Happy Halloween everyone. In case you were wondering they do celebrate Halloween here. It became popular because of the U.S. military base here on Terceira Island. As I think I said before though there used to be 6000 soldiers and now there are only about 400. After breakfast we walked into town again as we wanted to see the local market. It was mainly produce, lots of fresh, stinky fish, meat and a few other odds and ends. While we were walking we saw several elementary classes in uniform out trick or treating. The children were very exuberant - probably already on a sugar high. I remembered back to trying to teach on a day like Halloween and I said a silent prayer for the teachers. We returned to the Palace of the General Captain that was closed the other day and got to view the inside. Although we didn't take a guided tour, we weren't allowed to walk through on our own and the person who accompanied us explained everything to us along the way. I think maybe she is a docent in training. The palace was beautiful. I wish I could have taken pictures but it is the official residence of the President of the Azores. It also has been the palace for the King of Portugal in the past when Spain took over Portugal. From there we went to the Museum of Angra. It had many displays and was quite extensive in giving the history of Terceira Island and the Azores. We stopped for tea and a pastry before returning to the hotel. It started to rain just as we were arriving at the hotel so our timing was perfect. We relaxed, read and napped before our 7:30 reservation at Elio's Restaurant. Elio's is about a 15 minute walk straight down the street from our hotel and very much a local family restaurant. While we were in the restaurant we heard a huge noise. It was students, with soda cans tied to their legs, making all sorts of noise and walking down the street for Halloween. They were just having a good time though and not bothering anyone. Our dinner was delicious. On the recommendation of the owner we had the fish Alcatra. A dish with 3 different kinds of fresh fish in a sauce that you had to dip you bread into. For dessert Ron had a white ice cream - not vanilla - with a chocolate sauce and I had pineapple flambe. We'll have to do more walking tomorrow!
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| Trick or Treat! |
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| Duke of Braganza Market - Named after the royals |
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| Lots of fresh fish |
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| More fish |
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| Produce of all kinds - even chestnuts |
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| More trick or treaters |
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| We couldn't exchange money at a bank because we didn't have an account so this is where they told us to go. |
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| Glimpses of the Cathedral from the Palace |
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| The Museum of Angra |
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| Even in the Museum there is a church |
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| The Church of our Lady of Guidance |
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| An old map of the Azores |
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| The Church of our Lady of Guidance |
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| Snack time |
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| More fish for dinner |
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| A family style Azorean Restaurant |
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| Halloween revelers |
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| Celebrating Halloween |
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| More food! |
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| Fish Alcatra |
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| White ice cream with chocolate |
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| Can't see it well but it is pineapple flambe! |
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