Arruda Pineapple Plantation
The Arruda Pineapple Plantation is a historic pineapple farm. It was founded in 1919 when Augusto Arruda converted the family's orange grove after disease wiped out most of the island's citrus crops. It is still run by the same family, now in its fifth generation. The pineapples grow in long, low greenhouses made of whitewashed glass and wood. Inside each one, two sets of beds run the length of the building, separated by a stone path down the centre. Different greenhouses hold pineapples at different stages of their 18 to 24 month growing cycle, from small shoots through to ripe fruit. The repeating rows of plants under the glass with the light filtering through the whitewash, and the stone paths running to a vanishing point all give you clean, structured compositions. The warm, humid air inside the greenhouses can fog a cold lens quickly, so give your gear a few minutes to adjust before jumping into your shooting. The property also has a small garden area with fish ponds and some outdoor plantings. Admission is free and the grounds are open to explore. You are given an information leaflet at the entrance and left to walk through at your own pace. There is a gift shop selling pineapple liqueur made from an old family recipe, jams, and other local products. The plantation is open daily and a visit usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour. Parking is across the road from the entrance. (Fajã de Baixo, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal)
