My Morning Cup: Virtual Islands: Pico in the Azores

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Virtual Islands: Pico in the Azores

Pico is in the Azores Archipelago. Just off the coast of Portugal.
It is about 46 miles long and 16 miles wide and boast temperatures between 60-75 year around.

This morning it is 60 degrees and climbing.

Unlike a lot of the islands we have virtually visited...Pico has been inhabited by the Portuguese since the 15th Century and until 1970 was known for it whaling industry.

Now grapes and wheat are grown here in the rich black volcanic soil.

Let's go explore the island...

Tour

https://youtu.be/UUlr71vcTEs

One of the more interesting things you will encounter on Pico is The Pyramids.

Tour

https://youtu.be/fJyDx19Vbqo

140 of them. Some large. Some small. Some with open area suggesting plazas or market squares. All predating the Portuguese arrival in the 1400's by thousands of years.

Very little is known about the builders and exploration of these goes on today.

Many of the houses and building on the island are crafted of the heavy black stone.

and cattle are also a common sight here.

There are 3 major vineyards on the island.

Vineyard

https://youtu.be/EKJ7Dkk-mz8

And wine can be bought here.

https://www.wine.com/content/landing/discover-the-better-way-4?s=psca_google_campaign_Head+Terms+-+Betas&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=%2Bsale%20%2Bwine&utm_campaign=Head+Terms+-+Betas&showpromo=true&promo=PSNEW&gclid=Cj0KCQjws_r0BRCwARIsAMxfDRjT5pFW8gYGiyhnAFqB6BWFv9OwiIs4RDecwxfV5_YDQYja43JyjC4aAhJ1EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#promoBarModal

Tours of the vineyard are also available...and tastings.

https://youtu.be/efctdT7fT3E

I find it especially interesting how they have incorporated the scattered volcanic stone into a maze of walls through the vineyards. These walls create a greenhouse effect and support for the vines.