Azores: A Driving Adventure Across the Atlantic Island (Surfing + Sushi)
Surfing + Sushi
Each year, my sister and I venture out together on our annual sister trip. We regularly travel with our family, but this yearly adventure is one that moves to the beat of our personalities. There is always surfing (a must on her list) and horseback riding (a non-negotiable must on my list). A couple of years ago, we opted to venture to the less-known island of Sao Miguel -- one of the beautiful Portuguese islands in the Azores. Situated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and only a short 4-hour flight from Boston, it was the perfect destination for our getaway.
When we landed on this stunningly magical island, we were immediately captured by its wonder. Wrapped in lush vegetation, like the emerald isle of Ireland, it too was wrapped in various shades of green, with the blue Atlantic as its background. Though jet-lagged, we decided to venture to the sleepy-eyed town of Ponta Delgada. As we meandered the cobbled streets and witnessed the simple whitewashed buildings striped with black basalt, we stumbled across a coffee shop and bakery that was opening up its doors as the sun rose. We sat outside in silence as we soaked in the charm and beauty of this treasured town. Our coffee supplied the jolt that we needed to start the day.
We soon met our traveling car for our trip--a tiny white car. No bigger than a Fiat, our small car would carry us through our Azorean adventures. After checking into our boutique hotel, situated in the center of town, we started our drive towards the coast--ready to take on our surfing adventure. In true form, my sister had created a music playlist for our listening pleasure.
With the company of Tom Petty, the Rolling Stones, and Van Morrison, we zipped through the rolling hills of Sao Miguel sprinkled with black and white cows. Upon our arrival to the surfing lesson, we discovered a quaint restaurant and retreat overlooking the shoreline. As we sipped on our glass of rose wine, we found ourselves enamored. Our lunch was a fresh delicious spread of sushi. It was honestly some of the best sushi that I've ever tasted. Both of us decided to savor some more and continue our culinary experience outside. As we overlooked the sea, we put up our feet, smiled at the sun, laughed, and welcomed the day to its fullest--completely surrendered to relaxation.
Continuing, we followed the rocky path down to the beach. Zipped up in full wet-suits, we met our vivacious and energetic surfing instructor. He explained and demonstrated to us the basics of surfing--paddling out in the water, searching for just the right wave, and how to stand on the board and catch a wave. How difficult it was! But I was able to catch a few waves and it was invigorating--me, the ocean, nature at its finest--all in the Azores! After an hour or so, I pulled my surfboard to the shore and watched my sister as she embraced her element. The warm sunshine soothed me and before I knew it, I had fallen asleep--perfectly content. I awoke to the splashes of salt and a wake-up welcome from my sister. As we chatted about our adventure, we witnessed a family run into the chilly ocean in their swimsuits. I shivered as I watched them. But I was soon amazed as I witnessed the father, a rather larger and hairier man, strip down to his birthday suit and bolt towards the ocean. It was a true welcome to the Azores, that was for sure.
On that first day and experience, my body and mind melted into relaxation and let every care and worry slip to the side as I breathed in and out the salty air and sunshine that the day had provided.