Flores: When pronounced by its inhabitants, this lovely romance word denoting flowers sounded to me like “Floorsch.” So, Floorsch it is.
The wild and woolly volcanic geology, colorful history, and laid-back, friendly people on this tiny island made exploring a blast. We visited calderas, swam in tourist-free waterfall pools, explored coastal waterfalls and caves by boat and scuba, and survived a hair-raising cross-mountain dirt road in the fog while hunting the fabled wild bunnies.
Under the waterfall
From the water you can see gorgeous waterfalls slicing through the lime green cliffs of Flores. You desperately want to go see them up close, but it’s impossible to get to most of them. But while chitchatting during a diving expedition, Marida learned from divemaster Filipe that one could be visited from Faja Grande, close to his house. We tracked down a walking path there and discovered a local gem – a waterfall pool with just a few people around.
Waterfalls and caves by boat
We signed up for a group tour of the waterfalls and caves around the island, but on the day we were the only takers, so we had a private cruise all the way from the southern town of Lajes to the northern tip of the island. There were no other boats. It was sublime – the water is an astonishing azure blue, there are so many waterfalls, and the rock formations are otherworldly.
Under and on the water
Marida did two dives in Flores, both with Filipe, and usually with just a few other paying divers. The eastern part of the island is less exposed to the wind and waves in winter, and is thus more fished. There were fewer fish, but Marida discovered a huge octopus, at least 2 feet across when sitting with all legs curled. Filipe motored into a cave to show us a collection of Portuguese Man O’War jellyfish, floating on the surface with their translucent balloons of air that look like glass ornaments but trail deadly stinging tentacles. Apparently, they can direct their movement on the water by curving their sails to catch the wind.
White knuckles over black basalt cliffs
Heading back after a day exploring, we decided to take the mountain road. This is NOT what our navigator (Terri) calls a “Big Boy Road” (defined as “a road with a line down the middle”). But we went anyway.
Comments
9 responses to “Exploring Floorsch”
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Looks like you are having some fabulous adventures! Oof, that jellyfish brings back memories of Australia. One time on a school outing the bully in my class poked one that had washed ashore, and it spat right into her mouth. She was ok but blessedly quiet the rest of the day.
Thanks for sharing the beauty, water, critters. Excellent planning obviously! See you back in the Grove. Gail Myles Ambrose wedding is in the Grove next week.
Gail
You have found a region of Portugal that we have not seen. It is a wonderful country with wonderful people. Looking forward to following in your footsteps, or finsteps.
Such a fabulous adventure you’re on….the pictures say it all!
Wow!! Just wow!!
Love following your adventures.
We loved the Azores, especially Flores. The people treat you like visitors, not tourists. Returning from my last dive with Filipe, I asked him what time the grocery store closed. He said, “it’s closed already…what do you need?” On hearing that we “needed” a bottle of red wine, he promised to go fetch us one from his house. An hour later he met us in the Aldea parking area to hand over a nice bottle, before he and his wife headed off to a birthday party. Such welcoming people.
Really. So amazing. The swimming in an isolated spot with a waterfall at your back! The rock walls corralling the cows, and expressing a need (red wine, really? Is that a need???) and receiving it. So beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Red wine is definitely a need. Cheese and olives are obligatory as well. We are happy to obey these laws of nature!