Nordeste

Nordeste is a small town in the northeast corner of the island.  This part of the island has more dramatic cliffs and coast line than other parts of the island and is a popular place to visit.  The Town itself was very quiet as we visited on Good Friday which is a holiday in the Azores and lots of shops are closed.  We drove along the cliffs just south of town to Ponta do Amel to see the lighthouse that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.

Although there is a road that leads down the cliff from the main road, it is a 35% grade and they recommend that you walk to see the lighthouse and not drive your car.  Even though we had a rental, I wasn't about to try and drive it down there only to not be able to get out. All four of us actually walked down 500 meters to the lighthouse.  That was the easy part.  Coming back took a wee bit longer.  The lighthouse isn't open for visitors, but it was fun to walk down and see it up close.  The added benefit was getting some fantastic views of the dramatic cliffs that line that part of the island.