Above: view from the roadside scenic overlook in Quatro Ribeiras

Changes, Changes, Changes

Raymond and I had a lot of changes this past month… Namely, I resigned from working at the ice cream shop at the marina and started working at a new hotel in the historic center of the capital. The thought of working at a fancy boutique hotel (Terceira’s first and only 5-star!) was just too tempting…so I applied, interviewed, and was offered the position of Dining Room Assistant at the hotel restaurant.

Since the hotel (Torel Terra Brava) was not open, this meant three weeks of cleaning, unboxing and moving items, collapsing and disposing of boxes, setting up rooms, vacuuming, etc. In the mean time, Raymond resigned from working at his restaurant and applied, interviewed, and was offered the position of Cook at our restaurant!

After much hard work, the hotel officially opened on July 30. It has been fun engaging with the guests and welcoming them to the island. A few Americans have already inquired where I’m from…I say, “Michigan,” and it throws them for a loop!

Above: views of the reception and bar at Torel Terra Brava, views of the dining room and cold buffet counter at Três Bistro restaurant, and Lukus and Raymond in their snazzy uniforms.

Views from the Hotel

Above: the sea view with marina and Goat Islets at the horizon; the city / mountain view; a view of the top of Monte Brasil from a small roof top patio.

Scenic Commute

With both of us working in Angra, the commute across the island continues. But at least the drive is stunning and ever-changing (the wild hydrangeas that extend for miles along the roadside are just reaching ‘peak blue’ right now). Raymond and I are also on nearly identical work schedules which means no more hour-long bus ride nor additional 45-minute walk to or from Biscoitos.

Below: walking the cobblestone streets of the city center to the hotel

Around the Yard

We have had beautiful weather lately and it has inspired some much-needed yard maintenance, including trimming along a section of the stream, reorganizing the potted plants along the stream side wall, removing vines and weeds from around the monstera plant as well as the papyrus plant in the back yard grotto, trimming banana trees to promote fruiting, and tidying up the side patio (now with two areas to sit) and front yard / driveway. Many thanks to Raymond for the stunningly bright lime whitewash along the driveway wall!

Above: a crowd gathers to watch the bull running in Biscoitos.