Our big plans... finally underway!

While it took quite a bit longer than we originally anticipated, our renovation project is finally underway! So what the heck are we doing anyway? 

We are essentially going from a three-bedroom basic lodging establishment to a five-suite orchard lodge chock full of awesome amenities, plus our own new house. We are adding amenities like the Observation Tower with 360 degree views of the mountains, ocean, volcanoes and our one acre orchards. We are also building new covered porch and grill area, perfect for our minuvida dinners having breakfast outdoors, or to do some grilling during your stay. We are also building a yoga studio/multipurpose room for yoga, quiet space to relax and read, or for group gathering events like movie nights and board games.

The above shows the living room expansion, which will have a wood-burning fireplace as well as the Observation Tower. Further to the left is a glass  corridor connection to our future home.

Some of the exciting things going on now are pictured above. First on the list, having to move everything out of the main house. We spent this time last year getting everything ready for our first guests during Beta-Testing season It was reflective to now be spending time taking it all apart, right back to how we found the house when we bought it last February Then came the destructive stage of the construction; breaking down VERY thick walls to create connections between rooms; opening up walls to lay the groundwork for a brand new electrical system in the main house. 

At the same time a LOT is going on outside; foundations are dug to support the expansion of the main house and new reception area. Pictured above is the progression to reinforce the soil and build earthquake resistant walls. Very cool stuff! Pictured below is the brand new three-chamber septic tank and associated ditches dug throughout the property.

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To give you an overview of the entire project, to the right is our property plan. Everything in red is new construction. A new parking lot and entrance for guests with paths to the new recreational area (yoga studio/grill area at top of image), and to the new entrance at the lower right of the image.

João and I are busy getting the grounds ready for showtime. We are busy getting our garden ready and full of yummy fruits and veggies. We are also shaping the landscaping of the property, carving bamboo paths to make way for our outdoor solar shower (!) as well as transplanting plants around the property and better organizing the overall layout. 

We're gearing up for a busy summer leading experiences with hikes, cooking classes, and helping visitors Feel the Azores! Know anyone heading to São Miguel this summer? Put them in touch with us! Have any construction advice? Send us some love, let us know what you think of the construction! Leave us a comment:-)