After two full days at sea aboard National Geographic Orion, we finally arrived at Ponta Delgada on the island of Sao Miguel in the Azores. Many of us started our morning by searching for wildlife off the rocky, volcanic coastlines of Sao Miguel. We were lucky enough to spot a pod of sperm whales, bottlenose dolphins, and common dolphins playfully leaping in the waves.
Next, we headed for Furnas, a volcanic village famed for its geothermic activity. We enjoyed cozida das Furnas, a traditional rich stew of meats and vegetables slow-cooked underground using volcanic ash.
We ended our afternoon by visiting the only tea plantation in Europe. We admired the lush, rolling hills of the tea fields right along the coastline and then headed back to the ship. It was a magical day in the Azores and a lovely end to our voyage.
