This enchanted pearl in the Atlantic is at once nostalgic and unfamiliar, with its Portuguese culture reminiscent of Japanese influence in Hawaii, but its lush mountainscape and geothermal vapors a replica of Icelandic summer.
What I do know is with the nonstop flights from Delta via JFK and BOS, the Azorean lifespan of pristine undiscoveredness will likely soon give way to throngs of newcomers, many who will struggle to pronounce its name correctly, eager to scale its castles, taste its delicacies, bath in its August hydrangea massblooms, wade into its natural tidal swimming pools, pick its tea leaves, and Instagram its endless sights.
Farewell, forever, our heretofore untrodden paradise found-and-soon-to-be-lost (but we will be back for the seafood though).
Sitting atop the alabaster Castelo BrancoMedieval Iceland?This tiny VW somehow huffed and puffed its way up to Castelo BrancoLush greenery inside Parque Terra Nostra, in FurnasStepping into summer NarniaJust dew itDrops of JupiterFloating upon a lily pond in Terra NostraA peaceful sunset from Caloura Hotel Resort on the south coast of Sao MiguelLady with hydrangea, Miradouro Boca do Inferno, Sete Cidades, perspective 1Lady with hydrangea, Perspective 2Lady with hydrangea, perspective 2^NFoggy morning alternative photoshootPeak August bloom in Azorean hydrangeas, along the downhill drive to Sete CidadesPeek-a-boo (alternatively, hiding from honking cars driving through)A magical, enchanted flower worldOne of many natural tidal pools, this one in Mosteiros along the west coast5-course tasting menu at family-run, farm-to-table Quinta Dos SaboresVolcano-cooked Azorean meats – surprised by the quantity (and effects of EURUSD devaluation)Looking down on Lagoa do FogoPrancing through Cha Gorreana, the only tea plantation in EuropeDark skies give me anxieTeaAzure Azore skies at Pedras do Mar resort, now on the north coast of Sao MiguelMy new little friend (or he just really wanted my crackers)BadA$$ trailblazer along the Atlantic OceanAsh chose Pikachu, because Gary already took CharmanderAlright buddy, they said max of 2 occupants per room so…
““The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.” -John Milton, Paradise Lost
OMG, what a treat of photographs! Simply amazing! If you don’t mind may I know the focal length of the wide-angle lens you used in those landscapes? Those red dress photos just magical!
东南西北 - DongNanXiBei 
OMG, what a treat of photographs! Simply amazing! If you don’t mind may I know the focal length of the wide-angle lens you used in those landscapes? Those red dress photos just magical!
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Thanks Raj! The wide-angles were on 14mm/F5 on a 14-24mm Nikkor AF-S.
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Wow! 14mm and the distortion… superb output.. I think you have a great range with 14-24n 😍👌
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