포르투갈 San - Miguel섬의 녹차농장 Chá Gorreana

On the first day of your stay on the island, we were lucky to get like-minded people - so we were five .  

So , we safely can plan travel by taxi ,   because in terms of one person can afford it beat not stronger , than the bus ride ,

 but the comfort promised much longer .

So , the goal for the first half of the day were the following : tea plantation Chá Gorreana ...

... And the lake Lagoa do Fogo. In the taxi we found a more comfortable vehicle for five , than we used in the previous day .

 The taxi driver Jose appeared   a very easy-going and agreeable man .

We heard from him , the trip today to Lagoa do Fogo is fraught with disappointment  - 100% - the first fog . he could , of course ,

 and take , included in the bill , but thanks to him , that we previously outlined risks .

Well , then go ahead to a tea plantation ! By the way, Jose slowed down for a very successful viewing Santa Iria.

It offers a view of the " bug " -  take a look closer to the reliefs and you will see a tortilla in the ocean : - )

In addition to the beautiful scenery of foggy our attention calla lilies , growing in the wild (!) Nature .

But all our gallant team of researchers islands .

Spending on the lookout to 15 minutes , we went on . And then , very soon we already met the tea factory :

We were lucky : Jose was a former employee of this very factory .

 At first, he seated us in a mini - cinema to watch a video on the history of the factory and tea production stages ,

and then kindly escorted the workshops , giving short information help .

 I want to note , that the workshop open to the public all willing , besides absolutely free . the factory is very compact ,

 time to check out quite a bit .

Acts factory with 1883 the year .  This is a family business , supported by five generations already .

 The equipment antique ( 1840 - ies ), but it works to this day .

At present, produce about 33 tons of tea a year .

A small part of the production is intended for the market of the Azores , the main part is exported to mainland Portugal ,

as well as in , США , Канаду , Австрию , Францию , Италию , Бразилию , Анголу , Японию .

This machine for the formation of tea bags .  

 Of capacity dosed shredded tea leaves poured in continuously fed from a bobbin paper , the paper is sealed , forming the bags ,

 which were immediately cut off and fall into the usual cardboard box .

Here , in a small room tea bags are packaged in boxes for sale female hands .

Passing the " Filling " fall into the " tasting room " , which offer , again , free of charge available with black and green tea

the local production .

Having defined the preferences , in the gift shop you can buy products of the factory , all the more , that there prices are lower ,

than in the shops in Ponta - Delgada . In addition to teas also sell Azorean jams and honey in small jars , so that even in hand

 luggage will be smuggle .

Well , now it's time to look , how growing tea ! Away from the industrial pollution of the island lie the emerald cascades of tea

plantation .

Due to the specific climate of the island pests , threatening the tea plantations , did not survive .

Therefore, there is absolutely no need to use chemicals , and , therefore , are environmentally friendly .

Harvesting takes place from April to September .

Azores - this is the only place in the EU , where tea is grown .

Stimulated by pleasure , received from the host on the plantation ,   we have stuck to the taxi driver Jose with the question ,

what else around here can see .   And he offered a ride to the waterfall . None of us did not have to persuade : - )

Waterfall Ribeira Grande, according to the words of José , the local called " Bridal Veil " .

And , indeed , in the form it is very reminiscent of the long tiered cascading veil .

Opposite the waterfall , on the other side of the road , there is a free park with interesting vegetation and unusual reliefs .

We have just one eye looked at him , not going deep . If someone is in these areas and will have a time - keep in mind ,

where you can wander .

And to us it was time to go on the way back .   On the way, Jose said , that , they say , all go to the widely publicized  

lake Lagoa do Fogo, but his favorite lake Lagoa de Sáo Brás not deservedly left unattended .

 Predict the density of the fog on this lake it not undertake . But we decided to wrap it , the more so ,

 that the deviation from our route was a minor .

However , consider the beauty of the lake could not - fog , fog , fog ...

The g . Ponta - Delgada arrived for dinner .

After a rest , after dinner , wander around the city in the evening we decided to take a walk to the lookout at the nearby town of

Sáo Roque. The sky frowned and started to pour us with rain . But we are stubborn ; - )

As a reward for perseverance we got the pleasure of seeing panoramas  and from the observation itself .

This view of the Sáo Roque.

In good weather, it is quite possible to arrange a romantic dinner .

Flowers can not buy - here are blooming aloe J

In urbanism also has its own , particular beauty ...

The last frame , made ​​on the lookout at dusk . The ship in the roads .