Geothermal Wonderland on São Miguel Island

The first thing you’ll notice is the bright emerald green, lush flora coating mountains and plains, flowers adding a #colorful contrast. What makes the scene extra striking is the steam that rises seemingly without reason from the ground, as if you’ve entered a hell’s paradise. It’s important to remember that #SãoMiguel, also referred to as “The Green Island,” is volcanic. While it’s not uncommon to see smoke rising from subway manholes or from buildings via smoke stacks back in my home of NYC, on this island it’s completely natural, an effect due to the mix of geothermic activity.