Postcards Around the World: Açores

Showing posts with label Açores. Show all posts

2013-09-12

Ponta das Contendas Lighthouse, Angra do Heroísmo, Azores - Portugal

Sent by Lurdes

"Located along the maritime coast, in the south-east corner of the island of Terceira, called Ponta das Contendas, it is situated in an elevated zone, resulting in a focal point that is 54 metres above sea level. Although protected by a wall, the lighthouse (ARLHS AZO-007; PT-745; Admiralty D2664; NGA 23532 is on the edge of a high cliff, and accessible only from the Estrada 509, alongside several agricultural fields." In: Wikipedia

2013-08-13

Farm in Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island, Azores - Portugal

Unused

A typical view of a farm in Angra do Heroísmo.

2013-07-05

Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island, Azores - Portugal (UNESCO WHS)

Unused, sent by "gracinha"

"Situated on one of the islands in the Azores archipelago, this was an obligatory port of call from the 15th century until the advent of the steamship in the 19th century. The 400-year-old San Sebastião and San João Baptista fortifications are unique examples of military architecture. Damaged by an earthquake in 1980, Angra is now being restored." In: UNESCO

2013-06-30

White marlim in Azores - Portugal

Unused, sent by Sapic12

"White marlin (Tetrapturus albidus) are large, elongated fish with a large upper jaw that forms a spear which is round in cross-section. They are dark blue to chocolate-brown in color. Although generally considered to be a rare and solitary species relative to other similar fish, white marlin occur in small groups consisting of several individuals." In: Wikipedia

2013-05-11

Algar do Carvão, Terceira Island, Azores - Portugal

Sent by Lurdes

"The Algar do Carvão is an ancient lava tube or volcanic vent located in the center of the island of Terceira in the Azores. It lies within the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo in the parish of Porto Judeu.

The word, algar, is a Portuguese word that denotes a natural cavity in the earth that, unlike most caves or caverns, is vertical in its orientation, like a well. The Portuguese word derives from the Arabic word, al-Gar, which means "the crease". Carvão means "coal" in Portuguese, but the Algar do Carvão is not a source of coal; so, to call this geological feature "coal cavern" is more an acknowledgment of its darkness than the composition of the rock in which it was formed." In: Wikipedia

2013-04-29

Common dolphin, Azores - Portugal

Unused, sent by Sapic12

"Common dolphins live in both warm-temperate and tropical waters ranging from 40-60°N to 50°S. Long-beaked common dolphins mostly inhabit shallow, warm costal water. Short-beaked common dolphins are common "along shelf edges and in areas with sharp bottom relief such as seamounts and escarpments". Common dolphin have a varied diet consisting of many species of fish and squid. This includes both mesopelagic species and epipelagic schooling species. They have been recorded to make dives up to 200 metres (660 ft) deep.

Common dolphins can live in aggregations of hundreds or even thousands of dolphins. They sometimes associate with other dolphin species, such as pilot whales. They have also been observed bow riding on baleen whales, and they also bow ride on boats. They are fast swimmers (up to 60 km/h), and breaching behavior and aerial acrobatics are common with this species." In: Wikipedia

2013-04-20

"Impérios" of Terceira Island, Azores - Portugal

Sent by Lurdes.

The "Impérios" are small colorful buildings, similar to chappels, in honor of the Holy Spirit.

2012-12-31

Christmas postcards 2012 (III)

Sent through Facebook app PunChristmas

Pineapple from S. Miguel Island, Açores (Azores), sent by Lurdes

"Merry Christmas" by M. Vitória Nogueira, sent by Flora

Burney Falls located in the McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, sent by PilotOne.

2012-12-30

Postcrossing Meeting in Angra do Heroísmo, Açores - Portugal

Last October, "martinha" visited the Terceira Island in Açores (Azores). There she have met Lurdes. From both I received these beautiful postcards:

Marina of Angra do Heroísmo, UNESCO, sent by "martinha"

Puffin, sent by Lurdes

Rochopper penguin, sent by Lurdes

2012-09-14

Horta, Açores - Portugal

Sent by Lurdes

Information on the card: "A view of the town with the Pico Island at the background."

2011-08-18

Vineard of Pico in Açores - Portugal

sent by "joana122"

" The 987-ha site on the volcanic island of Pico, the second largest in the Azores archipelago, consists of a remarkable pattern of spaced-out, long linear walls running inland from, and parallel to, the rocky shore. The walls were built to protect the thousands of small, contiguous, rectangular plots (currais) from wind and seawater. Evidence of this viniculture, whose origins date back to the 15th century, is manifest in the extraordinary assembly of the fields, in houses and early 19th-century manor houses, in wine-cellars, churches and ports. The extraordinarily beautiful man-made landscape of the site is the best remaining area of a once much more widespread practice." In: UNESCO

2011-06-26

Waterfall in Pedro Miguel, Faial Island - Açores

Caracolinho's parents were in vacations at Açores (in English Azores) and she sent me this card showing a waterfall in Pedro Miguel, Faial Island.

"Faial Island (the blue island) is part of the Azores central group, located about 66 miles from Terceira, 4.5 miles from Pico and 11 miles from S. Jorge. The surface area of Faial Island is approximately 67 square miles (173 km2). The island has about 15.000 inhabitants and its main municipal seat is located in the city of Horta. Different colours of blue decorate the houses, divide the fields and line the roadsides, giving Faial the name of Blue Island.

In the 18th century the development of whale hunting brought the early whaling fleets to Horta. By 19th century, Horta had become an important sea port, and a stopping point for a large number of yachts crossing the Atlantic.

In 1957 a great volcanic eruption from the "Ilheu dos Capelinhos", about 1 km from the coast, projected large quantities of lava and ash forming an islet that later became connected to Faial island by an isthmus.

The green circle of a volcanic cone at the top of a hill; White houses in towns mirrored on the ocean; The masts of sailing boats sailing from all over the world; The ochre walls of a fortress that has witnessed countless naval battles; The unforgettable sight of sunrise with the island of Pico in the background; The quiet inlets with beaches of soft sand; The hydrangeas standing out against the landscape, framing houses and roads, reason why Faial has been christened the "blue island"." In: Azores.com