also known as Santa Cruz. The sun was shining bright and It was around 65. We finished our drive around the rest of the island and got checked into our hotel. Right on the ocean, what beautiful views these are going to be for the next week. We had dinner street side at a little place called Birou Bar and reflected on what the day held for us, all we could say was how grateful we were for the beginning experiences of today and how excited we are for the experiences to come.
Day 2:
Today was incredible! First off, we slept till 9. Much needed after barely any sleep the last two days. We decided to set out for the day and drive with the Eno hammocks and Nikon camera in tow with no plans whatsoever. Wherever our hearts desired, that is where they would lead. We got lost down so many back roads that led us to being found in some of the most incredible places and ways. If only pictures could do this place justice. We strolled through enchanted forests where the only noise you could hear were the birds singing joyful song. We came upon a grassy ridge at the top of a mountain with the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean and there sat not one, but two golden eagles. I’ve never in my life had an experience close to this one. They sat there and stared at us with the gaze of splendor. I quickly reached for my Nikon but all I managed to get was them taking off. We sat in the middle of the road in awe- on the top of the mountain, surrounded by the ocean, and watched them soar high into the sky. Light as a bird! It’s almost as if I could feel their freedom in that moment as the wind brushed my face- Because at the time, in that twinkling of an instant, I was free. That’s one of those memories that you could never be replayed or captured, only a place for the mind to go back and dream a little. That was definitely my God wink, for that moment and for the entire year. We arrived back home after dark with a full stomach and an even fuller heart from the simplicity and exploration of this place.
Day 3:
I’m sitting out on the porch curled up in a blanket right now writing. It’s around 50 degrees and all I can hear are the ocean waves and a soccer (football) game going on up the hill. It’s amazing how peaceful this place is. The houses are immaculate. The people are so friendly. It’s just simple, these are those kinds of places that leave my heart wishing I could live in a place like this. Not that I don’t love our very own country, I just miss the simplicity that our lives seem to take from us. It just is what it is here. Everywhere you look, you are breath taken. The air is so clear. Even the cows are happy! We are beginning to understand this place, getting around without a map and feeling more comfortable being in an unknown country, although I think some question my authenticity to this country. It’s just a sweet place and I am sitting here in my own little safe place tonight enjoying that gratefulness that I feel for this special experience.
Yet another day with no plans, just how I like it. Over a Portuguese breakfast of pastries and local meats and fresh fruits, we decided that we would take on the Eastern side of the island. One that we had brushed through while driving but had not yet immersed ourselves into. The day started off misty with the sun shining through over the water. Talk about breathtaking! As we headed east, the island got more secluded. The towns were smaller with more of a Tuscan feel, if I may say so. The yards seemed a little larger with the Stucco houses on the side of the ocean and so many came with vineyards of their very own- Separated by rock walls built goodness knows how long ago. There are so many areas here that scream and in turn, allow, for exploration. There are lookouts that you climb that will leave you hanging at the edge of cliffs that will none the less make you gulp as you look down over the edge to the rocky coastline. We got to see the Ponto das Contendas lighthouse today. It was beautiful with a stormy sky laid as a back drop. We stopped at a park that I can only imagine is booming in the summer time and walked down to the rocky shore. There is a pool built into the coastline that will fill with ocean water to bask in with the arrival of warmer temperatures. We walked the coast and I unexpectedly was able to mark off a check on my bucket list: to find sea glass. I had a hand full and mom did as well. The excitement was real! We found some of the prettiest lava rocks as well. I wanted to take it all home with me and add it to our travel bowl but only took what touched my heart the very most.
We continued our way down the coast and came to a town called Biscoitis. It was the most charming little sea side vineyard village further down in elevation. We ran across this adorable little restaurant with a smell of delicious Italian influenced Portuguese food filling the air. And that’s all it took to make us realize we were ready to eat! We sat and had a wonderful lunch starting off with calamari and ending with two of our most favorite Italian dishes. We left with a full stomach needing a nap. We headed back to Angro de Hermosimo where our hotel is. We walked the town and ended up back at one of our favorite little restaurants thus far, Birou. We have fallen in love with their local charcuterie board, salmon toast, and fresh sangria. While we were eating tonight, the same couple that was in there the first time we ate there were in there again as well, they laughed and said hello as they walked in and we had good conversation. Weirdly she sat beside us on the plane. Some of those moments I question the divine meaning behind it. I have fallen in love with blood sausage. Never in a MILLION years did I ever think that I would be saying that, but it’s delicious! As long as I don’t think too much into it, I do just fine! It tastes nothing like what I would have ever dreamed. Terceira is an island that does a fantastic job of housing all local fare when it comes to the food selections. Everywhere you turn, there is vegetation and livestock, especially cattle! They have better ocean front property than many of the people do as you will see from the photos. After dinner finished up, we walked a little more to walk that delicious dinner off and wound up in our favorite little pastry shop to cap off the night. Is it bad when it’s already our favorite on the third day? Pastries and breads are dangerously good here. It’s vacation, right? Don’t worry, I’m taking full advantage of the amazing gym here and walking the forests and inclines to indulge in whatever comes my way! After all, the foods are one of my favorite parts of traveling, and try all I will! Today was another good day of yet again, getting lost in the right direction.
Day 4:
It’s officially my 30th birthday today!! I can’t believe I’ve made it 30 years in this thing we call life. You blink and it’s gone, just as all of the older and wiser tell us! Time slow down. It’s been one heck of ride. Here’s to 30 more. Originally, we had big plans for my birthday, my idea of happy, a spa day and a nice dinner. That’s what 30 is all about, relaxation. Unfortunately for plans sake, Portugal still holds Sundays as very sacred. And this I absolutely love! I wish America still held Sundays as a day of rest just as these places do. So, for my 30th, we decided to have no plans. We went driving into the enchanted forest to find what we want to come back and do next and to simply see what the day had in store. It was such a peaceful day; the stores were closed down and very little restaurants were open. People were in church or with family. This old soul of mine felt the simplicity and meaning of today, that was pretty special. The enchanted forest was absolutely INCREDIBLE!!! As I write about in my Maine blog, I got to experience another forest that took me back to my wild imagination as a child. The greens were so vivid and the air was so clear. The views were majestic and life was just sweet. My eyes gazed around in wonder. We came to a herd of goats moving from one pasture to the next. The farmer would stop and let them graze in the pastures along the way. It made me SO happy getting to watch these beautiful creatures in their element. One came and stuck her head in the window and realized “Oh hello human!” And on her way, she went! As we drove up through the enchanted forest we managed to make our way all the way up to the highest point in all of Terceira Island which happened to be an active volcano. My 30th birthday and the first time I’ve been to a volcano. Now that’s a wish come true! As we arrived at the top, we got out of the car and my heart dropped. Temperatures had fallen significantly and we were literally on the edge of the world. It was stimulating. We were in the clouds surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on all sides. We were so high that you almost couldn’t tell the ocean from the clouds. I can’t even begin to explain it and of course the pictures don’t do it justice. I stood there and listened, and all at once, realized this was the most silent place I had been in my entire life. I could sit there for days and embrace nothing but the views and the silence. It’s as if life had stopped in that very moment.
The next thing we saw were the sulfur springs. It was incredible. We took a little trail that led down to it. From a ways back, you could see the steam coming up out of the earth and smell the stinch of sulfur. The vegetation around it was incredible and you could see for miles and miles, surrounded by endless pastures of cows. It’s kind of eerie anytime I’ve seen a spring like this where the earth is so hot that steam can’t help but exit the earth in the way it does. A beautiful and spine-chilling sight it was.
After we left the top of the mountain our check air light came on. Not a big problem in the states, the only problem is here we can’t read anything on the car because it’s all in Portuguese! We were able to make it to the nearest gas station right on the ocean. Mom and I were walking around trying to figure out which tire and how to work the machine. Typical American females they were thinking I’m sure! The nice attendant came walking out. I smiled and he smiled as he saw how lost we were when it came to such a simple thing of putting air in a tire. Needless to say, easy fix, and thank goodness for such genuine and helpful people in this country. They are wonderful!
As we are driving the coastline on the way back we end up in this adorable little town and find a place to what we thought was a grocery store. Little did we know it was a fresh cheese factory and café called Queijo Vaquinha. Lots of locals having their afternoon fair. They make the local cheese on one side and serve on the other. We stopped for a lovely afternoon spread. We had a cheese board of four of the different cheeses served with fresh bread and a local sweet molasses. Six bucks guys!! It was delectable. I’d go there day and day again! While traveling, even if uncomfortable, always stop at places. You never know what gems you will find.
After making it back to our hotel and resting for a while before my birthday dinner, we made our way into the city to Tasca Das Tias. One of the few open restaurants on Sunday and luckily one of the ones that were on the list to try. The ambiance in this place was fantastic. Rock and wood finishes with tea lit candles everywhere in a historic stone Portugese street side building. We started off with shrimp as an appetizer. I had a filet and mom had local fish. The dishes were absolutely delectable (the filets in town run around $20 in a nice restaurant). We finished off dessert with an almond pie and a famous dessert to the island called Donas Amelia. My birthday dinner was so wonderful and will never be forgotten! Thank you for a wonderful experience.
We left the restaurant with full bellies and headed back to the hotel. Walked the streets just a little and enjoyed the cool breeze and made it back to our room.
And that’s that for my big 30. What a 30th birthday spent here in the Azores, and to think, we have 3 more full days. We’ve seen so much and experienced so much already. I can’t believe 30 is here and I’m so excited to take pleasure in the rest of my days here and what this island has to offer. Still grasping onto that sense of peace and freedom. Thank you, Azores island, for giving me such a wonderful 30th birthday.
Day 5:
As we are beginning to know and understand the landscapes and road systems of the island, we are able to explore more at our will with freedom. Today was one of those days we decided to just drive. Here any roads that are or aren’t marked are free territory. Down some of the most unexpected routes are some of the most unanticipated sites that will be forever embedded in our hearts. Today we decided to finish our drive up the east coast of the island and just as the other days, we found some pretty amazing places. Past all of the cow pastures and up above the Atlantic Ocean are hidden gems. It’s funny being here in the winter (saying that with a laugh at 63 degrees), everything is pretty slow and deserted. I can only imagine in the summer what these pools and parks look like. We stopped at the cutest little café in the town of Biscoitis called Delia Martins Bakery. We split a sandwich on fresh bread and pastry. It was the perfect mix of simple and delicious. Perfect little meal for an afternoon drive. We wound up on one road and ended up at what seemed like the end of the earth. We got to hike out on the rocks and down the rocks. The view from up there was mind-blowing. It literally took my breath away every time I looked down or got close to the edge.
As dinner rolled around we made it to the #1 restaurant on Trip Advisor for the island of Terceira, Ti Chao. Ti meaning uncle. This place was remarkable and by far my most favorite food experience to the culture! It was so cozy inside to what seemed to be the most genuine décor to the area. The most authentic to all restaurants that we have been to so far. It’s been there for generations and is family run. The waiter suggested we get a sample of everything. They feed you family style and he brought out samples of everything. Including dessert!! They even gave me a little pottery plate for my birthday which I thought was so sweet! This place is a must eat while on a trip to the island.
Day 6:
It’s take it easy Tuesday! Today was spa day as my birthday present since the entire town was closed on Sundays and I have been looking so forward to this! We all know spas are my favorite thing to encounter in different region. I think Thailand still holds the top in my book. We made this to be our relaxation day awaiting our appointment this afternoon. We took our time waking up and enjoyed a nice breakfast. Got ready and headed into town to mosey around and enjoy lunch on the streets in Angra do Heroismo. All of the stores were open today so we did some shopping in search of take home memoirs from Portugal. As we were walking down the Portuguese streets, we passed a window with red Italian suede shoes that resembled a similar pair of Louboutin’s that I LOVE (and of course would never buy). I was going to keep walking seeing as though I already have my own pair of red heels that I wear on special occasions and for the simple fact that luggage was at a max. Mom stopped and said, “Come on, let’s just look!” (That’s why I love her). The sweetest lady was behind the counter and she welcomed us so sweetly. I told her how I loved the red ones but was curious if they had them in black. She said no but ran and got my size in the red ones “just to try them on” with excitement she said. And here this little Portuguese woman comes, walking with three shoes boxes! “Look at these, you make like these as well, and oh by the way, your size is all 50% off today!” Well isn’t it my lucky day! And then she pulled them out: Cobalt blue suede shoes just like the red ones! Now, I don’t have any cobalt blue color shoes! True Italian leather, 50% off, and my size. I’ll take them! They fit like a glove and were PERFECTION! Travel is my one main obsession but shoes come in a close second. What a better place to buy dream shoes than where Italian leather is custom? Mom ran to the register and bought them for me for my 30th birthday! I don’t know the last time I have been THIS excited about a pair of shoes! Day. Made!
After our nice morning in town we made it back to the hotel to rest and get ready for the spa. The spa we chose was Mythos and man was it incredible! We started off in float therapy. They put you in your very own room with a shower and a huge Jacuzzi looking tub. The lighting is dim with blue lights. You shower first to get off any excess dirt and oils and lay in this soaking tub. There are hundreds of pounds of salts where your body will float just as it does in the Dead Sea. It comes with ear plugs and a bath pillow to rest your head on if you choose. The soak lasts 50 minutes and was absolutely incredible. It takes a few minutes and you finally let it all go, your worries, your fears, your thoughts, your body, all of it. And it did. And for the next 50 minutes you I felt intense peace and serenity. If you haven’t partaken in float therapy yet, I highly recommend it for anyone. And p.s. DO NOT SHAVE BEFORE! The burn is like climbing in an ocean right after shaving but 100 times worse. As long as you don’t do that, you are good for relaxation with no interruption for the next hour. After the soak, I showered in my room again and they took me over to the massage room where I had an hour-long massage and facial with a lava mask. Talk about continuing the relaxation. After life’s chaos and the hikes of this week, this was an unbelievable experience with Mythos spa. I felt like a princess being treated for hours. What a birthday gift! We left the spa around 7:30 pm and were worth not a thing.
Dinner was an easy one after an afternoon at the spa and consisted of the local food trucks in town that we had been watching all week with lines piling up. Superb and so healthy (not!). We actually tried their local pizza and a hot dog. We met an older gentleman named Joe who ran one of the stands. A local who was the sweetest and most helpful. We sat and talked to him for 15 minutes about life there on the island. He urged us to come back in the summer and said we would never go back to the states. He had not one single bad thing to say about this place. I’m telling you, the island is absolute perfection. The seasons, the people, the food, the mentality for their lands, and the ease of simplicity. And on top of that everything is organic and there is NOTHING poisonous on the island. No Snakes or creep spiders!! How does that happen? Talk about dream lands. I would work in cow poo all day to be able to live in such a special place as this.
Tomorrow is our last full day here on the island and I am so bummed that it’s almost over. This is where I usually start getting sad at the thought of leaving a place that I have just fallen in love with. A place where I finally find that sense of ease. I miss my family dearly, but this place is so simple and uncomplicated. I have been able to be still here and to step away from life. From the stresses and from the pains. I have began to heal in areas that needed it, that’s what travel always seems to do for me. I don’t want to leave but that’s just what travel does to my soul. It makes me want to spread my heart to many lands across the seas and to expand my realm of life to so many places. And that’s the best part of it. I came, I saw, I fell in love.
Day 7:
Today was our last full day on the island. That moment when you wake up and realize, this is it. Get it all in before you leave, for this may be the last chance you ever get for this opportunity. We ran a couple of errands in the city trying to close up ends and headed up to the highest lookout in Angro Hermisimo. INCREDIBLE!!! We then headed to a restaurant on the water recommended by a lifetime local. Beira Mar, right in the town and marina of Sao Mateus da Calheta. Freshest seafood you can eat, and it was delicious! Fresh bread to the table to start with Fresca cheese and a homemade hot sauce made for the perfect beginning. Followed by fresh seafood stew. Mom had fried red grouper which came whole fish, bone in. I had a grilled shrimp and wreck fish skewer and it was delicious. The shrimp came heads and all and were bigger than my hand!
With full bellies, we headed to the center of the island to enjoy the volcanic caves. Oh, my stars was this incredible. This is an absolute must do! These volcanoes erupted hundreds of years ago and from the lava that flowed down created these tunnels and land grew back over the tunnels. I never in my life have seen something so incredible. Hundreds of feet down, we could look up and see a huge hole with the sun shining through and water dripping as the sun shone down. There was a lake at the very bottom and the echo of sounds was unlike anything I had ever experienced. There was a guide in one area that said they hold musical symphony concerts in there, that would be life changing for sure!! After this we found a hidden trail that led to the Mystical trail down to a lake. Talk about enchanted forest. I’ve truly never seen one like this. Moss covered trees with branches that hung over in the most enchanted ways led us down to this lake that was absolutely beautiful. Small and simple but nothing less than incredible. As we climbed out we saw the sun was setting with beautiful colors and chased it to see what we could of it to the west of the island. I got to sit on the ledge in the peace and quiet of the high altitudes and watch as the sun set on the opposing island. Nothing less than peaceful. It was an incredible day. We decided to enjoy our last dinner here at our favorite place, Birou. Third times a charm! Two of the couples we had been there twice with were back again just as we were. Ironic?! It’s just that good.
Frances Burnett once said, “If you look the right way, you can see the whole world is a garden.”
Every time I depart a new place to my experiences, I feel like I leave a piece of myself. Large or small depending on the way the place touches my soul but none the less, I leave a part of me.
Flying high in my window seat over the ocean yet again, is one of those special places where my head is able to wrap itself around experiences as a whole sometimes left difficult when I’m in them. Experiences that just changed me. When I am in a new place, I want to take it all in. Every second, every smell, every sound, and every breeze that brushes my skin. I don’t want to talk in the midst of beautiful places, I want to sit in the stillness or quietness and take every single moment in what will soon become a memory.
A friend sent me a devotion the morning that we were packing up our belongs and the author says, “To be sure, there is beauty within our field of view. But we don’t even know the half.” It made me think about this week. I used to create expectations whether conscious or subconscious about places that I were to visit and one of my biggest lessons is to have no expectations. That I didn’t even know the half of it. The experiences, people, and circumstances that were heading my way. To go completely unfiltered and to embrace the unknown. To go with a ticket in hand and that be the very most of the preparation. I’ve learned that sometimes by showing up “unprepared,” as some would call it would lead to some of the most incredible moments of your life time. To stumble across an opportunity and to be able to jump and say yes, simply because you can! And as I always say, go afraid if you must, but just promise to go.
Terceira Island far exceeded any expectation that I could have had, and I mean FAR surpassed any experience that my imagination could have ever dreamt up. I would consider it a fine combo and a mix of Ireland, Italy, and of course Portugal with an added perfect climate of California. Never a bad time to come. Of course, some cooler months than others but to each its own to temperature preference. Perfection in its simplest form.
I think one of the most intense pleasures of this place is the simple beauty that is literally everywhere. There is not one ugly place to the entire island. Every direction your head turned, we were left speechless. There is not one house I wouldn’t live in or one shore that I wouldn’t stare at every single day and ponder on how blessed I was. To gaze at how magnificent his creation is. It’s simplicity at its finest. And we all know I love simple beauty according to living standards.
As the week progressed we would meet locals and pick their brain on the difficulties or easiness of an American citizen moving to the Island. I had a local look at me and say “What is holding you back? Just pack it all up and do it. It’s easy. It’s a simple life and you would be just fine.” Just dreaming… I looked at real estate just out of curiosity. I ran through my brain the dream of packing it all up, giving it all up, and moving our whole life over the Atlantic. Just us and the pups. Not that we don’t love our lives now but how fun would it be to just go afraid and do something that scares me to death. How different life would be. From coast to coast we would go. With a whole new drive to life. To sit on the porch every evening and watch the sunset. To pull over and pick the copious amounts of wildflowers each day to leave in the windows of our home. To raise our own cattle and grow our own vegetation as so many do. I sat on the porch in the mornings and would fall asleep at night pondering on how different life would be. How simple it would be. But I know life is in a vulnerable place with a need for change. It’s funny the older you get the more you crave for life to transition to serenity rather than that chaos we used to chase, before we truly knew ourselves and what made our souls go around’.
I’m still wrapping my head around this trip to the Azores and I’m sure I will have those “aha” moments that will hit me out of nowhere for a long time to come. It’s the glorious aftermath of traveling with a wanderlust spirit. Every part of this trip was incredible. Every.single.thing. I got to photograph so much while in Portugal but just as every beautiful thing, a photograph is still deemed impossible in capturing what my eyes saw in the moment. I’m going to write some of my most favorite parts to life here on the island. So many things touched my soul and this is where I’d like to share my experiences with you. Most people have never heard of it, but I’m telling you, this little gem is so worth it!
1.) RENT A CAR. This is without a shadow of a doubt the most necessary must of this place. Having a car enabled us to see so many things that we wouldn’t have without it. The island isn’t big and it leaves you with hundreds of roads to explore. Go down, go up, and take any road that catches your eyes. Turn your car in with tons of additional miles and cow manure slathered down the under carriage. I know that sounds crazy and a bit gross, but some of the cattle roads offer the best views to the entire island. (Cows by far have the best real estate.) Gas is very expensive and the roads are tight, so take advantage of the very small cars that they all offer. You will be a pro at driving a manual car, parallel parking, and dodging cow and goat jams by the end of your stay.
2.) Eat at any and every restaurant. Try things that you’ve never tried and get fresh pastries and dessert at least twice a day. I’m one who will try anything at least once. We tried Blood sausage which is something that I would have never dreamed I would like and fell in love with it! I actually had no idea what it was, couldn’t get enough of it, and THEN asked the waiter. That’s clearly the way to do it to not freak yourself out first.
All the meats, cheeses, and vegetation is kept and made on the island. The Alcatra is an island staple and is to die for. The steaks will be some of the best you will ever eat along with the cheese. All local. Lunch is not served until 12pm, with a coffee and pastry hour mid-day and dinner not starting until 7pm. Meal time is very cherished on the island to that of Europe. I travel for food, we all know this. This place far exceeded my expectations in that industry. Come ready to eat and NOT on a diet!
3.) Climb the highest and craziest things that you ever have. Walk every trail that looks sketchy. You can’t go wrong, I promise! There will be ones that will take your breath away and make your stomach churn as your feet and self-balance are the only thing holding on between you and a 200-foot fall on an oceanic fiord but I promise it’s worth it! It’s invigorating and it leaves you craving more experiences that push you far beyond what you know capable.
4.) The locals are incredible and some of the friendliest people you can meet. Meet them and talk to them. One of our favorite locals was an older gentleman named “Joe” who had a hotdog food truck across from where we stayed. He urged us to come back in the summer and guaranteed we would never go back to the states. For some funny reason, I find this assumption to be pretty accurate. Simple conversations can sometimes effect you for a lifetime.
5.) Get lost in the enchanted forest. The Santa Barbara Forest or Mysterios Negros as they call it. Yes, this island has an enchanted forest. Who would have ever guessed there were so many eco systems within such a small radius of this little island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean? I’ve never experienced anything like it. When I was a little girl, I used to imagine places like this. I used to dream about them. Similar to the favorite childhood movie “Bambi.” It’s identical! Mossy covered grounds and creeks running through. The forest seems so dark when you look in from the outside, but when you step into it, it’s as if the forest comes alive! The sound of the birds chirping joyful song is music to the ears. Sitting there it was as if magic was happening all around me. I felt like a little girl again, that feeling of such simple joy of what my imagination could create. What a magical moment!
6.) Hike deep in the caves. Even if you are claustrophobic, change your mindset, talk yourself through it and do it!! Put your hard hat on, be prepared for stairs (lots of them) and get going. These caves were created by the volcanic eruption hundreds of years ago. Lava ran down and created these tunnels underneath the ground. And the best cave, it’s not even a tunnel, it’s the biggest most gigantic hole in the ground that I ever even knew possible. It’s called the Christmas Cave, as they held Christmas mass for the opening back in the 60’s. I said half way down that it reminded me of the “Grinch” house. There is a lake at the bottom and hundreds of feet up there is a hole to the outside at the very top! The acoustics are incredible in this place. They actually hold musical concerts in here once in a while.
7.) Go in every cathedral that you can. Churches have always been very special to both mom and me. Whether it’s the little town church in the meadows in Wyoming or massive Cathedrals in cities around the world, I have a love for churches. Each town here is solely built around a church. It’s what they were founded on hundreds of years ago. A solely catholic based place who also hold a lot of superstitious values. These cathedrals are so intricate designed and carried out. The trims and the organ systems are grandiose. One of my favorites near the square in Angra was my favorite. Peace came along with entering the huge wooden doors. Gregorian chants were echoing throughout as we walked around and took in every little detail. Each one is so different and so specially thought out and designed. Try all the doors. Some will be open and some won’t. But it’s worth a try!
8.) If a chicken flies up to your porch every morning, don’t be afraid of her. Just feed her pizza and crackers and she’ll be your best friend. We had one and her name was Tirdy for my 30! Off of this huge lawn she would come visit and she could be all the way across the other side and would see our heads poke out and bee line it for us. The first morning she flew up I went running not knowing what she wanted. When she did it a second time we took her in and embraced her presence. She let us pet her and everything. Sweet girl! Hopefully someone will carry on our morning feeding traditions for her. We’d hate for her to get too skinny!
9.) Walk every rocky coast line you can find. Not exactly our sandy shores but that’s what left it so intriguing. Sea glass everywhere with abundant lava rock and clay pieces. We found multiple man-o-war jelly fish that are much more pleasant to look at than plastered to your skin. Take your time. Run your hands over the shore, you never know what surprises you may find.
10.) There is nothing poisonous or threatening on the Island. Not even snakes or mosquitos! Do you know how amazing it felt to be able to wake through these meadows of wildflowers and woods and not worry one bit about something reaching out, biting you and sending you to the hospital? It was the best feeling ever! I got to walk through these beautiful places and not have a care in the world. Freedom to frolic!
11.) Be still. In every moment that stops you in your tracks. Let it slow you down, let it stop you. Sit in the stillness and in the quiet and let all of your senses grab every single aspect. Those moments that one day will come rushing back when you least expect it. These are those moments that most likely, we will never have again to our existence. Don’t let it pass you by. Our minds are a powerful thing. The little moments that we let sink deep down are what makes us who we are. It’s what expands our whole selves into who we are becoming and who we are meant to be. Slow down, stop, and take it all in.
Faith For Miracles 
Incredible!!! My favorite so far!!! It was like we got to be there all over again! Thank you for writing this and detailing every minute.
Beautiful memories. Enjoyed reading. Thanks for sharing your experiences.