[torch] Omega's Acores Web Page
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"The saddest thing is if at the end of your life you say 'I wish I did' or 'Why didn't I?' You have to go after it with full gusto in life, whatever it is, go after the stupidest whim, because you pass by once." - Gene Simmons
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Last updated April 26th, 2005

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. . . Spinning leaf . . .
The flags of Canada, Acores, and Portugal.
Below is a Favourite list that surfers to this web page in the Omega Universe have stated their much valued opinions on. (* are my favourites, (X) are new to the list, LU column are the values from the Last Update and TU column are the new values for This Update)
FAVOURITE TOPICSLU TUFAVOURITE TULU
Favourite
Portuguese Region
Or Country (Past
or Present)		 1. 1.* Acores 90% 100%
X 2. Mainland Portugal (Continent) 5% X
X 3.Timor 3% X
X 4.Brazil 2% X
Favourite
Island
In
The
Acores		 1. 1.Sao Miguel 40% 45%
3. 2.Terceira 20% 18%
2. 3.* Pico 13% 28%
4. 4.Sao Jorge 12% 9%
X 5.Santa Maria 10% X
X 6.Faial 3% X
X 7.Graciosa 2% X
Favourite
Portuguese
Speaking
Area
or
Town
or
City
Outside
The
Acores		 1. 1. * Portuguese District In Toronto, Ontario, Canada 24% 36%
2. 2. Fall River, Massachusett, U.S.A. 21% 27%
3. 3.Lisboa, Portugal 9% 10%
4. 4.Oporto, Portugal 3% 9%
5. 5. Chino, California, U.S.A. 3% 9%
6. 6. Gustine, California, U.S.A. 3% 9%
X 7.Hamilton, Bermuda 3% X
X 8.Bahia, Brazil 3% X
X 9. Funchal, Madeira, Portugal 3% X
X * (others receiving under 3% each) 28% X
Favourite
Town
or
City
In
The
Acores		 1. 1. Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel 33% 27%
2. 2. Angra Do Heroismo, Terceira 15% 18%
3. 3.* Horta, Faial 5% 18%
5. 4. Aqua Retorta, Sao Miguel 5% 9%
7. 5.Madalena, Pico 5% 9%
X 6.Velas, Sao Jorge 5% X
4. 7. Porto Formoso, Sao Miguel 3% 10%
X 8.Raposo, Santa Maria 3% X
X 9.Ponta Delgada, Flores 3% X
X * (others receiving under 3% each) 22% X
Favourite Site
Of Interest
In A
Portuguese
Speaking
Area Outside
The Acores		 3. 1.Oporto, Portugal 27% 10%
2. 2. * The Outside Market In Caldes Da Rainha, Portugal 18% 18%
5. 3. Carbrillo, California, U.S.A. 18% 9%
X 4. Pelourinho in Salvador Da Bahia, Brazil 10% X
4. 5. Northern Coast Of Madeira 9% 9%
X 6. Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal 9% X
X 7. Sete Cidades (7 Cities) of Atlantis 9% X
Favourite
Site
Of
Interest
In
The
Acores		 2. 1.Fornas In Sao Miguel 31% 22%
1. 2.* Pico's Volcano 18% 44%
4. 3.Capelinhos In Faial 8% 11%
5. 4. Serra De Cume In Terceira 5% 11%
3. 5.Caldera In Faial 3% 12%
X 6. Pico Alto in Santa Maria 3% X
X 7.Caldeira in Graciosa 3% X
X 8. Caldeira Do Santo Cristo in Sao Jorge 3% X
X 9. Praia Formoso in Santa Maria 3% X
X * (others receiving under 3% each) 23% X
Favourite


Portuguese


Food		 1. 1.* Sao Jorge Cheese 22% 27%
3. 2.Alcatra 17% 18%
2. 3.Bacalhau 15% 19%
6. 4.Chicharros 12% 9%
X 5.Chorico 7% X
4. 6. Vinho Tinto Basaltico From Pico 5% 18%
5. 7.Cacoila 5% 9%
X 8. Sopas Do Espirito Santo 5% X
X 9.Maracuja 2% X
X * (others receiving under 3% each) 10% X
(X) Favourite
Portuguese
Festival Celebrated
Outside
The Acores		 X 1. * Portugal Week in Toronto, Ontario, Canada 20% X
X 2. Nossa Senhora Dos Milagres in Gustine, California, U.S.A. 20% X
X 3. Espirito Santo in Hudson, Massachusett, U.S.A. 20% X
X 4. Carnival in Salvador Da Bahia, Brazil 20% X
X 5. Espirito Santo in Modesto, California, U.S.A. 20% X
Favourite
Portuguese
Festival
In
The
Acores		 2. 1. Festa Da Nosa Senhora Da Penha De Franca in Aqua Retorta, Sao Miguel 17% 20%
1. 2. * Festa De Espirito Santo In Pico 15% 60%
X 3. Festa De Santo Cristo In Sao Miguel 14% X
X 4. Festa De Sanjoaninas In Terceira 14% X
X 5. Festa Do Mare De Augusto In Santa Maria 14% X
3. 6. Festas Das Fontinhas In Terceira 7% 20%
X 7. Festa De Santo Cristo In Graciosa 3% X
X 8. Festa De Espirito Santo In Terceira 3% X
X 9. Regata In Velas, Sao Jorge 3% X
X * (others receiving under 3% each) 10% X
Favourite
Month To
Visit/Live
In The
Acores		 1. 1.August 64% 60%
2. 2.* September 18% 40%
X 3.July 12% X
X 4.May 3% X
X 5.June 3% X
Favourite Season
To Visit/Live In
The Acores		 1. 1.Summer 81% 67%
2. 2.* Fall 11% 33%
X 3.Spring 8% X
E-Mail me your favourite for each of the above topics or use my Acores Survey form to have your opinions voiced with the other surfers of this web page. Let me know if you have any other topics that you would like me to add to the Survey.


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MISCELLANEOUS:
"My name is Maria de Fatima, I was born in Madalena, Pico. We moved to California, U. S. in 1963. I live in Northern California near San Francisco. I have only been back to the Azores once, but hope to go back someday soon. My parents still own a house in Madalena. In fact, they are there spending the summer. I would like to be able to have contact with someone from Madalena, Pico. Sincerely, Maria de Fatima" - Request from Maria de Fatima from Northern California, U.S.A.
Omega: If anyone is from Madelena Pico please contact Maria.
"Hi! My name is Ana Paula. I'm from Montr‚al, Canada. I'm just now starting to become Internet-friendly & am enjoying it greatly! I am canadian born but my parents are from the beautiful island of Sao Miguel. I've been there quite often and actually lived there one full year. If you haven't been to S. Miguel & get a chance to travel stop there, it will be worth your while I'm sure. I do have a question. If you know anything about the other 8 islands: when is the best time of year to visit, vacation facilities, feast dates, etc., please send information my way. I'm thinking of maybe doing a tour of the islands & would like to know where to stop & where not to stop! Thank you," - Request from Ana Paula Bulhoes from Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Omega: I spent myself almost a year in Sao Miguel but that was just before my parents brought me to Canada when I was 2 1/2 years old so I do not remember anything about Sao Miguel. I can comment on Faial where I was born and Pico where my family is from since I have been back to those islands. I prefer the September time frame to visit as it is not to hot and not to cold and not as busy. Have a look at the survey above or some of the comments on this page for input from others on their preferences.
"Hello, I am interested to hear from anyone that can give me some info on the Flemish influence on the Azores. Thanks" - Request from Egied from London, England
Omega: One thing the ties with Flanders in the 16th and 17th centuries provided the Acores with was an important legacy of Flemish sculptures. If anyone has any more information on the flemish tie to the Acores please E-Mail me.
"hi, My names Victor,and I'm from Sao Jorge. I want to know if you have or know of any addresses on pictures of the island?...THANK-YOU," - Request from Victor from Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Omega: Here is another one at left and there is a couple more further down. If you take the links in my favourite link section you should be able to find a few more.
"Would you have any idea about the address to reach birth records for Faial in early 1800's? We have 2 families from there - Garcia Morgan's and the Joachim's and need birth records in order to get further in our geneology study. Thank you," - Request from Ann Morgan from ???
Omega: I do not know of an address but anyone out there knows of one for Ann please E-Mail me.
"My Name is Joe Almeida I am originally from Lagoa on the island of S.Miguel and would be interested in anything new that has happened in the past ten years for I have not been there since." - Comment from Joe ???
"Sou brasileiro e tenho interesse em conhecer os Acores. Gostaria de saber se o senhor poderia indicar me livros sobre a historia, economia e sobretudo a pecuaria, e a linguagem utilizada pelos homens do campo acoriano. Desde ja gostaria de parabeniza-lo por tao nobre iniciativa. Atenciosamente" - Request from Inacio de Almeida Damascena from Brazil
Omega: If anyone out there knows of any books with information for Inacio please E-Mail me.
"Prezado Fernando: Sou brasileiro, do Rio de Janeiro e faco o contato para ver se voce pode me ajudar, ainda que esteja agora tao distante dos Acores. Mas e o unnico link que me parece viavel apra come‡ar. Estou procuranro recontactar velhos amigos dos Acores que moraram no Brasil ha muitos annos atras. Soube que voltaram para os Acores (Sao Miguel era a sua cidade de origem) mas ja faz muitos anos. Quem sagbe voce tem contatos ainda na terrinha e possa me ajudara a localiza-los, dando alguma pista (nem que seja e-mail de pessoas de la). Seus nomes sao: Antonio Clemente de Vasconcellos (Ou Vasconcelos) sua esposa Margarida e seus filhos Clemente Antonio e Margarida. Alias, Amrgarida FIlha foi a primeira a voltar ha uns 2o anos atras. Soube que havia se casado, de modo que deve ter outro sobrenome agora. Desculpe a "invasao de privacidade mas como voce esta explicitamente na Web, esta sijeito a este tipo de solicitacao. Obrigado desde a pela ajuda. Abraco Alvaro Esteves." - Request from Alvaro from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
Omega: If anyone has any information on Alvaro's long lost friends you can email him at alveste@ibm.net
"Hello, just to tell you that I'll be around Acores next summer for about 3 weeks - I'm looking for wild places, magic landscape and mysterious silence...could you send me info about special places you know, give me just names of different places, authentical villages and families where I could sleep and I'll found out by myself where it is in the map...Hoping you'll have some time to help me making this trip unforgettable! Yves, a swiss friend" - Comments from Yves from Belgium.
Omega: Hopefully you can get all the information you need from this web page, Especially the Survey above.
"Hi! I lived on Terceira for 2 years, 91-93, I went back for a month in June 95 and I'm going this summer too. Right now, I am trying to write a paper for my portugues class. I want to write it on Terceira'a Festas do Espirito Santo. Any information, history, pictures, etc., would be very helpful." - Comments from Robin from Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A.
Omega: The Festas do Espirito Santo in Terceira are associated with the mysticism of the Franciscans and the charitability of Queen Santa Isabel of Portugal from the 16th century, The first settlers to Terceira brought with them the celebaration of the Espirito Santo, Holy Ghost. The invoking of the Espirito Santo during the natural disasters of the island and the miracles that were attributed to it and plus the hard and isolated life that the early settlers lived with ingrained the festival in them where it is hardly celebrated on the mainland. The festival was carried by the Acorians to the rest of the Portuguese world like Brazil, Africa, Pacific Rim, U.S.A. and here in various cities across Canada where it is still celebrated each year in all these places. What happened to the mainland or as we Acorians say the continent? The festival itself was created to distribute food to the needy so at least one time a year no one would go to bed on an empty stomach. It is also celebrated throughout all the islands of the Acores and everyone thinks their island does it better. I do not have any pictures from the festival on Terceira to put up as you requested but if anyone out there has any and sends them to me I will gladly place them on this page.
"It has been 15 years since I last saw the beautiful island of Pico rising up above the early morning sea fog ...and heard the radio call from Tericera clearing us for our decent for landing. I remember the smell of ocean and farm fields mixing with JP4 (kerosine). After finishing all the paper work and de-briefing, we went for a breakfast of fresh bread and eggs on hamburgers at the all night bowling alley (opened 24hrs a day). And finally as the sun rose we fumbled our way to sign in at the BOQ. A cold beer and one more cigarette before sleeping through the day. I have heard that there is to be an Acorian "Tri-athlelon" ... do you know any details like a Web page address? I need a reason to return...as if the fishing, surfing, sailing, and people are not enough reason!" - Comments from Thom from ??? If anyone out there has any information on Thom's question please E-Mail me.
"My name is John Rebelo. I am from Sao Miguel (Proto Fromoso) do you know anyone from that town, which I can E-Mail. I have been here for 15 years and I have become a U.S. citizen 6 years ago. I haven't been back to my island since I left." - Request from John Rebelo from Boston, U.S.A. Please E-Mail John above if you are from his town - Omega
"Hello, I was in the Azores in the 1960's. I was the early elementary (1st-3rd grade) aged daughter of a Naval officer, and deliriously happy there on the island of Terciera. We lived off-base for a while in Praia de Vittoria, and some of my friends were cows over the wonderful rock walls. I made flower necklaces for them, they ate them. We were both delighted with this arrangement. I was there for three years, and lived on base at Lajes for a while too. Split Rock was a place of legend and mystery,life was fresh and new and we saw the island as a place of grand adventure; my elder sister (by five years) had a horse along with many of her friends,and we rode freely about. I occasionally was allowed to go with her to the stables. Wonderful childhood memories! Learning Spanish dancing with my real castendnets from Spain my father brought back from a trip. The caves we got to explore with my father, the uncluttered beach we called so aptly called the Riviera, Mr. Cabral the blacksmith or silversmith, cannot quite recall which. The toy shop that seemed almost out of place, but was a great place to shop on Saturday morning! Who could forget the delicious native lollipops sold by the local vendors, I would love to have some again! Tiny bananas which must have been grown there, so sweet and a real treat after school- or the freshly baked bread by Maria, our Portuguese maid who was more like a family member- the grandmotherly, loving wonderful soul! How she made my coming home to lunch so unforgettable! Beautiful floral sights and sounds of the fauna, even the moos of cows and oxen were almost magical at times! However, the underlying sense of spiritual soundness is ever-present; a comforting and timeless Peace I have come to recognize as Jesus Christ, as the island was originally named. I will never forget the festivals and colorful garb of the island people. I didn't know at the time what it was, but was drawn to it. The Holy Spirit calling me, at such a tender age.! I thank the traditions and the people who carried them on. I can remember these sights and sounds and smells as if it were yesterday! I hope to revisit someday with my husband. I would love for my youngest son to go also, he is at this time 11. If not soon, perhaps my stories of such a delightful place have imprinted in him a desire to visit and experience for himself the wonder of the land of his mother's fondest memories. I would love to have some contact with others who were military children who were there from 1966-69. Thank you for this site! Karen Brideweser (formerly Karen Kampe) of Austin Texas United States of America." - Request from Karen Brideweser from Austin Texas, U.S.A. Please E-Mail Karen above if you were a military child who was in the Acores from 1966-69 - Omega
E-Mail me your comments or opinions on the Acores. Then watch for your comments or opinions to appear on this page in future updates. Let me know where you are E-Mailing from. Looking forward to hearing from you... :-)Omega(-:


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GRAPHICS & INFORMATION:
Click thumbnails below with the symbol (oO) to get larger images
Please send me a note if you have any problems retrieving the larger images!
Comprising nine islands, the Acores are spread over some 600 kilometers of ocean, roughly 1460 kilometers from Portugal and 3750 kilometers from North America. This green archipelago in the Atlantic ocean is blessed with a mild climate and mountains (volcanoes) providing exquisite landscapes.
The islands fall naturally into three groups; the westernmost Flores and Corvo; the central islands of Faial, Pico, Sao Jorge, Graciosa and Terceira; finally the easternmost Santa Maria and Sao Miguel. The archipelago is made up of the visible summits of a chain of submarine volcanoes which plunge deeply down to the ocean floor along the mid atlantic fault.
Apart from Santa Maria, Flores and Corvo, the six remaining islands have all been subject to eruptions or earthquakes within historical times. The last major tremors were in 1980 on Terceira when a large part of the historical old town of Angra do Heroismo was severely damaged, and the eruption at the western tip of Faial that increased the island's size by another 2km.
At left is the official crest of the autonomous region of the Acores. For those who are worried of earthquakes, they are carefully monitored every day, and California is rated a far more dangerous place. The climate is oceanic with therefore little temperature variation; the mean annual temperature is 13'C. Rain falls in every month, increasing as one travels westward, from Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel with 710 mm annually to 1593 mm in Santa Cruz on Flores. However, the weather changes quickly and a wet morning can soon become a hot sunny afternoon.
At left Pico, Faial and Sao Jorge and at right (oO) the same three islands taken by NASA from space. These are three of the nine islands that make up the Portuguese Acores Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The remaining volcanic peaks of the ancient continent of Atlantis. The Acores fortunately have so far missed much of the frenetic development experienced in mainland Europe and a simple, tranquil, paced way of life can frequently be enjoyed.
PICO
Pico owes its name to the 2,351m high volcanic cone. Sites to see are: Candelaria and Sao Mateus were my family is from; the 18th century churches of Sao Roque and Sao Pedro de Alcantara; Lajes do Pico, with its Whale Museum; Madalena, with its Wine Museum and 17th century church, and Areia Larga, with beautiful winegrowers' manor-houses. For more information and graphics on Pico, check out my web page, Omega's Pico Web Page.
FAIAL
The capital city of Faial is Horta, a famous yacht harbour, where you can look at beautiful tiles and gilded carvings in the 17th -18th centuries churches of Sao Salvador, Nossa Senhora do Carmo and Sao Francisco. For more information and graphics on Faial, check out my web page, Omega's Faial Web Page.
(oO)CORVO
The Island of Corvo is the smallest of all the Acores islands and is a peaceful sanctuary. You will find in Vila Nova do Corvo, narrow cobblestoned streets and the Church of Nossa Senhora dos Milagres.
FLORES
At left is a lagoon with clumps of Hydranges over the hills in Flores. At the right is a map of the island of Flores. In the town of Santa Cruz you will find manors and the churches of Sao Boaventura (Baroque) and Nossa Senhora da Conceição (19th century) and the Ethnographic Museum. You can take trips to the Ribeira Grande waterfall and to the Gruta dos Enxaréus (by boat) and to Lagoas (seven lakes surrounded by flowers) as seen in the picture on the left.
GRACIOSA
In Santa Cruz da Graciosa you will find ancient streets and manor-houses, beautiful churchs (16th - 18th centuries), Cruz da Barra (Manueline). In the Furna do Enxofre you will see dazzling sights and a vaulted cave over an underground lake where between 11am and 2pm the sunlight filters in.
SAO JORGE
At left is the cheese factory where the most delicious cheese in the world is made which is called, like the island that it is from, Sao Jorge cheese. At right is São Jorge with Pico in the background. The main town on the island is the fishing port of Velas. Some sites are the beautiful manor-houses, the churches of Sao Jorge (17th century) and Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Town Hall (Acorian Baroque) and 18th century walls and the towns of Calheta, Manadas, Ribeira Seca, Topo and Urzelirna.
SAO MIGUEL
At left is the twin lakes inside the volcanoes crater in which the seven cities of Atlantis are said to be found at the bottom. At right is a map of São Miguel. The capital is Ponta Delgada which has a wealth of churches and palaces built during the 18th and 19th centuries which was a period of economic expansion for the Acores.
SANTA MARIA
At left is a view of the coast. At right is a map of Santa Maria. The island offers excellent water sports facilities. A few of the places to visit on the island are Praia, Santo Esp¡rito, S. Lourenco, S. Pedro, and Vila do Porto which is a village with superb manor-houses, mother-church and Nossa Senhora dos Anjos Chapel where Columbus' crew prayed.
TERCEIRA
At left is a map of Terceira. At right is the city of Angra Do Heroismo lit up at night. Angra do Heroismo is a fine example of a Renaissance town, and has been classified as part of the heritage of mankind by Unesco. There are rows of grand mansions and imposing churches. On Terceira you will also find superb golf courses, surrounded by great natural beauty.


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OTHER OMEGA UNIVERSE PAGES
1. HOME PAGE 2. LOTTERY PAGE 3. ACORES PAGE 4. FAIAL PAGE
5. PICO PAGE 6. MUSIC PAGES 7. WINNIPEG PAGES 8. TORONTO PAGE
9. DALI PAGE 10. SCI-FI PAGE 11. BOOKS PAGE 12. OMEGA UNIVERSE

SOME OF MY FAVOURITE LINKS
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[i] -----)This page was created by Omega (Fernando Goulart)(----- [i]
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