Had a great, if not wet, day in P. D. Got the 1st Shuttle from the port – only the driver didn’t know where he was going. He was supposed to drop us at the fort, which is literally right outside the gates. Instead he drove us all the way into town, then turned around, came halfway back and dropped us near the city center. Ummmm.  Hello?  We had changed our rental car to a location 2 minutes walk from the fort, which meant we had to walk back. No biggie for us – but he confused the other 20 early birds on the bus for sure. Coz lo and behold, as we waited for our car, we could see the shuttles dropping people off at the fort. We’re betting those 20 poor souls will be lost right about now trying to find the shuttle!

Anyhow, we went up into the hills to hike the volcano crater outlook, Ed expertly navigating those narrow, twisty roads – and the traffic delays, i.e., cow herds!

As we drove, we could see the fog rolling in, but figured we were here, so what the heck. Off we went through the gate and onto the narrow paths leading to the crater and the lakes in the woods. Unfortunately, the more we walked, the foggier it got. We can actually watch the fog drifting in past the trees. Which meant we couldn’t see a thing at the viewpoints, although it did make for some fun and pretty photos….of fog and trees, and soggy us!

Back at the car, we decide to try our luck at the the Lago Verde lookout. More of the same here, didn’t even make it a half mile before turning around.

So Plan B, we just cruised around to the other side of the island (just “cruised around” being relative on these roads!) Where it was much better weather at the north shore side.

Had lunch at this great place overlooking the water. But we didn’t have reservations so we ended up with the only table left – a view of the parking lot!  LOL. The girl was so apologetic,  but we didn’t care, we just wanted food. And food we got! Oh, it was so good. I had fish of the day (the waitress was do excited because she said “I have REAL tuna today!).  Ok. Tuna. I’m in!!! And it was awesome – fresh blue tuna caught right here – oh boy, the best!  Ed had octopus salad which was huge and fab as well.

After lunch, we hit the grocery store, got pasteis de Nata (those awesome egg cream tarts) and a Queijada (a local cheese tart specialty) and salty snacks, and made our way back to the ship going the long way around the island, now in the rain.

Delivering the car easily – all except that last U-turn in front of the plaza – we headed toward the buses, trying to figure out which one to get on. Ends up the bus stop was around the corner – I’m still worried about those others on our 1st shuttle! Then it was a quick 3 minute ride back to the ship. Once aboard, we grabbed our Queijada and headed up to the buffet for coffee and our snack. It was good, but a little to dense and dry for our tastes, those Pasteis de Nata were way better. But you have to try the local delicacies. And you can believe I’m only having appetizers for dinner tonight!

Then it was balcony time until the gym and our normal activities. of more balcony sitting as we sail away from Ponta Delgada.

Thought we’d found our Table 2 here on the Oosterdam, and while the servers were great, and the location of the table secluded, it is so noisy there – because of the room acoustics.  We can hear every conversation from tables 10 and 20 feet away.  Just the general layout.  Bummer.  We make quick work of dinner anyway because I did just have appetizers – a beet salad and then spring rolls., Ed had a salad and fish.

And poof, we were out, back to the lounge, back to the balcony for the rest of the evening.