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Azores, Portugal Here We Come!!!

By
Mortgage and Lending with George Souto NMLS #65149 NMLS #65149

Thank you again to Anna Banana Kruchten, KathyStreib, and Carol Williams for this months fun contest which gives us the opportunity to spend our ActiveRain POINTS!!!  I have always wanted to spends my points and this was the perfect opportunity to do so.

The first part of this challenge was to pick from among the amazing choices one of them I would most want to spend my points on.  As a previous golfer who after 50 years has once again recently taken up golfing again, I choose Carol Williams golf package for a mere 20,000 ActiveRain points. 

The second part of the challenge is for us to come up with our own package for a future Point Store offering.  I gave this a lot of thought and decided to make my offering a trip to my homeland the Azores in Portugal.

Our trip will begin by taking the "Banana Jet" to the largest island in the Azores, Sao Miguel.  We will spend two days in Sao Miguel, and tour the many attractions Sao Miguel has to offer such as swimming in the hot springs, viewing the lake at Sete Cidades which is surrounded by mountains and is green on one side and blue on the other side.  We will also visit a local pineapple plantation, visit the Botanical Garden At Furnas, and eat a special meal cooked in the Furnas hot-spring geysers, as well as feast on some of the other local casein.  Below are some pictures of these sites.

We will then board the Banana Jet again, and take a very short flight to the island of Terceira.  Terceira is know as the party island of the Azores, and we will be there for one day to party our hearts out, before taking another short flight to the island of Faial. 

Faial had a major volcanic eruption in the late 1950's which destroyed much of the island.  Because of the destruction caused by this volcano, the United States made it possible for families like mine to be able to migrate to the United States.  We will spend a day in Faial, touring the area of the volcano, as well as other sites on the island. 

From Faial we will board the Banana Jet again and travel to island of Santa Maria.  This is the smallest of the islands in the Azores.  Santa Maria is only 5 miles by 9 miles and has nothing but beautiful beaches with crystal clear water.  Santa Maria is also the island I was born on.  After following a hectic schedule on this trip, a day of just sitting on the beach doing absolutely nothing will be very much needed before boarding the Banana Jet again for a 5-6 hour flight back to the United States.

You may be asking yourself by now, how many points will this fantastic trip cost me.  Well for a just 35,000 points you can secure one of the 10 spots available on the Banana Jet.  So do not procrastinate, make sure you reserve your spot right away before they are all gone!!!

 

Posted by

George Souto
NMLS# 65149

C (860) 573-1308
CALL 7 Days/Wk
Email Me
About Me
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I am a Mortgage Loan Officer who can assist you with all your mortgage & refinancing questions

I reside in Middlesex County which includes Middletown, Middlefield, Durham, Cromwell, Portland, Haddam. E. Haddam, Higganum, Chester, Essex, Deep River.

 

Comments(18)

Jim Patton
Aspire Home Real Estate 209-404-0816 - Modesto, CA
Realtor - Stanislaus ,Merced, San Joaquin Counties

That sounds like a great trip George Souto.  My grandfather was born on Terceira.  I would love to visit the Azores someday.

Jul 29, 2022 01:46 PM
Dario Ferreira

I know Terceira well. Lived there for 4 years, and visit almost every year.
You should definitely go, you'll like it.

Jul 29, 2022 05:48 PM
Ray Henson
Retired - Goodyear, AZ
Retired Real Estate Agent

What a fantastic addition to the ActiveRain store.  I am in! ! !  Wow! ! !

Jul 29, 2022 01:55 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi George:

OK I'm convinced and ready to pack my bags and head to the Azores. 

Jeff

Jul 29, 2022 03:46 PM
Dario Ferreira

Yes, go. You won't be disappointed.

Jul 29, 2022 05:46 PM
Dario Ferreira
Attleboro, MA
Internet Marketing & SEO

Cool to see a post about the Azores and the island I was born in - Santa Maria. We have that in common :)

I haven't been in Santa Maria in 20 years, but go almost every year to Terceira (my brother lives there).

Sorry, but a small correction: Santa Maria is not the smallest island, Corvo is, then Graciosa.

Jul 29, 2022 05:44 PM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

That Azores was a refueling point back in my Navy days coming and going from the Persian Gulf.  Beautiful area, although unfortunately didn't get to do a lot of tourist stuff.  I think somewhere I still have a few escudos (?) tucked away!

Jul 29, 2022 06:59 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

My daughter married a guy whose family is from the Azores.  Sao Miguel to be precise.

Jul 29, 2022 07:38 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Yes, yes, yes. My family was from Sao Miguel, and that's the only island I've visited so far. I'm in!!!!

Jul 30, 2022 05:00 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

That sounds like a really nice trip!  I don't think I have ever been to Portugal unless it was when I was a baby.

Jul 30, 2022 05:23 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, George... I've been to Portugal and it's a beautiful country... count me in for this great trip.

Jul 30, 2022 06:26 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning George. I'll offer double the points asked to secure a seat. What say you? Enjoy your day.

Jul 30, 2022 06:32 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi George,
Wow... what a trip you have planned. I'm a crew member of the Banana Jet, so I'll be going too. Whoo Hoo. You can cook in a geyser? That sounds amazing.  Have you been to the island of Faial since your immigration from there?

Jul 30, 2022 08:44 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi George- a good friend is from there and she has gone back on vacation. I would definitely go because I remember hearing her talk about it. b

Jul 30, 2022 10:24 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Well George Souto it looks like Carol and Kathy and I are ready to pack and go on this absolutely fabulous point store trip!!  I so enjoyed talking to you about growing up there and learning more about all the islands sounds wonderful!  All Aboard the Banana Jet!

Jul 30, 2022 12:25 PM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Portuguese Sausage is one of my favorite foods, and I don't know how to make it. But I hope your trip home will help me fulfill this craving I have!

From what you described in this post, I can't think of any reasons not to go on this trip, George. A girl gotta dream...eh!

Jul 30, 2022 12:46 PM
Patricia Feager, ABR,CRS,GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

George Souto - WOW! I am jealous! I know you have a zillion friends who will probably join you. In the event someone cancels, could you put me on your Wait List? Your pictures are so dreamy and spectacular! You and your guests are going to have the best time ever!

Jul 30, 2022 03:13 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

George, if there are still spots available, I'll double down and take the wife along as well.

Aug 03, 2022 10:31 AM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

My grandparents on my mother's side were Portuguese which makes me half-Portuguese. My Grandfather immigrated to the U. S. from Faial about a 100 years ago.

Aug 04, 2022 01:21 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Sign me up. I’ve always wanted to visit and explore Portugal. It appears to offer much to the curious traveler.

Aug 10, 2022 02:31 PM