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Regal Princess 2018 14-Day Transatlantic Cruise Review
Day 8                      Azores Islands (Ponta Delgada), Portugal                                    
Scheduled Arrival:   7:00am              Scheduled Departure:  1:30pm              
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Arrival:  After having moved our clocks forward several times while crossing the Atlantic, we were on time with the Azores which is a cluster of nine Portuguese Islands located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.  Sao Miguel Island is the largest of the nine and is also called the “green island”. It was another beautiful day as we docked at Ponta Delgada, the port and capital of Sao Miguel, around 7:00am.
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History:  Portuguese settlers came around 1450. Ponta Delgada was founded as a village in 1509. The beautiful monuments and churches were influenced by the Portuguese as far back as the 16th and 18th centuries. Many volcanoes have occurred on the island through the centuries. In the interior of the island you will see many hot springs, volcanic cones and craters. Major industries include agriculture (especially pineapples due to the rich volcanic soil), dairy farming and tourism. 
Port of Ponta Delgada
Port of Ponta Delgada on island of Sao Miguel, one of nine Portuguese islands located in middle of Atlantic Ocean
Capital of Sao Miguel
Portuguese settlers arrived around 1450 and founded village in 1509 - now capital of Sao Miguel
Green Countryside
Beyond city is lush green countryside
Excursions:  All of the excursions for the morning included a coach tour of the beautiful island of Sao Miguel with various points of interest.  Some visited small picturesque villages and farm houses built of undecorated lava. Others traveled to see geothermal wonders and botanical gardens including the pineapple greenhouses. For the adventuresome, there was a tour of the rugged volcanic terrain of Sao Miguel via a four-wheeled drive vehicle. Our tour was the Crater Lakes Scenic Drive, specifically to see Crater Lakes. These were two lakes (one with green water and the other with blue) that were located in an extinct volcano’s caldera. Unfortunately, just as we arrived the morning mist shrouded the lakes and did not completely lift the entire time of our stop.  We did see some beautiful countryside, so it gave us a good look at Sao Miguel.
Sao Miguel
Sao Miguel is called the "green island"
cows in background
Major industry is dairy farming and tourism along with agriculture (pineapples)
cows
Very proud of their cows and the milk and cheese they produce
countryside
Beautiful green countryside
Crater Lakes
Crater Lakes - one is green and the other blue in caldera of extinct volcano - mist drifted in and limited our view of the lakes
Rolling Hills
Rolling hills
Countryside
Known for its rich volcanic soil
Hills
More beautiful green hills
Valley and ocean below
Valley and ocean below
Colorful homes
Colorful homes
Side street of Ponta Delgada
Side street of Ponta Delgada
After lunch walked to city center and city gates
After lunch walked to city center and city gates
Regal Princess International Cafe
Located on Deck 5 Midship
Afternoon Activities: We arrived back at the ship in time for lunch which we had at the International Café, Deck 5 Midship. There were different selections of sandwiches, salads, soups and desserts each day and always delicious. There was no cost unless you requested a drink. After lunch, there was time to get off the ship to walk into town before the ship was scheduled to leave. We really didn’t have time to visit any of the little shops but were able to see the city center and the city gates. Again, there were many activities going on all over the ship – trivia, movies, dance classes, and music in different areas of the ship. 
Regal Princess International Cafe
Various selections at International Café
PictureRegal Princess International Cafe
Various selections at International Café
Regal Princess International Cafe
Various selections at International Café
Regal Princess International Cafe
Various selections at International Café
Regal Princess International Cafe
Various selections at International Café
Regal Princess International Cafe
Various selections at International Café
Dinner and Entertainment:  We had dinner again at 5:00pm at our favorite table in the Symphony Dining Room and were able to get to the Princess Theater for the early show. Jamie Allen, a very talented magician, kept the audience guessing the entire show as to how he was able to do the magic tricks he was doing right before our eyes! A great show!  
Appetizer
Appetizer
Soup
Soup
Shrimp dish
Shrimp dish
Quiche
Quiche
Dessert roll with raspberry sauce
Dessert roll with raspberry sauce
Sugar free dessert
Sugar free dessert
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