Flores & Corvo
By the time we docked at Lages das Flores, the full moon of the night before had given way to the sun, but being on “island time,” she wasn’t quite ready to shine. So intrepid hikers drove through the rain clouds on their way to Faja Grande, and those who opted out of the morning hike made their way to the charming town of Santa Cruz. By the time we all arrived at our destinations, the sun had come out making for an excellent hike from the westernmost point of Europe to one of the many waterfalls along the trail which is flanked by a series of old stone mills, some still housing the machinery used to grind the corn.
After lunch on board, we headed for the Zodiacs and went ashore on Corvo—the smallest of all the islands of the Azores—to “trade some culture.” Waiting for us on the dock was the island’s mayor along with a full 20% of the island’s population! Other residents watched the spectacle of our landing from the safety of the hill above our landing site (see photo). We loaded into the backs of their pickup trucks and jeeps for the short ride to the top of the island to see the caldeira. Along the way we pass through the two “villages” of the island—the first village where the residents live, and the second “village” of storehouses—stone buildings that hold the grain to feed the island’s cattle in winter. After the 5 mile walk (or ride) back down the hill to the dock (past the cows who stare at us like we are from outerspace) some hikers headed for the local cafe to join the Corvonians for a beer and some exchange of culture before returning to the Endeavour.
By the time we docked at Lages das Flores, the full moon of the night before had given way to the sun, but being on “island time,” she wasn’t quite ready to shine. So intrepid hikers drove through the rain clouds on their way to Faja Grande, and those who opted out of the morning hike made their way to the charming town of Santa Cruz. By the time we all arrived at our destinations, the sun had come out making for an excellent hike from the westernmost point of Europe to one of the many waterfalls along the trail which is flanked by a series of old stone mills, some still housing the machinery used to grind the corn.
After lunch on board, we headed for the Zodiacs and went ashore on Corvo—the smallest of all the islands of the Azores—to “trade some culture.” Waiting for us on the dock was the island’s mayor along with a full 20% of the island’s population! Other residents watched the spectacle of our landing from the safety of the hill above our landing site (see photo). We loaded into the backs of their pickup trucks and jeeps for the short ride to the top of the island to see the caldeira. Along the way we pass through the two “villages” of the island—the first village where the residents live, and the second “village” of storehouses—stone buildings that hold the grain to feed the island’s cattle in winter. After the 5 mile walk (or ride) back down the hill to the dock (past the cows who stare at us like we are from outerspace) some hikers headed for the local cafe to join the Corvonians for a beer and some exchange of culture before returning to the Endeavour.
