Wild Madeira
Not many people know where Madeira is, let alone how the lush and tropical landscape mesmerizes the senses. One day scrolling through insta, the views of towering mountains, lush vegetation and magnificent waterfalls bewitched me. I was hooked, and since returning from the Everest Katmandu trek, which was mountainous and cold, the idea of tropical called to me.
Only three hours away from London, we landed on an airstrip just off a very scary steep cliff and made our way to collect a hire car. A car is a must in Madeira; the roads are smooth and strong and carved through sheer rock — it really is amazing engineering. To get to all the sites local transportation is minimal, therefore, a car is necessary unless you are not planning to explore. We made our way to a quaint traditional Quinta hotel north of the island close to the hiking trails. The Pestana Quinto Do Arco Nature was nestled beneath a huge cliff surrounded by the smell of florals; hydrangeas, jasmine, birds of paradise, hibiscus all growing wild in this subtropical and volcanic climate. This hotel was perfectly placed within sprawling gardens of wild rose and many other tropical plants I had never seen before. The rooms were clean with all the basic necessities with sliding doors into the gardens.
Trip Highlights:
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Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço hiking trail
Don’t forget to buy your tickets for the trails at simplifica.madeira.gov.pt only around Euro4 and screenshot the code as there is no wifi at the trail entrance. This trail was mountainous with flashes of floral colour near the coastal edges. The walk was intermediate and it was at one point very busy. The feeling, as I walked and connected spiritually to the space, was dragonlike. I could feel their presence and magnificence protecting these lands. Lore of this space is Atlantean. It is said that when Atlantis broke up, Madeira is remnants of this ancient land, and the energy of this space revealed it to be so. It is soaked in a high energy vibe of long lost magical tradition. Meditating was easy here as the crash of the waves lulled you into a liminal space.
Fanal Forest
Walking into the depths of this magical forest is unlike anything I have ever experienced. It is ancient, it is haunting and if you blur your eyes, you don’t see trees but dancing women who have been turned into trees. Ones imagination runs wild — were these witches of a bygone era, is this a wild, natural prison? The experience travels to your core. It is a must visit if you go to Madeira.
Other highlights include: The famous Levada’s, where the deep forest and natural waterfalls collide in breathtaking views and Funchal town where the food is delicious, madeira cake is everywhere and its worth checking out the paintings and architecture of many churches.
The trip was breathtaking and I will be planning the Azores next — the island next to Madeira.
