Caves 1
Scot Free III
Frank & Anne
Thu 5 Sep 2024 12:00
Drove into the hills, past bull enclosures where they rest between runnings. Saw farmers filling the cows’ water troughs. 50,000 residents and 60,000 cows on the island, each cow consuming 20 litres water per day. Not surprising the farmers keep refilling! The Azores are responsible for 30% of Portugal’s dairy produce. The cheeses are delicious.
First stop, Gruta do Natal, Christmas cave, so called because it was opened for the first time to the public on 25th December 1969. Christmas mass and baptisms are held here.
Donned hairnets ( very hygienic) and helmets ( very necessary)to walk through this lava tube of differing types and layers of lava. Very uneven underfoot and the last part approached on haunches, bending very low, moving forward at the same time, very challenging for the knees!
By each lamp lighting the way, there was a clump of greenery, extraordinary considering the light is only on 4 hours a day.
From here, went to Furnas, very unlike Furnas in São Miguel. Here it is a protected nature reserve and paths are fenced off to protect the native species. There are no buildings but there is the smell of sulphur which catches the throat.
You could feel the heat coming from the cracks and holes emitting steam and gases.
Lastly, Algar do Carvão, the lava chimney accessed by 249 steps down. The vent is truly spectacular.
The “cathedral “ cave had very good acoustics and the bottom platform gave a good view of the lake down below. Stalactites had formed as the lava cooled and there were some interesting wave like patterns.
The daughters of friends are exploring the islands and so the day ended with drinks on the boat and tapas in the town. We exchanged sight seeing tips as they’d come from Pico and São Jorge, where we’re heading and they’re off to São Miguel which we know well. A great evening.