Apologies if this should be in the Port section but wasn't sure where to put it and I thought I might get more responses here. We are on the Azura 306A which stops at Ponta Delgarda on the way back. We haven't booked any excursions there and I am wondering if we should. Can anyone who has been there tell me what the best thing to do is? Is it a port where you have to go away from the area where we dock - e.g. in St. Vincent you really don't see anything of interest unless you do a tour of some kind. Any suggestions would be welcome.
Carole
Excursions at Ponta Delgarda
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CaroleF
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david63
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Re: Excursions at Ponta Delgarda
Ponta Delgada is a lovely little place - if you can get into it. Unfortunately it is one of those posrts that is notoriously difficult for cruise ships to get into when there is bad weather - something that is quite frequent.
It is quite a compact place and you can spend a couple hours just wandering around. When we were there we found a walk that took you round the main parts of the port - I will try and find it
It is quite a compact place and you can spend a couple hours just wandering around. When we were there we found a walk that took you round the main parts of the port - I will try and find it
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GillD46
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Re: Excursions at Ponta Delgarda
We found it the most dreary place, the church is quite nice but that's about it. There is a trip to twin lakes, one blue, one green, but it took for ever to get there - and I do mean hours - and when we did eventually get there, there was so much mist we couldn't see a thing - so they passed around a polaroid! Needless to say we got a refund on that trip!
If we are ever there again, we shan't get off the ship.
If we are ever there again, we shan't get off the ship.
Gill
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david63
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Re: Excursions at Ponta Delgarda
Town trail
The following town trail should take about two hours, excluding the Carlos Machado Museum.
We begin the walk at the tourist information office on the main promenade by the harbour, the Avenida do Infante Dom Henrique. Displayed in their office is a sample of the archipelago's handicrafts and it is worth looking in to see them, and to collect any brochures you might find of interest.
Upon leaving, turn left and left again around the corner where in the square, Largo do República, you will find the old gates to the city, now repositioned where once was the old harbour wall.
Ponta Delgada had become important as a trading port, and in the 18th and early 19th centuries it was especially important for the export of oranges. On several of the houses you will see square attic-like structures on the roof; here a servant would be stationed to watch for and give early warning of the approach of an orange schooner. This gave the grower or merchant valuable extra hours to harvest his fruit as they had to be picked fresh to travel well. Ships had to moor offshore and lighters conveyed passengers and cargo from shore to ship. The harbour then was very small, and the square where you are now standing was the harbour. The bank on the east side and the buildings adjacent all have many internal arches which once fronted the sea. Land reclamation has pushed the sea back and allowed the new bank and other buildings, as well as the main promenade road, to be built in 1947.
Cross the square, and stand with your back to the church of São Sebastian You are now facing a run of buildings that once fronted the sea. The city gates originally joined these. On your left, facing the São Sebastian church, is a tiny entrance to the Café Mascot; go into the old part, No 66, and see the arched roof while enjoying a coffee. This was once part of the original colonnade at the harbour's edge. Murals in the café show what it all looked like. The Café Mascot was previously known as the Café Chesterfield.
Exit the café and turn right and then right again down a small side street. On the left at the end is the police station, formerly the Customs House. Take the little turning on the right about half way along to go to the rear of the Café Mascot. Again you will see some arches in the outside wall, part of the colonnade at the edge of the harbour.
Return the same way as you came, to São Sebastian Church. This began as a very small chapel; in the 18th century it was greatly added to in the baroque style and the interior was decorated with ornate wood carving. The exotic timbers used, especially jacaranda, reflect imports from the Brazilian colonies.
Retrace your steps towards the city gates and turn right, to see the Câmara Municipal or town hall. Originally it was the residence of one of the wealthy families and only at the beginning of the 20th century was it converted. The bell tower dates from 1724 and houses the oldest bell, 16th century, in the Azores. Look in at the ground floor entrance between the steps; here there is often a temporary exhibition of local interest. The statue in front of the building is of St Michael, patron saint of the island.
Continue past the Town Hall taking the road on your left, Rua de Santa Luzia. At the end, on the left, is the old post office. Leave the square, the Praça Vasco da Gama, and continue along the main promenade towards the Forte de São Brás at the end of the present-day harbour. Looking back provides a pleasing view of the continuity of architecture along the waterfront and by the post office. Please avert your eyes from the intrusive tower block at the far eastern end.
You will see a small floating deck at the harbour edge and café tables; this is the Cais de Sardinha, and was where sardines used to be landed. Continue along the Avenida, past the present day customs house, and see a corner building with a circular tower, the local headquarters of the Ministry of Defence. The 16th century Forte de São Brás was built to defend the village against corsairs and pirates including some from England. Enlarged in the 19th century, it is now the army headquarters.
Opposite the fort is the square of Praça 5 Octubro (formerly Camp de São Francisco), where the fine green-washed former Franciscan convent is. Until recently it was the main hospital. On the far side of the square parallel with the sea front is the Convent and Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Esperança, which is the church where the biggest festivities are held in Ponta Delgada. It has an image of Ecce Homo, a statue that came to the Azores in the 16th century. The sculptor is unknown, but it came from Paris into Coloura to a convent that then existed. To protect the statue against frequent pirate attacks, a young girl called Teresa da Anunciada (1658-1738), from a rich family in Ribeira Grande who devoted herself to the nunnery, committed her wealth and asked Pope Paul III for permission to build a new convent here in Ponta Delgada to house the image. This was agreed, and the image has been in the convent for over 450 years. However, the convent was called Esperança, or hope, because it took so long for the Pope to give his permission to build it! The image can be seen by any visitor between 17:30 and 18:30 every evening when a nun opens the internal gates to allow you to go in to see it, as well as the vestments and treasures. There is also a splendid ceiling, glorious 18th century azulejos, and baroque ornamentation. Once a year the Santo Cristo is taken on procession through the city, passing along the narrow roads carpeted with fresh flowers in geometrical designs.
Outside, in front of the chapel, there is a statue of the girl who built the convent, Madre Teresa da Anunciada. Behind, at the first seat, the poet Anthero de Quental shot himself in 1891. The church to the left of the convent, São José, is 18th century and took 60 years to build. It is the major church of the village and parish of São José.
From the square and by the convent, the pedestrianised road leading off is and has always been called the central road or Rua Direita, although today it is not central. Pass along the convent buildings and you come to green metal gates. Here you will find the side entrance to view the Ecce Homo.
Continue along the Rua Direita which becomes the Rua Marques de Praia e Monfort, where even now the traditional shops are still to be found. On the right you will come to the Royal Palace, once belonging to the Marques, opposite the hotel Talisman. It is now used by the Department of Social Services. Walk past the palace and then look back and you will see on the roof an observation tower looking in all four directions. This was for defence. The car park was once part of the garden. It was the Marquis de Praia who in 1843 purchased the land in Furnas and began the great expansion of the Terra Nostra garden. Keep straight, passing the little garden square, and take the next road on the left, up the Rua Comandante Jaime de Sousa. Note one of the largest lookout towers on a private residence. You come to a square at the far side of which is a secondary school, originally the grand home of the wealthy ‘Fonte Bella’, so nicknamed because of his many water installations on the island. He was one of the first and most important of the orange growers and the largest landowner. Again, note the lookout tower. The cream-coloured building on the left, west, is the old Government or Parliament House of the Autonomous Region. Note the church with its ornate Manueline façade.
Take the Travessa de Conceição and then turn left into the Rua Machado dos Santos. A very small chapel at the top of a short flight of basalt steps is the Chapel of Santa Luzia, dated 1584. Luzia was the daughter of a rich family and was losing her sight; she promised that if she could keep her sight she would build a chapel in gratitude.
Turn left into the Rua Carvalho Araújo; at the far end you will see the splendidly ornate Jesuit convent in the 18th century style of Pombalino; the interior is currently under major reconstruction. Enjoy the many wrought-iron balconies as you walk up this street. Next to the convent is the memorial garden to the poet Anthero de Quental.
From the convent go eastwards along the Rua Dr Aristides da Mota and the Rua Dr Guilherme Poças and keep going until the narrow road opens out and you see a large building to the right surrounded by a tall whitewashed wall enclosing a garden. This is the Carlos Machado Museum; turn right and follow the wall round to the entrance. If you have time, do make a visit for it is well worth seeing; if not, then make a point of returning.
Out of the museum turn left and right down the hill and, at the first, crossroads, turn left. You will see the theatre on the right, a tall rather ugly building. This was originally the site of a military fortress and was destroyed by fire in the early 1900’s; later it was replaced by the theatre which is actually a cinema.
Walk down and turn left into the Rua Misericórdia and you will come to the city library on your left with the red gates at the top of the steps. Take the right fork along to the Hotel São Pedro. This was the residence of Thomas Hickling, the wealthy Bostonian who built a summer house at Furnas and began what later became the Terra Nostra Park. Opposite is the Church of São Pedro, the main church of the parish of São Pedro. Ponta Delgada has over the years absorbed the surrounding villages and has today three parishes, two of which we have now met, and with the central parish of São Sebastian.
From here walk down to the sea front and continue right along the promenade to return to the tourist office.
The following town trail should take about two hours, excluding the Carlos Machado Museum.
We begin the walk at the tourist information office on the main promenade by the harbour, the Avenida do Infante Dom Henrique. Displayed in their office is a sample of the archipelago's handicrafts and it is worth looking in to see them, and to collect any brochures you might find of interest.
Upon leaving, turn left and left again around the corner where in the square, Largo do República, you will find the old gates to the city, now repositioned where once was the old harbour wall.
Ponta Delgada had become important as a trading port, and in the 18th and early 19th centuries it was especially important for the export of oranges. On several of the houses you will see square attic-like structures on the roof; here a servant would be stationed to watch for and give early warning of the approach of an orange schooner. This gave the grower or merchant valuable extra hours to harvest his fruit as they had to be picked fresh to travel well. Ships had to moor offshore and lighters conveyed passengers and cargo from shore to ship. The harbour then was very small, and the square where you are now standing was the harbour. The bank on the east side and the buildings adjacent all have many internal arches which once fronted the sea. Land reclamation has pushed the sea back and allowed the new bank and other buildings, as well as the main promenade road, to be built in 1947.
Cross the square, and stand with your back to the church of São Sebastian You are now facing a run of buildings that once fronted the sea. The city gates originally joined these. On your left, facing the São Sebastian church, is a tiny entrance to the Café Mascot; go into the old part, No 66, and see the arched roof while enjoying a coffee. This was once part of the original colonnade at the harbour's edge. Murals in the café show what it all looked like. The Café Mascot was previously known as the Café Chesterfield.
Exit the café and turn right and then right again down a small side street. On the left at the end is the police station, formerly the Customs House. Take the little turning on the right about half way along to go to the rear of the Café Mascot. Again you will see some arches in the outside wall, part of the colonnade at the edge of the harbour.
Return the same way as you came, to São Sebastian Church. This began as a very small chapel; in the 18th century it was greatly added to in the baroque style and the interior was decorated with ornate wood carving. The exotic timbers used, especially jacaranda, reflect imports from the Brazilian colonies.
Retrace your steps towards the city gates and turn right, to see the Câmara Municipal or town hall. Originally it was the residence of one of the wealthy families and only at the beginning of the 20th century was it converted. The bell tower dates from 1724 and houses the oldest bell, 16th century, in the Azores. Look in at the ground floor entrance between the steps; here there is often a temporary exhibition of local interest. The statue in front of the building is of St Michael, patron saint of the island.
Continue past the Town Hall taking the road on your left, Rua de Santa Luzia. At the end, on the left, is the old post office. Leave the square, the Praça Vasco da Gama, and continue along the main promenade towards the Forte de São Brás at the end of the present-day harbour. Looking back provides a pleasing view of the continuity of architecture along the waterfront and by the post office. Please avert your eyes from the intrusive tower block at the far eastern end.
You will see a small floating deck at the harbour edge and café tables; this is the Cais de Sardinha, and was where sardines used to be landed. Continue along the Avenida, past the present day customs house, and see a corner building with a circular tower, the local headquarters of the Ministry of Defence. The 16th century Forte de São Brás was built to defend the village against corsairs and pirates including some from England. Enlarged in the 19th century, it is now the army headquarters.
Opposite the fort is the square of Praça 5 Octubro (formerly Camp de São Francisco), where the fine green-washed former Franciscan convent is. Until recently it was the main hospital. On the far side of the square parallel with the sea front is the Convent and Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Esperança, which is the church where the biggest festivities are held in Ponta Delgada. It has an image of Ecce Homo, a statue that came to the Azores in the 16th century. The sculptor is unknown, but it came from Paris into Coloura to a convent that then existed. To protect the statue against frequent pirate attacks, a young girl called Teresa da Anunciada (1658-1738), from a rich family in Ribeira Grande who devoted herself to the nunnery, committed her wealth and asked Pope Paul III for permission to build a new convent here in Ponta Delgada to house the image. This was agreed, and the image has been in the convent for over 450 years. However, the convent was called Esperança, or hope, because it took so long for the Pope to give his permission to build it! The image can be seen by any visitor between 17:30 and 18:30 every evening when a nun opens the internal gates to allow you to go in to see it, as well as the vestments and treasures. There is also a splendid ceiling, glorious 18th century azulejos, and baroque ornamentation. Once a year the Santo Cristo is taken on procession through the city, passing along the narrow roads carpeted with fresh flowers in geometrical designs.
Outside, in front of the chapel, there is a statue of the girl who built the convent, Madre Teresa da Anunciada. Behind, at the first seat, the poet Anthero de Quental shot himself in 1891. The church to the left of the convent, São José, is 18th century and took 60 years to build. It is the major church of the village and parish of São José.
From the square and by the convent, the pedestrianised road leading off is and has always been called the central road or Rua Direita, although today it is not central. Pass along the convent buildings and you come to green metal gates. Here you will find the side entrance to view the Ecce Homo.
Continue along the Rua Direita which becomes the Rua Marques de Praia e Monfort, where even now the traditional shops are still to be found. On the right you will come to the Royal Palace, once belonging to the Marques, opposite the hotel Talisman. It is now used by the Department of Social Services. Walk past the palace and then look back and you will see on the roof an observation tower looking in all four directions. This was for defence. The car park was once part of the garden. It was the Marquis de Praia who in 1843 purchased the land in Furnas and began the great expansion of the Terra Nostra garden. Keep straight, passing the little garden square, and take the next road on the left, up the Rua Comandante Jaime de Sousa. Note one of the largest lookout towers on a private residence. You come to a square at the far side of which is a secondary school, originally the grand home of the wealthy ‘Fonte Bella’, so nicknamed because of his many water installations on the island. He was one of the first and most important of the orange growers and the largest landowner. Again, note the lookout tower. The cream-coloured building on the left, west, is the old Government or Parliament House of the Autonomous Region. Note the church with its ornate Manueline façade.
Take the Travessa de Conceição and then turn left into the Rua Machado dos Santos. A very small chapel at the top of a short flight of basalt steps is the Chapel of Santa Luzia, dated 1584. Luzia was the daughter of a rich family and was losing her sight; she promised that if she could keep her sight she would build a chapel in gratitude.
Turn left into the Rua Carvalho Araújo; at the far end you will see the splendidly ornate Jesuit convent in the 18th century style of Pombalino; the interior is currently under major reconstruction. Enjoy the many wrought-iron balconies as you walk up this street. Next to the convent is the memorial garden to the poet Anthero de Quental.
From the convent go eastwards along the Rua Dr Aristides da Mota and the Rua Dr Guilherme Poças and keep going until the narrow road opens out and you see a large building to the right surrounded by a tall whitewashed wall enclosing a garden. This is the Carlos Machado Museum; turn right and follow the wall round to the entrance. If you have time, do make a visit for it is well worth seeing; if not, then make a point of returning.
Out of the museum turn left and right down the hill and, at the first, crossroads, turn left. You will see the theatre on the right, a tall rather ugly building. This was originally the site of a military fortress and was destroyed by fire in the early 1900’s; later it was replaced by the theatre which is actually a cinema.
Walk down and turn left into the Rua Misericórdia and you will come to the city library on your left with the red gates at the top of the steps. Take the right fork along to the Hotel São Pedro. This was the residence of Thomas Hickling, the wealthy Bostonian who built a summer house at Furnas and began what later became the Terra Nostra Park. Opposite is the Church of São Pedro, the main church of the parish of São Pedro. Ponta Delgada has over the years absorbed the surrounding villages and has today three parishes, two of which we have now met, and with the central parish of São Sebastian.
From here walk down to the sea front and continue right along the promenade to return to the tourist office.
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Manoverboard
- Ex Team Member
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Re: Excursions at Ponta Delgarda
We spent a week on this Island and would advise that it is very beautiful but also that it is probably best seen in the late spring to summer months when all the wild flowers are in great profusion.
With that thought in mind I would take David's walkabout route.
With that thought in mind I would take David's walkabout route.
Keep smiling, it's good for your well being
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Dancing Queen
- Senior First Officer
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Re: Excursions at Ponta Delgarda
Ponta Delgada is a lovely place to just wander, the first time we went there we did a DIY tour ( by taxi ) with another couple and I'm so glad we did, there is a vast difference to the island from one side to the other, of course you do the two lakes, we then drove through many villages, met a lot of the locals ( yes just like the Caribbean the taxi drivers know everyone ) I had the best cup of "milky" coffee in one of the villages that I have ever tasted ( foc too )
The far side of the island is quite bleak and very rugged but certainly worth seeing, we did this in December so perhaps in the summer months isn't quite so bleak but this island certainly deserves to be explored and imo has much to offer beside the town itself.
The far side of the island is quite bleak and very rugged but certainly worth seeing, we did this in December so perhaps in the summer months isn't quite so bleak but this island certainly deserves to be explored and imo has much to offer beside the town itself.
Jo
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tractor boy
- Third Officer
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Re: Excursions at Ponta Delgarda
I agree DQ, great milky cofee, it is available all over Portugal and is called a Galao ( with bit over top of A) pronounced gal ow. We are lucky enough to have a Portuguese bar/restaurant in a small town down the road used mainly by Portuguese farm workers and they do them in there, needless to say I go there quite often. In Ponta delgada we found a lovely back street restaurant and had a great lunch, needless to say, if you like fish, you wont get frozen rubbish.
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Bobbie
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Re: Excursions at Ponta Delgarda
We stopped in Ponta Delgada last June, I had pre-booked a minibus for 6 of us from a local company which I found on Tripadvisor and we had the most wonderful time. When we left the ship it was drizzly and misty and unfortunately we couldn't see much of the twin lakes (which, incidentally, didn't take long to get to - the previous poster's tour must have gone a roundabout way) but as we crossed to the other side of the island the sun was out and it was beautiful. The driver/guide, a lady called Lisa who is Canadian but has lived on the island for many years, was so knowledgeable and took us to some really interesting places. We have put this island on our list of places we would like to re-visit one day, perhaps for a week. We also found the town itself to be very attractive.