The Azores is a Portuguese island archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean and Europe's furthest point towards the Americas. The different islands all have their own character and peculiarities. What they share is the beautiful and large amount of natural greenery, the subtropical climate, the wonderful tranquillity and absence of daily stress, beautiful mostly simple architecture using lots of natural local building materials. Agriculture and animal husbandry are abundant on the nutrient-rich volcanic soils. The use of barbed wire is practically non-existent here. Property partitioning is mainly done with pile walls of lava chunks or hedges of various types of hedge plants but also very often with Hydrangea's that apparently ground very easily here in this climate and soil. Hiking trails are plentiful on all islands, usually well-signposted. There are also plenty of well-described walking guides of the Azores islands in various languages. The volcanic origin of the Azores is still clearly visible in many places. Often, old volcanic mountains are now overgrown but still clearly visible in silhouette. In a few places, active volcanism is still present, which is usually clearly visible, but also easy to smell with its sulphur smell that then spreads in the surroundings. Azores, a wonderful place to stay on holiday, relax and enjoy the beautiful nature.
 
                                
                                        Middle-aged,  married,  energetic and still full of zest for life, 
Mother and grandmother,  still works for 3 days a week.
My interests include healthy living,  healthy cooking,  walking in nature,  visiting beautiful cities,  collecting and capturing beautiful memories. We live in the heart of..
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 The Carmo Monastery is a historic monastery in Lisbon, Portugal. The building and its church, located in the Chiado district, were badly damaged by the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake.Marjolein Zijlstra
The Carmo Monastery is a historic monastery in Lisbon, Portugal. The building and its church, located in the Chiado district, were badly damaged by the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake.Marjolein Zijlstra Sky blue sky over the Atlantic Ocean coast of Lagoon de Obidos, Portugal.Marjolein Zijlstra
Sky blue sky over the Atlantic Ocean coast of Lagoon de Obidos, Portugal.Marjolein Zijlstra Foam-headed waves, golden drifting beach sand, on the Atlantic coast near Obidos, Portugal.Marjolein Zijlstra
Foam-headed waves, golden drifting beach sand, on the Atlantic coast near Obidos, Portugal.Marjolein Zijlstra View over the vast waters of the Lagoon of Obidos, PortugalMarjolein Zijlstra
View over the vast waters of the Lagoon of Obidos, PortugalMarjolein Zijlstra The beach trail is ideal for a leisurely stroll along the Foz do Arelho-Mar beach.Marjolein Zijlstra
The beach trail is ideal for a leisurely stroll along the Foz do Arelho-Mar beach.Marjolein Zijlstra The beautiful silver coast of Portugal's Costa de PrataMarjolein Zijlstra
The beautiful silver coast of Portugal's Costa de PrataMarjolein Zijlstra Coastal exit at Praia da Estrela, Obidos, Portugal.Marjolein Zijlstra
Coastal exit at Praia da Estrela, Obidos, Portugal.Marjolein Zijlstra These old fishing boats are "sailed out", no longer worthy of spacious sailsMarjolein Zijlstra
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Natural monument ENCI quarry, Sint Pietersberg, Maastricht.Marjolein Zijlstra Climbing plant Wild Winged budding in spring with young leaves.Marjolein Zijlstra
Climbing plant Wild Winged budding in spring with young leaves.Marjolein Zijlstra Shepherd with dog in Barranco Hondo, Gojar, Granada, AndalusiaMarjolein Zijlstra
Shepherd with dog in Barranco Hondo, Gojar, Granada, AndalusiaMarjolein Zijlstra Old vineyard in the mountains around Monachil, Andalusia, Granada.Marjolein Zijlstra
Old vineyard in the mountains around Monachil, Andalusia, Granada.Marjolein Zijlstra The flower of Clary sage, Salvia sclarea, Muscat sage.Marjolein Zijlstra
The flower of Clary sage, Salvia sclarea, Muscat sage.Marjolein Zijlstra Blooming water lily, reflection on the water.Marjolein Zijlstra
Blooming water lily, reflection on the water.Marjolein Zijlstra Winter landscape around Gulpen-Wittem, South Limburg.Marjolein Zijlstra
Winter landscape around Gulpen-Wittem, South Limburg.Marjolein Zijlstra Heuvelland South Limburg, rolling lovely landscape, holiday country in the Netherlands.Marjolein Zijlstra
Heuvelland South Limburg, rolling lovely landscape, holiday country in the Netherlands.Marjolein Zijlstra Heuvelland South Limburg, rolling lovely landscape, holiday country in the Netherlands.Marjolein Zijlstra
Heuvelland South Limburg, rolling lovely landscape, holiday country in the Netherlands.Marjolein Zijlstra Sunset at Torrox Costa, Spain.Marjolein Zijlstra
Sunset at Torrox Costa, Spain.Marjolein Zijlstra Autumn atmosphere in the forests of South LimburgMarjolein Zijlstra
Autumn atmosphere in the forests of South LimburgMarjolein Zijlstra Weathered and rusted piece of iron construction.Marjolein Zijlstra
Weathered and rusted piece of iron construction.Marjolein Zijlstra