About halfway between Britain and America, the Azores islands are volcanic and verdant, and form the visible part of the world’s longest mountain range, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Politically, they’re an autonomous region of Portugal.

We go straight to Furnas to see the caldeiras, the hot springs, up close. The town is surrounded by mountains, absurdly green hills and luxuriant gardens. All around us are lush flowers and large ferns.

The sound of boiling, bubbling mud follows us along the winding paths. It’s as if a giant cauldron is simmering deep inside the earth. Every now and then, a geyser emits steamy hot water. Large holes in the ground look ready to erupt.

Dark, mysterious caves emit even more mist. I have to fight an irresistible urge to go closer and peek inside. Don’t know what I would find in there, but luminous, ghostly aliens seem a definite possibility.

Nearby is the garden of Terra Nostra with its age-defying geothermal pool. It’s a fountain of youth, purported to take 20 years off anyone who ventures in. The iron-rich water is yellowish-brown and muddy, yet looks oddly appealing. Or, at least, that’s what I think.

“Really, mum? You want us to swim in that?” The idea of shedding 20 years holds no attraction at all. “We wouldn’t even be born yet then…”

But, as usual, curiosity gets the better of them. Soon they’re splashing about in the warm water.

Leaving the valley, we pass Furnas Lake and the pretty Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias.

If you’re in Furnas, try cozido: pork, turnips, carrots and sausages cooked together in a pot deep inside the earth and left to simmer for hours in the sulphurous volcanic heat. Nom nom!

Sao Miguel

Have a look at DeliciousBaby for more fun Friday photos

Have you been to the Azores? Which are your favourite islands?

Fiery Furnas: Steamy cauldrons in the Azores is a post from Sophie's World

And how to do this? Details are over at Tripbase here; the abbreviated version is this:

1. Get tagged – huge thanks to Cailin from Travel Yourself for the kind nomination.
2. Determine your 7 links based on the criteria below.
3. Tag 5 other bloggers.

Here goes:

The most beautiful post

This little post on lamenting lost love in the Azores, perhaps. It’s a beautiful, if sad fairy-tale.

The most popular post

Bratislava Street Art. I don’t know… I suppose people simply like street art.

The most controversial post

Geir Halvorsen/flickr’s Creative Commons

Not many controversial posts on Sophie’s World. One that did spark a few reactions – both in comments and in e-mails, was 17 May – Hip hip hooray!. How can a post about a country’s Constitution Day be controversial, you ask? Well, I did detail some of the more debauching antics of Norway’s high school seniors as they celebrate the end of 13 years of school.

The most helpful post

I like taking a narrative approach to the classic ‘Things to do in xxx’-post. I also like to focus on the world’s more curious corners, hoping to give a useful presentation of interesting things to see and do in cities often unsung. Things to do in Skopje is an example.

A post whose success surprised you

A post that has received heaps of attention is The longest place name in the world?. Not exactly sure why, possibly because the title is a question and implying some sort of record (note to self…).

A post you feel didn’t get the attention it deserved

I don’t really have an answer for this category, as I’m very pleased with any attention. However, if we rephrase just slightly, I’d say that the post on the plight of the stateless Bedoun people is a post I’d like to see spread further. And the timing fits, too. Just today, American Girl, who cares deeply about the Bedoun, posted a thought-provoking comment, asking for tips on how to set up a charity or find educational funds to help Bedoun children go to school. If you click on one of these 7 links, please make it this one! And if you have any experience with charitable work at all and think you can contribute with a good idea or thoughts on where to start, please get in touch with her. Her e-mail address is in the comment.

The post that you are most proud of

Photo courtesy of dubaiairport.com

Hm, proud is a word I find a wee bit uncomfortable. Instead, I’ll mention a post I’m pleased with. I really enjoyed writing these late night observations from Dubai Airport’s Terminal 2. In a city known for glitz and riches (and an airport known for the same), it was interesting to see the simplicity of this terminal which mostly caters to Dubai’s itinerant workers. Terminal 2 is where flights take off for the world’s “bad” places like Kabul, Mogadishu, Bagdad – or unknown places, such as Gheshm, Ahwaz and Ashgabat – on never-before-heard-of-airlines like Queshm Fars Air, Pamir Airways, Jubba Air; even including airlines banned from EU air space.

That concludes my 7 links. Now it’s time to tag five fabulous bloggers. Take it away,

- Amanda from Not a Ballerina
- Vera from A Traveler’s Library
- Natalia from No Beaten Path
- Laura and Roberto from Travel for Love, and
- Geoff from Itinerant Londoner

My 7 links is a post from Sophie's World

Much more romantic then, is the legend that tells of a pretty blue-eyed princess falling in love with a shepherd boy with gorgeous green eyes. “Not suitable at all,” said the King. He had other plans for his daughter and forced her to give up her love. Saying goodbye, the young lovers cried so much their tears formed two lagoons at their feet, reflecting the colour of their eyes.

Up near the lookout is the ghostly Monte Palace hotel, abandoned, guarded by two fierce dogs. Meanwhile, my youngest daughter, Catarina, cares nothing about the view but is much more interested in a friendly stray.

For more on the Azores, read The Allure of the Azores or Upclose Guide to the Azores Islands, both on EuropeUpClose.

See other cool photos over at DeliciousBaby.

Ponta Delgada

Lamenting lost love in the Azores is a post from Sophie's World