Madeira Island Paradise

“I love telling stories, that's it. I love it. That's the word I would choose to describe what I love the most.” — Jeff Probst

Clearly, I love telling stories or you wouldn’t be reading them. Madeira took my breath away and while my time there was short thanks to some rescheduling, but I made the most of all that I had. This magical island certainly deserves a lot more and I’ve put it back on my wish list for a longer stay.

With its white houses and red tiled roofs spread over the hills overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, plus great food, an abundance of outdoor activities, beautiful scenery and friendly people what’s there not to love about it.

This island is a hidden gem. I’m told that Christmas is magical here and people book a Christmas visit here at least a year in advance.

I stayed in a nice resort in Funchal, close to the heart of the town full of charming cafes. Not that there was any shortage of stuff to do around the resort either.

When my driver picked me up for an Orientation tour, he insisted on the Botanical Gardens. I tried to convince him that I could leave that to a future visit, but I am so glad he insisted. Not only are the gardens beautiful but there are beautiful views from all over the gardens.

The gardens were a burst of color and I saw flowers that I’m familiar with in colors that I have never seen before. What a wonderful experience.

This is a farmers’ market that is supposed to be a burst of color and energy. Unfortunately, it was closed on the day I arrived. Another thing to be added to the next visit.

I did however walk the street of the painted doors and thoroughly enjoyed the creative and colorful doors, some of which I have shared here above.

The next day I set off to explore the island and enjoy the contrasts of all the island had to offer from the forests to the frothing ocean and waterfalls trickling down the hillsides.

These are tidal pools that were created by volcanic activity. On a good day people come out here to swim but today the surf was too high and warnings for people not to go into the pools. While I did see people walking in their bathing suits with towels around their necks, I didn’t actually see anyone in these pools by which we ate our lunch.

There was yellow tape here too, but we ducked under it because the sight of the surf crashing here, was such a beautiful sight. Fortunately, no one got swept out into the ocean and we’ve lived to tell the tale.

This beautiful waterfall comes out of the cliff and pours right into the Atlantic Ocean. So much of this drive reminded me of driving the Pacific Coast Highway and substituting the Atlantic for the Pacific.

While our guide did not deem it safe to visit the waterfall that pours right onto the highway and cars get to drive through it. We did get to see a few other waterfalls as they came tumbling down by the side of the road.

We saved the best for the last. On the top of one of the highest cliffs in the world 589 meters high walking on the glass skywalk. The view as seen from the top.