Day 6
We were debating whether or not to go whale watching today. It was very hot, and being the Canadians that we are, we prefer whale watching in cooler climates. Whale watching is available at the marina in Ponta Delgada from 40-70 euros depending on what you want to do. You can also swim with dolphins or go fishing for large fish. These trips are usually in small boats and are 3 hours long leaving in the morning or afternoon. Three hours on a small boat in the middle of the ocean wasn't going to cut it on our last day here. Especially if we didn't see any whales!
We opted for taking a small boat to Ilheu Vila do Franca. There is a white booth at the very end of the dock past the dive centre where you can purchase tickets to take the boat over. It is 4.50 Euros a person. The boat leaves every hour and returns from the island 10 minutes after the hour. It's not even a 10 minute boat ride.
Above is a bird's-eye view picture I found online. To the left you can see where the cliff divers jumped from. Inside is a rock and sometimes sandy bottom with clear greenish blue water. You can touch the bottom pretty much the whole way around. The little pool at the top right is a natural mini wave pool. A crevice in the rock formation allows ocean water to push through. There is no food or drink for sale here, and there is also no shade and very little sand. There is a washroom, change room and lifeguard. The locals were smart and brought coolers and beach umbrellas.
You can walk a little around the island and check out the views. There are certain points with signs warning you not to climb, and if the life guard catches you he will blow the whistle and send someone over to get you.
I would definitely recommend visiting this island. Bring lots of sunscreen, water and an umbrella if you can. We took the boat back and got a bite to eat at the snack bar by the hotel and beach. We had Mediterranean salad, cheese burgers, hotdogs and fries. Sangria and beer to drink, and lunch was under 20 Euros per couple. The hot dog may have given me food poisoning as I was up all night sick, but it could have also been a virus? After lunch we headed to the mall in Ponta Delgada: Continente Modelo. We bought a few things shirts, jewelery, shoes. The shopping isn't great on the island, but it was entertaining. The food court has Chinese food, a Burger King, a KFC and Pizza Hut if you require some comfort food.
We made it home and showered and changed. We were determined to find Rotas, the vegetarian restaurant Shay had researched. It was one street over from Bar Colegio where we were last night, and it was closed on Sundays. It was drizzling at night, but nothing to keep us indoors. We were very lucky this week, as this was the only bit of rain we had encountered. And we needn't worry, as Josie had umbrellas at the villa.
Even the bathrooms were cool
We tried as much as we could, as this was the tastiest food we found on the island. We had filo wrapped pear and cheese, sauteed mushroom wrapped in rice paper, and rosemary and apple chevre for starters. Shay had the artichoke risotto, I had the grilled vegetables and polenta, and Jarvis had the cheese and Zucchini Penne. We had cheesecake, apple strudel and a berry meringue. Everything was amazing, including the owners. Our server picked out some tasty wine for us. Dinner for four, with four appetizers, four desserts, four main courses, two bottles of water and two bottles of wine cost 98 Euros. Eat here!!
We were debating whether or not to go whale watching today. It was very hot, and being the Canadians that we are, we prefer whale watching in cooler climates. Whale watching is available at the marina in Ponta Delgada from 40-70 euros depending on what you want to do. You can also swim with dolphins or go fishing for large fish. These trips are usually in small boats and are 3 hours long leaving in the morning or afternoon. Three hours on a small boat in the middle of the ocean wasn't going to cut it on our last day here. Especially if we didn't see any whales!
We opted for taking a small boat to Ilheu Vila do Franca. There is a white booth at the very end of the dock past the dive centre where you can purchase tickets to take the boat over. It is 4.50 Euros a person. The boat leaves every hour and returns from the island 10 minutes after the hour. It's not even a 10 minute boat ride.
Above is a bird's-eye view picture I found online. To the left you can see where the cliff divers jumped from. Inside is a rock and sometimes sandy bottom with clear greenish blue water. You can touch the bottom pretty much the whole way around. The little pool at the top right is a natural mini wave pool. A crevice in the rock formation allows ocean water to push through. There is no food or drink for sale here, and there is also no shade and very little sand. There is a washroom, change room and lifeguard. The locals were smart and brought coolers and beach umbrellas.
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| Buying tickets at the booth near the marina |
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| The boat that takes you over |
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| The island as we approach from the boat |
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| Walking in, looking for the best place to perch |
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| Shay in the mini wave pool |
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| Water coming in |
You can walk a little around the island and check out the views. There are certain points with signs warning you not to climb, and if the life guard catches you he will blow the whistle and send someone over to get you.
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| Close to where the diving took place. That side of the island is unavailable, due to falling rocks. |
I would definitely recommend visiting this island. Bring lots of sunscreen, water and an umbrella if you can. We took the boat back and got a bite to eat at the snack bar by the hotel and beach. We had Mediterranean salad, cheese burgers, hotdogs and fries. Sangria and beer to drink, and lunch was under 20 Euros per couple. The hot dog may have given me food poisoning as I was up all night sick, but it could have also been a virus? After lunch we headed to the mall in Ponta Delgada: Continente Modelo. We bought a few things shirts, jewelery, shoes. The shopping isn't great on the island, but it was entertaining. The food court has Chinese food, a Burger King, a KFC and Pizza Hut if you require some comfort food.
We made it home and showered and changed. We were determined to find Rotas, the vegetarian restaurant Shay had researched. It was one street over from Bar Colegio where we were last night, and it was closed on Sundays. It was drizzling at night, but nothing to keep us indoors. We were very lucky this week, as this was the only bit of rain we had encountered. And we needn't worry, as Josie had umbrellas at the villa.
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| The cloth covered dining set, hanging upside down from above |
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| Windows would blow open when a car drove by. Open your front door carefully! |
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| Becky's Pineapple salad |
Even the bathrooms were cool
We tried as much as we could, as this was the tastiest food we found on the island. We had filo wrapped pear and cheese, sauteed mushroom wrapped in rice paper, and rosemary and apple chevre for starters. Shay had the artichoke risotto, I had the grilled vegetables and polenta, and Jarvis had the cheese and Zucchini Penne. We had cheesecake, apple strudel and a berry meringue. Everything was amazing, including the owners. Our server picked out some tasty wine for us. Dinner for four, with four appetizers, four desserts, four main courses, two bottles of water and two bottles of wine cost 98 Euros. Eat here!!
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