For us, Madeira is the ultimate Happy Place. The tranquility, the convenience, the people, the food, the climate but above all, of course, the nature. The landscape there is truly amazing! All these elements come together every time we travel to this enchanting little island far in the Atlantic Ocean. This was no different during the trip in November.
In the morning, our guides Charly and Frank drive to the Madeira airport to pick up the participants. We will take them to their beautiful accommodations in the middle of a rose garden. From here we will leave this week to photograph all the beautiful locations. The first few days we focused mainly on the north coast. The rugged and steep cliffs are so spectacular, especially when the high waves break on the rock. Even though we had little wind the waves were quite present. The Atlantic Ocean continues to surprise you! In some places you even had to be careful not to have a giant wave wash over you. The shutters of the cameras were very busy because with the rapid movement of the waves we kept taking pictures.
"Did you know that Madeira is 58 kilometers long and 23 kilometers wide!? It is a volcanic island (with no active volcano) that, measured from its lowest point, is a good 6km high. Only the highest point of 1862 meters rises above sea level. This highest point is Pico Ruivo. Another fun fact is that 90% of Madeira is at least 500 meters high and a third of island is even above 1000 meters!"
Madeira is also very accessible at the higher elevations. You have probably seen the images of Pico do Arieiro and Fanal passing by. At both locations it is a matter of parking and photographing. So after the days on the coast, it was time for us to now go up into the heights. The whole group was eager to finally be able to admire Fanal and guess what? It was cloudy everywhere except Fanal. This made it easy to see how incredibly crowded it was. It was a good time to walk around so you know what to photograph when the clouds are there. It took about an hour and then suddenly and unexpectedly the clouds came rolling in over the mountain edge. No more trouble from the many tourists as they disappear in the fog and forest transformed into a fairy tale forest. What luck! The play hour could begin :)!
When in Madeira, the mountains cannot be missed. We had therefore prepared all participants that we would hang out somewhere between the mountain peaks with some regularity. As we wrote before, they are easy to reach and therefore never very far away. Sometimes you have to brave some steep roads to get there but it is well worth the trip. Pico do Arieiro is perhaps the most impressive place on Madeira. You are literally with your head in or above the clouds and the peaks rising above it are indescribably beautiful. For enthusiasts, we planned a hike to a platform with fantastic views but there was also so much beauty to photograph from the visitor center. We did have some clammy hands at the point where you look straight down on either side.
Did you know that Madeira is not all mountains and waterfalls? Most of the island is a giant green jungle paradise. Especially on the north side, you imagine yourself in green here. We put on our hiking boots and hiked through the jungle to waterfalls with the backpack on our backs. Characteristic of Madeira are the Levadas,irrigation canals that allow water to flow from the north to the south. On the way to the Risco waterfall, you walk along a forest path with a Levada next to it. It is so incredibly green here. The trees are bedecked with forest and often everything grows on the trunks. The Risco waterfall is a perfect place to photograph intimate landscapes. A little zooming here and there, through the knees and especially looking further than the noses are long. How much we enjoyed ourselves here.
What also should not be missed is the fun and gratitude of the group. During the trip some people were sick for a day but despite that they tried to go along as much as possible. And what merriment! From a karaoke car to Bowtie Cat and from espetadas to tears of laughter. Madeira is magical but the participants were really the icing on the Madeira cake. Obrigado for this amazing week!
Would you like to join us on a trip? The new dates are online.
