Lunch is taken at Os  Moinhos, a restaurant (created from a former watermill as depicted in the tile (above) located near the door) described in our guide book as "widely considered as probably the finest restaurant in the Azores"

We are served a very hearty typical Azorean meal that includes cheese and olives with bread; soup; a meat and potato dish that has been slow cooked for six hours; chocolate mousse; plenty of wine; and coffee. Both the soup and the casserole are brought to the table in cauldrons from which we help ourselves. Jeanette does a good job of serving both the soup and casserole. After two hours at the restaurant, the bus takes us up to Serra do Cume for an overview of an expansive crater

Back at the hotel we explore its extensive grounds and a path down to the rocky shore. This evening's meal includes a free drink of wine, an excellent lasagne, and a dessert made from Snickers bars - we eat with Val and Alan who we shared lunch with

Friday May 17th: today we have two tours - a walking tour from the hotel to explore the nearby town of Angra do Herosimo, and in the afternoon, a bus tour of the western part of Terceira. This morning's walk firstly takes us to the local market

We are then taken to the traditionally styled Municipal Theatre, and then to the Cathedral with its attractive white and apricot facade and its towers topped by pyramids with a striking zigzag design

(left) Duque de Terceira Gardens

(below) Palacio dos Capitaes Generais and the Church of Mercy

During our walking tour, our guide draws our attention to sugar-paste legs that are for sale, informing us of their alleged healing properties.

 

 

At the end of the tour we have free time to explore the Town Hall (right) that overlooks the attractively paved Praca Velha, and to to visit a cafe near the Duque de Terceira Gardens for a sandwich and coffee before walking back to the hotel.

 

At 1:30pm, our afternoon bus tour of the western part of the island commences and our first  stop is at the fishing village of Sao Mateus da Calheta, where we taste cheese at Queijo Vaquinha - but where the most fascinating attraction is a video of the island's unique bull-running festival