Profile information
Host rating
85 %
Last replied
23 Aug 2024
Reply rate
94.3 %
Usually responds within 11 days
Feedback
2
Email verified
Badges (1)
Find your perfect host
Details
Description
We are Olga and Alvaro. Together with our dalmatian Nina we live in the small, calm island of Santa Maria. We grew up in the Netherlands and Uruguay, respectively, after living in the prairies of South Dakota and Minnesota for 16+ years we have now made our home in the Azores. Currently we both work part time, remotely. Good food, hosting friends and family, and exploring the Azores and its outdoors activities are some of our favorite things. We are proud and grateful for having almost completed our first WorkAway project. We have been super impressed by the work of the volunteers, and enjoy their positive, creative energy every day. With that, we are getting ready for an even bigger and bolder project to work on!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Travellers would benefit greatly from this exchange by being immersed in the island's community, consisting mostly of locals and a few immigrants like ourselves. You can learn Portuguese, English, and experience activities such as Portuguese tile painting or basket weaving.
If interested, Olga offers weekly 1-hour life coaching or neurographica sessions, leveraging her certification with the International Coaching Federation.
Interested?
If you want to contribute to our project, enjoy the Azores' natural beauty, and engage in personal growth, reach out to us. We're eager to welcome you and share this experience.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Are you an enthusiastic individual (or 2) with a positive outlook, a passion for cultural exchange, and a strong willingness to contribute to a traditional building project? We invite you to witness and assist with the transformation of a ruin into a typical Azorean house. The ruin, currently consisting of its original stone walls and typical "Santa Maria Chimney", is located on a hill overlooking two valleys as well as the ocean, in the village of Santa Bárbara on Santa Maria Island. A local construction company is contracted to rebuild the walls and roof. This makes it a unique opportunity to engage in cultural preservation while immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the Azores.
Tasks for the project include:
Painting: Working on both the interior and exterior.
General tasks, including maintaining the garden and cleaning up.
We welcome anyone with a willingness to learn and contribute.
Cultural Immersion: Experience the cultural heritage of Santa Maria Island, from local traditions to historical landmarks.
Leisure Opportunities: In your free time, enjoy the island’s top diving/snorkeling spots (depending on weather/seasonal conditions), beaches, and scenic hiking trails.
Work Hours: 3 hours per day, 5 days a week, typically at a time you desire.
Duration: 1 month preferably
Language: Basic English or Portuguese is helpful.
Interested?
If you want to contribute to our project, enjoy the Azores' natural beauty, and engage in personal growth, reach out to us. We're eager to welcome you and share this experience.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Portuguese: Intermediate
French: Beginner
Accommodation
One bedroom apartment, 10-min bicycle ride away from the project site.
What else ...
Santa Maria Island holds a unique geographical position where the tectonic plates of Europe, North America, and Africa converge, making it a place of significant geological and cultural interest. This convergence point not only shapes the island's landscape but also offers visitors a fascinating insight into the interconnectedness of these diverse regions. Whether you're drawn to the geological wonders or the cultural richness that spans across continents, Santa Maria promises a truly immersive and enlightening experience.
Known for its stunning landscapes and mild Mediterranean climate, its rolling hills and dramatic cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Santa Maria offers a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Explore secluded beaches with crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or simply basking in the sun. Hike along scenic trails that wind through lush forests and volcanic terrain, revealing breathtaking panoramic views at every turn. Or try diving, or even swimming with the manta rays!
The island’s bus line, TSM has stops in the village.
Santa Maria island (SMA) is reachable by airplane with SATA Açores (Azores Airlines) via PDL and Lisbon.
Diogo de Silves, a Portuguese navigator and explorer in the late 14th century, was instrumental in the early exploration of the Atlantic Ocean during the Age of Discovery. Sponsored by Prince Henry the Navigator, Silves embarked on voyages along the western coast of Africa, culminating in his discovery of Santa Maria island in 1432. This marked a crucial milestone in Portugal's maritime expansion, with Santa Maria becoming a key waypoint between mainland Portugal and the "New World." Christopher Columbus visited the island in 1493, utilizing it to replenish water and food supplies after his historic voyage of discovering America, further solidifying Santa Maria's strategic importance in transatlantic navigation.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Wifi is available. Both Alvaro and Olga work remotely and understand this concept.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
3 hours a day, 5 days a week
