Sao Miguel is the biggest island in the Azores and Ponta Delgada is its biggest town. There is even an Expressway (fast road). First in the economy of the Azores is Dairy Produce, followed by Tourism, then fishing. In Sao Miguel there are more cows than people. We walked about exploring the city then made a tour of the Pineapple Farm. Sao Miguel used to grow more oranges than mainland Portugal but a disease wiped out the trees in the 29th century so oranges were replaced by Pineapples, tobacco and tea. We took a tour to the Lagos das Furnas in an interesting minbus where most of the roof could be opened. First stop a lookout on the North coast, then the tea factory. Initially they got some people from Macau to teach them the trade, both black and green tea are produced. Then to Furnas and a view of the crater lake. The last eruption here was circa 1640. Down the steep road to the village of Furnas in the crater and a visit to the impressive Terra Nostra gardens with a quick dip in the Geothermal pool – a startling yellow colour but not too sulphur smelling. Then lunch in the village, the traditional Coxido das Furnas, a mixture of meats, sausage and vegetables cooked for 7 hours by volcanic heat buried in the ground. Then visiting various amazing Fumaroles – they use them to cook sweet corn, before returning via Vila Franco do Campo where there is a small marina and an anchorage.

Furnas fumaroles and the opening bus