Day 8 (August 12, 2021):

Day 8! It hardly seems possible that we left Canada that long ago. But then again, we have seen a lot, so in one sense, it does feel like we have been away a long time. 

It was a 6AM rise to get a flight to the island of Terceira, where our flight from Toronto landed last week and from where our flight back to Canada will depart today. We had booked a seven-hour stopover there so that we could rent a car and revisit some of what we saw in 2014, when we were last on Terceira. 

The hotel had delivered breakfast plates to our refrigerator yesterday, which made things a lot easier this morning. The small airport is literally a couple of minutes from the hotel. By 8AM we were returning our rental car there and checked in for our flight, which was full. (Azores Airlines really packs these inter-island puddle-hops!)  We arrived in Terceira on time, just before 10, got our car sorted out, and started off!

Something you notice quickly about Terceira, compared to the other islands we visited on this trip is that it is much more populated; the highway infrastructure has a bigger, busier feel to it and the two main towns (Praia da Vitoria and Angra de Heroismo) have that city-buzz about them.

We explored the main sights of Praia, which is next-door to Lajes, where the airport is located. And then we worked our way towards Angra via the coastal route, passing many small communities on the way, each with its piscina naturalis (natural swimming pool). 

Angra seemed much bigger and busier then we recalled it from March 2014. Maybe the summer buzz makes the difference! Today was definitely the hottest day of the trip - the mercury reached 31C. 

We went as far as San Mateus da Calheta, the town after Angra, where we found a busy seafood restaurant in the fishing port for lunch. By the time we downed our “seafood soup in bread” (see photo below), it was almost 3PM. So we headed back to the airport via the four-lane autoroute, our tiny SmartCar struggling to even meet the posted speed limit!  

We had just enough time to gas up and return the car, get changed, clear security and customs, and then they started to board. We slid into our comfy business class seats (as we did on the way over, we submitted a bid to upgrade, which was accepted), and after a luggage delay of 30 minutes, lifted off for Toronto at 5:45PM. Touchdown was at 7:30PM, right on schedule. 

Entering Canada in Covid times is a new experience. If you’re organized and have done all the steps and documentation in advance, it can go smoothly, as it did for us.  It’s great to be back in Canada and to have experienced a trip outside our borders for the first time since February 2020.  I’m signing off from our Westjet flight that’s about to leave Toronto for Halifax. Thanks to Pam for her great pics throughout this blog. And thanks to you for your interest!

This pic isn’t to suggest there’s anything eye-raising about a woman guiding in the plane - not at all! But what is odd is that an airline customer service rep has to do this role - in a dress!  That is a first for our eyes. 

A light rain started to fall as we boarded our Dash 8-400 from Sao Jorge to Terceira. It reflected our mood at having to end our vacation!

See how Pam’s blouse matches our SmartCar?! It’s our first SmartCar rental ever. And was it ever fun to drive — and park!

View of Praia da Vitoria, Terceira’s second largest town, from the viewpoint overlooking the town. 

Swinging high above Praia da Vitoria. 

The beach in Praia. 

These tiny chapels can be found all over the Azores, but Terceira is known as the place to spot them. They are dedicated to the Holy Spirit, and each year every village has a feast day and procession in honour of the Holy Spirit, involving the village’s chapel, as shown above. 


Church in Praia da Vitoria. 

Church in Praia da Vitoria. 

Praia’s town hall and town square. 


Street in Praia’s Old Town. 

Ilheus das Cabras, just east of Angra do Heroismo - two islands that look like they were broken apart, like a cookie that has been broken. 



As you drive into Angra do Heroísmo, there’s no hiding the fact that you’re in bull-fightin’ territory! This statue dominates an important roundabout, just next to the town’s bull-fighting arena. 



Angra do Heroísmo

So many churches in Angra do Heroísmo!

Another church in Angra do Heroísmo

Another church in Angra do Heroísmo

Angra do Heroísmo’s city hall

Another church in Angra do Heroísmo

Another church in Angra do Heroísmo

Fortress at the base of Monte Brasil in Angra do Heroísmo

Monte Brasil in Angra do Heroísmo

Caldera on Monte Brasil


Explorer overlooking Angra do Heroísmo

Monument on Monte Brasil overlooking the city

Overlooking Angra do Heroísmo from Monte Brasil

International flags on do Heroísmo's waterfront, with Monte Brasil in the background.

San Mateus da Calheta, the town to the west of Angra do Heroísmo


When we saw “seafood soup in bread” on the menu, we thought it was a translation issue. But oh no, it was indeed a wonderful, thick seafood soup in a scooped-out loaf of bread. 10/10!

San Mateus da Calheta is a very busy fishing port. This fisherman was cleaning his fishing lines. 

We had the same seats on the same Azores Airlines Airbus 321-NEO on the way home. The flight was less than half full. It left late but made up time enroute. 

The business class service and amenities were sparse, but the meal was great.  Eight of the 16 business class seats were taken by a relief crew being transported to Toronto. There were just three paying customers in the cabin, including yours truly!