The next December day, I wandered along the promenade towards the stone bridge at the far edge of town, from there, I could see how the surf dashed against the towering cliffs sending spray in all directions. When Madeira was discovered, it was regarded as a place of ill omen. Presenting a jagged cliff face which crumples into deep crevices. Now, centuries later, Madeira is a hot holiday resort but one glance at the cliffs shows you how the discoverers felt all those years ago.
Inland, dizzying peaks rise through the mist above the valleys, streams, waterfalls, and thickly wooded slopes that make up the area. I enjoyed trekking across the peaks with their wonderful view of the entire island and from up there I could see flowing rivers of colour which were Madeira’s distinguishing feature, its flowers. In winter, summer and spring, the Earth blooms.
A bustling little town sat on the doorstep of my hotel, lined with old Portuguese houses and shops at one end, and new hotels, which rise up above the small houses and shops, at the other end. I enjoyed the towns local life of small café’s, and only slightly larger restaurants all serving locally caught food.
The islands beaches are miles of golden sands which the sea laps against creating a soothing sound which sent me to sleep while relaxing on the beach. When the heat got too much for me, I just laid in the shade of the exotic trees that fringed the beach.
When it came time to leave this beautiful island, I almost couldn’t board the plane. I just couldn’t bear to leave the island that had taken me in from the cold and shown me its beauty.
