Who are you?
Ira is a Russian surf professor and Jules a Swiss organic farmer.

How did you guys end up on the island?
To be honest it was a plan B. We’ve been looking for a place to settle down that has both fertile land and a surfable ocean. We were aiming for New Zealand, which didn’t happen due to migration policies. So we came up with the idea to check out Azores and soon decided to stay.

How’s life on the Island?
Nearly every day we say that we live on a beautiful island! We enjoy everchanging weather, the incredible growth of plants, kindhearted people and the ocean all around. There are downsides but you will find them anywhere, since it rather depends on your own attitude than the place.

Favorite place on the island? Why?
Our home, Floresta Baraka, a one and half hectare quinta in Capelas, where we turn an abandoned piece of land into a lush thriving food forest. Why? Because we put our love and intention into every square meter and we get food, beauty and satisfaction in return. But Milicias on a calm winter day with a nice swell and sandbank is also good.

Favorite object? Why?
Ira: My favourite objects are the prisms that are hanging behind the windows and spreading rainbows all over the place. It always feels like magic even though I know it’s physics.
Jules: My firefighter-red Peugeot 504 pickup truck from 1992. It’s a beautiful piece of history. It’s my lever with which I can move the world, to quote Archimedes

Hobbies?
Jules considers surfing as a hobby, Ira does the same with farming. We both enjoy hiking on the island’s trails with (or without) our dogs.

One song / Band?
Ira: Oh gosh that’s a difficult one. I “grew up” with Drum&Bass and still enjoy it a lot. I love singing, so the radio in the car is always playing R80. But I’m terrible at choosing, I prefer Jules to do so, he has good taste.
Jules song: Djinn, Sahalé

What’s been keeping busy?
Man, we have one and half hectare of productive land on the island of never ending spring. Everything grows like crazy! Not to mention three old cars, two dogs, two cats, and an offgrid house. Portuguese paperworks and administration can also be quite time consuming. Ira works online as a writer and web designer. Every Thursday one of us is at the Santana market with our products. And we surf whenever it’s possible.

A unique moment in your life?
Jules: That moment when I caught my first wave. Ira was with me in the water. She did this famous surf instructor’s trick where the student enjoys his first wave so much that he falls in love with his teacher.
Ira: Every moment is unique and I try to treat it this way. That brings a lot of joy and happiness into one´s life.
Jules: Again, you see. She’s not making decisions. Hiding behind somephilosophical phrases instead of answering the question.

If you could pick two people (alive or dead) one to surf with and one to have dinner or conversation, who would they be? Why?
Ira: I would give so much to surf once again with my old friend Sir Peter. We used to surf in Bali together. And when I say “old”, I mean it. Last time I was in the water with him about 5 years ago he was a bit over seventy years old. The most kind and wise person I’ve ever met in surfing. As for dinner, I would go with Irvin Yalom, M.D. (oops, another old man). As a person who lived a long and meaningful life (and still does) he must be a good conversation partner.
Jules: I would surf with Mahatma Gandhi. Just to see his reaction if I drop in on him. Dinner with Yotam Ottolenghi, if he cooks.

What haven’t we asked you?
You haven’t asked what we want to contribute and change to the better for the island. We’ve both lived in places that struggle with overtourism. One of our goals is to be part of the development of a different kind of tourism which we call a contributional tourism. Each time someone visits us we try to show people not only the beauty of the island but also the way to be involved and contribute whatever passion he/she has. For us, growing healthy organic food and showing people how to do it is an important contribution to society. And it feels good to take care of the very soil you live on.