We have been to this island eight times now, so there aren't many completely new adventures left. But, after two years away, revisiting feels new.
Yesterday it was Furnas-- that geothermal area in the middle of the island where the volcanic history is still making its presence felt in terms of boiling cauldrons and steam vents capable of cooking a meal. As the public bus system is good, I boarded a large coach at 9 am for the almost 2 hour drive to Furnas. Now, the island is only 63 km end to end, and there are some major highways that go straight, but the bus takes the traditional route through all the little villages on the south coast with streets so narrow that sometimes to get by another vehicle, we had to drive up onto the sidewalk and be about 10 cm from the front of a house. But the driver must have been a rally car driver. He zoomed around corners, passed slower vehicles on uphills and downhills and stood his ground when it came time for one of the vehicles facing off to back up. We got to Furnas on time. I got my 4.43 euros worth.
Not much has changed in Furnas. The town part has the steam vents at one end and Park Terra Nostra at the other. I had a chance to talk to the Swedish girls and show them the boiling waters and steam -- they couldn't experience the smell, just as well. That primal activity of Mother Earth is impressive, but it was the park which really drew my there yesterday. It is Camellia season -- February to April, and Park Terra Nostra has over 800 specimens. They are magnificent. Coming in colours from white to pink, to red, and even yellow, they are a large blossom with heavy petals -- an imposing flower. And the park also features azaleas, tree ferns, magnolias, and many trees and cycads from around the world. The climate here is exceptional and can grow just about everything.
For years I have stayed away from an activity that most of the people who visit the park, enjoy. But this year, I took along my bathing suit and a large towel and swam in the pool of hot mineral water. Actually swimming was so draining because of the heat, but the water felt so nice.
The bus ride home, this time going along the north shore, was just as exciting as the morning trip. Saturday night is not a busy busing night, and most of the time there were less than 5 of us on the bus.
Today's adventure was the first cycle across the island this trip. I had been up the mountain a few times, but never down the other side necessitating a return climb. To my surprise, the trip going north was significantly harder than the one coming south in the afternoon. The bike, which I got tuned up on Friday, worked beautifully -- that was a great investment of 100 euros! There is a very nice new cycling lane in Ribiera Grande, so I guess I'm not the only one on two wheels. There weren't many people out on their bikes, but they were friendly with a 'Bom Dia' across the road. I'm two years older than the last time we were here, and there is always that nagging doubt whether I am still strong enough to do the climbs. So far thankfully, the answer is yes.
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