Volendam 2026, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island, Açores

After 5 days at sea, we arrived in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island, Açores... It was still very dark when the ship was sailing into port, but I managed to get some photos along the way. We took the first shuttle out of the port and met our driver Gabrielle at Fort Saint Blaise for a tour of Sete Cidades and the Western Region of the island. Our first stop was at Pico do Carvao for panoramic views stretching across the island's narrowest part between the north and south coasts. Next, we drove to Canario Lake located in the middle of dense vegetation. We did a short trek through the park trails surrounded by hundreds cryptomeria trees to visit the viewpoint of Grota do Inferno. Next Gabriele took us to Monte Palace Hotel, overlooking the Sete Cidades. The Monte Palace is not an active hotel, but rather a famous abandoned ruin. The structure is completely gutted, covered in graffiti, and missing windows and railings…we climbed to the top and had the best panoramic views of the twin lakes. Next, we went to an observation point for Santiago Lake. Our next stop was the Vista do Rei observation deck with its panoramic views over the surrounding landscape and the volcanic lakes nestled in a collapsed caldera. We stopped for a short break at Sete Cidades village where we had a coffee and visited Saint Nicolas Church. Before heading back to Ponta Delgada we visited the Ponta do Escalvado viewpoint, a lookout located on the west coast of São Miguel Island. The spectacular views of the Atlantic, Azores UNESCO Global Geopark encompassing the two lava deltas and cones in the distance visible in the Bay of Mosteiros, a small fishing village and surrounding natural pools. From here, we could also see the impressive vertical cliffs. Sitting at about 238 meters above sea level, the site includes an old whale watch tower that recalls the island's whaling past. We had spectacular weather, combined with a great day of touring the Western Region of São Miguel Island and Gabriele our excellent tour guide. The only downside to our day was when I tripped and hit a cement wall destroying my camera lens…thank goodness I packed a backup lens…praying the lens holds out until I can obtain a replacement one (expensive accident).  Looking forward to a delicious Morimoto dinner in the Pinnacle Grill this evening…