Often cut off by stormy weather, the island of “Flowers” is a romantic outpost
that was not permanently settled until the 16th century. A notorious hideout for
pirates waiting to raid the treasureladen Spanish galleons on their return to
Europe, Flores was the scene of an epic battle in 1591 between the ship of the
English commander Sir Richard Grenville and a fleet of Spanish ships. The battle
was immortalized in a poem by Alfred Tennyson, The Revenge 
(the name of Grenville’s ship).

This westernmost island of the Azores is 17 km (10 miles) long and extremely
mountainous. Its name derives from the abundance of flowers growing in its
ravines, and the prospect of wilderness draws adventurous walkers here during
the summer. The capital, Santa Cruz , is enlivened by the
enthusiastically run Museu das Flores , housed in the former
Franciscan convent. Its displays include shipwreck finds, Azorean pottery,
furniture and agricultural tools, as well as fishing rods and a guitar made from
whalebone. The convent church of São Boaventura , erected in
1641, has a beautiful carved cedarwood chancel. The southern half of the island
is the most scenic. The deep, verdant valleys are punctuated with dramatic peaks
and volcanic crater lakes and caves. Yams and sweet potatoes grow in the fertile
soil. The tranquil Lagoa Funda  (Deep Lake), 25 km (15 miles)
southwest of Santa Cruz, is a large crater lake at the base of a mountain.
Visible from the main road just west of the lake, are the strange vertical rock
formations of the Rocha dos Bordões  formed by solidified
basalt.

The winding road continues northwards over the mountains and, as the road
descends towards the west coast, there are stunning views of the green valley
and village of Fajãzinha . The resort of Fajã
Grande , ringed by cliffs, is a popular base for walkers and impressive
waterfalls plunge into the sea from the high cliffs. A short walk north from the
town is the Cascata da Ribeira Grande , a towering jet of water
that divides into smaller waterfalls before collecting in a still pool.