The islands have been sought out by pirates, whalers, and adventure seekers.  They've been home to penal colonies, failed and abandoned settlements, and for a short time, a US naval base.  There's been murder, mysteries, disappearances and unexplained deaths.  The varied history and accompanying obscurity of the enchanted islands and its progression from what was once thought to be a cursed and desolate location to one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world is quite an entrancing tale.