TDY Gouge - Azores

Lajes, Azores - The rooms on base weren't bad, within walking distance to the gym, bowling alley, and BX. About 10 minutes from the front gate. Unfortunately, no AC, so in the summertime bring a basting brush cause you will roast. Talk to MWR to arrange a fishing trip. It was 50 bones per person, but it included a local guide who knew all the good spots, we haled in tons of fish, then he let us snorkel and swim in the Atlantic. On the way in to the Marina he cooked up some of the fish with this rice dish, it was incredible. If you want to go out to the towns, walk to the front gate, then pick up a cab. Trans won't do shit for you. The cab is cheap, and they take dollars, but negotiate the price first. Praia da Vitoria is the closest city. The food is excellent, and it is pretty scenic. Angra do Heroismo is on the other side of the island, but has some great historic sites, like old Spanish forts and cathedrals. If you are there during bull fighting season, do not miss it. They have a local fight ten minutes outside the gate, ask anyone on base for directions. Easy to walk to, but get there early, to find a good spot. Just don't get caught participating in it, they will hang you. ~Check out the Twins Pub in Angra - starts getting packes after midnight; 2 drink minimum and remember to hold on to ticket they will give you. If you lose it, you will be charged approx 50 Euro... Mostly 20-30 year old scene. Highly recommend the Barca Nova Restaurant in Sao Mateus. This place is nestled right on the coast and they have this dish which is baked inside a clay roof tile, which is like a fish stew with potatoes onions and just about any kind of seafood you want on it, totally outstanding! This place is open seasonally, so check with the Q before heading out. Lodging at LPLA wasn't too bad. Bldg 122 had nice Air Conditioned rooms - so I don't know if all of billeting was this way. Nice TV with VCR combo. Also a small gift shop in the Lodging office. Cheap wines!!! The Services/MWR magazine had tons of fishing and other water activities to do. I decided to take a jog around the base. Bad idea...place looks and feels like a MASH scene. We ate at Xisa Mar....atmosphere isn't really crew friendly, but the food we had was worth it - Approx $20 got a 10oz Portugese steak, 2 beers, tip, and water - and English menu. We paid 6 Euro for one-way taxi (call 2-3488). We passed by the Marina on the way home. Probably a much better choice and better scenery.

SABORES DO CHEF RESTURAUNTE is the name of the 'newer' place that the chef from Pescador opened in Praia da Vitória. It's a little closer at just 10 minutes, and our crew of 12 really enjoyed it, much more than Pescador itself. Cab ride was 7 Euro from billeting, arranged through Philomena at the front desk.

Santa Maria, Azores - We weather diverted to Santa Maria and experienced great service from the operations folks at the airport. They set us up at the Hotel 5 - which was a nice hotel. The hotel bus picked us up (it only holds 9 so they made two trips). Not much around the hotel but they have a fine restaurant and bar. We got checked in quickly and the restaurant stayed open late to feed us dinner. They put out a great breakfast buffet that is included with the room and even put it out based on our requested time. They then took us back to the airport. Our IMT was faxed to operations and they had it ready for us upon arrival. We needed to add a little more fuel and it was done very quickly. Not a bad place at all for a divert.