The space between the years
The thirty seconds of good weather on New Years day
1/1/2026
New Years Eve was dry….a change! We spent the day backtracking a few places we couldn’t really enjoy as it was raining sideways when we were there. We went to Ribeira Grande, the second largest city on the island.
We started out at the beach, which is the main surfing beach in the Azores. They have a surfing school, and a cool mural with a whale tale made out of surf boards. The dark sand, volcanic in origin (like everything else around here), is so different from the beaches on the east coast. My surfing friends would love the long rollers coming ashore.
New Years Eve was dry….a change! We spent the day backtracking a few places we couldn’t really enjoy as it was raining sideways when we were there. We went to Ribeira Grande, the second largest city on the island.
We started out at the beach, which is the main surfing beach in the Azores. They have a surfing school, and a cool mural with a whale tale made out of surf boards. The dark sand, volcanic in origin (like everything else around here), is so different from the beaches on the east coast. My surfing friends would love the long rollers coming ashore.
Ribeira Grande Beach
We headed to downtown Ribeira Grande, had a sandwich at a sidewalk cafe, took a few photos, and walked around a bit. It’s a nice town, much smaller than Ponta Delgada, but huge compared to the rest of the towns on the island. They even have a McDonalds!
We leave town and go up into the hills a bit to do some hiking. There are tons of national parks here, with lots of outdoor recreation opportunities. We head for one Laurie chose called “Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões”.
We leave town and go up into the hills a bit to do some hiking. There are tons of national parks here, with lots of outdoor recreation opportunities. We head for one Laurie chose called “Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões”.
Incredibly GREEN!
Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões is an old waterfall/grain mill complex. It was build back in the 16th century and have been kept in working order by locals and farmers. I don’t think they still use it to grind grain but it’s a great tourist attraction. The trails down the valley and back up are hard surface and easy to navigate.
We really enjoyed hiking around and checking out the waterfalls! The valley is so green and lush it almost hurts your eyes. Huge subtropical plants, flowers, mosses, if it’s green it grows here.
We really enjoyed hiking around and checking out the waterfalls! The valley is so green and lush it almost hurts your eyes. Huge subtropical plants, flowers, mosses, if it’s green it grows here.
Gorgeous waterfalls!
We decide to head back across the mountains towards Ponta Delgada. We stop at a few overlooks but most are fogged in. Laurie managed a really nice photo at one that was only partially clouded over. It’s also noticeably cooler at the high elevations, down to the lower 50’s Farenheit. Temperatures down on the coast and in town are around ten degrees warmer.
We head out to find someplace that we don’t need reservations for dinner as it is New Years Eve. It turns out that’s pretty much anyplace we want to go. The Azores don’t get the party crowds that Ibiza and other islands get. For the most part it’s pretty laid back and calm….which we like.
We head out to find someplace that we don’t need reservations for dinner as it is New Years Eve. It turns out that’s pretty much anyplace we want to go. The Azores don’t get the party crowds that Ibiza and other islands get. For the most part it’s pretty laid back and calm….which we like.
New Years Eve dinner
We wind up eating Korean BBQ in the back of a gas station. And no, I’m not joking. In the states they have gas grills in the table, but here, they bring a caldron of burning wood and drop it in the hole in the table for you to cook on! Super authentic.
We have spicy shrimp, bulgogi, sweet potatoes, and some kimchi. It was VERY good. If you’re in Ponta Delgada, we very much recommend the Korean BBQ in the back of the gas station. It’s name is “Han Table BBQ” and we simply loved it! Dinner for both of us with a beer for Laurie and a Coke for me was $36 US dollars. This includes tax, and they don’t do tipping here. It was exceptional!
We have spicy shrimp, bulgogi, sweet potatoes, and some kimchi. It was VERY good. If you’re in Ponta Delgada, we very much recommend the Korean BBQ in the back of the gas station. It’s name is “Han Table BBQ” and we simply loved it! Dinner for both of us with a beer for Laurie and a Coke for me was $36 US dollars. This includes tax, and they don’t do tipping here. It was exceptional!
Korean BBQ in the back of a gas station!
We stop at the cafe downstairs from our apartment and Laurie has a coffee and I have tangerine sorbet. I thought it might be sketchy but tried it anyway. It had fresh tangerines in it and was the best sorbet I’ve ever had.
We head upstairs to wait for midnight. We thought about going down to the plaza about 3 blocks away but decided not to. We were also invited to a small get together in the building we’re staying….but I had planned to photograph the fireworks and had to do camera setups. There’s also something nice about being in comfortable bedtime clothes and just hanging out. I edited photos.
We head upstairs to wait for midnight. We thought about going down to the plaza about 3 blocks away but decided not to. We were also invited to a small get together in the building we’re staying….but I had planned to photograph the fireworks and had to do camera setups. There’s also something nice about being in comfortable bedtime clothes and just hanging out. I edited photos.
View from our balcony!
About ten minutes before midnight, we went out on the balcony of our apartment which overlooks the harbor. The fireworks are supposed to be launched off the wharf directly in front of our apartment and I am ready. People are gathered along the harbor wall on the main street, ready to enjoy the show.
At the stroke of midnight, everything erupts in a show of light and sound. The fireworks continue for probably 15 minutes and I shoot around 70 photos. Laurie did a video or two and the city of Ponta Delgada did a great job with the fireworks show! I’m sure the music and celebration in the square was great as well…..but we just stayed in and went to bed when the fireworks were over.
At the stroke of midnight, everything erupts in a show of light and sound. The fireworks continue for probably 15 minutes and I shoot around 70 photos. Laurie did a video or two and the city of Ponta Delgada did a great job with the fireworks show! I’m sure the music and celebration in the square was great as well…..but we just stayed in and went to bed when the fireworks were over.
Laurie's fireworks video!
Today, the first day of 2026, we were greeting with pretty intense winds. We decided to hit a few overlooks on the north coast and do the best we could with the day. If you look at the video, you can tell how hard the wind was blowing at one of our stops. It was right around 50 mph or maybe a bit higher.
Video of the wind
We go from overlook to overlook, battling the wind and the rain that has decided to join it. In nordeste (northeast) where we are, there are lots of farms. It’s not unusual to have to stop to allow a farmer to herd cows down the road for milking or to bring livestock through town. This happened to us several times…..and is actually kinda cool. It’s a real place, not just a tourist destination.
Herding cows on a highway roundabout
We visit an overlook we visited on our last visit. It is in the Nordeste and is incredibly beautiful. One would think it would be a simple overlook, but it is a finely manicured garden with many species of plants and flowers. It is home of the best restroom view on the planet, and a large number of stray cats. The cats are fed by locals and are often friendly.
Shooting in 50 mph winds
It’s time to head back and we start towards the city. Hopefully tomorrow will not have 50 mph winds and rain. We’ll know tomorrow.
We have a bunch of additional photos as there is so much to see! We hope you enjoy the Gallery!
We have a bunch of additional photos as there is so much to see! We hope you enjoy the Gallery!
