On the seventh day of our Azorean adventure on São Miguel, we found ourselves amidst a symphony of weather changes, from sun to fog, rain to wind. Waking up early, we savored a breakfast and then headed to the bus station. Boarding the bus to Sete Cidades, we journeyed through shifting climates, eventually arriving at the mystical lakes Lagoas de Azul and Lagoa de Verde. Our hike led us through challenging ascents and muddy paths. In a day painted with both difficulties and triumphs, we explored the legends of the lakes and found beauty even within the embrace of rain and fog. Keep reading as we recount our thrilling last day on the island.

Morning Delights

Rising with the sun at 6:30, we relished a peaceful breakfast early, sipping our steaming coffee and refreshing juice, and eagerly anticipating the day’s adventures. We then got on the bus bound for the city of Sete Cidades, (translated to the “seven cities”), located in the center of a massive volcanic crater. The hour-long journey treated us to a rollercoaster ride of weather, from cloudy to sunny, foggy, and eventually rainy.

Sete Cidades and the Enchanting Lakes

As we arrived in Sete Cidades, the rain ceased, revealing a mysterious mist hugging the towering mountains surrounding the Lagoa de Azul and Lagoa de Verde, the Blue and Green Lakes. Our hike commenced from the city’s church, leading us onto a treacherously steep asphalt path, occasionally shared with jeeps and cars. Despite the difficulty, the breathtaking views over the lakes made every step worthwhile.

Confronting the Veil of Fog and Rain

As we delved further along the trail, the weather took a turn for the worse. The fog thickened, casting an enchanting but challenging atmosphere around us. Raindrops began to fall. Sensing the need for added protection, we donned our trusty raincoat ponchos. With each step, the path ahead disappeared into the fog, heightening the sense of mystery and anticipation for our goal destinations.

Battling the Weather with Resilience

Undeterred by the challenging conditions, we pressed onward through the rain and wind. The path ahead continued to ascend, testing our determination. Our raincoat ponchos flapped in the gusts, protecting us as we navigated the slippery terrain. Visibility was limited, the rain continued intensifying, drenching us to the bone. But the allure of reaching our final destinations, the Miradouro de Inferno and the “Snapchat Lake”, fueled our determination to persevere.

Unrelenting Wind and Rain

Fortified by our satisfying meal, we continued down the road, buffeted by the unrelenting wind and rain. The fog persisted at all times, but the rain eventually stopped and we shed our rain gear in a brief respite from the storm. However, the weather gods changed their plans once again, as we hastily donned our protective gear once more.

Legends of Sete Cidades

Enveloped by the fog, we marveled at the lakes from the bridge between them near the city of Sete Cidades. Legend has it that the lakes were formed from the tears shed by a princess and a shepherd boy who were forbidden to be together. Heartbroken and filled with sorrow from their forced separation, the princess and the shepherd cried tears of longing and despair. According to the legend, the tears shed by the princess, with her blue eyes full of sorrow, formed the Lagoa Azul, which translates to “Blue Lake.” Conversely, the tears of the shepherd, with his green eyes filled with longing, created the Lagoa Verde, or “Green Lake.” It is said that their love remains trapped within the lakes, and on certain days, their spirits can be seen rising from the depths, forever separated yet eternally connected.