Spring

I haven’t written here in SOOO long but I have a good excuse.

This past month and a half has been so amazing I haven’t had time!

That may seem like an exaggeration but really, because our residence doesn’t have internet It is REALLY boring to stay home unless you get the bean bags outside for a chat in the sun or play badminton. So because of this we are always out of the residence. 

Just a 30 min walk or 5 min cycle you have the beaches and the same distance you have the town centre with the port. I have done so much since we have last spoken but if you have followed my facebook photos you can see most of the stuff I have done. Also I do not even know which order of which Im going to talk about in this blog but go with it.

The weather for easter was horrid. Deffo the wettest its been here. I remember leaving to walk to town one night and thinking “hmm the clouds look a bit dark, Ill take a coat”. And it started to drizzle but I kept on going and thought “ill walk along the sea” (It’s the same route, depends on how you’re feeling). And soon as I reached the sea I had the spray from the sea and the skies opened and I got proper soaked. But anyway, a week later it got warm and has been mid 20’s here since, I’m still convinced the weather is very strange here how it can rain with no clouds in the sky, or be so sticky hot when theres blanket of clouds above. Being the very end of May now though it is hot for me.

With most of my assessments done studying does not take a lot of time up so after morning lectures usually we would go to a café by the sea for beer/coffee or go to the public library for their internet.

 Many weeks ago now we had an earthquake here. I believe it was 4.9 and it was my first ever earthquake, such is living on an active volcanic island.

I have been a few times to this great coastal village (I say village its about 3 houses, of which all goods are transported by a pony by a rickety steep coastal path) and it is truly beautiful.

Coastal village. Knocking on one of the houses. 

Tesco home delivery anyone?

A few weeks ago we rented a car and went on a road trip of the island for the weekend in which you can see every corner of this small (but the biggest in Azores) island. Locations included: a visit to my first ever tea plantation, hot ocean water heated by volcanic activity, Furnas, waterfalls, and viewpoints all over the island.

Furnas is a very touristic (if things can be touristy on this unknown island with few tourists) location on this island. It Is a tectonically active area that STINKS of sulphur. It has bubbling water, ground that burns to touch and the crown jewel being many thermal springs.

Views like this all around the road that goes around the coast. 

Furnas

Furnas

Furnas

I saw my first ever dolphin here, very close too! Only 1 meter away! Thing is, it was dead and in the biology lab. Haha. But since I have seen the wild dolphins jumping near the coast usually having fun (or intimidating) the wind surfers and I went whale and dolphin watching on a boat this week and saw common dolphins fin whales and others that I don't remember the name of. 

Someone push this idiot overboard please. 

Would ya look at those outfits. sexy. I'm top right. 

Last week there was a car rally here with some british drivers so I know Im not the only brit on this island! 

Check out this video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjdCVJFAvIk 

I often say to my friend I don’t understand why there are no British people here when we know 5 Romanians (his nationality) many Spanish etc. The man at the uni who deals with all students says he has worked there for 4 years and im the first british person he knows so that’s just.. erm.

Everyone at home is CONVINCED my accent has changed so I really need to record myself and listen back later but I can’t tell the difference.

Oh and there was a festival here with flowers on the road and lights on the church. It was pretty but the actual thing they celebrated was rather dull I  found (a procession with no music and miserable looking people). 

Church with disney lights. :p

Photo from internet. Yes it was a mile or so of this stuff on the road.

In terms of the future, more time on the beach, cafes and as summer really gets going we can have even more fun. I have been in the sea a few times but it is a bit chilly haha so it has to be a clear day and I’m scared of the jellyfish of which there are MANY here recently. 

Thats all for now. See you!