This remote archipelago simply abounds with adventures; it is hiking and canyoning; excellent surfing and other watersports; rich opportunities for on horseback Then there is the landscape itself: a wonderland of seething mud pots and vivid crater lakes that speak of a volcanic origin Lagoa do Congro about 5.5 km from Vila Franca do Campo on The Azores largest island of São Miguel Sete Cidades The Azores are full of places that stop visitors dead in their tracks and cause a sharp Angra do Heroismo the historic centre of Angra do Heroismo on the island of Terceira is an architectural jewel Mt Pico The highest mountain in Portugal rears out of the Atlantic Ocean to a height of 2,351m Mt Pico is more than postcard material: an… Capelinhos Volcano The underwater volcano that erupted in spectacular fashion off the island of Faial in 1957 afforded scientists a unique opportunity to study a rare… Vineyards of Pico The island of Pico has produced wine since the 15th century but don’t expect neat rows of vines amid picturesque fields View more attractionsPlanning ToolsExpert guidance to help you plan your tripBest Places to Visit Come for the hiking and volcanoes, stay for the vibrant culture, unique cuisine and exceptional wine. Find the best island in the Azores for your vacation. See the Azores - via ferry, plane, car or taxi - with these top tips for navigating all nine islands. Plan with a localExperience the real Azores Get startedArticlesLatest stories from The AzoresRead more articlesFilter by interest: from natural saltwater pools to black-sand stretches Read more articlesBuild a memorable collectionGet to the heart of The Azores with one of our in-depth Visit in ShopPocket Azores $14.99 Visit in ShopPocket Lisbon $14.99 Go to checkout (0 items)For Explorers Everywhere No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission For the fifth consecutive year, 22 world class cliff divers from 9 countries are gathering in São Miguel, Azores, to participate in the second stop of the 2017 International Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. This year’s competing divers include women and men The extreme sports competition is being held July 8-9 at the Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo Previous competitions were held on the islet in 2012 The location has been proved to be a tournament favorite Venues and dates around the globe include stops at Inis Mór Divers will leap from two platforms placed 27 and 21 meters above the Atlantic Ocean to take a free fall The challenge creates a special thrill for the athletes and the spectators The event “promises to show the most complex and exuberant jumps of the modality proposed by FINA (International Swimming Federation/Fédération Internationale de Natation) for the Olympic Games of 2020” the islet of Vila Franca do Campo is home to many species of birds Formed from the remains of a collapsed underwater volcano the islet is named after the nearby Vila Franca do Campo town Established in 2009, the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series is an extreme sport annual challenge created in 2009 by Red Bull Five international judges score each dive based on a scale of zero to 10 in half-point increments The event will be LIVE on July 9 from 12.30 local time (12.30 GMT) on www.redbullcliffdiving.com Red Bull TV and Facebook Ponta Delgada — The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores will return to Vila Franca do Campo in what the organization considers to be the biggest classic of the competition playing once again the role of the biggest classic of the competition The stage that proposes the unmatchable return to the origins in the unique landscapes of the islet of Vila Franca do Campo in what will be the ninth consecutive visit to the region,” the organization pointed out in a statement The islet of Vila Franca de Campo is located about one kilometer off the coast of the archipelago's largest island and is classified as a nature reserve the Cliff Diving world circuit starts in May in Bali In this twelfth season of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series the organization highlighted equality as a differentiating point since this edition will be the first time there will be the same number of male and female participants 24 athletes of 18 nationalities will fight for the titles of Gary Hunt (UK) and Rhiannan Iffland (Australia) through jumps to the water from heights of 27 and 21 meters Both Gary Hunt and Rhiannan Iffland were the winners of the Cliff Diving Azorean stage in the Azores in 2019 The Azores' debut at the Red Bull Cliff Diving Circuit took place in 2011 with the victory of Russian Artem Shilchenko This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page The fifth stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series competition is returning to Azores for a third successive year The competition will be held Saturday July 26 at the Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo The two previous competitions were held at the site in 2012 and 2013 The world top 14 cliff divers from 11 countries will leap from a platform situated 28 meters above the Atlantic Ocean Divers will take a free fall from a monolith off the crater walls of the islet achieving speeds of approximately 85kph Without the support of a rock solid platform the challenge will create a special thrill for the athletes and the spectators The 2014 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series underway started May 10 in Havana the Islet of Vila Franca do Campo is home to many species of birds the islet is named after the nearby Vila Franca do Campo The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series  is a sport extreme international annual completion created in 2009 by Red Bull The cliff diving events are limited to number competitors in a limited number of venues around the globe Five international judges score each dive based on a scale of 0 to 10 in half-point increments Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2013 – Stop In Azores 2014 RED BULL CLIFF DIVING WORLD SERIES DIVERS LIST 2014 RED BULL CLIFF DIVING WORLD SERIES CALENDAR 2014 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series Official Website here 16 professional cliff divers from around the world are gathering in the Azores to participate in the third stop of the 2016 International Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series The extreme sport diving competition is being held Saturday Competitions are held in a limited number of venues around the globe The four previous competitions on the Vila Franca do Campo islet were held in 2012 Divers will leap from a platform situated 28 meters above the Atlantic Ocean to take a free fall from a monolith off the crater walls of the islet achieving speeds of approximately 85kph Without the support of a rock solid platform the challenge creates a special thrill for the athletes and the spectators This year competing athletes include six women and 10 men namely: Adriana Jimenez (Mexico); Andy Jones (USA); Artem Slichenco (Russia); Blake Aldridge (UK); Cesilie Carlton (USA); David Colturi (USA); Gary Hunt (UK) Ginger Huber (USA) and Helena Merten (Autralia) Jonathan Paredes (Mexico); Rachelle Simpson (USA); Sergio Guzman (Mexico); and Steven LoBlue (USA) Established in 2009, the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series is a sport extreme international annual completion created in 2009 by Red Bull Watch live here NEW BEDFORD – The strategic future of the Azores-U.S renewable energy and ocean conservation were some of the topics on the table when the President of the Regional Government of the Azores welcomed Rep Cabral to the Sant’Ana Palace in Ponta Delgada on Tuesday President José Manuel Bolieiro said these audiences are not only important for the strategic future of the Azores but also for transatlantic relations within the national and European frameworks “With the scientific capacity and accredited institutions that the United States have we are also talking about a rapprochement through research and being able to strengthen these links by providing more opportunities to meet and discover,” Bolieiro said it’s about maintaining this dialogue far beyond the framework of the relationship with the [Azorean] diaspora and its traditions.” MORE: Vice-President of the Azores says decontamination of Lajes Base remains top priority This was not the first time Bolieiro welcomed Rep Cabral to the palace to discuss key issues of mutual concern “President of the Regional Government of the Azores José Manuel Bolieiro has always been a great partner and accessible to me and the Portuguese community in the SouthCoast,” Rep “Our continued conversations on the issues our communities share particularly sustainable agriculture and natural resource management and economic development are always productive and solidify our longstanding partnership.” Cabral departed for the Azores last Friday he was a guest of honor at the Festas do Senhor Bom Jesus da Pedra in Vila Franca do Campo São Miguel - the religious celebration that inspired the Senhor da Pedra Feast held in New Bedford since the 1920s “Being able to share the stage with President Bolieiro during the Feast of Senhor Bom Jesus da Pedra in Vila Franca do Campo was an honor and I thank Mayor Ricardo Rodrigues for the opportunity to experience the festival in-person this year,” said Rep New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell will join Rep Cabral on the island of Faial for a dual commemoration: the 50th anniversary of the Sister City Agreement between New Bedford and Horta and the 65th anniversary of the Azorean Refugee Act of 1958 The invitation to take part in the special celebration was extended to Mayor Mitchell and Rep The two will be joined by the President of the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores Luis Garcia “The bond between New Bedford and Horta has been strong for two hundred years and the most important gift Horta has given New Bedford is its people,” said Mayor Mitchell The relationship between the two cities dates to the 19th century when whaling vessels from New Bedford would routinely stop in Horta to offload whale oil and re-supply Those interactions eventually led Faial residents and other Azoreans to immigrate to New Bedford and other parts of the United States “We have benefited beyond calculation from the contributions they and the immigrants from all the Azorean islands have made to the City and America more generally,” Mayor Mitchell said more vibrant city on account of Azorean immigration.” How did the New Bedford-Horta Sister City Agreement come about?In the early 1970s then-Ward 5 City Councilor Manuel Fernando Neto proposed that the long-standing relationship between the two cities be formalized in a Sister City Agreement where he signed the agreement with Azorean officials The anniversary of the signing was originally to be celebrated last year but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic “The reaffirming of our Sister City Agreement underscores our collective gratitude and the high hope for the next 50 years of our friendship,” said Mayor Mitchell Neto said he is grateful for Mayor Mitchell’s delegation to be representing New Bedford in the 50th anniversary of the Sister City Agreement the renewed efforts of the present political leadership will continue with future generations with substantial and sustained endeavors for the mutual benefit of both Cities and their people,” Neto said our children and grandchildren will be part of that effort.” Cabral also considered an honor to be celebrating the 65th anniversary of the Azorean Refugee Act of 1958 in Faial Created in response to the Capelinhos eruption in Faial in 1957 the act was co-sponsored by then Senators John F Kennedy and John Pastore and signed by President Dwight Eisenhower making available 1,500 visas to the Azorean victims of the volcano allowing even more Azoreans to immigrate to the United States “this simple measure triggered a series of events that led to the emigration of 175,000 Portuguese to the United States contributing to an improved quality of life more job opportunities and stronger cultural ties with the United States that continue to pay dividends to this day.”  the Azorean Refugee Act celebration is “an enduring testament to the strength of the relationship between New Bedford and the Portuguese Azorean and American people.” The New Bedford delegation’s itinerary includes a meeting with the Municipal Government of Horta City Council an official reception by the President of the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores and an official reception of the delegation by the Regional Government of the Azores The delegation will join officials from Faial to unveil a plaque at the edge of the Capelinhos Volcano to commemorate the Azorean Refugee Act Cabral will be presenting a Resolution on behalf of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in recognition of the 65th anniversary of the Azorean Refugee Act as well as a letter by Joe Kennedy III on behalf of the Kennedy family “Thousands of families that call New Bedford and the SouthCoast home today benefited from the expansion of the Azorean Refugee Act I am honored to visit Horta for this celebration which speaks so clearly to the enduring strength of and exciting future for New Bedford’s partnership with the Azores.” FALL RIVER — The Great Feast of the Holy Ghost of New England — arguably the largest event honoring the Azores’ religious and cultural traditions in the United States — will return to Kennedy Park in Fall River from Aug the celebration draws more than 100,000 visitors Here is what you need to know before you go: Closures and potential delays are expected to affect streets around Kennedy Park. For updates on parking and street closures during the feast week, visit the City of Fall River Facebook page or fallriverma.org Where can I park my car near the Holy Ghost feast?Residents living near Kennedy Park will get special permits from the Fall River Police Department allowing them to park nearby street parking in the immediate area of the Holy Ghost feast may be hard to find but spaces may be available a short walk away The festivities will kick off on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 5 p.m. with the recitation of the rosary. It will be followed at 6 p.m. by the free distribution of the traditional Holy Ghost Soup which this year will be prepared by the Irmandade do Divino Espírito Santo do Pico (Brotherhood of the Divine Holy Ghost of Pico) of New Bedford Following the tradition of charity and solidarity a bowl of soup and sweet bread will be served to everyone The soup mainly consists of meat and broth poured on top of bread a special illumination ceremony will turn on thousands of bulbs lighting up the giant crown in Kennedy Park and other decorations on the feast grounds They will perform at Kennedy Park and march in the Bodo de Leite ethnographic parade and Crowning Procession Starting at 7 p.m., the musical acts are geared toward younger audiences, with performances by Nathan Pimentel; Sabrina; Xa Xa; Dimanne; Pedro Vieira; and Band Inc. Headliners Legacy band will perform from 10 to 11 p.m Other performers include Folias do Espírito Santo da Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário de Providence (8:30 p.m.); Jessica Amaro of Canada (9 p.m.) Portuguese-American singer Nelia and her band will headline on Saturday Other performers include: Filármonica Lira Nossa Senhora Estrela of Candelária Azores (7 p.m.); Nelson (8:45 p.m.); and Promix (9:05 p.m.) Headlining Sunday will be Portuguese-American singer Joey Medeiros of California from 8:30 p.m Other performers include Filarmónica Estrela do Oriente of Algarvia Azores (5:30 p.m.) and Jessica Amaro of Canada (7:15 p.m.) Does the Holy Ghost feast help the needy?On Friday, 366 pensões, or offerings of bread, meat, and other food items, will be blessed at 7 p.m. by Bishop Armando Esteves Dominges of the Angra do Heroísmo Diocese, Azores After he sprinkles the pensões with holy water they will be donated to 366 needy individuals and families epitomizing the celebration’s meaning of charity and gratitude — one for every day of the year The Filarmónica Lira Nossa Senhora Estrela of Candelária local and Azorean artisan vendors will sell regional products from the Azores On Saturday, Aug. 24, the crowd-favorite ethnographic parade of Bodo de Leite will make its way from the Gates of the City on Ponta Delgada Boulevard to Kennedy Park A colorful portrayal of Azorean folk life and culture folklore groups and hundreds of participants in traditional costumes recreating traditional Azorean village life The Filarmónica Estrela do Oriente of Algarvia several folkloric groups will take part in a Folklore Festival Performing will be the Cranston Portuguese Club Folklore Group and the Despensa de Mar e Terra Vila de Rabo de Peixe USA What food will be available at the Holy Ghost feast?There will be an abundance of Portuguese food and desserts during the feast as well as American favorites like hamburgers When do the Holy Ghost feast Mass and Crowning Procession start?On Sunday, Aug. 25, the Mass and Crowning Ceremony will take place at Santo Christo Church on Columbia Street at noon, concelebrated by Bishop Armando Esteves Domingues of Angra do Heroísmo pastor of Espírito Santo Church of Fall River Featuring several philharmonic bands and numerous brotherhoods from all over the region the procession will start at Columbia Street and head to South Main Street toward Kennedy Park When does the Great Feast of the Holy Ghost end?The feast will come to a close on Monday Tickets are $55. For more information or to reserve tickets, call 603-557-0311 or email info@grandesfestas.org For more information about the Great Feast of the Holy Ghost of New England, visit their website at grandesfestas.com For the seventh consecutive year, 16 world class cliff divers from 17 countries gathered in São Miguel, Azores, to participate in the third stop of the 2018 International Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. The competition includes 28 athletes men and women from 17 countries This stop of the extreme sports event is being held July 14 at the Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo The challenges facing the athletes have proved the location to be a tournament favorite This year will mark the 10th anniversary of the competition with seven stops in seven countries for the men and women Venues and dates around the globe include stops in Texas Bosnia and Herzegovina (September 8); and Polignano a Mare The event “promises to show the most complex and exuberant jumps of the modality proposed by FINA (International Swimming Federation/Fédération Internationale de Natation) for the Olympic Games of 2020” according to the organization Established in 2009, the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series is an annual extreme sport challenge created by Red Bull Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series Facebook By Jacqueline Raposo Church bells clanging nearby or one of the neighborhood's many vocal backyard roosters do the job we cross the jardim—the cobblestoned center of our waterfront village on the island of São Miguel where benches and gardens surround a gazebo—to Restaurante Jardim for galãos (lattes) and one of Maria de Deus Rebelo's decadent fofas da Povoação éclair-like pastries full of vanilla custard the mountainous mid-Atlantic archipelago belonging to Portugal every isolated island has its own locally beloved pastries where my father is from and where we often visit there are several: slightly sweet griddled bolos lêvedos (Portuguese muffins) made with the pungent mineral waters of the hot springs in Furnas; dense intensely sweet queijadas de Vila Franca do Campo which for decades were made by cloistered nuns and have little in common with the custard cups also called queijadas or their Continental cousins or "meringue kisses," which are ubiquitous throughout the Azores and melt on the tongue to reveal slightly chewy centers fofas appeared as an elegant dessert reserved for dinner parties thrown by the wealthy and became so popular with visiting revelers that they gained the surname of our little town guarded by matriarchs who'd mix the batter and only allow maids into the kitchen when it was time to pipe and fill them wrote down her observations and bequeathed them to her friend Maria de Deus Rebelo upon her death Maria brought the fofas da Povoação back to life Maria pipes thick pâte à choux into two bulbous strips which puff into airy caverns of eggy layers she slices and fills them with a half cup of yolk-rich custard laced with vanilla The top gets a quick swipe of chocolate buttercream made with powdered sugar and cocoa powder for a sweet and slightly chalky frosting and the entire thing collapses into a mess of pastry flakes and cream Dona Amélias: King Carlos and Queen Amélia, the last Portuguese Queen consort, toured the Azores in 1901. On Terceira, the queen so loved the chewy little teacakes served to her—fragrant with ground island corn flour, cinnamon, molasses, and raisins— that they were named in her honor. Today, bakeries, cafes, and restaurants proudly bake up the island's now-infamous Dona Amélias. Some restaurants even serve them as a complimentary bite to end a meal. Suspiros: The vanilla-laced "meringues kisses" come in all shapes and sizes throughout the Azores, sold packaged in grocery stores and individually at cafes. When piped large and served fresh, the delightfully thin, delicate exterior opens to reveal a chewy, eggy texture inside, reminiscent of taffy. When piped into quarter-sized bites, they pop on the tongue and instantly melt—the perfect accompaniment to a strong coffee. "It gives me such pleasure to see the way people enjoy them," says Maria, who has owned Restaurante Jardim with her husband she can sell up to 300—significant for a small restaurant in a tiny town on a remote island that otherwise hasn't changed much in decades She jokes that she now earns her living from fofas alone "Just to see the joy on their faces gives me a tremendous amount of pride Dona Amélias: King Carlos and Queen Amélia the queen so loved the chewy little teacakes served to her—fragrant with ground island corn flour and raisins— that they were named in her honor and restaurants proudly bake up the island's now-infamous Dona Amélias Some restaurants even serve them as a complimentary bite to end a meal Suspiros: The vanilla-laced "meringues kisses" come in all shapes and sizes throughout the Azores sold packaged in grocery stores and individually at cafes they pop on the tongue and instantly melt—the perfect accompaniment to a strong coffee Queijadas: The Azorean equivalent to the continental Portuguese pasteis de nata but the two most beloved least resemble classic custard cups queijadas da Graciosa take a filling of sweetened condensed milk mixed with egg yolks and cinnamon and pour them into an unbelievably thin and flaky butter pastry crust for little star-shaped treats cloistered nuns in the town of Vila Franca do Campo originally made Queijadas da Vila Franca do Campo with a dough of fresh farmers cheese wrapping it in pastry dough for compact little cakes that last a long Two rival families make and sell the "original recipe" queijadas da Vila today Bolos Lêvedos: The Azores islands were thrust out from the Atlantic by volcanic force and open caldeiras (hot springs) still boil in the town of Furnas on São Miguel today and the pungent mineral waters flavor bolos lêvedos year round the large round griddled pastries are only a touch sweet and uniquely tangy when compared to their American "Portuguese muffin" counterparts and best devoured hot and slathered in butter make sure to pick them up when the sign says quente (hot) ADVERTISEMENTADADWant more SAVEUR?Get our favorite recipes Articles may contain affiliate links, which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use. FALL RIVER —  Twelve hours of walking Or, for those following in the footsteps of their Azorean ancestors make that eight days and many more miles on foot — 133 miles to be exact — with only the clothes on your back bare provisions strapped to your shoulders and the generosity of strangers and faith to keep you going.  But for hundreds of Portuguese residents across the SouthCoast and Rhode Island it is something they look forward to every year For Derek Arruda, the mestre, or leader, of the annual New England Romeiros weeklong trek across the SouthCoast "It's part of who I am now and I wouldn't have it any other way," said Arruda The first weeklong Romaria on the SouthCoast took place in 2012, taking to the streets every year until the pandemic hit. After a two-year hiatus Bernard's Church in Assonet and covering over 130 miles stopping at 53 churches in 15 cities and towns Azorean tradition: Romeiros to make their journey of faith The group of nine who call themselves brothers —  ranging in age from 30s to around 70 — spend their days walking in unison sometimes singing religious chants or in deep thought and praying for the community along their journey "We're there to offer ourselves for the intentions of those people that are looking for prayers and whatever hope they see in us," said Arruda for those people who are looking for that hope Urkainian Easter tradition: Through intricate Easter eggs, finding a connection to Ukraine — and a way to help How the tradition beganRomeiros is a tradition that dates back to the 16th century on Sao Miguel an island in the Azores — 900 miles off the coast of Portugal — where a massive earthquake rocked the city of Vila Franca do Campo A group of islanders started the Romeiros journey as a way to ask God for protection against further disasters and atone for their sins marching from village to village in prayer for a week during Lent in a show of faith wear a shawl representing Jesus’ cloak Azorean immigrants brought the tradition to the U.S and one-day Romarias are held annually in New Bedford Pawtucket and Bristol in the weeks leading up to Easter faith and tradition continue to hold strong for the Romeiros as many still turn to it for spiritual grounding Romeiros in New Bedford: Romeiros make their pilgrimage across New Bedford Arruda began his journey as a Romeiro at age 6 accompanying his father on Fall River's daylong pilgrimages Arruda said he strayed a bit from the church before a life-altering motorcycle accident in 2012 that left him with serious injuries — including a broken right leg broken left arm and collapsed lungs — called him back to his faith "I was looking for something," Arruda said "Our Lord could have very easily taken me in that moment but he didn't.. why I wasn't taken in that moment and I got the answer to it." Arruda joined the New England Romeiros in 2014 and his experience on his maiden trek confirmed that was where he was meant to be.  the initial weeklong walk was no easy feat for Arruda who recalled that after a couple of days on the road his body had reached its limit and he was unable to keep up with the group I wasn't really getting anywhere," Arruda said What happened next is difficult to describe something took over his body and gave him the strength to keep going "I heard a brother behind me say in Portuguese 'Jesus relieve me of my pain,' and that cut through everyone's voice and once that translated into my head my chest just filled with an explosion of heat and in that moment I felt weightless," he recalled "I felt like there was a rope attached to the center of my chest and I was being pulled forward."  He said it lasted a few moments and when he looked back up he was standing directly behind the brother in front of him.  "Our Lord had walked that gap for me when I couldn't "The rest of the week was incredibly difficult but I had that moment to lean on Since then he said "it's been a journey," one that Arruda makes sure not to miss most are drawn to the weeklong Romeiros pilgrimage seeking to reach a different level in their spirituality — "to see their faith through a different lens or encounter our Lord in a different way than they do in everyday life."  and his fellow Romeiros come from parishes all over the region Daylong pilgrimages generally draw a larger more diverse crowd of men, women and children a good majority of whom are walking in the footsteps of family members before them "Many people may be doing it because their dads or their grandads did it and they show up on that one day and do it in remembrance of them and that's great but for someone who does it for a week I think it goes deeper than that," said Arruda who has also taken part in the weeklong pilgrimage in his parents' native village of Santa Barbara in Sao New CEO speaks: COVID, leadership shakeup, financial struggles: How Southcoast Health is moving forward This year, the New England group caught some wet weather, but Arruda said it was an overall positive experience that they got to share with two new brothers, one of whom is the group's first American-raised, non-Portuguese member. And three more approached them about joining next year, ensuring the Romeiros legacy lives on. At the culmination of their long 2022 journey, Arruda was greeted at their final Mass at St. Bernard's Church by his family and 3-year-old son Gabriel, who was waiting for his dad in traditional Romeiros attire. "It's amazing to see that full circle," said Arruda, who hopes to share the experience with him someday, as well as his new baby on the way. "I owe to those guys that said yes that first year everything because if it wasn't for them I would have never experienced it and I myself and those in the group have to carry on for that next generation," Arruda said.  Preserving their heritageJose Medeiros, who immigrated to Fall River with his family from Vila Franca do Campo, on the island of Sao Miguel when he was 5, comes from a long line of Romeiros, but it wasn't something he grew up with.  Now 55, Mediros said he was inspired to get involved nine years ago, when he was handed down a precious family heirloom — his great-grandfather's custom-made walking staff, which he took with him on his Romeiros journeys roughly 130 years ago. "I said you've got to do this. This is who you are. This is your heritage. This is your blood," Medeiros said. When Medeiros and his fellow Romeiros stepped off from the front steps of Espirito Santo Church this past Friday for a daylong trek to churches across Fall River, he did so with an eye on the past as he carried the centuries-old tradition into the future. "It's tough. It's not a walk in the park ... but it's all worth it," Medeiros said. "It makes me feel complete. I feel whole because I know I've been blessed." Medeiros said he's faced hardships over the years that he's asked for God's help with, promising his devotion and sacrifice in return. Now that the Romeiros have returned, he can make good on those promises. "Here's my opportunity now to fulfill that obligation, I made a promise to God that if you help me through this I will be there for you, I will walk that day for you," Medeiros said. For Medeiros, the journey is a personal one but his family helps drive him. In addition to his great-grandfather's staff, he takes various sentimental items such as his grandmother's shawl, grandfather's cross and grandfather's shirt. While Medeiros acknowledges the one-day treks are nothing compared to a weeklong pilgrimage, it helps keep the tradition going. It also ties the local faith community together. "We all become one. We hold each other up, we comfort each other," Medeiros said. "It's almost like a therapy session. We don't judge one another." "On that day we are brothers and sisters. We are not friends, we are a huge family," he added. Shoulder to shoulder with participants both male and female, young and old — from age 5 through 75 — he hopes to one day share the experience with his grandson Maverick, now 2.  "I can't wait for the day he's going to come with me and walk by my side," said Medeiros, who said the toddler is already equipped with his own miniature walking staff for the occasion. Medeiros said he's encouraged by the growing younger crowd participating each year, with third- and fourth-generation teens joining the ranks and learning from elder Romeiros. He's also heartened to see more younger adults taking charge and leading the way. "It's gratifying, you know your heritage is still alive," Medeiros said. "I think and I hope and I pray that they get it.. and I think they do because for the most part they come back the following year." Medeiros' daughter Melissa Langella, 35, has joined him on a few occasions over the years, and he has recruited other relatives and teenage cousins to take the journey with him. "These kids would probably be happy to have a day off of school and here they are walking 17 miles," Medeiros said. "We've walked on nice sunny days, one time it just rained all day and you're soaked to the bone and it's just mind over matter... you just keep on walking." For 29-year-old Jeffrey Clementino, a first-generation Romeiro in his family, his decision to follow the path was born of curiosity and rooted in his Catholic upbringing. Growing up, he would watch the large group of travelers march by his house, around the corner from Holy Name School in Fall River, and was determined to be a part of it someday. So not long after his First Communion, around 7 or 8 years old, Clementino's mother prepared his bare Romeiros necessities — a shawl, a scarf, rosary and walking staff —  and he hit the streets of Fall River with family friends for his first-ever Good Friday journey. He was joined the next year by his father, and it's been a family affair every year since. "My father was an old school Portuguese guy who never wanted to take a day out of work, but as soon as that happened he took Good Friday off every single year until now ... never missed a day," Clementino said. Over the years, the strangers and acquaintances Clementino walked with would also come to be known as family. Clementino said the camaraderie among fellow Romeiros, whom he refers to as "brothers," is one part of the experience he most treasures. "You create a bond with people and these people become like family," he said. Clementino participates in walks in New Bedford and Bristol, and has returned to his family's native island of Sao Miguel for three pilgrimages in past years. "It's stressful and exerts your body, but that's the sacrifice about it... you're not there for comfort or pleasure," he said. Clementino joined the Fall River Romeiros this past week, offering prayers for peace and for the community at each stop along the route. He's also a faithful participant of the weeklong SouthCoast pilgrimage led by Arruda, his brother-in-law, but was unable to attend this year. The Fall River walk, founded by members of Espirito Santo Church over 30 years ago, takes place each year on Good Friday, the culmination of the Romaria season. Clementino said the event draws about 350 pilgrims from all over the region.  While it's nice to see the crowd of participants grow —  having originated with about 70 members —  Clementino stressed the importance of participating for the right reasons. "It's a good thing but a lot of people forget the meaning," he said. "You have to be there for faith and not for tradition.. if you're there for tradition, you'll never encounter Christ. You'll never feel anything." Text description provided by the architects. Camposaz is a wood self-construction workshop in 1:1 scale. The Collective is known for his collaborative and site-specific approach. Current workshops are open to architects, designers, carpenters between 18 and 35 years of age. Living in close contact for 10 days, they design and build wood installations, based on specific themes, aiming at enhancing the landscape. Often responding to the specificities of a particular landscape, they create conditions and formats that allow different voices to coexist and shape their building process. Over the course of the Walk&Talk Festival, they hosted a community workshop that saw people come together from Italy, France, and Portugal to develop a concept and realize a temporary seating and viewing platform where people are encouraged to share local stories and memories.  © Filipa Couto WalkThe installation helps the visitor to observe the landscape in an alternative way. It’s a point of contact, a place of departure for a new perspective. Natural fabric expresses the movement and as a metaphor, the connection between people and lands. The intervention wants to consider the island as open space, a starting point, an open pattern. Each watchtower wants to link the visitor with the landscape through a sensory point of view: the visitor can climb up, go inside, cross the modules, and each time is having a different perception of the place. Each tower has a height of 4 meters where the platform is collocated on different distance from the ground, creating a rhythm and a gradual growing of points of view. © Filipa Couto WalkBeginning with the brief to build an island on an island they used locally sourced wood (Cryptomeria wood) and found materials to create a temporary meeting place to recount local memories Inspired by the endless flows and ripples of tides and of water this architectural “mise en abyme” represents the sea’s connectivity and movement becomes a signature of poetic travel between space and people You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email Historian José de Almeida Mello is the chief librarian of the Ponta Delgada Municipal Library and the cultural attaché of Ponta Delgada City Hall the Israeli Community of Lisbon appointed him the coordinator of the Azores Synagogue Restoration Committee to oversee the renovation and conservation project of the Sabar Hassamain Synagogue of Ponta Delgada The Sahar Hassamain Synagogue is the only surviving Synagogue on the islands and the oldest of Portugal’s remaining synagogues by a group of Jewish entrepreneurs who migrated with their families from Morocco and settled on São Miguel island in the early 19th century the island of São Miguel was home to four synagogues in Ponta Delgada and one in Vila Franca do Campo There was a Jewish cemetery in Ponta Delgada and four additional Jewish burial grounds: one on São Miguel The Sahar Hassamain Synagogue in Ponta Delgada The Sabar Hassamain Synagogue was consecrated by Abraão Bensaúde in 1836 and abandoned in the 1950s after the last members of the resident Jewish community left the island The last religious service in the Synagogue took place in 1966 with a group of  Jewish soldiers stationed at the US Lajes Military Base on Terceira  island Provisionally owned by the Israeli Community of Lisbon the building is in the process of transferring ownership to the Ponta Delgada City Hall to be renovated and turned into a public space The recovery project is the culmination of 30 years of efforts to save the Synagogue and preserve the Jewish legacy in the Azores the Azores Synagogue Restoration Committee has been lobbying actively to advance the process The undertaking has the support of the Ponta Delgada City Hall the local community and the Israeli Community of Lisbon together with the immigrant  Azorean community and Harvard University in the United States José de Almeida Mello is a prolific author of many books and monographs He published Sahar Hassamain Synagogue in Ponta Delgada (2009) a book that tells the story of the Synagogue and speaks of the importance to preserve the Jewish legacy in the Azores In this interview for the Portuguese American Journal Mello describes the long process to save that legacy and speaks of those involved in the effort to place the Jewish experience in the Azores in the context of history. (See slide show) What is known about the Jewish presence in the Azores We don’t have yet a comprehensive study relating to the Jewish presence in the Azores but we know from various references that many Azoreans have Jewish ancestors right after the Azores were discovered by the Portuguese in the 15th century many Jewish families settled on the islands They were among the many being prosecuted by the Inquisition How many they were and what happened to them afterward needs to be researched One of the main goals of the Synagogue restoration project is to research the Jewish legacy in the Azores from the 15th century to their most recent presence in the 19th and 20th centuries A Jewish community was established in the Azores after 1818 They were a group of industrialists and merchants from Morocco They were of Sephardic origin and spoke Moroccan Arabic and Ladino The Synagogue of Ponta Delgada was built indoors How was the Jewish community received in the Azores I must say that they were not always welcome Not on the basis of their faith but because they were shrewd merchants competing with the local commerce at the time of their settlement there was a Constitutional law in Portugal which forbade the establishment of religious denominations other than the Catholic Church This may explain why the Synagogue of Ponta Delgada was built indoors Portugal went through the Liberal Revolution which granted religious freedom.  After Liberalism was established The same happened to other religious denominations which was once concealed from public view and then enjoyed religious freedom after Liberalism The Jewish community expanded and thrived in the Azores for over a century The Jewish community in the Azores in the 19th and 20th centuries was a small one Because the islands are geographically removed progressively these Jewish families opted to resettle in mainland Portugal and other countries Some intermarried and converted to Catholicism and assimilated into the mainstream society claims to profess the Jewish faith.  Nevertheless descendants from those families still have a strong connection with the Azores which still is the largest economic group in the Azores and one of the largest economic groups in Portugal The Jewish presence remains a vivid part of the collective memory of both the Jewish community and the local community they were very active on various islands where they established businesses followed their traditions and practiced their religion They generated an enormous wealth and left an important cultural legacy are relevant cultural references for the history of both the Jewish and the Azorean communities new windows and doors and a fresh outside painting during a trip to New Bedford to visit my grandmother I was contacted by Alfredo Alves from Fall River I didn’t know him and I had never heard of the Ponta Delgada Synagogue I had just graduated from the University of the Azores Alfredo Alves was a co-founder of the first group formed in the United States to recover the Synagogue He expressed his frustration and concern with the state of neglect of the Synagogue and asked me to get involved I landed my first job as the cultural attaché of the Ponta Delgada City Hall. One of my first actions was to visit the site I was shocked with the state of decay I found and decided to take action I contacted the local media to raise public awareness for the situation The next step was to get financial support to stabilize the decay process a German citizen residing in Ponta Delgada new windows and doors and an outside painting For over 30 years several attempts were made to save the Synagogue and the Jewish legacy in the Azores The first attempt was made in 1980 by an interfaith group formed in Fall River the group created the Azores Synagogue Restoration Committee with the purpose of raising funds to recover the Synagogue after the Israeli Community of Lisbon got involved the Azores Synagogue Restoration Committee I was appointed the coordinator of the committee in charge of the Synagogue recovery effort Other members included Fátima Sequeira Dias the Azores Synagogue Restoration Committee initiated the process of transferring ownership of the building in 2009 the City gained a 99-year concession over the building in exchange for providing funding for its renovation Sahar Hassamain Synagogue in Ponta Delgada I co-founded the Associação Cultural Amigos da Sinagoga de Ponta Delgada with Jorge Delmar Soares and Nuno Bettencourt We extended membership to about 115 individuals with the goal of securing a broad base of support for the Synagogue recovery effort was formed in Massachusetts presided over  by Gideon Gradman Secretary Lisa Rosen and directors Paula Raposa Their goal is to support the recovery effort through fundraising in the United States Why did it take so long to get organized around the recovery project For quite some time it was not clear who owned the building there was the legal question concerning its ownership combined with a lack of leadership and political will Only after the Israeli Community of Lisbon secured ownership of the building was it possible to establish a partnership with the Ponta Delgada City Hall I must say that the impasse created a long period of neglect to which the public was not indifferent Among those who voiced their concern and took action were journalist António Valdemar and historian Fátima Sequeira Dias They kept the public informed and raised awareness for the historic relevance of the Jewish cultural legacy in the Azores and the importance to preserve it I was one of those individuals touched by their effort I was so concerned that I decided to intervene on my own initiative I collected and stored scores of items waiting to be studied and cataloged I also organized guided visits to the site with tourists I put together an exhibit in the Ponta Delgada Municipal Library displaying a variety of items found at the site with the goal of bringing awareness to the plight to save our Jewish cultural legacy Exhibit at the Ponta Delgada Municipal Library with the goal of bringing awareness to the plight to save the Jewish cultural legacy The Synagogue is concealed within the walls of a building situated on 16 Rua do Brum the building looks very much like any other Azorean 19th century urban family dwelling Hebrew language classes and Torah classes. The Synagogue occupied a large rectangular area This was the place where religious services The space holds a strikingly beautiful Sanctuary with the Ark and podium and two rows of lateral chairs. Two trunks were found full of a mix of Hebrew manuscripts some furniture and woodwork have been contaminated with termites some furniture and religious artifacts  were removed temporarily the circumcision chair and two chandeliers I wrote the book at the time when many of us involved were feeling discouraged illustrate the state of decay of the building and call attention to the imminent danger of losing such a valuable cultural legacy The launching of the book itself was an urgent SOS and my ultimate call for action I was about to give up when the event took place on March 13 symbolically at the Hotel Marina Atlântico I stated that I was ready to return the keys and walk away from the project if action was not taken I remember the very moment when a consensus was formed when we all agreed that the Synagogue would be saved It was an historic moment with all forces converging into the effort to move forward the head of the Israeli Community of Lisbon took place and a memorandum of understanding was drafted to transfer the ownership of the building from the Israeli Community of Lisbon to the Ponta Delgada City Hall It was agreed that the City Hall would lead the recovery project with the goal of turning the Synagogue into a public space I must reiterate that the book was published free of charge and that the proceeds will go to the Synagogue recovery fund The main goal is to preserve the historic value of the common memory shared by both the Azorean community and the Jewish community restore the Sanctuary and create a museum to preserve the cultural heritage found at the site A center of interpretation of the Jewish legacy in the Azores will be created with a permanent exhibit and a library including a private collection donated by Patricia Bensaúde The site will become part of the cultural patrimony of the Ponta Delgada City Hall The last tenants left the building in the 1950s some maintenance work was done to stabilize the building we are in the process of joining efforts with the two sister organizations formed in the Azores and the United States together with public and private institutions in both countries In partnership with the Ponta Delgada City Hall and the Israeli Community of Lisbon we are devising a recovery plan which will include fund raising cataloging the inventory and rebuilding the site The process has already begun and is progressing well has been working the details of the renovation project Through the effort of Massachusetts Senator Michael Rodrigues When will the recovery project be completed the project will be completed by the end of 2014 or sometime in the beginning of 2015 a day of glory for all the friends of the Ponta Delgada Sahar Hassamain Synagogue It will be a memorable moment in our common history to honor and celebrate the Jewish cultural legacy in the Azores Who should be contacted for online donation related questions For information on how to contribute for the Sahar Hassamain Synagogue restoration fund, donors may contact me directly at josemello@lmpdelgada.pt or contact Pedro Amaral, at pedro.amaral@masenate.gov. at the office of  Massachusetts Senator Michael Rodrigues Both Pedro Amaral and Senator Michael Rodrigues are group members of the Azorean Heritage Foundation and of the Amigos da Sinagoga de Ponta Delgada Will the Ponta Delgada Sahar Hassamain Synagogue become part of the newly created Sefarad Route project dedicated to reviving the Jewish historic sites in Portugal launched in Portugal in partnership with Spain and a Norway-based group The project has the mission to attracting tourists from the Jewish diaspora interested in visiting Jewish historic sites in Portugal we certainly hope to include Ponta Delgada in the network of cities with a Jewish presence in Portugal Production is moving along on “Rabo de Peixe,” the second original Portuguese series for Netflix Produced by Ukbar Filmes and directed by Augusto Fraga and Patricia Sequeira “Rabo de Peixe” is a thriller with a little bit of sarcastic humor whose lives change forever with the arrival of a ton of cocaine “It’s a great pride to be able to tell the Azores to the world telling an incredible story in one of the most unique places on the planet,” said Fraga “This is a series of pure fun and adrenaline a reflection on the fate and fatality of the human condition,” he added The “Rabo de Peixe” project was selected from the competition for screenwriters launched in 2020 by Netflix and ICA (Instituto do Cinema e Audiovisual) “Rabo de Peixe” is being shot this week in Tapada de Mafra The cast includes several well-know Portuguese actors "Rabo de Peixe" is the second Portuguese series made entirely in Portugal for Netflix The third stop of the 2012 World Series Red Bull Cliff Diving competition will take place Saturday Two dives will be performed by 14 athletes from 11 different countries straight from the rocks off the small islet of Vila Franca do Campo Diving directly off the cliff allows the athletes to perform their two required dives directly from the rocks in a very special moment for the divers as well as the spectators Divers jump from a platform at a height ranging from 26–28 m Competitions are held in a limited number of venues across the globe the islet of Vila Franca do Campo is the  remains of a collapsed underwater ancient volcano which erupted off the cost of the island The islet is home to many species of birds The islet is named after Vila Franca do Campo the town next to where the islet was formed This is the first time the seven stop sport event will be held on Portuguese territory The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series  was established in 2009 It was created by Red Bull as its annual international series of cliff diving events in which a limited number of competitors determine the Cliff Diving World Series winner Read more >> Como assistir ao Red Bull Cliff Diving nos Acores [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyEYVfCPF6s&feature=related[/youtube] The Azores are possibly Europe's most exotic islands They are the secret gardens of the Atlantic - lush and green thick with temperate forests which feel almost like rainforest The scenery is beautiful and dramatic: rugged coastlines and empty beaches crashing with waves which draw in-the-know surfers and Lisboas and few other people though the Azores islands stay warm all year round Agricultural scenes belie hidden crater lakes perfect ocean swells and heart-stopping views Both landscape and weather are unpredictable I drive through blazing sunshine to the hot-spring town of Furnas light filters through pine and eucalyptus trees I pass molten clay bubbling ferociously at the edge of a pale-green lake Sulphuric steam drifts up towards the treetops The earth here is so hot it's become a place of gastronomic pilgrimage: locals bake a stew hoisting it from the ground at midday for lunch service in the village restaurants Cool tropical rain falls through lush greenery Languid crickets chirp in the fresh mountain air There are more thermal pools nearby, at Furnas Boutique Hotel where I am staying and has been newly restored and refurbished with indoor and outdoor thermal swimming pools Floor-to-ceiling windows in each room are designed to emphasise the beauty of the surrounding forest and gardens Everything centres around the grand lobby with its minimal dark-wood bar and the grocery store which sells locally made products in beautiful jars and packaging cheese from neighbouring São Jorge island and baked yams a convent-turned-hotel that has hardly changed since its holy days in the 17th century behind which lie vast rooms with four-posters Downstairs is an eccentric lounge beneath stone arches red-velvet upholstery and oil paintings of Saint Francis A vast hall with an enormous fireplace and absolutely nothing else is calling out for a lavish party Down at Vila Franca marina I'm met by divemaster Pedro We don full wetsuits and jump into a red speedboat holding on tight as we hurtle across the Atlantic Our destination is the half-pitched volcanic crater sticking out of the water just a few miles away In high summer this is a pleasure dome: a place for daytrippers to swim in the crater pool and bask on its rocky edges brutal face of auburn rock washed in churning white swell I fall backwards over the side of the boat into the seemingly bottomless water and find myself surrounded by shoals of glistening silver fish As we drive back I do feel like a Bond girl there are 14 glass-fronted cabins that have uninterrupted sea views The architecture blends seamlessly with the volcanic landscape with its petrified-wood and traditional-cork interior is said to have the best sashimi on the island With the Atlantic on São Miguel's doorstep here chefs have the pick of the catch: one day's haul includes freshly foraged limpets on coiled seabass with butterfish and fresh tamarillo Valério decides what I need to find most on São Miguel is a waterfall Inching down a terrifyingly steep track we find a hidden waterfall The force of the water has carved sleek sports-car curves into the rock face letting the weight of the water pummel your shoulders hikers follow knee-tremblingly narrow walkways across the rocks is a favourite with locals and visitors in-the-know Next to the bar are steps down into the ocean People come for a salty dip before a glass of wine and plate of fried horse mackerel With wood burners and huge windows looking out onto a lake or forest the design is minimal and environmentally sensitive Sete Cidades Lake LodgeKate FriendA 10-minute drive away is the awe-inspiring Termas da Ferraria: thermal baths tucked below a towering cliff one man-made with warm thermal waters and the other right in the very surf of the Atlantic I can't say no to a pool literally in the middle of the ocean clinging to the iron steps as waves break around his head Ropes are hooked up to hang onto: the game here is to tether yourself as you're pushed and pulled about by the swell It's both terrifying and fabulous - a bit like an incredibly painful massage - and leaves me feeling light-headed I can't decide if I'm in Atlantis* The Secret Garden* or an Ian Fleming novel Panorama Bar at the Azor HotelKate FriendWhere to stay in São MiguelAzor HotelPonta DelgadaContemporary and cosmopolitan five-star landmark hotel in the city centre overlooking the marina By day hang out at the black-stone panorama rooftop pool and bar; by night sample cheese and wine at the lobby Market Bar Rooms are wood-panelled with Bluetooth speaker systems leather sofas and private balconies that have uninterrupted views across the harbour Address: Azor Hotel, Avenida Dr João Bosco Mota Amaral, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal Telephone: +351 296 249 900 Website: azorhotel.com Price: Doubles from about £115 this wellness retreat is the sister property of Azor Hotel housed in the original bathhouse atrium with an adjacent sauna Rooms are done up in dark wood panelling with vast windows looking over the hotel gardens Breakfast at the À Terra restaurant for island cheese pasteis de nata and local bolo lêvedo sweet muffins The interior of Convento de São FranciscoKate FriendConvento de São FranciscoVila Franca do CampoWander the cloisters of this 17th-century convent and dine at the communal friars' table The renovated interiors are sophisticated and austere: exposed beams A thrilling place to spend the night before a diving or whale-watching trip Be sure to grab a pastry from the queijadas de Vila Franca on your way out of town Portugal Telephone: +351 296 583 532 Contact: manuela.m.guerreiro@sapo.pt Price: Doubles from about £90 Thermal swimming pool at Furnas Boutique HotelKate FriendSete Cidades Lake LodgeSete CidadesThis hideaway comprises three self-catering lake-side cabins set in a garden of lemon trees and marigolds wood-burning stoves and huge windows with views of the forest or a lake canoe rental and the best picnic spots on the shore Address: Sete Cidades Lake Lodge, 2 Rua das Lavadeiras, Sete Cidades, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal Telephone: +351 918 304 014 Website: 7cidadeslakelodge.com Price: Doubles from about £80 A local favourite for traditional Azorean seafood so get there early or jostle with the regulars for a table Portugal Telephone: +351 296 285 765 Contact: manecigano@gmail.com This is a cosy place right by the sea wall serving some of the best fish in the Azores It's a 10-minute drive from Ponta Delgada - or hike there along the cliffs to build up an appetite Convento de São FranciscoKate FriendÀ Terra Fornaria at Azor HotelPonta DelgadaThe restaurant at Ponta Delgada's best hotel is famous for its contemporary take on Azorean dishes and glorious marina views Try the fresh succulent sardines baked in pastry with a cold glass of Azorean white wine Address: À Terra Fornaria at Azor Hotel, Avenida Dr João Bosco Mota Amaral, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal Telephone: +351 296 249 900 Website: azorhotel.com People regularly make the 40-minute drive here from the capital dynamic team is putting Azorean cuisine on the map using local ingredients and cooking methods fresh and unusual salads or fantastic pizza straight from their wood-fired oven Address: À Terra at Furnas Boutique Hotel, Avenida Dr Manuel de Arriaga, Furnas, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal Telephone: +351 296 249 200 Website: furnasboutiquehotel.com Seek out this wonderful farm-to-table restaurant where most of what is on the menu is grown or reared on site Knock on the barn door and you'll be warmly greeted by hosts and owners Paulo and Inês Expect a five-course tasting menu at a reasonable price Vegetarians and special diets accommodated Address: Quinta dos Sabores, Rua Caminho Da Selada, 10, Rabo de Peixe, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal Telephone: +351 296 493 700 Website: quinta-sabores.co.uk Contact: inessabandeira@gmail.com Santa Bárbara Eco-Beach ResortKate FriendTerra Nostra Garden RestaurantFurnasFor colzido das Furnas baked in the earth book lunch at this Art Deco hotel restaurant with views across the botanical gardens Address: Terra Nostra Garden Restaurant, 5 Rua Padre José Jacinto Botelho, Furnas, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal Telephone: +351 296 549 090 Website: bensaude.pt Natural stone and glass interior with drift-wood decor hanging log-burner and long suede sofas for nightcaps Reservations mandatory for Friday and Saturday nights though it's a lazy lunch spot at any other time Address: Santa Bárbara Eco-Beach Resort, Estrada Regional 1, 1 Morro de Baixo, Ribeira Seca, Ribeira Grande, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal Telephone: +351 296 470 360 Website: santabarbaraazores.com This south-coast spot is the place to gather for sunset swims in the adjacent ocean pool before settling in for wine and snacks Great place to try a local vinho verde with deep-fried mackerel Address: Bar Caloura, 20 Rua da Caloura, Água de Pau, Lagoa, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal Telephone: +351 296 913 283 Website: barcaloura.com The Azores Sub Dive Centre runs trips to some of the world's best dive sites. (Loja 6, Marina de Vila Franca do Campo, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal; +351 296 583 999; azoressub.com) Have a massage up a mountain, reiki on the beach, or discover São Miguel's secret nature spots with Jorge and Lisa at Holistika (+351 914 284 480; holistika.pt) Tour and taste Europe's only tea plantation at Gorreana (Plantações de Chá Gorreana, Maia, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal; +351 296 442 349; gorreana.pt) Andy Jones of the United States dives from 88 feet off the cliff face of Islet Vila Franca do Campo during the fifth stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series David Colturi of the United States dives from the 88-foot platform on Islet Vila Franca do Campo during the fifth stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series on July 26 Steven LoBue of the the United States dives from 88 feet off the cliff face of Islet Vila Franca do Campo on July 26 Jonathan Paredes of Mexico dives from 88 feet off the cliff face of Islet Vila Franca do Campo on July 26 Orlando Duque of Colombia dives from the 88-foot platform on Islet Vila Franca do Campo while (L-R) Michal Navratil of the Czech Republic Blake Aldridge and Gary Hunt of the United States and Artyom Silchenko of Russia watch during the fifth stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series on July 26 Gary Hunt of the United Kingdom dives from 88 feet off the cliff face of Islet Vila Franca do Campo on July 26 David Colturi of the United States dives from the 88-foot platform on Islet Vila Franca do Campo on July 26 Jonathan Paredes of Mexico dives from the 91-foot platform on the rock monolith of Islet Vila Franca do Campo during the seeding round of the fifth stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series on July 25 Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here Blake Aldridge of the United Kingdom dives from Islet Vila Franca do Campo’s 88-foot platform on July 26.\n Please help us improve PreventionWeb by taking this brief survey Your input will allow us to better serve the needs of the DRR community See the survey The scale of a recent volcano eruption took the people of Tonga by surprise. Scientists monitoring the submarine volcano, Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, were likewise caught off-guard, failing to foresee an explosion which would unleash a Pacific-wide tsunami The volcano had been active a few times in recent years, with moderate eruptions that only amounted to local disturbance The lack of warning for an event this large left many wondering if there might be other volcanoes beneath the ocean similarly primed to blow To study volcanoes and interpret whether they’re likely to erupt scientists mount them with different kinds of measuring equipment Seismometers help them detect small tremors caused by magma moving under the ground while gas samplers and thermal cameras can be used to track changes in gas concentrations and temperature as magma ascends from the depths It’s rarely acknowledged, however, that most volcanic activity on Earth occurs beneath the sea. Submarine volcanoes are pretty much ubiquitous in all of the world’s major oceans and it’s estimated that 75% of the Earth’s magma output comes from mid-ocean ridges many known submarine volcanoes are found far from land and being underwater prevents scientists from observing any changes by conventional means Scientists have managed to install equipment that detects tell-tale tremors on the sea bed before. This research has helped reveal the seismic precursors of a submarine eruption – the signs that one is imminent – similar to what scientists had already documented in volcanoes on land Installing this equipment does not come cheap though and it’s not possible to do it everywhere.  An impending eruption can be detected in subtle temperature increases on the volcanic surface The heat signatures of submarine volcanoes will only ever be visible at the sea surface if a volcano is in shallow water and already erupting hot lava To really find out what submarine volcanoes are up to Satellite observations allow scientists to regularly view vast areas of the ocean surface, helping them note any changes. On numerous occasions, scientists have spotted floating rafts of pumice which can be traced back to submarine eruptions that might otherwise have gone undetected.  But this only allows us to identify eruptions after they have happened – it doesn’t help us stay a step ahead of underwater volcanoes Recent scientific advances can, however. In the early 1990s Japanese scientists investigated a long-noted phenomenon: the strange discolouration of the ocean near submarine volcanoes off the island of Iōjima They determined that it was caused by precipitates of silicon iron and aluminium oxides emitted by underwater volcanic activity.  Later work confirmed that a higher proportion of iron precipitates produces a yellow-brown hue, while higher proportions of aluminium or silicon result in a white colour. Scientists revisited these findings during submarine eruptions around another volcanic Japanese island In satellite photographs of Earth’s surface the ocean was seen to turn varying shades of yellow depending on the ratio of silicon to iron and aluminium.  scientists discovered that the colour of the ocean began to change about a month before the submarine volcano erupted This suggests that ocean colour may be a reliable precursor of underwater volcanic activity there is every possibility that in the future automated systems could analyse satellite images of the ocean in volcanic regions for signs of an impending eruption The destruction wrought by the submarine eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai appears to be intense. The tsunami that followed obliterated coastal areas of Tonga and even caused deaths thousands of miles away in Peru destroying crops and shutting down transport networks CC BY-ND 4.0 Please note: Content is displayed as last posted by a PreventionWeb community member or editor. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of UNDRR, PreventionWeb, or its sponsors. See our terms of use Thank you. If you have 2 minutes, we would benefit from additional feedback (link opens in a new window) PreventionWeb is the global knowledge sharing platform for disaster risk reduction (DRR) and resilience. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. NEW BEDFORD-Carlos A. Riquinha, 65, of New Bedford, passed away Friday, March 21, 2025 at Hathaway Manor following a lengthy illness. He was the widower of June E. (Botelho) Riquinha and son of the late João T. and Alcina (Tadeu) Riquinha. Born in Vila Franca do Campo, São Miguel, Açores, Mr. Riquinha resided in New Bedford since 1968. Mr. Riquinha had a strong work ethic and did his best to provide for his family. He had a lengthy career as a landscape manager at Schumacher Landscaping and Greenscape Land Design, Inc., ultimately retiring from Fairway Landscaping. Mr. Riquinha was a music lover and enjoyed watching a wide variety of movies and television shows. He was an avid fan of all of the Boston sports teams, but he loved his family, especially his grandchildren, more than anything else. His family includes his 4 sons, Keith Riquinha, Nicholas Riquinha, Michael Riquinha and Kevin Riquinha; 1 brother, Antonio Riquinha and his wife Alice of Florida; 2 sisters, Rosemary Salema and her husband, Edward of Dartmouth and Liberta Camara and her husband, João of Acushnet; his sister-in-law, Susan Riquinha of Florida; 5 grandchildren, the late Juliana Grace Riquinha, Gavin Riquinha, Noah Riquinha, Mia Riquinha and Gianna Riquinha and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late João Riquinha. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Southcoast VNA 200 Mill Rd., Fairhaven, MA 02719 or American Kidney Fund at kidneyfund.org Mr. Riquinha's  family will receive visitors Saturday, April 12 from 1:00-3:00 P.M. with a service to be conducted in the funeral home at 2:00 P.M. Funeral arrangements have been committed to the care of AUBERTINE-LOPES FUNERAL HOME, 129 Allen St., New Bedford. Tribute Archive Sign In Subscribe Now Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines. I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The impact, it’s said, is like smashing into a brick wall. As your body free-falls through the air into the water 27 metres below, you become a human projectile, travelling at 50mph. Just watching videos of the first event in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series (now in its fifth year) at La Rochelle in France is enough to give you vertigo. Yet as Russian Artem Silchenko lifted his trophy on Saturday (a model of the 600-year-old tower he had just rather elegantly leapt from), he did so to the sound of 70,000 roaring fans. Cliff diving, it seems, has quite a following. Maybe unsurprisingly, given that it is organised by a firm with the global reach of Red Bull. Either way, over the next five months, 14 divers from 13 countries will follow the Red Bull flag, travelling around the globe to leap, clad only in Speedos, from Copenhagen Opera House, a volcanic stone in the Azores, an Italian castle, a Welsh cliff, a pier in Boston, an outcrop in Thailand and a cliff in Brazil. Each of these will be roughly three times the height of an Olympic diving board and competitors are expected to make a series of ballet-like twists and turns as they fall, and are marked for their efforts by five judges. For the two lowest scorers it is a warm shower and a flight home. The rest move on to the next leg of the competition. Although the Russian is currently topping the leaderboard, the favourites are actually two Brits: former champion Gary Hunt and Olympic diver Blake Aldridge. Both are noted for their panache in the air – something incredibly important, not just because style means points, but also because if you enter the water incorrectly after your three seconds of flight, you’re likely to break your back. Of course, Red Bull didn’t invent the notion of a person throwing themselves off a cliff and hoping to survive, nor can the company claim to have made it a proper “sport”. It is, in fact, said to have begun as a Hawaiian initiation rite. The former independent chief of the island Kahekili tested his warriors by having them jump after him from his land’s lava cliffs in the 1700s. The site of “Kahekili’s Leap” is now regarded as the sport’s birthplace. With its mix of medieval danger and high-octane thrill, it is manna from heaven for Red Bull. The company spends a quarter of its annual revenue on marketing ($2.2bn). Most of that goes on events and sport sponsorship – it owns the New York Red Bulls football club outright and a Formula One team, for instance. But it also has a sideline in sponsoring dangerous sports such as freeskiing, ice climbing and snowboard half-piping. It has, surprisingly for a drink rather than sport brand, mastered the art of spectacle in advertising with aplomb. It provides the cash and infrastructure for people to do high-wire, death-defying stunts while heavily branded in the Red Bull livery. The will-they-survive nature of this reached its peak with Felix Baumgartner’s parachute jump from a “Red Bull” helium balloon 24 miles into the world’s stratosphere. It is unlikely anyone will be hurt in the next seven rounds, though, as the divers are the crème de la crème of their particularly peculiar sport. Or then again, perhaps Red Bull really does give you wings. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies 2019It is with great sadness announcing the death of our father and grandfather 2019 at the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital Sao Miguel Azores to Antonio and Ernestina DaSilva 1957 and shortly after moved to Canada in June 1957 Jose first worked for CP Rail in the west and east Kootenays then found work at the local sawmill which then convinced him of staying in Canada In May 1964 Natalia joined Jose in Castlegar BC to begin a life together and to start a family kind and a hardworking man who loved spending time with his family He had a witty yet sarcastic sense of humour who loved to prank and joke around with family and friends fishing and spending time with friends and family picnicking at local parks He also liked sitting under his grape trellis listening to Portuguese music admiring his pristine lawn Natalia (2017) and his beloved son Victor (2003) Jose is survived by his daughters Elizabeth (Art) brother and sister in law Armando and Exeolinda Rego Tiechrob and all nursing staff from surgical and ICU your professionalism and compassion was so greatly appreciated and also Jordan and Renee from the Castlegar Funeral Chapel Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines The best Portuguese beaches to visit in 2019 / Pixabay Editorial Team 9 July 2019, 19:37The heat is on... instead of complaining, why not pack your suitcase and make the most of it by discovering Portugal's best beaches? It’s difficult to decide where because there are so many options of beautiful and special beaches, bathed by the cool waters of the Atlantic. Here are some of the best beaches in Portugal for your summer holiday in 2019. Sāo Miguel island / Wikimedia commonsThe Azores islands captivate thousands of tourists every year and one of the most successful destinations is the islet of Vila Franca do Campo. Opposite the island of São Miguel, an ancient underwater volcano helped to shape this pearl of the Atlantic. Its circular shape creates the perfect climate for a natural pool where the favourite pastimes are swimming and diving. Getting to this beach isn’t easy as it’s on a very small island, but if you want to spend an unforgettable afternoon in this paradise in the Azores, rent a boat and sail out to this little bay. It's well worth the effort! Praia das Crianças / Wikimedia commonsIf you’re looking for somewhere to take young children for a swim, Praia das Crianças (Children's Beach) is the perfect option. Within the bay of São Martinho do Porto, the waves don’t reach the beach which makes this beach perfect for children, who can bathe without problems. In addition to restaurants specialising in fish and seafood, another of the great attractions of this beach is the wooden walkway that crosses the entire bay. Don't miss the opportunity to take a walk and discover the other beaches in the area. Wild beach in Sintra / Wikimedia commonsAccess to this beach is kind of difficult and dangerous, but Praia da Ursa rewards indomitable adventurers with its wild and natural beauty. It will be a real challenge to reach this magical corner of Sintra. The access route is long and quite tricky, so plan ahead as it will take at least an hour's walk from your car to this pristine beach. When you get there, though, you can lay out your towel on the expanse of sand, relax and enjoy one of the country's most coveted beaches. Portimāo beach / Wikimedia commonsMany believe that this is the most famous beach in Portugal, offering not only beautiful surroundings but a wide range of leisure facilities too. The word Portimão is synonymous with ‘holidays’, and the inviting climate and various organised leisure activities make this city a dream destination. Among the places you absolutely can’t miss in Portimão is Praia da Rocha beach. With its refreshing waters and fine golden sand, here you can find the perfect way to enjoy the environment, landscapes and huge variety of restaurants, bars, discos and entertainment. Wonderful Lagos beach / Wikimedia commonsAmong the cliffs of the Costa D'Ouro, nature offers up the most picturesque beach in the Algarve, Praia da Dona Ana. Situated in a small bay with high cliffs which block the wind, this beach has fine, golden sand which combines perfectly with the calm, crystal clear waters. If you want to make memories that will stay with you and your family forever, be sure to visit the Praia da Dona Ana this summer 2019. Carnation Revolution: Portugal's Freedom Day On 25th April Portugal underwent a fundamental transformation known as the Carnation Revolution This pivotal event marked the end of the Estado Novo dictatorship and the start of Portugal's path to democracy The day is celebrated annually as Freedom Day to honour this peaceful transition and the newfound era of freedom and democracy A strong magnitude 5.3 earthquake occurred in the North Atlantic Ocean near Ilha de Sao Miguel island The depth of the quake could not be determined but is assumed to be shallow.The earthquake was felt over a large region. The shallow depth of the quake caused it to be felt more strongly near the epicenter than a deeper quake of similar magnitude would.