Ponta Punta Pinta

Well a lot has happened since my last post, but I will follow through using my daily notes and get up to date soon. Needless to say, our days are full, even when we are not playing golf, and I think I left you last following a four G&T/sushi extravaganza at the Gin Library……..can’t say I’ve ever consumed an entire gin cocktail before……ever…….well, since that fateful evening in my early teens when someone swiped a bottle from their parents and a few of us drank it straight………you know what happened…….haven’t touched it since, until last night.

I am looking forward to touring Ponta Delgada today, and the more we discuss options, it is clear there are many different pronunciations of this capital city of the Azores archipelago. Of note we have Punta (most popular), Ponto, Panta, Pento, Pinta, and the ever popular, Pinto. Then there is Delgado, Degado, Degada, and even though the ladies claim this never crossed their lips…….Degaga. So as you can imagine with this crew, and much like we did renaming the Gonorrhea Tea Plantation………..the capitol shall now be known as “Punta Degaga”.

First though, we are over to the main building at Solar Branco for a little continental breakfast, and like everything else here, perfect. Ali’s homegrown pineapple jam is fantastic. A little outdoor shower to clear the cobwebs, and we are on the road, choosing to stop in at the big pineapple plantation on the way into town. Yes, pineapples. Introduced here back in 1850, they are grown in greenhouses rather than open air, due to the climate on the island, and 18 month – 2 year growing cycle. From any high point you can see collections of greenhouses everywhere……..6,000 or so on the island. Azores pineapples are know for a distinct rich flavour and are shipped all over Europe. I tried some pineapple liqueur…….kaaaack……and also the honey……not so bad……..but Ali’s jam blows theirs away hands down.

We scoot into town, and find plenty of parking along the waterfront……..today is Sunday, and we have been told that many of the shops and restaurants might close early, but not as far as we can see. Everything is bustling, and there are loads of shopping options for the ladies to explore…….Jutta, new blouse…….Sibylle, just looking. Like so many other cities all over the world, there is a drug problem here, and we are approached a number of times by these blank faced guys looking for a handout…….their favourite line appears to be “I’m hungry, I just need a sandwich”…….Sibylle’s response……classic……”I don’t have any sandwiches”. This is our first exposure to the inlaid rock sidewalks, squares, and roads…….beautiful. Interesting note, the three arches, Portas da Cidade, are replicated in the town of Fall River, Massachusetts, where 46% of the population are either Portuguese or claim Portuguese ancestry. Apparently a throwback to the whaling industry years ago. This is a very cute town with lots to see, and a nice promenade along the waterfront. Plenty of restaurants and coffee shops to choose from, and since time is getting on, we decide to stop for a snack……..Tasca……..great traditional restaurant in the middle of town that drew us in with this incredible billowing cloud of hot garlic aroma, drifting out its front door and into the street. That would be the limpets, served sizzling on cast iron skillets, dowsed with butter and garlic. As good as the aroma was, limpets were never going to be my choice, but there were too many great meal choices on the menu to settle for just a snack.

Realizing we had just overeaten with our late lunch, we cancel our dinner reservation and pick up some cheese and bread at one of the locals, and this will be our dinner following cocktail hour back at the Gin Library. They really have quite the thing going here, and we are right on time at Gin:30 to get our freebie for the day. Most patrons pre-book online to reserve a spot at the Library, and when Ali is away, Catarina and Ricardo take over serving the groups that arrive……..delivering a scripted welcome that gives you an full overview of the history, concept, and the procedure you should follow to get a G&T in your hand. It takes most people at least 20 minutes to decide on a gin……..sniff testing at least 6-10 bottles each. We meet a lovely couple from Hawaii, Richard and Kimmy, and chat away through our freebie and yes, a second, because nobody can have just one. Back in our little cottage, The Ruin, we feast on the cheese and bread……..wash it down with a little red vino, and call it a night.