MARIA: WELCOME.

WE WILL BE TRAVELING FROM THE NORTHERN COAST TO THE SOUTHWESTERN PART OF AN ISLAND.

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE FRESHNESS THE ISLAND HAS TO OFFER -- FRESH MILK, FRESH CHEESE AND FRESH SEAFOOD.

JOIN ME AS WE VISIT A FAMILY AND LEARN TO MAKE FRESH CHEESE AT ONE OF THE COOLEST PLACES ON THE ISLAND AND FINALLY, A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE IN MY HOMETOWN WHERE I GET TO MAKE MY FAVORITE FAMILY DISH WITH MY COUSINS.

YOU'RE INVITED TO JOIN ME ON MARIA'S PORTUGUESE TABLE.

♪ MARIA: THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS YOU REALIZE WHEN YOU'RE ON THE ISLAND OF SON MIGUEL.

IT'S LAID-BACK ATTITUDE, QUAINT VILLAGES, RICH HISTORY, DELICIOUS CUISINE AND COWS.

LOTS AND LOTS OF COWS.

EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK, YOU SEE COWS.

SOME SAY THERE ARE TWO COWS TO EVERY PERSON.

IT IS A BOVINE BONANZA.

THESE HAPPY, FROM THE COWS ALSO PRODUCE THE FINEST MILK.

IT IS NO WONDER THAT THE BUTTER AND CHEESE MADE WITH IT IS IN MY OPINION, THE VERY BEST.

MILK IS AT THE HIGH -- HEART OF THE CULINARY STAPLES OF THE ISLAND.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DAIRY FARMING, I MET UP WITH DAIRY FARMERS IN A VILLAGE.

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS.

I HAVE GOT MY BOOTS ON.

I AM READY.

I HEAR YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE ME MILK HOUSE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

MARIA: WHAT ELSE?

>> RIDE ON THE BACK OF A TRUCK.

>> SHOVEL SOME SILAGE.

MAYBE JIVE A TRACTOR.

MARIA: I DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THAT.

>> THE COUPLE HAS BEEN RUNNING THE FAMILY FARM FOR A COUPLE YEARS.

THE CUTEST OF COUPLES HAVE A MORE ADORABLE HOW THEY MET KIND OF STORY.

GINA, BORN IN CALIFORNIA, METS JOE WHILE THE CASE SITTING -- WHILE VACATIONING WITH FAMILY.

>> HE SAW ME THREE TIMES IN ONE DAY.

I WAS SITTING ON THE WALL TALKING TO MY DAD AND WHEN I GOT UP TO GET A DRINK FROM MY FATHER, HE CAME AND INTRODUCED HIMSELF AND WE SPENT THE ENTIRE TIME I WAS HERE EVERY MOMENT TOGETHER.

HE HAD TO SLEEP ON PARK BENCHES.

HE WOULD WALK ME TO THE DOOR AND WAIT UNTIL I WALKED INSIDE AND THAT I WOULD LOOK OUT AND HEATED WAVE TO GET BACK TO THE BASIN ON TIME.

MARIA: BEFORE SETTLING ON THE FAMILY FARM, THE COUPLE SPENT TIME IN CALIFORNIA BUT REALIZED THEY WERE LOOKING FOR A DIFFERENT WAY OF LIFE.

>> WE WANTED A LIFESTYLE MORE IN LINE WITH OUR VALUES AND WE WANTED TO FEEL LIKE WE WERE DOING SOMETHING IMPORTANT, AND TO US FARMING, ESPECIALLY SUSTAINABLE FARMING -- WE THINK EACH COUNTRY SHOULD PEOPLE -- MARIA: THE FORM DOES NOT RUN BY ITSELF.

IT IS REWARDING BUT NOT FOR THE WEARY.

THE COUPLE WASTED NO TIME PUTTING THEIR NEW FARM HAND TO WORK.

I AM ALREADY BEING PUT TO WORK.

>> GIVE MILK TO THESE TWO RIGHT HERE.

FIRST THIS ONE.

MARIA: SHE IS SO CUTE.

>> THIS IS HAY AND THIS IS CORN SILAGE.

YOU STICK YOUR FINGERS IN HERE AND YOU TAKE HIS LIFE LIKE THIS AND YOU CARRY IT BACK.

I WILL HELP YOU.

THERE YOU GO.

THAT IS GOOD ENOUGH.

YOU'RE ALREADY DIRTY.

YOU CAN JUST GRAB THIS AND DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN FRONT OF THEM.

>> YOU POOR BABIES.

HERE YOU GO.

WITH THE COWS FED, IT IS TIME TO TAKE THE RIDE -- A RIDE ON THE BACK OF THE TRUCK WITH GINA.

THIS WRITER MADE ME FEEL LIKE A LITTLE KID.

IT WAS FUN.

>> STICK IT IN THERE.

MARIA: STICK IT IN THEIR?

THAT IS IT?

IT IS WARM FROM THE MILK.

AND IT'S ALL GONE.

IT IS ALL GONE.

ONCE WE DELIVER THE MILK, THE COUPLE GAVE ME A TOUR IN THEIR -- OF THEIR FARM.

THE FAMILY FARM IS SPREAD OVER PLOTS OF LAND WITH STUNNING VIEWS.

IN THE TIME I SPENT WITH THEM, I GOT TO SEE THE CYCLE OF LABOR THAT HAS TO BE DONE TO KEEP THE FARM FUNCTIONING.

YOU SEE THE LOVE THAT THEY BOTH HAVE FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DO, THE ANIMALS THEY RAISE, AND FOR EACH OTHER.

SHE IS LIKE, I LOVE HIM.

HE IS MY BOYFRIEND.

>> I TOLD YOU I HAVE 25 WIVES.

[LAUGHTER] MARIA: THERE WAS NO MORE PUTTING IT OFF.

I HAD TO PUT ALL I HAD LEARNED TODAY AND CHANNEL MY INNER FARMHAND AND MILK A COW.

GAS WAS NICE ENOUGH TO GIVE ME FINAL TIPS.

IT WAS AN EXPERIENCE I WILL NEVER FORGET.

I WILL TRY TO BE AS GOOD AS I CAN.

I PROMISE.

>> THIS IS HOW WE DO IT.

YOU SIT ON IT LIKE THIS.

MARIA: I AM GOING TO SIT LIKE THAT.

>> IT IS VERY COMFORTABLE.

MARIA: WHAT ARE YOU MAKING ME DO?

>> YOUR FEET FORWARD.

MARIA: THIS IS IT.

THIS IS IT.

THIS IS THE MOMENT, THE MOMENT I HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR.

>> SIT LIKE THIS.

MOVE THIS A LITTLE BIT.

MARIA: SHE STARTS TO RELEASE.

START MILKING.

SHE IS NOT EASY FOR THIS.

SHE IS EASY TO SEE.

THIS IS AS TRADITIONAL AS IT GETS.

WATCH ME FALL AND WE PILE OF YOU KNOW WHAT.

>> YOU GOT IT.

HERE IS ANOTHER ONE.

MARIA: THERE IT IS.

I AM MILKING THE GRASS.

I DO NOT EVEN MAKE IT INTO THE BUCKET.

I AM LOUSY.

HERE WE GO AGAIN.

[LAUGHTER] I THINK IT WENT ON MIKE PENCE.

-- MIKE PENCE -- MY PANTS.

I GOT THE MILK.

I DID DO IT.

>> NOW THAT WE HAVE COME FACE-TO-FACE WITH THE HAPPY COWS , I GET A SENSE OF WHY OUR DAIRY PRODUCTS ARE SO UNIQUE AND RICH.

NOW IT WAS TIME TO GET THE KITCHEN AND MAKE SOMETHING WITH THE DELICIOUS FRESH MILK.

TO DO THAT, I SOUGHT OUT ACQUAINTANCE TO MEET THE HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM OF ORCHARD LODGE.

>> WELCOME TO THE KITCHEN.

MARIA: THIS IS GORGEOUS.

>> IT IS VINTAGE ORIGINAL.

MARIA: VINTAGE.

WE ARE GOING TO COOK IN THIS KITCHEN?

>> I PROPOSE WE MAKE FRESH CHEESE.

MARIA: I SEE MILK.

I SEE STUFF THERE.

>> WHEN WE HAVE GUESTS, WE INVITE THEM TO LEARN TO COOK FOOD.

FRESH CHEESE IS ONE OF THE THINGS.

♪ >> TODAY WE USE COWS MILK BECAUSE WITH EVERYTHING ON THE ISLAND.

YOU HAVE TO USE FRESH MILK.

YOU CANNOT USE ULTRA PASTEURIZED MILK.

MARIA: YOU WANT IT TO BE LUKEWARM.

YOU ARE FINE.

>> WILL YOU PUT THIS ON THE STOVE?

MARIA: TELL ME HOW THIS STARTED WITH YOU COOKING.

>> WHEN I WAS NINE, I NEEDED TO HELP MY GRANDMA COOK BECAUSE SHE WAS GOING BLIND.

SHE WOULD TELL ME WARM THE MILK OR ROLL IT IN CORNFLOWER.

I DID NOT LIKE IT AT FIRST BUT AFTER A WHILE, THIS IS COOL.

MARIA: IT IS A MOST THERE.

I THINK IT IS THERE.

>> LET'S MAKE THE CHEESE.

WE ARE GOING TO USE -- ONE LATER.

-- LITER.

MARIA: 12 OR 13.

>> WHAT WE WANT TO DO NOW IS START THIS PRETTY WELL.

-- STIR THIS PRETTY WELL.

MARIA: THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO PUT SULTANATE AND PERSONALLY I DO NOT -- SOLD IN IT AND PERSONALLY I DO NOT.

I PUT SALT IN THE VERY END WHEN IT IS DONE AND SOMETIMES I DO NOT PUT IT AT ALL BECAUSE WE USE -- THAT IS SALTY ALREADY.

FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO PUT EXTRA SALT, THEY CAN DO THAT.

>> WE WANT TO KEEP THAT WARM FOR HALF AN HOUR.

WHAT I DO A SIMPLE.

I PUT IT INSIDE.

MARIA: DURING THE TIME IT TOOK US TO WARM UP THE MILK, I'D -- WE GET TO ENJOY A FEW SAMPLES OF HOMEMADE LOOK OR.

-- LIQUER.

CHEERS.

MMMM.

THAT IS SMOOTH.

IT IS LIKE ALMONDS BECAUSE IT IS THE PIT.

THE BITS WE HAVE USED WILL SERVE JUST THE GUESTS.

MARIA: THAT IS GOOD.

BEAUTIFUL.

>> IT HAS BEEN IN THERE FOR AN HOUR NOW.

MARIA: I TRIED TO KEEP IT NICE AND BIG CHUNKS.

>> DEPENDS.

YOU DO NOT NEED TO BREAK IT UP A LOT BUT THIS IS WHAT I DO.

MARIA: LOOK AT THOSE BEAUTIFUL KURDS.

>> AT THIS POINT WE ADD NO SALT.

YOU CAN AT THIS POINT, THIS IS -- THERE IS ENOUGH FOR ONE SHE'S NOW.

WE'RE STARTING TO FEEL THIS.

WE HAVE GOT THREE CHEESES.

THE ONLY THING WE DO AGAIN IS A LITTLE SALT, FINISH.

AND THIS IS GOING TO GO.

MARIA: WITH THE CHEESE HAVING TO GO FOR ALMOST SIX HOURS, IT WAS TIME TO EXPLORE THE GROUNDS AND REMI AND IS ONE WERE KIND ENOUGH TO GIVE ME THE TOUR.

THE ARTIST -- LARGEST FISHING PORT, AND ORCHARD LODGE OFFERS UNIQUE EXPERIENCES AROUND THE ISLANDS.

FROM HIKING TRAILS, BIKING, YOGA AND A ONE-OF-A-KIND CULINARY EXPERIENCE, ALL OF THIS BEGAN INSIDE THE WALLS OF THIS ADORABLE GETTY WAY LAWS.

>> THIS IS A LEMON TREE.

THIS IS MANDARIN.

THIS IS WHILE THE --GUAVA.

--GUAVA.

MARIA: OBEY LEAF.

IT IS A SWEET ONE.

YOU HAVE ALL THESE FRUIT TREES.

THIS IS AMAZING.

WE NEED TO LET OUR AUDIENCE KNOW HOW THIS CAME ABOUT AND WHY.

>> I FELT DISCONNECTED WITH MY CORPORATE JOB WHICH WAS GREAT ON PAPER.

WE WANTED TO FOLLOW OUR PASSIONS AND WHITE WAITS TILL WE RETIRE?

I WANTED TO TEACH YOGA.

HE WANTED TO COOK SO WE DECIDED WE WOULD START LOOKING FOR PROPERTY WHILE WE WERE HERE FOR OUR WEDDING.

WE LOOKED FOR PROPERTY.

NOT ONLY DID WE GET MARRIED, SO THEN MY AUNT AND IT IS LIKE OR YOU CAN SEE THEM FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS.

MARIA: IT WOULD NOT BE HARD TO GET LOST IN THE CONFINES OF THE GROUNDS, SMELLING LIKE HERBS AND FRESH SEA AIR.

THE CHEESE WILL LAST LONG ENOUGH TO PUT THE FINAL TOUCHES ON OUR FRESH CHEESE.

>> WE ARE GOING TO PLACE ONE OF THE CHEESES IN THE TRADITION.

YOU FOLD IT OVER.

ONE MORE.

MARIA: AND THE OTHER ONE THIS WAY.

THAT IS BEAUTIFUL.

>> TURNED AROUND AND A NEATLY WRAPPED PACKAGE FOR YOUR JOY IN THE MORNING.

BRANDON: THAT IS SO CUTE.

>> WE HAVE TWO MORE SMALLER ONES.

DO YOU WANT THE TRADITIONAL?

WE CREATE SOME -- WHY NOT?

IT IS JUST A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

FOR BREAKFAST I HAVE THE CHEESE WITH NOTHING ON IT.

JUST A LITTLE SALT LIKE YOU MENTIONED.

PUT IT ON YOUR BREAD AND THAT IS IT.

MARIA: I AM READY.

I HAVE TO DO THE TRADITIONAL FIRST.

THAT I MUST DO.

>> THINGS WORK.

MARIA: LOOK HOW DENSE THAT IS.

>> OLD MILK, FRESH MILK AND LIKE IT IS SPICY.

MARIA: GOOD JOB.

WOW.

>> WHY WOULDN'T YOU WANT TO EAT THIS?

MARIA: WHY WOULDN'T YOU?

I AM GOING TO TRY THE -- ONE AND THE OLIVE OIL.

>> YOU DO NOT WANT TO TRY IT?

MARIA: VERY DIFFERENT.

I HAVE NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

I HAVE NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE.

YOU COULD BOTTLE THAT.

>> IT IS THEN INFUSION -- IT IS AN INFUSION.

WE MAKE INFUSIONS.

MARIA: YOU COULD BOTTLE THAT.

THE AFTERTASTE IS EVEN -- I COULD GO FOR MORE.

>> IF YOU WANT SALT, YOU CAN ADD SALT.

MARIA: IT DOES NOT NEED IT.

MY TIME WAS SUCH A JOY AND ANYONE LOOKING TO HAVE A UNIQUE VACATION ESCAPE NEED TO COME TO THE ORCHARD LODGE AND MAKE SURE YOU ENJOY EVERYTHING THEY HAVE OFFER -- OFFER YOU.

MARIA: ONE OF THE GREATEST JOYS IS COMING BACK HOME TO THE PLACE I WAS BORN AND WHERE MY FAMILY HAS LIVED FOR CENTURIES -- MY VILLAGE.

THIS VILLAGE IS LOCATED IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PART OF SAN MIGUEL AND NOT FAR FROM THE CAPITAL CITY.

IT IS KNOWN FOR ITS AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AS WELL AS ITS FISHING PART WITH ITS FRESH SEAFOOD BUT YOU WILL ALSO FIND GREAT CLASSES AND STREETS TO STROLL ON BY.

AFTER A QUICK WALK, I AM OFF TO MEET WITH MY COUSINS, WHO I PLAN ON MAKING A SPECIAL DINNER.

>> OCTOPUS.

>>[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE] MARIA: TODAY WE ARE GOING TO MAKE AUTHENTIC ROASTED OCTOPUS.

IT IS A LITTLE SLIMY.

THE WAY TO CUT IT -- THIS OF COURSE IS ITS HEAD.

THESE ARE THE EYES AND YOU GO RIGHT BEHIND THE EYES AND YOU CUT IT OUT.

>> CLEAN AFTER YOU -- BEFORE YOU CUT IT.

>> CLEAN AFTER YOU CUT IT.

>> THIS IS SO FRESH THAT IF YOU TOUCH THE SUCTION CUPS, IT GETS STUCK TO YOUR FINGER.

WE PUT THE OCTOPUS ALL IN THE PAN.

NOW WE MIX EVERYTHING IN THE PAN.

IT REALLY SMELLS GOOD.

I AM SO GLAD HE IS TEACHING US HOW TO DO THIS HIS WAY BECAUSE I WAS NOT AN OCTOPUS FAN GROWING UP.

I THOUGHT THEY WERE TOO SLIMY.

IT SCARED ME.

ONE TIME I CAME FOR A VISIT AND WE WERE HERE AND JOHN SAID I AM GOING TO COOK YOU OCTOPUS.

I SAID I DO NOT LIKE OCTOPUS.

HE SAID YOU HAVE NOT TRIED MY OCTOPUS.

I AM GOING TO CHANGE YOUR MIND SO HE MADE ME THIS DISH AND YEAH.

I LIKE OCTOPUS NOW.

WELL MIXED.

SALT.

>>[SPEAKING PORTUGUESE] MARIA: COOKING WITH MY COUSIN IS MUCH MORE THAN AN ACT OF COOKING .

THROUGH IT ALL WE TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING.

WE LAUGH SO MUCH THAT SOMETIMES OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS QUESTION IF WE ARE REALLY COOKING.

IT IS ALWAYS THAT MUCH FUN.

NOW WE ARE GOING TO CHECK ON THE OCTOPUS AND SEE HOW IT LOOKS.

WOE --WHOA.

THIS LOOKS BEAUTIFUL.

NOW WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IS TAKE IT OFF THE FLAME AND WE ARE GOING TO PUT IT IN THE ROASTING PAN AND ALL WE ARE DOING IS TAKING OUT ALL OF THE TWIST TENTACLES OUT AND LEAVING ALL OF THE GRAVY IT IS PRODUCED.

WE ARE GOING TO ADD POTATOES HERE.

WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IS WE ARE JUST GOING TO TAKE UP THESE POTATOES.

LOOK HOW BEAUTIFUL THOSE POTATOES LOOK.

LOOK HOW GORGEOUS.

THEY ARE NICE.

THE COLOR ON THEM IS BEAUTIFUL AND THAT IS ALL THAT IS THAT WAS COOKED IN THIS BROAD FOR OVER FIVE MINUTES.

YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE THE POTATOES OR COACH THROUGH -- COOKED THROUGH AND YOU CAN DO THAT BY PUTTING A KNIFE THROUGH IT AND DOUBLECHECKING TO MAKE SURE IT IS DONE.

IF YOURS TAKES LONGER, THAT IS OK.

HE IS MAKING ROOM FOR ME.

OK. >> NOW WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A LADLE.

YOU ARE GOING TO GET FROM THE VERY TOP.

-- SPORTS OVER.

-- POUR IT OVER.

>>[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE] MARIA: TAKE THE TRAY LIKE THIS.

SEE HOW BEAUTIFUL?

IT GOES RIGHT INTO THE OVEN.

AS WE DEAL WITH THE FINISHING TOUCHES, I FOUND THE FAMILIES GETTING THE DINING ROOM -- DINING ROOM READY.

THE KITCHEN IS FILLED WITH THE AROMA OF GARLIC, ONION AND RED HAT PEPPERS.

IT SMELLS HEAVENLY.

>>[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE] >>[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE] >> OK. [SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE] MARIA: GETTING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY -- IT DOES NOT GET BETTER THAN THIS.

BUS OF LAUGHS AND LOVE ALL AROUND.

IF I THINK ABOUT IT TOO LONG, I MIGHT CRY BUT UNTIL THEN -- VIVA !

VIVA!

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪