Recent trip to the Azores

[Ed Silveira]

Hi all,

My wife Kathy and I recently returned from our trip to Terceira, Sao
Miguel, and Faial. First I want to thank all of you who responded to
my request for sights to see while there. Rather than try to respond
individually I am providing a link to my blog (no advertisements) that
describes what we did and what we saw.

It begins here, and goes for about 8 pages.

http://edjoseph.blogspot.com/2008/09/terceira-warm-and-wonderful.html

After returning to Lisboa we headed to the Algarve, Seville and
Gibraltar. They don't compare to the Azores in my opinion. We have
never met so many warm, generous people in our travels and the
memories will last a lifetime.

Thanks again,

Ed & Kathy Silveira

[Cheri Mello]

Ed,

Thank you for sharing your blog.

Most of your blog was about Terceira.  I've been there once and Sao Miguel 4 times.

Doze Ribeiras was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake (terremoto) on Jan. 1, 1980.  Or that's the date I seem to remember.  There was a fellow that came to AOL's Portuguese Chat (back in the day when it existed) and told this story of what happened to him in Doze Ribeiras on that day.  I can no longer remember if he posted that in chat or engaged me in IM or via email.  When I went there around 2000 or so, we saw some homes that never were rebuilt (an Artesia band member said it was his grandparents home) and so much that had been done in the past 20 years.  It was truly amazing.

I loved your analogy of pointing out the villages and the clock.

Terceira has rock beaches.  Sao Miguel has black sand beaches (from the volcanos in the past).  I don't know if they have any rock beaches or not.  I don't know about any of the other islands.

Five hour time difference?  I think it was 7 or 8 from the west coast (CA).  I absolutely hate that.  It's much better for me if I stay on the east coast for a day.  I find others who complain about the daylight savings/ fall back time amusing.  It's an hour.  Try travel to the Azores (or Europe).  Then the jet lag complaint is valid (in my book).  LOL

For those wondering about making blogs, here's a site that have short (3-5 minute videos) on how to: http://www.geeksontour.com/
(In the left column, under Computer Tutorial Videos, click on Free Videos).

Cheri Mello
Listowner, Azores-Gen
Researching: Vila Franca, Ponta Garca, Ribeira Quente, R. das Tainhas, Achada

[mnk]

Ed,
Thanks for posting your link, I enjoyed browsing through your
adventure to the Azores. It is amazing how much you packed into a
weeks visit! We usually only see Sao Miguel as that was where my
parents were from, and that is it.
We are hoping to go to the Azores and the Continent next summer, if
all goes well, with our 2 teenagers. We haven't been back since 1998
and they hardly remember the visit, so we figure its time.
Maria Natalia

[Maria Sousa]

Ed,   I loved the blog.  You did such a wonderful job with it.  The stories and pictures are great.    I am reading your adventures at the Lisboa Airport and I am smiling to myself.  My daughter and I went to Portugal this summer and landed in Lisbon and had a connecting flight to Oporto.  We followed the signs for transfers/departures and it took us to a gate where we were told to wait for the bus.  I said, "I don't think so, I am suppose to be at this gate", then I was informed that our gate was a bus to a different terminal.  Well, we went with the flow and it took us to a different terminal (I actually thought I was leaving the airport) which was for departing flights.  It was a bit confusing but all ended well.    Regarding your 5 hour time difference, I am assuming you are on the East Coast.  Can I ask what State?    Maria Sousa   --- On Thu, 10/2/08, Ed Silveira <ejs0...@verizon.net> wrote:

[Ed Silveira]

Hello Maria,

I'm glad to hear that we were not the only ones confused by the
airport, you brought a smile.

Thank you for the nice comments. When traveling I keep a journal and
thought there was no better way to share it with our families (both
born and yet to be born) that are scattered around the country than to
create a blog. I certainly wish my parents and grandparents had been
able to pass along their thoughts and feelings about their
experiences.

We are retired and live in Virginia (some of the older posts in the
blog get into more detail than I'm sure your interested in), a little
northwest of Richmond. I am from Rhode Island, my wife Connecticut.

I can't say enough how lovely, helpful, and friendly the people we met
in the Azores were. A lot like the people on this group (I've read it
religiously for years), like Cheri, always quick to offer a kind word,
or help where they could.

Best wishes,

Ed

[Maria Lima]

Hi, Ed:

Thank you for sharing your photos and experiences with us on the posts.  

Now that my husband retired, we've talked about making the trip by using the military flights.      I was curious about your experience where you mention an aborted attempt to the Air Force Base.

I guess when we get more serious, this is the best place to get information because so many of the Listers have "been there, done that."  Thanks, again.


Warm regards,
Maria Elena

[Maria Lima]

Ed:

I forgot to ask you regarding "Silveira"

I have a Matthias Jose Silveira married to Maria Adelaide.  I believe he was from Sao Miguel but haven't confirmed that.    They went to New Bedford in 1898.  Their children were:  Fragano, Cydaliza (Adelaide Hilton) Elivra (Ducey).  Any connections?  They're on the Ancestry family tree under De Lima. 

Maria Elena