Long Weekend--- Port Moniz, Madeira

21-29/03/2016

Awesome Port Moniz natural swimming pool

We had a few days sun was out. Marcus heard there was lovely beach near by called Port Moniz. We were hoping to swim in the sea. We hadn't had beach holiday for long time, really wanted to feel the beach holiday before we went back to U.K. 




So, we were off. Where we were, Sao Vicente, was a bit cloudy. but as we drove, saw blue sky towards where we were heading. 

When we got there, Port Moniz was sunny and a few tourists like us were walking on the beach and sitting in the open cafe having coffee. 

Wow, Port Moniz was so cool, those natural swimming pool was awesome! I had never seen anything like them. Sea looked really blue, I wanted to go into the pool! How lava created with the volcanic rocks and sea water naturally coming in and out to the pools. So cool. 

When we finally found space to put out staffs, we were ready to go in. Marcus went in first. I put my feet in, water was a bit cold. There were people swimming in them, but not many. I thought myself, "it's not as cold as Suffolk sea or Norfolk sea... I can do it!" Then took my tops and shorts off, I jumped into the water.

Cor, blimey, it was chilly. 😁 As I was swimming to the edge to the pool, I suppose I got used to it, it didn't feel too bad. 

I also floated. I never was able to float in the sea, always sinking in. But this time, I floated. I was very happy. It was peaceful in the water. More more people arrived and came into the water. everyone seemed to enjoying themselves for early swimming and sunbathing. 






We loved it, and we went back to the following day. We wanted to do a bit beach holiday before we went back. Always this happens, at the last day or near to the last day, discover something/ somewhere amazing, then we had to go home. Boo! Never mind. 

Maybe Marcus could bring his old ladies here to do some retreats and I could go with them too, it would be lovely to do qi-gong and yoga on the beach. I would look forward to the day to come....♥️

"Please Marcus, could you do Qi-Gong boot camp in here..."

Long Weekend --- PR21 and PR17 walks, Madeira

21-29/03/2016

PR21 walks

Cor blimey, I didn't realize where we were walking. 3.2km didn't sound lots to walk. And it didn't look bad on this map... So we decided to do this PR21. That was mistake. 😱




OMG, it was ok to start off with, it wasn't too bad, not too steep. Then, getting steeper and steeper, going down and down. We thought when it was going to end? Where it would take us? Not a lot of people were walking either, very quiet footpath. 

We carried on walking. After a while, we reached the destination. We were knackered by then. We sat and rested for a while. To be honest, we didn't want to walk up again, it was very steep to go up. 

Then found a taxi company number. Tried to ring them, but wasn't able to to get through.... We saw bus stop. We did think about walking down the road, then, thought, we were not sure how long we would have to walk to go up to the top.... We didn't even speak Portuguese....

Went through Eucalyptus forests

After long discussions, (we saw tourists there too, but they had a car...), we decided to walk up. Cor, blimey, first an hour or so, it was very steep to go up. Just continuously steep "hills", reminded me of Greece, but without flat bit. It wasn't long walks, but just loooooooong steep up hill. I was dunnin.

I think that was why, we decided to treat ourselves a glass of fresh orange juice and chips for our early dinner. We needed that. 

This is my fabo pic ever, me with a payphone, I do this everywhere I go....

PR17 walks

Following day, We decided to do PR17 again, but different part of the walk.  We got on to the footpath beside the main road, can't remember the name of the place though.... The Portuguese guy who was walking the island told us this part of PR17 had beautiful views and more waterfalls. 

Waterfall everywhere...

If I remember right, this footpath had the most and wild waterfalls and it was nice and easy walks. Waterfalls were so wild and We saw some people were really soaking wet. We weren't too bad, I was wearing my waterproof jacket and my shorts were quick-dry, only my shoes, I regretted not wearing my waterproof trainers...

Long weekend--- Walks PR17, Madeira

21-29/03/2016

Today, we parked our car on the top of the mountain, and got off, saw a footpath near by. So, we decided to walk round. 

Clouds were covering the mountain tops, moving quite fast. we were breathing in the fresh air, felt like my lungs were cleaning away with the mountain air. 

Cute little mountain flower

Then we got back in the car, decided to drive a bit, saw another footpath. Decided to walk a bit. 

This was a small circular walks with some picnic facilities. Even had B.B.Q too.

We only spent 15 mins or so in there, that day, I was ready for long walks....Then we found PR17!

This guy on the left, he was Portuguese, and he told us he was walking the island. Walking all parts of this Madeira island... Wow, I wondered where he was camping out that night...

PR17 was lovely footpath. It was pleasure walking along the beautiful Levada footpath. 

Long Weekend--- Walks 6/6.1 in Madeira

21-29/03/2016

I think this was one of walks we did, with more waterfalls!

Magic woods

Waterfall heaven

Lovely Marcus posing in the waterfall pool

Water was so clear, I had to put my feet in, it was cold but worth it.

Sun started coming out, this was not circular walks, so we had to walk back to the way we came from. It was fairly bust day, saw lots of people walking. 

Cute bird like robin, following you round too, had cute singing voice and songs. 

Can you see a huge flog?

Cute birdy again, when we were sitting there, this cute birdy landed near by and certainly not too shy!

This cute one even posed for my camera!