Wednesday May 15, 2024 – Funchal, Madeira, Portugal – Day 2
Today’s tour “ Leisurely Funchal” in many ways was leisurely inasmuch as the fact we were mostly on the coach, but it was a tour going to three different viewpoints each with their spectacular views, but also each with their “excitement”!!!. We boarded Coach 2 with the Belgian Guide Francine who had been in Madeira for 48 years, but still spoke English with a marked French Accent. On this tour, the most important person was the Driver – Gabriel who did a tremendous job getting us to the various viewpoints.
The first – Miradouro Pico Dos Barcelos was a nice place with a stone cross, trees forming a covered arch passage and beautiful views over the harbour and city of Funchal from an altitude of about 300 meters.
The second viewpoint was a major challenge to get to as it meandered up the very steep mountains with a road that barely could accommodate one vehicle, let alone a coach and 2 way traffic, with several hundred meter drop offs on one side then another to the point where many turned their eyes inward as looking out of the window was very scary. Definitely not for anyone who has any fear of heights as it was one of the most disturbing, yet spectacular vehicle rides one has taken. I thought places in Iceland or Alesund, in Norway were bad, but this wins first prize!!! After about an hour, we eventually reached our destination which was – the Miradour Eira Do Serrado at the Hotel and Spa of the same name which is a small 26 room hotel nestled 1,096 Meters above sea level. Cell Phone +351 291 710 060; Landline – +351-965-085-165 Email – eiradoserrado@mail.telepac.pt – Rua do Serrado, Curral das Freirás, Funchal, PT 9000-421; http://www.eiradoserrado.com; info@eiradoserrado.com. When we arrived, it was still early as we were to have a snack, so we walked up the 120 steps to the viewpoint, overlooking the valley below with a vertical drop of a couple of thousand feet. The rocky outcrop, spectacular weather and villages below that looked like miniatures, made the view something never to be forgotten. Truly spectacular and well worth the trip, but not for the faint of heart! We returned to the hotel restaurant for wine (it was 10 AM!) cake, biscuits and coffee while taking in all the scenery. After a nice stop, we returned to the coach to descend the sinuous mountain road, with those on the opposite side of the coach able to view the severe drop off from the road.
The third view point was also spectacular but also had its effect on one’s nervous system!! The Miradouro do Cabo Girão in Cámara de Lobos (+351-925-474-763) is the highest promontory in Europe with a glass floor hanging out over a cliff that is 580 meters (1,900 feet) direct drop to the seashore below. The cliff is almost at right angles to the water and agricultural fields below. As one is walking to the promontory, over concrete on the land, the view of the bay and the city of Funchal, is magnificent. However as one reaches the side of the cliff and the drop, then walking out over a glass floor, seeing the direct drop to the fields below, it does things to one’s brain and mind even though one knows it is secure as there are many other people walking on the same glass, taking in the view. Again this is not a place for any vertigo sufferers. The view again was magnificent.
After some time admiring the view we returned to the ship via a quaint fishing village where Winston Churchill once spent time painting the scenes of the village.
Once back at the ship we enjoyed a cup of tea, dinner and the nice sail away followed by the show by Chris Hamilton – a pianist who is likened to Liberacci. Another fascinating day.
Roger & Anne Travels 