Previous day we decided to visit Fumarolas Furnas Lagoon.
At first, we went to “the” shopping mall and found out the Mafalda is already 60 years old. 😊
I bought 2 little compasses for us at Decathlon, which is right beside the mall. We had them on our backpack ever since.
On our way we stopped at Ponta Garça to see a lighthouse, but unfortunately you can no go all they way down to visit it. We also went into the church, which has unique stained-glass windows in the theme of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. This parish church, dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy, has a rich history dating back to the 16th century.
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are seven virtues traditionally derived from Isaiah 11:2-3 in the Bible. They are considered spiritual endowments given by the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen Christians in their faith journey.
The seven gifts are:
- Wisdom (Sapientia) – Helps us see things from God’s perspective and prioritize spiritual over worldly matters.
- Understanding (Intellectus) – Deepens insight into the mysteries of faith.
- Counsel (Consilium) – Guides us to make good moral decisions.
- Fortitude (Fortitudo) – Strengthens us to do what is right, even in difficult circumstances.
- Knowledge (Scientia) – Helps us know God’s will and see the world in light of faith.
- Piety (Pietas) – Inspires a deep love for God and reverence in worship.
- Fear of the Lord (Timor Domini) – A reverent fear or awe of God’s majesty, not out of terror, but out of love and respect.
These gifts are meant to help Christians live virtuous lives and grow in holiness.
From here we went to Fumarolas Lagoa das Furnas. They’re located right by the edge of Lagoa das Furnas (Furnas Lake), where steam rises from the ground through volcanic vents. What makes them special is that locals use the naturally boiling earth to cook Cozido das Furnas, a traditional Azorean stew. They bury pots filled with meat, sausages, and vegetables underground, and the geothermal heat slow-cooks the food for about 6-7 hours.
We found the Parque da Grená right next to it. Although it was to start rain, we went inside anyway. Here you must pay entrance, and – as it turned out – the park is huge. There are ferns big enough to stand under them from the rain. I wish we would have better weather and more time, because you easily could spend a full day here.
