Thanks for the TR Dave. I am glad you enjoyed the trip - the Azores are a wonderful destination. What always impressed me is all of the flowers, including hydrangea lined roads, that is except in the winter. Did you get to Praia? it is a pleasant town. It is a shame what happened to your tourmate but he should have known that if you are not keeping your eye on the bull, then you should be on or behind the wall like everyone else not participating in the "fight." Imagine what may have happened to him if the bull did not have those brass balls tipping their horns for protection against goring. I am happy that you found Quinta do Martelo. It is a unique place. I can't believe the price of your tour - an absolute bargain. Good for you.

bookmarking to read in the future :)

Boots

Thanks to OP and Dave. Very helpful for my upcoming trip to Sao Miguel and Terceira.

Just watched Anthony Bourdain's Azores episode. A segment was filmed at Fall River MA, a town with the largest Azorean emigrants. SATA has direct flights from Boston to PDL and to TER.