MOUNTAINS 

We have booked a group hike to Pico Areiro in the hope to hipe the stirway to heavens. We begin with a long hike to the top. We go by beautiful views.

We finally make it to the top and the beginning of stairway to heavens to almighty winds that closes down the Stairway to heaven path. While it is disappointing, we could not imagine hiking in those conditions.

The amazing levadas: 2200 km of levadas were built by hand over 100 years to irrigate this while island from the mountains. Very forward thinking. This is what created this amazing agriculture here. 

EAST AND SOUTHEAST

The next day we join our small jeep tour to visit the east coast. We are paired with a couple from France near Versailles – he is italian and she is vietnamese. Both speak French but not english so I am the interpretor for this tour 🙂

Stunning view of the Nun’s Valley – remote village with little access to anything. 

Santana,  Faial and the baskets hike – gorgeous views. We also hike one of the amazing levadas: 2200 km of levadas were built by hand over 100 years to irrigate this while island from the mountains. Very forward thinking. This is what created this amazing agriculture here. 

Miradour San Lorenzo – beautiful cliffs and rock formation. Why are people risking their lives for a photo??

And just like that we are off to the Algarve!