Pico

Sunday - Island Loop and a Quick Swim Link to heading

At breakfast I meet some people who already have a plan. So instead of planning anything myself, I tag along with Diandra and Stavi.

Today is a loop around Pico. In the middle of the island there are many small lakes, framed by beautiful nature. We drive along the road and keep making short walks from one lake to the next.

After all the lakes, we head to a natural pool by the sea. A quick swim, and luckily I have a snorkel mask with me. In the water there are tons of fish, and the cold is forgotten for a moment.

Then comes a nice lunch. To finish, we drive to the far end of the island, where a lighthouse and a stone arch by the sea round out the landscape.

By the end, we head back to the hostel. A full, but very good first day on Pico.

Monday - Birthday and Elevation Link to heading

Today is Carl’s birthday. I already met him on the way from Pico airport to the hostel.

Together, we set off around 8:00 AM for the trailhead of Mount Pico. The whole setup around the mountain is a bit unusual: you get a GPS tracker and have to fill out a form just to go hiking. The mountain itself makes no compromises. It is steep, rough with lava rock, and constantly demands attention to the slope and the weather.

The day includes a hike with 1h55 uphill and 1h50 downhill, plus a siesta and a family dinner. Sometimes that is all you need. The hike itself is nicely exhausting, with exactly the right mix of movement, views, and the feeling of having earned dinner.

The family dinner takes place at the hostel with all the other guests. Sophie and Stefan, the owners, cook several starters and a vegetable lasagna.

Tuesday - Easy Day in Madalena Link to heading

The day starts with a relaxed breakfast. After that, I walk through Madalena, visit the wine museum, and keep the rest of the day intentionally calm.

There is plenty of time to recover, talk to other guests, and settle into that easy island rhythm that eventually gets into your bones.

The day is clearly on Pico. Dinner is at O Cinque with other people from the hostel, and in the evening there is tuna fish steak.

Wednesday - Back Under Water Link to heading

I wake up early again. Once more, it is time to dive. After a coffee, I head to the dive center, where the morning workout is basically trying on everything: 7 mm wetsuit, boots, fins, and the rest of the underwater kit.

Then we load up and head out. The dive site is in the north of the island. Suit up, quick briefing, and off we go. Two nice dives later, I am back on land.

Back at the hostel, I heat up some pasta for lunch and take a bit of a siesta. At five, I go with some people from the hostel to a bar by the harbor to watch football. Early in the evening, I am back in bed.

We dive at Lava do Santo Antonio. There are lots of fish, pufferfish, a shrimp, plenty of jellyfish, a crab, and lots of lava rock.

Thursday - More Diving Link to heading

Today starts with breakfast at the hostel and then it is straight back to the dive center. This time, the two dives are from the coast in the south of the island.

The rest of the day is much calmer: a good burger, fries, and a tropical lemonade, then more hanging out at the hostel and a family dinner.

The dives take us to São Mateus. There are fish, moray eels, nudibranchs, and pufferfish. On the second dive, we even swim through a small cave.

Friday - Whale Watching and Farewell Mood Link to heading

With very little breakfast, I start the day and head out for whale watching. There is an explanation and some preparation first, but the conditions are anything but friendly. We do not see any whales, except maybe in very bad weather, so the tour is canceled before we even get on the boat.

Back on land, I have a second breakfast. After that, I buy a few souvenirs, relax, and do a bit of writing.

By the end of the day, I head back from Pico to São Miguel.

Saturday - Homeward Bound Link to heading

From São Miguel I take the plan back to Zurich, and after that home by train.