Up Close and Personal

This weekend, I had the wonderful pleasure of being shown around Madeira Island for the first time. Our friends, Jenny and Tony, were nice enough to drive us all over creation, just so that I could see this place. Since I have spent almost all of my time in Funchal up until now, I was shocked to see how different the landscape and weather on the island was. Basically, if you scale down New Zealand, you get Madeira (sort of). Where we are, as well as several other places around the island, the weather is warm, sunny, and humid. As you go further up the mountains, it quickly gets cooler, and sometimes much, much drier.

 This is a photo of the farming in Madeira. Because they grow on the sides of the mountains, they build things called "poios" (that's probably not spelled right. it will be pronounces "pollos" in Spanish). They are squares of land with walls build around them, like a little agricultural fortress. You are looking at onion, potato, and cabbage plots. Cool, huh?

This is Cabo Girao. Most of this photo is a hotel. One hotel broken up into little villa-like houses.

Ribeira Brava

This is Punta do Sol, the hottest place in Madeira. Very tropical, as you can see, and apparently the best place to grow bananas. Oh, and Jenny was born here!

The beach.

This is Calheta. It's beautiful. Tony and Jenny have a house here, and this is Tony's birthplace.

Calheta has the first yellow sand beach in Madeira. The sand was brought in from Morocco, and there was a big fuss about it. But now that everyone seems to be enjoying it so much, people have quieted down about the issue...

Porto Moniz

These are the rocks right next to the swimming area... scary, and beautiful.

Swimming, anyone?

When in doubt, have brandy. Or, when you're cold, have brandy.

I'm sure he would want me to clarify that he only had a coffee.

Punto da Serra. Top of the island.

 No one lives here, except the cows and forest rangers. Let me tell you that it was bloody cold. It was windy, wet, and about 40 degrees F. 5 degrees C. It was 68 degrees F in Funchal that day...

Evidence of cow activity

This is a hotel up there in the middle of nowhere. It's called Rainforest Hotel. I am not sure how familiar they are with geography...

The restaurant. Someone went to the States, visited Downtown Disney, came back and said, "Guys, I have this great idea for a restaurant that looks like a rainforest inside and every hour the animals come alive!!!" What a genius...

 I learned so many interesting things on this trip, and here are a few I'd like to share:

• The tunnels that go through the mountains of Madeira making the trip across the island only about 45 min were only built about 30 years ago. Before that, there was only one road that went around the island.
• Up to about 40 years ago, only 15% of the population had running water and electricity in their houses.
• The supplies needed to build of the older houses in the mountains had to be carried by people, donkeys, and cows up little trails. No roads.

This place is so fascinating. It is incredible at how quickly the island has been transformed into such a beautiful and budding tourist destination. I feel so lucky to have seen Madeira like this, up close and personal. Thank you again, Tony and Jenny, for you kindness and generosity. 

 You guys are the best!