Sao Miguel: Day 4

Originally, this was going to be the day we left Sao Miguel.  Instead, my wife, daughter and I decided to fly to Lisbon (leaving the following day) for a short stay but my son had to fly home due to his work schedule.  Paul and Natérsia had no one coming to stay so we were happy to spend another day in their lovely home.  I booked seats on a SATA Air Açores flight to Lisbon and an Airbnb for a place to sleep.  We looked forward to visiting a new city.

We had an early rise, loaded up in the morning darkness and drove to the airport.  The line at the ticket counter wasn't too bad.  After my son checked in we went to Go To Cafe and ate breakfast.  Give it a try.  The meals and coffee were good.  We said our goodbyes and he went through security and to the gate.  We waited at the airport for him to board before leaving the airport.  To pass the time we shopped and caught up on social media.

I went to a SATA counter and inquired about our flight the next day.  I was advised I could check in at a kiosk ahead of time.  I decided to do so so we would have one less thing to complete the next morning.  Once our son sent a message he was boarding, we departed for the car.

I made a mistake about parking at the Ponta Delgada Joao Paulo II Airport:  You get a ticket when entering the parking area.  At the time I presumed I would either give the ticket to someone manning a ticket booth or insert it into a reader that would also accept a credit card.  Wrong on both counts.  When we tried to leave, I tried in vain to get the machine to read the ticket.  Finally, we went back into the terminal to an information desk.  You pay for parking in the terminal prior to leaving.  The desk for this is on the east wall in the arrivals area. Once paid, the ticket lets you out of the parking area.

Error message when you don't pay for your parking before trying to leave

We decided to explore Ponta Delgada a little.  We drove downtown and found a pharmacy that was open.  (Most places were still closed.)  My daughter wanted to buy something there.  I parked the car and my wife and daughter shopped a bit.  Once this was done the girls wanted to walk around.  The streets were still largely empty but we found a square and a church and snapped some photos.  We took a different street to get more shots.  Then we returned to the car.  Here is another tip when visiting Ponta Delgada:  When you park in cities and towns, look for a parking kiosk to prepay your parking.

Had we simply shopped at the pharmacy we may have avoided a parking ticket.  I hoped it was a simple fine I could pay.  (I sheepishly advised Paul of the ticket later in the day.  He laughed.  I had the option to pay online but had trouble doing so.  Ultimately, I gave Paul cash to pay for us.)

I didn't mention it before but we drove by a ceramics factory the previous day.  My wife wanted to return.  It was a quick trip to Cerâmica Vieiraand we briefly walked through observing the artisans add beautiful touches to various cups, plates and vases.  We purchased a few items before leaving.

By this time it was nearing lunch and my daughter wanted to see a particular beach in Porto Formoso.  We decided to eat while we were there.  Like normal, the streets were narrow in the part of town we drove too.  Fortunately, there is a free parking lot a block from the main street.  By this time it was raining so we ran down to a restaurant we wanted to try.  Mare Cheia is a sweet little spot with excellent food and great service.

My wife and daughter wanted seafood but I had a taste for beef.  I wish I had snapped a shot of the platter the waiter brought out to us.  My wife and daughter chose the fish they wanted to share from the 3 or 4 displayed.  We took our time eating in hopes the rain would stop.  Fortunately, it did and we walked down the hill to the beach.

Due to the weather, the beach was abandoned.  We walked out to the surf and got our feet wet, took some photos and walked back to the car.  It was still early in the day but we decided to return home, relax and get ready for Lisbon.