So, it was on a Friday we caught the local ferry across “the Canal” to Madalena on Pico. We decided we wouldn’t do the round island trip, view lakes or volcanic craters, or peek into dimly lit churches. We couldn’t take in the panorama from the view terrace on Mt Pico (too much cloud cover) and the 6 hour climb to the peak was never on our TTD (things to do) list. Instead we lunched at a cute harbour-side café in the sun. The Cap’n had a real fish (salmon) burger and GS sampled octopus salad, which looked more like a plate of octopus salsa swimming in oil and vinegar. But with a little fresh Portuguese bread, it tasted just fine.
What we did come to Pico to do though was to visit the Wine Museum . Volcanic soils (lava fields) made Pico a wine producing centre as early as the 18th century and its famous produce, verdelho, was even enjoyed by the Czars of Russia. That landscape has now been declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site (2004) and a Wine Museum has been established in the old Carmelite Convent to tell the story of this unique method of cultivation.
Dragon under the Dragon Tree _Wine Museum Grounds |
Aside from producing wine, early settlers also grew figs in amongst the vines. Those tasty figs were then refined into a potent brandy. The museum had a restored “still” set up so I’ve taken a set of plans for you Mum and we’ll be home to install it shortly. In the meantime, get Dad to empty out his garden shed…..
Looking Back at Madalena _ Pico Mtn under cloud cover |
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