Flores, The Azores

Anchorages:

Port Lajes das Flores with concrete breakwater and major swells; half mile walk to village of Lages is almost vertical so we suggest using taxis or your best climbing shoes

Marinas:

None; avoid Santa Cruz Harbor at all costs

Check In/Out Procedures:

Should check into The Azores in Horta prior to sailing to Flores

Cruiser Amenities:

	Laundry: 3.5 Euro per kilo, wash-dry-fold same day service from local woman; municipal service is temporarily discontinued; use taxi to and from laundry Note: laundry service in Horta is 1/3 cost if you can wait!
	Internet: free at municipal library, Monday-Friday, 9-5; no laptop connection

Yacht Services:

Several sailboats were hauled at the port and owners were cleaning bottoms

Restaurants:

	Nearest to Port: Biera Mera Pizzeria
	Best Value: Restaurante Poussada, Lajes das Flores

Ask for Monica, Tony, or Fatima (the chef) at the Poussada for an evening's meal to remember. Located directly across the street from the lighthouse, we spent two of our three evening meals with these fine folks and would return in a heartbeat.

For a quicker meal closer to the anchorage, the pizza crust at Biera Mera is the best yet in the Azores.

Menu Items:

	Carne Asada: BBQ pot roast
	Espetada de frango: chicken kebabs
	Espetada de porco: pork kebabs
	Cherne: firm white wreck fish
	Pao de Milho: coarse grain bread they call cornbread
	Angelus Bairrada Reserva 1999: red wine from Portugal
	Casal Garcia Vinho Verde: sparkling white wine from Portugal

Provisions:

Supermarket in Santa Cruz; bakery across the street

Transportation:

Taxis are plentiful and reasonable. After two weeks at sea, climbing the extreme topography of the Lajes das Flores village was a challenge which some of us found awkward. Check the phone booth in the harbor for phone numbers of drivers or call Caesar at 292-593-692 or 962-409-193.

Misc Information:

All information valid in June-July, 2003