The Story of Quinta da Vida Beleza
The Story of Quinta da Vida Beleza
Welcome to Quinta da Vida Beleza Cob Ecovillage in Atalhada, Lagoa on the island of São Miguel of the Azores Islands (once Atlantis) of Portugal.
Welcome to Quinta da Vida Beleza Cob Ecovillage in Atalhada, Lagoa on the island of São Miguel of the Azores Islands (once Atlantis) of Portugal. Founded in January 2020, it started with a very irresistible piece of land dotted with robust pink guavas, sweet orange loquats, multi-colored bursts of araçai (baby guavas), sensuous granadilhas (sweet and larger version of maracujá), a humble representation of figs and and endless supply of the best bananas ever year-round. This little paradise also came with a small and diverse chicken family that has expanded to a running average of 40-50 free-running birds who provide us with happy eggs every day! The only building on the land was a small 7m2 stone shed at the entrance lined with a traditional water tank filled with rainwater draining off of the clay tile roof.
Walking onto the property in the Fall of 2019 with my son Viva, I felt my heart waking up with the excitement of a place that stimulated the possible manifestation of the general vision I had been nurturing during the previous 5 years biking through Europe, Africa, South America and the United States….teaching cob workshops while “looking” and “feeling” for the right location and land, simultaneously. The 2-acre rolling lava rockscape bound by century-old lichen-covered dry-stacked stone walls and encircling a small sacred forest of acacia, “cana”, grapevines & ferns, had no neighbours in sight and was blessed by a comforting rainforest-tall native & eucalyptus forest at the sunset end.
Walking on the land I felt peace and harmony within, and a dimension I could handle. Not too small or big. Enough space for “wildness” and camping spaces nestled between the trees at the western end, where a very large yoga deck would hold space for dancing, yoga, massage, playing and chilling in privacy and quietude. The southern “half” would be dedicated to fruit trees and growing long-term food, like manioc, sweet potatoes, squash, potatoes, onions, garlic, and greens. The northeast end would be the bathing area with outdoor showers, wood fire-heated baths, and a sauna, while the north “half” would be for cob bungalows, eating and community hangout zones. The clear vision of my personal 2-story dream cob villa welcoming guests as one entered the heart of the land was immediate, and the space for it was already naturally formed from the giant bedrock outcrops on which views of the sunrise and the ocean could already be enjoyed.
Today, in 4 years, it has all been manifested, much of it with students and volunteers. It is a blessed opportunity for retreat in a quiet, natural, simple and safe space. The ocean is a 7-minute walk down the street and there are many dirt road “canada” walks or runs as you turn to the north. Biking is the best option for seeing the closer surroundings including Ponta Delgada, the capital. While food stores, cafes, restaurants, beaches and the town of Lagoa are all within a 5-10-minute bikeride radius…being on the land feels like you are far far away from civilization. All you can hear is the ocean, the birds, the wind, the trees and your breath. Come visit. We are here for you.
The Story of Quinta Da Vida Beleza
The Story of Quinta da Vida Beleza
Welcome to Quinta Da Vida Beleza Cob Ecovillage in Atalhada, Lagoa on the island of São Miguel of the Azores Islands (once Atlantis) of Portugal.
Founded in January 2020, it started with a very irresistible piece of land dotted with robust pink guavas, sweet orange loquats, multi-colored bursts of araçai (baby guavas), sensuous granadilhas (sweet and larger version of maracujá), a humble representation of figs and and endless supply of the best bananas ever year-round. This little paradise also came with a small and diverse chicken family that has expanded to a running average of 40-50 free-running birds who provide us with happy eggs every day! The only building on the land was a small 7m2 stone shed at the entrance lined with a traditional water tank filled with rainwater draining off of the clay tile roof.
Walking onto the property in the Fall of 2019 with my son Viva, I felt my heart waking up with the excitement of a place that stimulated the possible manifestation of the general vision I had been nurturing during the previous 5 years biking through Europe, Africa, South America and the United States….teaching cob workshops while “looking” and “feeling” for the right location and land, simultaneously. The 2-acre rolling lava rockscape bound by century-old lichen-covered dry-stacked stone walls and encircling a small sacred forest of acacia, “cana”, grapevines & ferns, had no neighbours in sight and was blessed by a comforting rainforest-tall native & eucalyptus forest at the sunset end.
Walking on the land I felt peace and harmony within, and a dimension I could handle. Not too small or big. Enough space for “wildness” and camping spaces nestled between the trees at the western end, where a very large yoga deck would hold space for dancing, yoga, massage, playing and chilling in privacy and quietude. The southern “half” would be dedicated to fruit trees and growing long-term food, like manioc, sweet potatoes, squash, potatoes, onions, garlic, and greens. The northeast end would be the bathing area with outdoor showers, wood fire-heated baths, and a sauna, while the north “half” would be for cob bungalows, eating and community hangout zones. The clear vision of my personal 2-story dream cob villa welcoming guests as one entered the heart of the land was immediate, and the space for it was already naturally formed from the giant bedrock outcrops on which views of the sunrise and the ocean could already be enjoyed.
Today, in 4 years, it has all been manifested, much of it with students and volunteers. It is a blessed opportunity for retreat in a quiet, natural, simple and safe space. The ocean is a 7-minute walk down the street and there are many dirt road “canada” walks or runs as you turn to the north. Biking is the best option for seeing the closer surroundings including Ponta Delgada, the capital. While food stores, cafes, restaurants, beaches and the town of Lagoa are all within a 5-10-minute bikeride radius…being on the land feels like you are far far away from civilization. All you can hear is the ocean, the birds, the wind, the trees and your breath. Come visit. We are here for you.