Azores adventure delights Geography students
Geographers from Third Year, Fourth Year and Lower Sixth travelled to the mid-Atlantic islands of the Azores at the end of summer term.
The Azores are a sub-tropical archipelago with much unique flora and a unique micro-climate that leads to the appreciated Azores High weather system that brings great weather to the UK periodically.
The islands are volcanically active and contain lots of extrusive volcanic features and beautifully soft black sand beaches.
Over the five days the pupils were away, they engaged in a range of activities.
With a bit of time between their connection from Lisbon airport to the Azores, the students took a metro into Portugal’s capital and did a short tour of the city. They explored the Baixa district – the world’s first grid plan city, post-earthquake – enjoyed some local food, and headed to the waterfront, from which famous explorers like Vasco Da Gama set sail for Latin America.
On the island of Sao Miguel they visited multiple volcanoes and a large caldera volcano. Pupils experienced fumeroles, and swam in hot lakes, springs and a yellow-coloured iron lake. They also walked along volcanic ridges and donned helmets to investigate an underground lava tube.
The group embarked on extensive coastal road hikes, viewing many of the coastal and volcanic features they had studied – such as basalt columns and arches, stacks and caves.
They also visited cloud forests – which were teaming with vividly colourful vegetation – and a volcanic lake land area where natural springs give rise to beautiful mineral waters.
Pupils swam in natural sea pools and took a dip in the sea at the black sand beaches on the north and south coats.
In the capital of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, the geographers watched the Portugal v France Euro 2024 game with local fans before enjoying a nighttime walk of the historic town.
Mr Alex Cooke, Head of Geography and trip organiser, said: “The pupils were impeccably behaved and great fun, and they got on really well with each other.
“They were able to visualise lots of the material taught in class, particularly from their coastal and tectonics units. I would definitely say that it was one of the most enjoyable foreign school tours I have ever organised: sunny, relaxed, interesting, fun and full of great conversation.”
