Azores Treasures: Flores Island - "This island is not marked on the map - real places are never marked on maps" - LiveJournal. Flourish Island - resorts of Papua New Guinea Flourish Island Portugal
So, our expedition left behind the beautiful island of Terceira with gorgeous views, a beautiful capital and playful dolphins. Now our path lies to the west - 350 kilometers from Terceira are the islands of Flores and Corvo, and I’ll tell you about Flores today.
I have already mentioned that the Azores are different from each other because they arose at different times. So Floris (and Corvo too) is, of course, the most Icelandic of all the Azores islands. While we were there, I repeatedly felt like I was back in Iceland. Of course, Terceira is similar in places, you can also find similar places in Faial and San Miguel, but the similarities between Iceland and Flores are truly amazing. Well, now let's check if this is true :)
SATA is an Azores airline and the Bombardier Q400 is one of its main aircraft
Florish greeted us with rather gloomy weather and occasional rain, but we made a couple of stops on the way to the hotel. First we stopped near two neighboring lakes and even saw something through the cloud.
The lakes are indeed located very close and are separated by a ridge from which, in fact, you can admire them. They are called Funda and Comprida. Comprida is translated as "long"
But somehow I couldn’t figure out the translation of the word Funda (Google didn’t help), but we can assume that this name also refers to the form
Looking ahead, I note that we still managed to see these lakes later in clear weather - you can compare :)
The vegetation on Florish seems to be the same as on the other islands, but not quite. There are more mosses and all sorts of low-growing species here. This in many ways makes it similar to Iceland.
After the lakes we stopped at an old mill, which has long become a local landmark
Water mill with two wheels. Each one activates such a mechanism
One wheel spins and the other rests
This car is over a century old. Corn flour in this case
The rain either subsided or started again and we went to the hotel. I’ll tell you about it in detail and in pictures a little later, but first we’ll admire the beauty of the island
So, we got to the hotel, threw our suitcases and agreed with the owners about dinner. There were still a few hours left, and the hotel owner suggested taking a ride to the nearest waterfall. Well, off we go.
At first, even the weather favored this idea, the blue sky showed through
The waterfall, although small, is very picturesque
Cows graze right there - a complete idyll in general
By the way, the waterfall is not the only one; there are several of them along the mountainside
Unfortunately, the clouds have thickened again
And here is the lower part of our waterfall
The scale, of course, is much more modest than Icelandic
However, there are more impressive waterfalls on the island, next time I’ll tell you about one of these :)
In general, in clear weather this is the best place to paint watercolors
By the way, it seems to me that the upper and lower parts of this waterfall look prettier separately than together
Clouds are creeping up the slope
While we could still see something, we reached the ocean shore
Here is our familiar waterfall
Along the coast (and this is the western tip of Flores) stretch the same lava formations that we saw on Terceira and will see more than once
This is where our short excursion ended, let's go back to the hotel
And on the way, we looked into a village store, where suddenly a hair mask originally from Moscow was discovered on the shelf! That's it, I never expected to find such a domestic product in the Azores :)
Well, now, as promised, I’ll tell you about the hotel. He is truly unusual. There was once a very small village on Flores called Aldea da Cuada (“aldea” means “village”). Then the residents abandoned it, until twenty years ago when a person was found who decided to breathe new life into the empty houses. And inhaled.
Now they accept tourists, and each house (and there are about ten of them) has its own name
We stayed in a two-story building. I took pictures the next day, which turned out to be quite nice
The owner's wife did the interiors, and they were definitely a success
Here you will find candles and kerosene lamps (we lit them and they work) and complete rustic comfort. One problem is that the audibility in such a house is close to one hundred percent, but in an expedition race this is not particularly scary
In the former village there is also a chapel
Here are a couple more houses
There was still some time left before the planned dinner, and we scattered to our rooms or the immediate surroundings. But at seven o'clock it turned out that our team had lost Love. I mean, Lyubov went for a walk and never returned. Along this treacherous path
A phone call confirmed her fears: Lyuba was lost, and the stone fences turned out to be akin to a real labyrinth. The rescue team, consisting of our accompanying Larisa and the future son-in-law of the hotel owner, set out to search, but we stayed to wait for dinner and raise toasts to the successful completion of the operation and organized a headquarters. I will probably omit the details of this operation, because it got dark quite quickly, and it became clear that the matter was not as trivial as it seemed at the very beginning. But in the end, everyone found each other, gathered and returned to the table safe and relatively unharmed (but the possibility of calling rescuers was seriously discussed at some point). Overall, the dinner was a success, needless to say. On the other hand, there can be no expedition without adventures, the main thing is that they end well.
And this, by the way, is the owner’s daughter, Carlotta. And the dog, which I now think should have just been followed:)
By the way, they are thinking about organizing this story into an attraction for future guests. A couple in love arrives at the hotel, they take the young lady away, and let the young man look for himself.
Well, okay, let's return to the beauty of the island again. The next morning, the main part of the team set off to conquer Corva, but on the way to the port we stopped at one of the many observation platforms. Look, this is also a caldera, but not quite an ordinary one. Half of it remained on the island, and the other is now hidden under water
The village is called Fazazinha
A whole scattering of waterfalls
A very strange shape on the slope
Why not Iceland?
And the panorama is traditional
I’ll tell you about the trip to Corva, which can also be called an adventure, next time, but we returned to Flores relatively early that day, so we still had time to admire the beauty of the island.
Here is another pair of lakes. One of them is called familiarly - Funda
And the second lake is Melkoye (Rasa)
Here, of course, the sun hits the lens directly, but still. It’s as if unknown giants sculpted a hill from a plate
And on Florish the hydrangea has already bloomed
By the way, about the hills. There is a local breed of cows in the Azores, and in addition, Dutch ones were brought in not so long ago. So the Dutch also adapted to climbing slopes, something they never did in their homeland. Visual proof that Darwin was right, in general
And here is another observation deck. Do you recognize? Yes, this is the same caldera as in the morning, only from a different point. This is the special charm of Florish - from a different angle, familiar places are sometimes difficult to recognize even
This is the westernmost edge of the island, the archipelago and Europe
To be completely precise, this title belongs to the tiny island of Monchique
Well, clear weather also changes the picture
There are more than a dozen waterfalls
Fantastically beautiful place
If you look closely, you can see several gray houses on the right side of the frame. This is the village-hotel. Well, the rescue operation took place on these terraces the night before
Here's the reverse view
Amazing landscape
The next morning we left Flourish. We said goodbye to a wonderful hotel and its hospitable owners
And we went to the airport. And along the way we made up for lost time on the first day. This is the same platform between two lakes
Well, one of them, which is also Funda
The final chord was another observation
Sheer delight
Do you see an island on the horizon? This is Corvo, it’s a little over 20 kilometers from Floris
Wonderful Flourish in clear weather! And even if it’s cloudy, it’s not bad at all, I’ll tell you :)
That's all I wanted to tell you about the most beautiful of all the Azores islands. Bye, Florish!
We are not saying goodbye to the Western Azores at this point - a story about Corva will be coming soon :) Well, then we’ll move on to Faial. There we will get acquainted with volcanism and the history of whale fishing in the Azores.
Portugal, Azores, Flores, Azores, Portugal
Show on the mapFlorish is a real miracle of nature. The island greets its guests with pristine natural beauty, panoramic views of valleys and friendly villages, peaceful calm and silence, which is interrupted only by the majestic voice of the ocean. Flores is rightly called the island of flowers: lush hydrangeas, hibiscus, azorine, juniper, cacti and heather grow here everywhere, turning this place into a strange and fragrant garden.
Flores is the westernmost territory of the Azores and Europe. Endowed with its truly paradisiacal landscapes, the island is included in the international network of UNESCO biosphere reserves. Since the island is small, it is easy to get around on foot. Taking walks along the various routes along the island, you can observe different species of migratory birds, because the island of Flores is considered one of the best places in the Azores for observing unique species of birds. The most suitable time for this type of holiday is from September to November, and the best area is the “White Lagoon” (Lagoa Branca) in the central part of the island.
How to get to Flores
Flores is located in the western Atlantic Ocean and belongs to the group of islands of the Azores archipelago. You can get to Flores in 2-2.5 hours. There are air and ferry connections with neighboring islands, including the nearby one. The flight time from Corvo is 15 minutes, and the ferry journey will take 40 minutes. In addition to taxis and car rental services, the island has a public transport network with various routes to anywhere on the island.
Climate on Florisch
The weather on the island is changeable; during the day, clear skies can be obscured by rain clouds. The best time to visit is from May to September, when the temperature ranges between +24-26 °C. The water temperature throughout the year ranges from +17 to +23°C. The period from June to September is comfortable for relaxing on the beach, when the waters of the Atlantic become warmer.
Entertainment in Florisch
Flores Island is famous for its 7 lakes located in the craters of extinct volcanoes. The most picturesque is considered to be Deep Lake (Lagoa Funda), its shores are buried in emerald greenery, forming a magical landscape. The group of rocks of Rocha dos Bordoes is the hallmark of the island. Unusual basalt fossils resemble a giant organ in their outline. From here you have an amazing view of the picturesque area of Fajã Grande and the Ribeira Grande waterfall, which falls in a beautiful cascade from a height of 300 meters. Alagoa Bay offers excellent diving from a group of islets and peninsulas, especially around the reefs of Baixa do Amigo, Ponta da Caveira and Ilhéu do Garajau. For the best viewing platforms and panoramic photographs, it is worth heading to the heights of Flores - the peaks of Sete Pes, Burrinha, Marcel and the highest point of Morro Alto (915 m).
Beaches of Floris
In Flores you can relax on the beaches with natural pools in Santa Cruz and Lajes. If you want something more unusual, then it is better to opt for reservoirs formed by waterfalls. The famous Ribeira Grande waterfall or the Poço do Bacalhau waterfall, with a drop height of 90 meters, are perfect for this purpose.
Sights of Florisch
The most notable architectural buildings on Florisch are the ancient mansions and churches. The most famous are the church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário and the chapel Nossa Senhora das Angústias in Lajes das Flores, the churches of Nossa Senhora da Conceição and São Boaventura in Santa Cruz das Flores, the capital of the island. Also of interest will be the Ethnographic Museum (Museu Etnográfico), where you can get acquainted with the life of the islanders and see the products of local craftsmen. The hot sulfur springs of Aguas Quentes and the huge 50-meter cave Groto de Enxareus are also interesting to visit.
Flores Island belongs to the western group of the Azores archipelago of Portugal. Its area is about 142 km². The highest point of the island is Mount Morro Alto, which reaches 914 meters above sea level. The island has two municipalities: Lajes das Flores in the south and Santa Cruz das Flores in the north. Flores Island is an ideal destination for true nature lovers.
Attractions of the island of Flores
Seven lakes
In the central zone of the island, in the craters of extinct volcanoes, there are the famous seven lakes. These are places of rare beauty. The Blue Lake (Lagoa Funda) is considered the most picturesque. However, other lakes - Lomba, Rasa, Seca, Negra, Comprida and Branca - deserve attention and admiration.
Rocha dosBordoes
The Rocha dos Bordoes group of rocks is a strange and delightful natural wonder of the island of Flores. These are huge blocks of basalt, similar to organ pipes, covered with mosses, lichens and other vegetation. In 2004, the government recognized the Rocha dos Bordoes rocks as a natural monument.
Ribeira Grande Waterfall
Surrounded by lush vegetation, the scenic Fajazinha area is home to nearly two dozen waterfalls. But the most amazing waterfall of them all is Ribeira Grande, whose cascade of water descends from a height of 300 meters. The best place to see the waterfall almost entirely is the observation deck at Fajazinha.
Natural pools in Santa Cruz
The swimming pools are just a few minutes' walk from the airport. This is the best place to see local marine life.
Faja Grande
One of the most beautiful places on the island, located on the west coast. On the one hand, huge cliffs rise, covered with lush green vegetation, and on the other, the blue ocean, the waves of which crash against the coastal rocks. From here you can see the islet of Monchique, once used as a starting point for maritime navigation. These are small basalt rocks about 30 meters high, isolated in the ocean.
Nature of the island of Flores
Flourish is an abundance of flowers, bizarre rocks, waterfalls, hot springs, valleys, lagoons, grottoes and the remains of old volcanoes. The island has seven volcanic craters that have turned into beautiful lakes.
The coastline of the island is made up of islets, capes, shallows, bays, and coastal caves.
Climate and weather of Flores Island
The climate of Flores Island is largely shaped by the Gulf Stream. Winter is mild and rainy. The average temperature in winter is + 14 C, in summer + 25 C. In summer there is less precipitation than in winter.
Flores Island - video
On Flores, the few guests are greeted by an equally small local population, “not spoiled” by tourists. The majority of people live in small idyllic villages, which belong on office calendars and souvenir postcards. It"s simply too good to be true...
Everything is somehow sad with car rental here, so we just caught a local guy who drove us around the island for 150 euros. Luckily it's small.
The westernmost and wettest island of the Azores archipelago is replete with waterfalls of all possible shapes and sizes, up to multi-hundred-meter cascades. Some waterfalls look homely and cozy; you can safely climb along their edges for your own pleasure.
Flores Island resembles a layer cake. Basalt alternates with layers of porous ash and lava crumbs. Underwater rivers suddenly fall down from the middle of the cliff, becoming "waterfalls out of nowhere."
The main attraction of the central plateau of the island is the numerous crater lakes filled with colorful water. The steep walls of the crater are overgrown with fluffy bushes. The landscape is somewhat reminiscent of the landscapes of the Patagonian Tierra del Fuego.
There are many crater lakes on Flores - Reserva Florestal Natural do Morro Alto. And there is no shortage of observation platforms from which you can admire these lakes.
For all its beauty, the interior of the island is not easy to see - an impenetrable fog often covers the entire island, and the lower cloud limit is somewhere around 300-500 meters. Therefore, any sunny day should be perceived as a unique chance, a gift of fate!
The humid microclimate greatly affects the island's vegetation. The mountain slopes at an altitude of 800-900 meters are overgrown with an amazing forest - bonsai. The kingdom of meter-thick moss cushions and intricately curved junipers stretches for kilometers, but it’s not realistic to walk there.
“Moss Gardens”, freely and widely spread along numerous rivulets and streams of the central plateau, would also do honor to any guru of oriental garden art.
The steep northern coast of the island is undoubtedly beautiful, but practically inaccessible from the shore. The only option to see it is to rent a boat, but on the day of our visit this was, alas, impossible due to a storm...
The luxurious west coast of Flores is said to reach its aesthetic climax on the ancient cliff path leading from Ponta da Faga to Ponta Delgado. The beginning of the trail is truly gorgeous!
It’s worth looking back at the tiny village of Fajã Grande, and your heart skips a beat from the beauty! The piercing blue of the ocean and the white church against the backdrop of steep green cliffs with waterfalls and terraced fields - what is not a heavenly landscape?!
The middle of the trail is quite difficult, but after 300 meters of elevation gain, a bonus awaits the traveler in the form of a waterfall, the westernmost in Europe! Rising from the basalt plateau, he covers the rest of the short path to the ocean in several vigorous leaps...
And here is the westernmost piece of the European Land - Monchique! A small sheer cliff looms in the ocean just opposite the waterfall - and this is the last piece of land on this side of the Atlantic. Further west - only the Bahamas, Bermuda, Newfoundland...
At the end of the ten-kilometer trail, the patient and hardy will see a view of the westernmost lighthouse in Europe, located on a cape not far from Ponta Delgada - Farol De Albarnaz. The impatient and lazy can cheat and get to the lighthouse by car, taking a detour... We cheated!
On the western shore lies the local ecotourism kingdom of Fajãzinha.
Scattered among a mosaic of green fields and laurel copses, Fajazinha and its neighbor Faga Grande compete with each other for the title of the most westerly settlement in Europe. It’s difficult for me to judge them, but the western border of Europe definitely made the most favorable impression on me!
No matter how beautiful the west of Flores is, I still give the palm to the southwest of this blessed island... It is there that man-made landscapes organically merge with the natural beauty of basalt rocks and the endless grandeur of the Ocean!
As it cools, molten basalt can become covered with such a regular network of cracks that it turns into a bunch of identical hexagonal columns of very considerable length. However, this rarely happens; a unique set of conditions is needed, and the islanders are rightfully proud of their landmark!
It was these hillside pastures that became for me personally a symbol of the Azores - a cow paradise, where the traces of 600 years of human activity fit surprisingly harmoniously into the natural landscape, creating one of the most beautiful man-made landscapes I have ever seen!