Encumeada
Intense Blue From My Window!
The Atlantic Ocean, landing on the narrow track, then road to Calheta to stop at the Saccharum Hotel – Resort & Spa. Followed by a very nice dinner with our small team at the hotel’s Restaurante Engenho. Where I enjoyed an excellent salad with octopus and filmed my first Periscope (epic)! Yep now you can also follow my streams (live video where you can interact with me) on Periscope! We laughed a lot!
This morning I’m a little late (big mess with the time change, my phone etc …), starting at 9:15 am instead of 9 am (okay)! First stop: the Encumeada viewpoint at 1007 meters. Magnificent panorama of chains of very green mountains overlooking the northern and southern coasts of the island and valleys of Ribeira Brava and São Vicente (photo 1 & photo montage below).
We continue towards the northwest of Madeira: Porto Moniz.
Porto Moniz
The Famous Natural Pools
As we head the north of the island, the vegetation changes and the sky is overcast with clouds when we reach the village of Porto Moniz. Pretty impressive weather contrast between the South and North of the island.
What fun discovering the natural pools: shaggy rocks with the ocean in the background … Like a decor of the golden age of Italian cinema. Awesome! The water is cold but not more than Sagres (which is the colder water of all over Portugal for me!). Occasionally a clearing in the sky… Great experience!
Delicious fish for lunch on the lovely terrace of the Aqua Natura Madeira restaurant with direct views to the pools. I am hypnotised by the ocean, horizon, waves, rocks and sometimes the blinding brightness … (photos below). And my tweets (LOL)! I take this opportunity to visit this charming family hotel, with new facilities and ideally located with stunning ocean views.
Cabo Girão
Light & Vertigo
After a detour via the Saccharum, here I am at 580 meters above the sea level, on one of the highest cliffs in the world (no, these are not my feet)! Enjoying the different blues of the Ocean and beautiful golden light of late afternoon!
Câmara de Lobos
Picturesque Fishing Village
with colored boats (xavelhas). The specialty is fishing for black swordfish. It makes me think about Hemingway and The Old Man and the Sea … The navigator João Gonçalves Zarco who discovered Madeira in the fifteenth century, founded the first colony on the island in Câmara de Lobos (House of Wolves in English).
Dinner of very good fishes cooked on the grill at the Vila do Peixe terrace, enjoying the relaxing view (pictures below) … Time is pending. I could stay hours just for the peaceful view. To be continued …
Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.
Informations
Visit Madeira, Visit Portugal & TAP
Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS
Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Visit Madeira, Visit Portugal and TAP. As always all my opinions are mine.
