Upon arriving in Ponta Delgada, I was in awe over the foliage. Everything looked tropical and luxurious! Nothing like New England.

We went to the university for a lecture, where we learned about the exotic plant gardens, and their contribution to the invasive plant species on the islands. I wondered if people still practice! When I asked, I got scoffed at and told “no.” I bet there is at least one person still smuggling plants for their garden! Is that blasphemous to say? I hope not!