Ponta Delgada

Table for 2 in Le Bistro

April 23, 2009 Thus Ponta Delgada
We were awoken about 545 today by the slamming of waves and gale force winds against the ship. It felt as if we actually fell down into our beds accompanied by a loud noise. We slept on an off until 7am. We got up had breakfast and prepared to go ashore in Ponta Delgada in the Azores Islands.
The Azores are located about 930 miles off the coast of Portugal. They are owned by Portugal but function as an independent state. Once we got on shore, I thought that I was going to have a vertigo attack for sure. I was rocking like I was back on the ship. I would look out and the ground was moving. I actually got nauseous for a few min but that passed. The first order of business was to find a pharmacy for Chris. He needed sleeping pills. I think we found him some pretty good stuff!!!! I mean it aint over the counter at home. We checked out a few of the local stores and were amazed at the €1,20 wines.
We walked the narrow streets for some time. We found this botanical garden, the jardin Jose Do Canto. It was a nice place and the weather was great to walk around in. (YIKES AS I A WRITING THIS THE SEAS ARE GETTING REALLY ROUGH about 5 pm). We explored some more of the town and then returned to the ship for Lunch.
Since there were beautiful sunny skies we found a lounge chair at the pool and hung out there listening to the band for a few hours. Chris won a drinking bottle in the trivia game. Every we are running into now are saying we look quite red. We then went to the spa for a little bit. I did not stay to long because I wanted to get back to the room and watch for whales. No luck yet, and with all the white caps I don’t think I will spot one unless it breaches.
Well no whales at all. Quick nap. Then we went to Le bistro for dinner. WE both started with an order of escargots. Chris also had some braised scallops. We both had the Mediterranean fish soup as our entre. I now have a new favorite desert on the ship. It is a chocolate napoleon. Out of this world. I would pay the 15.00 cover just for that. Chris had vanilla crème brule with berries, and we split the chocolate fondue. The couple at the table next to us insisted that we try some macadamia nut cookies that they brought aboard from south Hampton. They were very good.
We went to the stardust theater to see Moscow magic. It was a Russian style variety show with magic, music and quick changes. IT was actually quite good.
Bump the clock ahead again…… OFF to bed.