Joy Shih

Today we flew from Terceira to São Miguel, the largest and most populated of the 9 islands of the archipelago. On approach we were able to see the large crater of a long dormant volcano. Later in the day we traveled up to the rim by 4x4 jeep for the magnificent view of Lagoa das Setes Cidades—a geological complex nestled in the crater with its twin blue and green lake. Local legend says the lakes represent the years of star-crossed lovers, a green eyed princess and a blue eyed shepherd. Science says it’s varied mineral deposits and the larger lake reflects the blue sky while the smaller reflects the greenery. We drove around the rim and down to a little town by the lake.