Alright, so again this is a long picture post and I probably should have done a slide show, but personally I'm too impatient to sit and watch a slide show so I rarely do them. Nothing against those of you who do, but I'm just too impatient.
Anyway, It might have been last weekend we finally decided to explore the Alagoa Fajazinha. We drive past the sign and turn off for it often and have always wanted to explore.
We were never sure what it was but knew it was close to some really beautiful cliffs between the towns of Agualva and Quatro Ribeiras.
This little rock wall is the parking lot. Little did we know that it's not just a look out spot of the cliffs, it IS the cliff.
It starts out with this rocky, but clearly marked path, but that giant rock up ahead is not a rock that is part of the cliff where this path leads to.
Here is what we started to notice about our path. Areas that were quite open to a free fall off the cliff.
But, we also couldn't take our eyes off the incredible views that you could see from off this cliff. There is no where else you'd be able to see this little cove and these rock cliffs.
That water was so mystifying as it splashed up onto the rocks and then all these little rivulets of waterfalls would form.
Off the other side of the cliff we could see a small pebble beach, that we thought we knew how to get to. We decided that if we made it off the cliff alive, with all our kids we would try to walk down to the beach.
This is a very scary picture, to me, not only is that the edge of the path, but it's all just loose gravely rock. One wrong step and you could just slide right off the edge.
Rob and I were both having mini panic attacks with Sean's bravery.
Savanna was kept as close as possible.
Yet another frightening spot.
I was trying to get a picture with Savanna and I but Sean kept making me way too nervous. Rob eventually convinced Sean to stay in a safe spot while we got our picture taken.
BTW, for those of you who think this is a "tropical" location. I would like you to notice that I am wearing a sweater and long pants. The pictures might look warm and they are probably warmer than where you are right now, but it is not bathing suit weather.I am most often than not cold, wearing a jacket and have the heater on. I love the wind and hate it. It could be a warm day but with the wind it ends up still being sweater weather. Just a side note-Tiffany!
We did find a spot or two where the kids could throw rocks off the cliff, as long as they stayed behind the "wall". Even then, Sean would lean so far over that wall, that we had to cancel that game. I don't know why they liked it, because even when Rob or myself would throw a rock as far out as we possibly could, you couldn't see where it splashed because it was just too high and steep.
At the end of the cliff there was some more room with less edges and more flat area to let the kids explore a little. Kaelin was well aware of the dangers and usually stayed away from the edge.
Sean and Rob getting their cliff picture.
This was the "safe spot" Rob convinced Sean to stay on while he took our picture. He did stay there for a while even after we said he could come down. He must have had a nicer view.
At the very end there was another wall to lean against. Kaelin got some nice pictures.
This was what the end, over the edge looked like.
On the way back we saw this man, fishing. Rob said he needed that kind of fishing pole so he could come try it.
Goody bye cliffs, we were off to find our pebble beach so the kids could throw more rocks and have a little freedom to roam and not give Rob and I a heart attack.
The little beach over near the mountain was our goal.
We followed one path but it didn't quite get us where we thought, so we drove down toward a farm and walked across the pebbles.
But, we quickly realized they weren't pebbles at all. These ROCKS ranged in size from a large grade-A egg to a soccer ball. It was definitely not easy to walk on. They hurt your feet right through your shoes. I'm honestly surprised none of us left limping from sprained ankles. But we did eventually make it to the beach.
Where the kids got there fill of throwing rocks into the water.
I tried to get a video of the sound the rocks made but the wind was blowing too much to hear it. When a big wave came onto the looser rocks, a loud, thundering rumble would start as the wave receded. It was quite cool.
It was an interesting excursion. I honestly don't know if we'll do it again, just because of how scary it was having the kids with us. We couldn't stay too long because we could see some rain clouds coming in and we didn't want to be stuck trying to walk back across the rocks in the rain.
We (and others) have commented on how, it sometimes feels like we are on the island from LOST. We refer to Terceira as "the island" There isn't much to do here and we literally are hundreds of miles away from any mainland. Also, no matter how hard you try sometimes, you just can't get off the island (plane cancellations, lost bags, being bumped for someone with military orders, etc.)
Well I think we found proof. Down at this farm by the "not-so-pebbly" pebble beach we found this:
Looks pretty DARMA-esque to me. Not sure what this farmer is doing down here in this extremely secluded area but I just hope that when the time comes we will be able to get off this island.
****Sorry to those who don't know about LOST*****
All the decorations were done in black and gold. As you can see, the cake definitely had some black frosting on it. I was a little afraid to eat it, so I just scraped the teeth dyeing frosting off my cake.
The fare for this lovely event were mini burgers and deli sandwiches. Sean's favorite part were the pickles and kiwi.
Sean busting out some nice dance moves. He had his "ninja", "spinjitsu", "dragon" plus many more original dance moves. One of which included rolling around on the floor. This was when we first walked in. I went and got the food while he was busy busting a move. When Rob took Kaelin to her dance he had to beg her to dance and I had to beg Sean to stop to eat.
A shot of the decorations. Black and gold, stars and moons. Sean loved his personalized seating card which was a black star with gold sparkles which had his name on it. He asked if he could take it home and tie it to a string. I said sure you can (thinking, aww, how sweet!). He then says, "Yes, and then it can be my weapon! (in a very sinister voice). Maybe not so sweet.
Sean and I doing the chicken dance.
Arriving on the red carpet.
Sorry it's so blurry, something was up with the lighting in our house or something? This was our "leaving for our date" shot.
