7/19/24 Levada Hike and Farewell Dinner

Levada, a system of irrigation channels transporting water through the mountainous terrain, primarily from the west and northwest to the drier southeast, was manually dug out for more than 1,000 miles and over 15 miles of tunnels in the 16th century. Today, it still supplies water and hydroelectric power to the southern region.

Views from the Levada trail.

Common Chaffinch (above and below).

 

Common chicken.

Views on the way to the North Coast...

Unfortunately, not enough time for Go Karts on Madeira Beach.

Final view of the Madeira Coast.

Santana's houses are known from the outside for their triangular shape and unique coloring. 

This was one of the best trips I've taken, thanks to Catia Mealha, such an enigmatic Trip Experience Leader, my fellow travelers, incredible weather, and the opportunity to share 12 days in paradise.  

To heavily borrow from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet..."Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say good night till it be morrow."

 

 7/18/24 Cetacean Boat Ride and Southern Tour of the Island

Ahoy matey! Time to try to spot cetaceans 

(marine mammals) belonging to the order Cetacea 

(a whale, dolphin, or porpoise).

Do not worry; this is NOT our speedboat.

This is our speedboat.

(Photo courtesy of Catia.)

Happiness exudes from this smile!

How can you NOT love this woman and all she did for us

on this trip? Staying up into the wee hours to text us with heartfelt 

messages and wonderful, incredible photos.

I love this photo of you!

(Photo courtesy of Barb Totaro.)

Dolphin Spottings...

https://youtu.be/yG92v_DxFGo

https://youtu.be/ccvQYbq24vA

https://youtu.be/4q5ATG_p73U

Crab also enjoys the ride and gets a brief respite from hungry dolphins.

Cristo Rei. 

I wish I had more time to hike to this iconic statue.

9 PM in LG.DO CHAFARIZ.

 7/17/24 Fly to Madeira and Funchal, City and Wine Tour

Madeira is also an autonomous archipelago of Portugal, approximately 600 miles southeast of the Azores. It is a paradise with black sand beaches, volcanic vineyards, and intricate irrigation channels. Visitors, particularly those who love the great outdoors, have plenty of activities.

The first settlers chose "Funchal" because of the abundance of wild fennel growing on its shores. It remains an important maritime port and is one of the leading island destinations in Europe.

City Walk starting with the Funchal Square Madeira...

The longest ATM in Madeira.

City Hall.

Igreja de Sao Joao Dvangelista

Wine Tasting at Pereira D'Oliveira

Chris and Don.

I'm not a fan of Madeira, but Chris, Don, Jennifer, and Lauri loved it.

(Photo courtesy of Catia.)

Beautiful, elegant water fountain.

False Bird of Paradise at the farmer's market.

Flamingo-lily at the farmer's market.

Cathedral of Funchal (above and below).

Bank of Portugal.

Downtown Park Water Sculptures 

(above and below).