The Azores rise out of what seems like the middle of nowhere off the coast of Portugal. Though nine volcanic islands are scattered across this vast blue wilderness, we visited five, each one embracing its own distinct vibe.  Last May, aboard the National Geographic Orion, we cruised into this archipelago slowly, with salt in the air and a feeling that our world was about to widen. What followed was a week of towering basalt cliffs, steaming hot springs, emerald pastures, whale spouts on the horizon, and the kind of companionship that only forms when a small ship carries curious explorers into remote waters. This would be our seventh expedition aboard a National Geographic/Lindblad Expeditions ship, and we were not disappointed in our discovery of these hiding isles.