We said goodbye to Graciosa this morning and caught another SATA plane, landing in the town of Santa Cruz on the island of Flores.

Of course, that plane was delayed as well. And it was raining. And foggy. And I swear, we taxied for at least 10 minutes before we finally came to a stop.

The airport definitely had been around for a bit, and looked like the old Bermuda one… the prop planes can’t pull up to the airport, so you always have to walk from where it lands to the buildings.

Uncle got another rent-a-car and when we went out to check… Carol had me take pictures of the vehicle when she noticed a nail in the tire. Not a good thing to see when starting a rental. So, she goes back inside to get another vehicle. This one had just been turned in and hadn’t been cleaned yet. It had a tank full of gas at least, but we definitely took pictures of this one because the car rental dude wouldn’t come and inspect it from the last renter.

Finally, we’re on our way. We have learned that in connection with the holidays that we celebrated on Graciosa over the weekend, the celebration continues Portugal wide. We’ve landed on a holiday and a national holiday for the next day. Which we’ve been told means no stores or grocery stores will be open the entire time that we are here. The car rental lady said that we should find some food to get us through the next couple of days before we leave Santa Cruz (which is the major city), because she said none will be open in the small towns we’ll pass. But we didn’t… next thing we know, we’re headed towards the other end of the island where we’re staying at Lajes das Flores. The “hotel” we’re staying at, turns out to be former naval military housing. It was a nice little three bedroom setup. Perfect for two nights.

After dropping off our bags, we went out to see what we could find in the way of food. We hadn’t eaten all day and it was starting to get late. We found a couple of places that were just bars, but we were able to get some water and soda for the house. We then found a little place down by the loading docks where people had gathered and we saw they had food. Things was, they didn’t open their kitchen until 7pm and it was just after 5. So, we drank a little bit and waited it out. Seven o’clock arrives and we, rather I, just about ordered everything on the menu. A bunch of little pupus, cheeses, olives, sausage (I did NOT like the black one!), bread… and a hamburger! I had ordered with the intention of taking leftovers back to have for the next day when all would still be closed, but it didn’t work out that way. After an another hour or so, we head back to the house because it’s been a long day of travel and we’re all exhausted.

The next morning, we’re up early and head out to go find some lakes and waterfalls. The Ilha do Flores, is known for its flora beauty, breath-taking waterfalls and challenging hikes, throughout its 27 miles. My uncle was a landscape architect and loves flowers, plants and all things nature. But unfortunately, the lakes are up high on the mountain and today, the weather was not cooperating, as heavy fog covered the mountaintop and we couldn’t see 20 feet in front of us. It was like the clouds were sitting on top of us. We might catch a quick glimpse, then it was foggy again.

The fog rolled in and out so quickly, it was hard to see anything spectacular, but we kept trying, driving around for a few hours looking for a site to get some good pictures. The lower elevations were better to see some wonderful sites. We came across a couple of small towns, and found a little market/bar. We all needed an espresso and cappuccino to get going, even though by this time it was around noon. And, I made a great discovery… a cemetery right next to the market/bar.

We met a couple from the US, but both had been born on the island. They talked about the cemetery, and then somehow Carol had persuaded them to walk us to the closest waterfall. They were so nice, taking us on a shortcut to ensure we found our way there before a bus load of tourists made it there. We walked to the spot and what a gorgeous place. The gentleman said some people swim in the waters, but it was way too cold for us. We had about 10 minutes to enjoy the silence and beauty before the tourists showed up.

We ran into a wonderful restaurant by the sea for lunch, just a short walk from the waterfall, and had the most delicious rustica pizza. It was a wonderful afternoon. On the road again, we see some more little water falls, so we stop for pictures.

Someone saw a marker for a hike to, Ponte Ribeiro do Ferreiro, a mountain lake with at least ten waterfalls… I swear it wasn’t me… but somehow we all agreed to walk it. Because after all, Google Maps said it was only a 1/2 mile long.

What Google failed to tell us was the damn elevation of the 1/2 mile trek would make that little 1/2 mile walk feel like a three mile trek!

OMG! The terrain was rough, there were rocks everywhere and everything was wet, even though the trees covered the sky. I started taping the walk… it’s been broken into three separate clippings because it kept stopping. I’m trying to sound okay and not breathe hard while talking, but O. M. Gee! I thought I was going to die! After 40 minutes or so, walking over trecherous ground, we finally make it to the top and see the lake. Immediately, my husband’s words from a previous excursion to the Grand Canyon, decades ago, rings in my head.

“Yep! That’s a big damn hole!” Still not convinced it was worth the walk.

It was just so hard to make a way up there and it surely felt longer than half a mile but it turns out I used my “Map My Walk app coming back down and it was in fact, just a half mile. I couldn’t believe it! But I also walked 3,400 steps on that little trek! The lake is truly beautiful and we can see one of the 10 water walls clearly. We’re being teased with the others, as they play hide-and-seek with the fog.

It’s a very thick fog, but Calla lilies were growing everywhere and you could hear the frogs croaking, bird chirping, and I found a white bird hiding in a brush, sitting on a nest. There was probably about a dozen people just sitting and relaxing by the water after their hike… I think we were the worst looking bunch… they were all definitely younger and not as winded. After resting for about 30 minutes, we decided to head back and that was another adventure in itself!

When we finally make it back to the car, we’re exhausted and head back to the hotel. Auntie and Uncle want to do some more exploring but for me, that hike was a bit much for my lungs and I need the rest. I quickly pass out.

The next morning, the holidays are over and we head into town to find some café before turning in the rental car for our flight to our next destination, Ponta Degada on the island of San Miguél, .