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The Azores
  • Elloise Clayton
Mar – Apr 2023

The Azores

A 15-day adventure by Elloise Read more
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  • Trip start
    March 27, 2023
    Elloise ClaytonThe AzoresTraveler

    Hello from the Azores

    March 27, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌬 17 °C

    After a flight delay and then standing in a 2 hours queue to pick up my car, I did not have high hopes for the day.

    As I set off from the airport I resigned myself to just going to my Airbnb and a short stroll, but I quickly saw a sign for a view point and thought sod it. So up some windy ass roads we went and I was not disappointed.

    I knew the Azores was going to be pretty after spending the last 5 years googling them and wanting to visit but no one quite prepares you for how breathtaking they actually are.

    After another 2 viewpoints, I went to the supermarket and checked into my Airbnb (super cute) which is 30 seconds away from the very very wild Atlantic (someone recommended whale watching but after seeing the sea I'm now not so sure).

    I then took myself on a 2 and a half hour hike before sitting by the sea with a cold cider to watch the sunset. I think the pictures tell you all you need to know.

    Honestly, 10/10 day. Spent the evening looking at property to buy here... Will I come home... TBC.    Read more

  • Elloise ClaytonThe AzoresTraveler

    Work hard, walk harder 👣

    March 28, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌬 16 °C

    Today was my first day of working from the Azores. Not quite as much fun as hiking all day BUT not a bad spot if you have to work...

    The weather was also wild, wet and windy today.

    I did manage to squeeze in a hike before sunset though, climbing one of the nearest hills (nearly 200 flights of stairs), walking along some cliffs and seeing a lot of cows. It's definitely a lot easier to detach and enjoy the moment here ☺️ (even if I did get absolutely soaked and nearly blown over multiple times!)Read more

  • Elloise ClaytonThe AzoresTraveler

    I Lava the azores

    March 29, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌬 17 °C

    Today was another work day and a particularly bad one at that. At lunch I went to clear my head with just a walk around the block and completely wiped out (bruises pending) and then our landlord emailed us with a 22% rent increase. Fun.

    That being said, your environment really does have a way of turning your day around. I did not have high energy or hopes for a walk but ended up at a lava delta which was super interesting - albeit a short walk! So I decided to tag on an extra uphill loop where I found hundreds of gorgeous wild calla Lillie's.

    Luckily the weather was also slightly better yesterday so the seaside bars were back open in the evening and I was able to finish off the day with a couple of cold ciders.

    On to better days!    Read more

  • Elloise ClaytonThe AzoresTraveler

    The fog

    March 30, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Well... The day didn't start off too bad!

    I headed to another area of the island to check out a waterfall hike which was short but gorgeous!

    On my way back, I decided it was time to check out one of Sao Miguels most famous sites... Sete Cicades and this where things started to go not so well...

    Half way up, the fog began and just got thicker and thicker with every turn in the road, which there are a lot of here!

    It was so thick, you couldn't see more than a few metres in front and the thought of trying to turn around on a steep road also seemed stupid... And so I persevered until I reached what was meant to be the starting point of my hike. Well, there was no chance of that. So I sat there in the fog and pondered what to do. After a few minutes, 2 hitchhiker's showed up and, sorry mum, but I did give them a lift! Honestly more for my sake than there's as I could not bear another however long driving through fog by myself. (They also were drenched and looked miserable). Anyway, they were very sweet and together we made it down back through the fog together.

    After that, I couldn't stand the thought of heading back out again but did manage to find a gorgeous massage place 15 minutes up the road where I had the best massage of my life.

    Could be worse!

    One thing I do know is that everything here is so unpredictable, you just kind of have to go with the flow!    Read more

  • Elloise ClaytonThe AzoresTraveler

    The fog begins to lift... At 6pm

    March 31, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Today took some patience as it took a few attempts to find somewhere that was doable for a walk (the first couple of attempts were too foggy) but eventually I found a break in the fog in the valley of Furnas!

    Furnas, as the name might suggest, is well known for it's hot springs (if I had planned on coming here I definitely would have bought my swimming costume!)

    But regardless, it's also known for the highest waterfall in Sao Miguel which was stunning!

    As I left Furnas, the fog finally began to lift meaning that the beach bar is back open for my final evening on the green island 💚    Read more

  • Elloise ClaytonThe AzoresTraveler
    1

    The fog is following me

    April 1, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    Today I left Sao Miguel and headed to Flores and what do you know... The fog is gone!
    There was one short hike and view point I had been dying to do so I packed up early and headed there on the way to the airport and I am so glad I did!

    Then, onto the airport where a propeller plane was waiting to take me to the next island. Of course as soon as I landed the rain started hammering down shortly followed by the fog 🤦🏻‍♀️ luckily, I was able to see some scenery. I honestly have never seen so many waterfalls in my life. You could see them off the coast as we were landing and then all along the roads. It was breathtaking 😍

    I checked into my new accommodation (gorgeous) and the host was so kind in giving me loads of recommendations, including the restaurant I am sitting at whilst writing this (Restaurante Pôr-do-Sol).

    I managed to squeeze another quick and slippery walk in to one of the most famous viewpoints in Flores before heading for dinner and actually with the fog it was spectacular, almost something out of avatar!

    10/10 day and very excited to see more of what Flores has to offer tomorrow.    Read more

  • Elloise ClaytonThe AzoresTraveler

    As ready as I will ever be

    April 2, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌬 13 °C

    Whilst in Sao Miguel, I saw people abseiling down a waterfall and thought... Ooh I want to do that! But unfortunately it was not meant to be.

    When I landed in flores, I saw a sign and immediately emailed to ask if they had availability on either their intro or discover canyoning (discover was probably a bit of a push but I really wanted to do it). Unfortunately, they had no one else going BUT would take me if I paid a surplus.

    So anyway, long story short, today I went canyoning and oh my god it was worth every penny!

    Marco was the best guide and somehow managed to get me to safely rappel down a 45m waterfall by myself (I definitely oversold my abilities).

    In the afternoon, I also went for a couple of hikes.

    What a great last day of being 30!    Read more

  • Elloise ClaytonThe AzoresTraveler

    A km for every year

    April 3, 2023 in Portugal

    Happy birthday to me, what better way to celebrate than probably the hardest hike I've ever done in my life.

    The views were incredible, the biscuits I bought were the best I've ever tasted, my whole body now hurts and my burn resembles a drum stick lolly.

    Ended the day with some ciders, a burger and some cheesecake.

    (In all seriousness I had a great day - would do it again next year 😂)    Read more

    Trip end
    April 10, 2023
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