Tag Archives: Sea

Madeira: Encumeada, Porto Moniz, Cabo Girão &…

Posted on July 19, 2015 | Leave a comment

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 …

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.

Saccharum Hotel – Resort & Spa in Madeira, Portugal

Posted on July 11, 2015 | Leave a comment

Good Morning Madeira!

What a view from my deck! It’s been a while since I haven’t been excited by a new hotel! The Saccharum Hotel – Resort & Spa is opened for few months. As I’m not jaded, just a little demanding, it’s always nice to discover a new place I really enjoy!

The room is spacious and minimalist as I like: impeccable bedding, well thought out large shower and separate toilet spaces, with sliding panels. Mix of gross concrete, tinted glass and wood. And the view! Yes I am a girl “of the sea”, I grew up on a beautiful island! So nothing will ever equal the pleasure of watching the sea or ocean!

Terraces and Swimming Pools

Here are my preferred spots to enjoy panoramic views of the ocean and the small marina! The hotel is located in Calheta on the southwest coast of Madeira. Not forgetting the beautiful infinity pool on the fifth floor, surrounded by hills! Then difficult to take off to visit Madeira. Lazy Mademoiselle Le K, LOL! Believe or not, I didn’t have time to go to the spa!

The Saccharum By Night

A monumental entrance, “the diva way“! The interior design of the Saccharum is signed by Nini Andrade Silva that I had the luck to interview during my trip! I like her way of dramatizing the space with few elements, gigantic photos and playing with chiaroscuro lighting (I hate places with strong lights!).

Creativity, simplicity and elegance. And most important is you feel good and welcome!

Informations

Saccharum Hotel – Resort & Spa, 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 my own.

Costa de Prata, Portugal: Cliffs and Pristine Beaches

Posted on October 12, 2014 | Leave a comment

The nature, sea and light of late afternoon.

We cross the garden of the romantic beautiful Areias do Seixo to have a walk in the cliffs of the Costa de Prata. An organic chicken coop, where “real” chicken run outdoors and are fed grain, near an organic kitchen garden (picture below). The promiscuity of dunes gives a surreal touch to the landscape. The air is crisp.

We head towards the dunes

following the crafted signs of the hotel (above, pictures 3 & 4). As we move forward, we discover a wild part of the magnificent Costa de Prata. What a setting! Dunes shaped by the wind, short vegetation, porous high cliffs and the incredible light and sunset!

Nature, the eternal provider of wellness…

until we completely destroy it. Our species is so good at destroying all that is beautiful and rare … But that’s another story. While the light changes, we find the stairs leading to the beach, like a pirate treasure!

Motionless shape of a single fisherman

with his long cane in front of the ocean. Waves that break on the rocks, we silently walk. We try to avoid the darkness on the way back to the hotel and get lost in a field. A dog barks and gets closer.

The race to find the hotel before dark night, crazy giggles arriving up to the chicken coop. On the terrace of the hotel, a fire waits for us. I go to my room to shower before dinner.