View from our Balcony
As I relaxed on our balcony looking out on the mighty Atlantic, watching the sun slowly sinking in the West, listening to the wondrous sounds of waves crashing against the rocks just beyond the blue swimming pools below, I feel bliss and utter joy – I am on holiday, yes and it’s Madeira!
About five years ago, following advice from an elderly couple we flew to this beautiful island for the first time. After a wonderful celebration of Christmas in style in a tropical garden paradise and treating ourselves to gourmet Portuguese seafood, the famed Madeira wine, fabulous warm weather and amazing flowers and plants, like this field of bird of paradise, we went into a tourist information centre, looking to book a “levada” mountain walk, which is a speciality of this tourist haven. Emerging two hours later we had been sold a one- week time share by a chatty American saleswoman.
Bird of Paradise, My Favorite Flower
Usually when a salesman approaches, John would disappear quickly before the poor man could utter “can I help you, sir?” Miraculously this time he didn’t need much persuasion and we came away with the knowledge that we would return to this heavenly place time and again.
Here we are, on our fourth visit. As intrepid as we are in terms of travelling to as many locations as possible, Madeira is the exception and hopefully that is indication enough of how special this place is. Yes, there are palm trees and an awesome selection of flora and fauna, but no sandy beach! It’s a volcanic, mountainous island with plenty of hills and steep climbs. Great for walkers and nature lovers, perfect for relaxation and time to recharge our batteries.
Tasting Madeira Wine
Then if by any chance you get bored with devouring your favourite books one after another, you can dip in the cool waters, or go for a fantastic ride on the Toboggan up at Monte, racing downhill in the basket, pushed and pulled by two handsome young local men, and feel the thrill of speed and freedom, just as we did a few days ago (Check out John’s Review on Toboggan Rides on Trip Adviser )
A Walking Holiday!
Floating Garden is one way to describe Madeira. Adjectives like beautiful, serene, relaxing, magical, fantastic, amazing and wonderful can also be placed in front of this idyllic garden paradise. Without going on and on about how beautiful Madeira is, pictures speak a thousand words, and you can decide after browsing our Photos. We have over 2000 photos during our various visits, as well as videos to treasure. I’m sharing a selected few with you, as well as a 5-minute video featuring more fab pictures. Enjoy the tour, and come back soon!
Madeira, Bird of Paradise & Tropical Gardens
Great pics…Warmed me up with today’s temp going down into teens F.
Thanks for sharing!
Gordon, I’m delighted to hear that my pictures have brought you some warmth on a cold day – we are about 3 C here in the UK, so recalling our visit to the tropical island is of great benefit to me too
Thanks for joining us in the virtual tour
I love reading about your trips. This one is truly wondrous!!
Funny about the timeshare. Jeff and I bought one sometime ago. Ours is connected to other so we were offered a variety and for some time did tons of traveling. However, nine years ago we moved further out and with our daughters time in middle laxed in our travels. Course we have been rectifying that as she has joined college.
Truly a hermit (recluse) by nature I prefer home. But like yourself I enjoy a hike and time to get away from the day in day out of our lives.
Thank you so much for sharing your travels. I do enjoy them so!!
Best Wishes
Eri
So glad to hear that you enjoyed these virtual tours and grateful that you come along to share them, Eri. Also pleased to hear that you’ll have more time to travel now that your daughter has gone to college.
Yes, time-share is a fun concept. It is possible for us to exchange for other places but so far we have been content to go back to Madeira every other year. That is about to change as we feel that we want more variety
John would definitely agree with you about preferring home to anywhere else in the world. As for me, I try to feel at home wherever I go, and still have that wandering ichy feet despite they are getting more and more tired
Thanks again for popping it
I love reading about your trips. This one is truly wodnorus!! Funny about the timeshare. Jeff and I bought one sometime ago. Ours is connected to other so we were offered a variety and for some time did tons of traveling. However, nine years ago we moved further out and with our daughters time in middle laxed in our travels. Course we have been rectifying that as she has joined college.Truly a hermit (recluse) by nature I prefer home. But like yourself I enjoy a hike and time to get away from the day in day out of our lives.Thank you so much for sharing your travels. I do enjoy them so!!Best WishesEri
Hi Junying. Glad I popped in. Loved your post on Madeira including your photos and video. As I mentioned to you on Twitter, I have travelled to Portugal and Spain my whole life but have never popped on over to Madeira. Close but no cigar. Must do so one day though, probably when my son’s schooling is done. Thanks for sharing. Have a fabulous week. Sandra
Lovely to see you here, Sandra. The only other place I have been in Portugal was Porto and I loved that little place too.
There are so many places to see and so little time and other constraints too. Always happy to share about my passion for travel
Thanks again for stopping by & enjoy your week too!
So great of you to share about your travels, Junying. I’ve never been to Portugal, but you certainly make it tempting. In Toronto, I live in “Little Portugal” so am familiar with the language and food. It is a rich culture with a lot to share, though I must admit, I have never tried Medeira wine.
Great pix and video.
eden
Eden,
You’ve got to try Madeira wine – might do wonders for your cold
Seriously it’s pretty good. Even though we are not really drinkers, we usually buy a bottle and savour it on return.
Hope you have a great week and back to good health soon!
This is a must stop place for me and all because you’ve described it so well! I’m an island lover and this one sound great. You certainly are a world traveler and thanks so much for sharing!
Yes, Dannie, you would absolutely love Madeira, knowing how much you adore the ocean and sailing
Riding your motorbike on all these steep turns and twists should be exciting too 
!
Thanks for your lovely comments, very kind indeed!
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