Hiking around the Caldeira on Faial. Hiking the 5 miles around a volcanic crater was an awesome experience, especially since I’m afraid of heights. The view was amazing, and it was really great to disconnect from everything and just enjoy how beautiful it was. I was proud of myself for overcoming my fear and I had a lot of fun!

I also really enjoyed Furnas, on Sao Miguel. When else can you get food cooked by volcanic hot springs? It was, without a doubt, delicious.   And swimming in the hot springs was great too.   It felt like I was taking a giant bath.

The whale watch is up there on my list too. I’ve never been whale watching, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.   I was not disappointed! It didn’t take long for us to see dolphins, (including babies ), and we ended up seeing 2 whales as well. I’ve always wanted to go whale watching, and it was a very exciting experience. I don’t know if I will go on another whale watch that measures up to this one.

Finally, I really enjoyed Lagoa das Sete Cidade, and the town of Sete Cidade, on Sao Miguel. It consists of 2 lakes and a town inside a volcanic crater. Ken & I walked around the town for a couple hours, and I loved how calm it was there. It was a small town, with cobblestone roads and small houses. We enjoyed the landscape and took a walk down to the water, which was crystal clear.  It was warm, so we walked along the edge.  It was a nice contrast to Ponta Delgada, and I speak for Ken & myself when I say that it was quite a beautiful & peaceful place.

Now, coming out of this trip, I feel that it has definitely a been life changing experience. I’ve overcome fears, tried new things, experienced a different culture, and seen a lot of beautiful scenery along the way.

And that sums things up, for the moment!

here’s an overdue posting on my experience climbing mt pico . . .

as you may know from viewing our facebook page, with the help of our exceptional guide, French expat noel rené holzer, erik, ken, and i summited mt pico, the active volcano for which the island of pico is named. for me the experience was unlike that of any other hike i’ve had. while the vegetation was green and lush, it had something of almost a desert-like quality–it’s beauty was a peculiar one. i sort of fell in love with this sort of alien landscape. and climbing an active volcano altered my perception of the ground beneath my feet–it seemed different and alive in a way that other mountains that i’ve climbed have not. we all treaded with care and cautiously avoided bits and bunches of vegetation as we ascended and descended the steep, rocky terrain. i’d like to think that this sort of encounter could have the potential to deepen one’s respect for and determination to care for our planet and its inhabitants. before reaching the summit of “little pico,” we descended into the crater that surrounds it–this was something of a “magical” place. enveloped in clouds, we had been climbing in a misty rain that intensified with a gusty wind that loudly whipped against my yellow rain poncho as we reached the upper edge of little pico’s crater. our descent into the hollow of the crater–a warm “cradle” with pockets of softer earth and sparsely growing, tiny, gray-green succulents that apparently are unique to pico was like entering another world of sorts. my only “regret” is that the rain and somewhat colder temperature prevented us from lingering here for long. if i ever have the opportunity to return to this special place, i’d like to camp for a night–or several–in pico’s embrace. thanks to noel, erik, and ken, for the climb and for sharing this experience and opportunity to deepen my/our? appreciation of the life that we share with this planet.

for anyone who would like to attempt the hike, the eight hour climb was a bit strenuous, and i highly recommend hiring a guide. erik, ken, and i fell in love with our extraordinary guide, noel (telephone: 918 148 464), who enriched our experience immensely with his knowledge of the mountain’s geology, flora, and fauna. beyond his climbing expertise and knowledge of pico, he shared with us his food and clothing–many heartfelt thanks, noel!

(and my apologies for not posting sooner–a combination of limited computer and internet access along with a need to use the time in the Azores to gather as many images and experiences as I could and technical problems complicated my good intentions)

During this trip, I found a lot more inspiration for my main project. The series of teas and associated snacks are a perfect launching pad for my main theme of local fare (how much more local can you get – if it´s grown, processed and sold here?! LOL)

anyways, I´ll continue to post about our expeditions and happenings in further detail later.

Some of the team members found more inspiration for their main projects here. Regardless of the topics or themes, the team as a whole is progressing exponentially.

At the begining of this trip I was so scared to fly on an air plane…and try new things and I never realized things like this about myself until now. After the first flight I was so excited to fly on a plane!! (Not so excited about the next one though I don’t want to go home! Just kidding…) I am even thinking of straying away from the old things I was interested in, because I have found NEW and EXCITING things that I love and I can not wait to make art about it! This is all so very exciting for me as an individual, and an artist because I feel like I have changed for the better. I feel like I am extremely open minded now, and ready to try tons of new things!

Thanks for listening…until next time!

However! next to the wines was a large selection of hard liquor… These bottle designs seemed far more open to creativeness and encouraged the target audience(s) to pick up the bottle and examine it. (it worked for me, and I don’t even drink liquor or wine!) Therefore I’ll continue to immerse myself not only in hard liqours and in soft drinks as well!

Today I tried doing laundry… It’s rather fun here. The washing machine requires some decrypting (unlike at home), and It seems rather interesting to post on Twitter “I am rendering some prototypes of soft drinks. . . and doing the laundry.”

Unlike the other three islands (Terceira, Pico, and Faial), Sao Miguel seems far more westernized than the others. In addition to the more modern “hardscapes”, Ponta Delgada has an aire of several European and American styles existing harmoniously in one form.

Today, during critique, I decided to focus my studies on local branding of consumables and circulars (eatable things and papers).

Erik brought up several points that function does dictate some form (as in wine bottles, which should not be changed…whatsoever apparently. and some forms of advertising do contain cliches and stereotypes – the choice is to embrace or reject them)

Regardless, I intend to focus my efforts over the next two days to create a short series of renderings depicting local fare with a modern and tasteful new twist.

Until my next post, I wish the best.
-Matt

An example, some of the team members are focusing on daily activities of the locals while others are focusing on the traditional aspects of the surroundings.

More posted will be added as the projects progress.