Exploring the Azores: A Day of Surprises

Today, we spent the entire day outside, exploring the breathtaking Azores. I woke up at 06:45, as usual, and started my morning with breakfast. I had a bowl of cornflakes with milk, but since it was Sunday, we also got a special fried breakfast. My sandwich was topped with crispy bacon and a perfectly fried egg. An excellent way to start the day.

After breakfast, we headed upstairs to the main deck, where our captain gave a short talk. He reminded us to keep our cabins tidy for safety reasons. Then, we prepared for our adventure: visiting an island often called the “Hawaii of Europe.” However, there was a small issue—we needed cash for the bus ride. So, our first stop was the nearest ATM.

Once we had our money, we walked to the bus stop and waited. And waited. And waited some more. It took at least 45 minutes before the bus finally arrived. We hopped on, excited for the journey ahead. But halfway through the ride, my friend suddenly dropped some unexpected news: the island was closed for the season due to bird mating season. To make things even more interesting, the next bus home wouldn’t arrive for another five hours.

With our plans unexpectedly changed, we made the most of our time in the small coastal city where we had planned to catch the boat. We spent the afternoon enjoying delicious pizza and sunbathing on the beach. It wasn’t the adventure we had expected, but it was still a perfect way to relax.

On our way back, we decided to make up for the change in plans by visiting the famous Twin Lakes. As soon as we got off the bus, we ordered a Bolt. That’s when we met the best Bolt driver in all of the Azores. Not only was he friendly, but he also acted as our personal tour guide, showing us the most stunning views of the lakes and the ocean.

The Twin Lakes are fascinating. One is a deep green, while the other is a brilliant blue. The contrast was incredible, and thanks to our driver, we got to see them from the best vantage points. After an amazing tour, he dropped us back home, and we wrapped up the day with dinner by the pier. I ordered a hamburger, and it was packed with flavor absolutely delicious.

It might not have gone as planned, but our day in the Azores turned out to be unforgettable. Sometimes, the best adventures are the unexpected ones.

Hjalmar Stålbring, Midship