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Days 85-90 Ilha da Terceira

Our final five days allowed in the Schengen zone were spent on the island of Terceira.  It is the second most populated island after Saõ Miguel and arguably has the most historical interest.  Many ships during the Age of Discovery came through here and Vasco da Gama stopped by when his brother was ill and died on Terceira.  Angra do Heroismo is the main City and historically has had the main port.  For me, this was chosen as our last stop because the island represents half of my ancestral heritage.  My maternal grandparents were born here, married and left for California in the late 1920's.   Terceira and the Açores are a story about immigration to search for work and more opportunities,  Practically everybody here either has cousins or knows somebody who lives in the US, Canada, Brazil or mainland Europe.  I have cousins here  who we visit, all offspring of my grandmother's sister…the only sister who stayed.

We generally visit during Sanjoaninas (feast of St. John), 10 days of parades, music, food and partying.  After a two year absence, the crowds were hungry for a party. 

Also on the island is the Algar do Cavão is an ancient volcanic vent in the center of the island which you can enter.  One of my cousin's  partner was one of the first ‘Montanheiros' to repel down into the chimney in the early 60's before the access tunnel was built.

There are too many sites of interest to discuss, many personally important due to my family connections, but I will note the Imperios   on the island which are small neighborhood chapels.  All are interestingly decorated and are centers for village gatherings and festivals.   Imperio da Caridade in the Conceição neighborhood was founded by my great great grandfather, Manuel Vieira Cardozo,  I did have the opportunity to share some wine and cheese with some folks at the Imperio and had a spiritual painting experience there which I will discuss on the final painting blog post.

Two painting studies are featured on the Works page and on Instagram,…one of the Cruzinhas on Mount Brazil and the other of the Imperio.

Ibericorama has come to a close.  Que triste.  I'll sum it up on a three part blog coming up in the next few days.  Hope you take a look.