The Azores, Portugal

 Saturday, April 16th was Don's birthday, and it was our first day ashore after a week at sea. We docked in Ponte del Gata, Azores, Portugal.  We had such a nice day ashore.  The scenery was gorgeous.  We couldn't stop taking pictures, as you will soon see.

We hired a taxi to take us on a tour to Blue Lake and Green Lake.  

Antonia, our taxi driver.

I was trying to take a picture of the bird, but he moved just as I clicked.

The village you see is called Seven Cities.

A church in Seven Cities

Our taxi driver explained that this gazebo is the site for huge festivals in the summertime.

Isn't that gorgeous?

We had Antonia drop us off in the city center.  We did some shopping and took some pictures of the city gate.

A beautiful church downtown

In front of the city gates

It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed walking back to the ship.

This was the little souvenir I chose from Portugal.

After lunch, Don and Ken went back out to bird.  I enjoyed a nap!

After dinner, the waiters gathered to sing Happy Birthday to Don.

Ada pre-ordered a birthday cake for Don.  Isn't that thoughtful?  We enjoyed it later that evening.  The workers gathered around and sang Happy birthday.

Don shared some beautiful pictures he took of birds here:

Blackbird Common Thrush

Serin

We enjoyed our first port in the Portugal Azore islands.