Arsenio, our bartender at the hotel had talked about the local ceramic stuff. Based on his information, this morning, we headed out to the town of Lagoa. Our trusted driver guide Henrique took us to the Ceramica Vieira. This establishment has been making ceramic pottery for nearly one hundred and sixty years. All throughout, it has been owned by the same family (Vieira is the name) – thru five generations.

In fact, you can see an elderly gentleman with his cane. He is the current owner. Also there were his two daughters who helped run the place.

One thing I did not realize is that typically blue color on ceramic pottery does not start as that color. It is somewhat pinkish – see the square tile at the end in the last picture. Apparently, after getting burnt in the fire kiln, it turns blue. All the clay comes from a different island – Santa Maria.

I got myself a small cup to drink aguardentes (aguardientes) – one more drink I had heard about but never tried before I met Arsenio.