Category: Madeira Island

Magical Fanal Forest

5/31/2024

Fanal Forest in Madeira is a magical natural treasure, inviting us to connect with the earth and ourselves. Its moody atmosphere and unique trees with their twisted branches are a must-see while visiting the island.

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This ancient laurel forest of Fanal is found in the northwest of Madeira island. It’s renowned for its alluring beauty eerie atmosphere. You will be met by a dense canopy of trees as you enter the forest. It feels otherworldly because of the thick layer of moss that covers the forest floor and the fog that commonly rolls through the region.

Several hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty can be found as you meander through the forest. There is a trail for everyone, experienced or novice hikers alike. Be on the lookout for the well-known “fairy tale trees,” which are old laurel trees with twisted and contorted branches that resemble something from a fairy tale.

I hope you enjoyed my video on the Magical Fanal Forest.

How to Get There

Located on the north side of Madeira Island, the twisted branches of the grand centenary Ocotea Foetens trees and the fog come together in this fairytale scene.

From Funchal, it will take you one hour via car depending on how many stops you make along the way.

Begin by heading northwest out of Funchal on the VR1 highway, which offers breathtaking coastal views as you wind through picturesque villages and lush valleys. After approximately 20 kilometers, take the exit toward Ribeira Brava, continuing on the ER104 road. As you ascend into the island's rugged interior, marvel at the towering peaks and terraced hillsides blanketed with verdant vegetation. Follow signs for São Vicente, where you'll transition onto the ER211, a narrow yet captivating route that leads you deeper into the island's heart. Prepare for a truly magical experience as you enter Fanal Forest, characterized by its mystical Laurisilva trees cloaked in mist. Navigate the final stretch of winding roads with caution, savoring every moment as you approach the ethereal beauty of Fanal, a true gem nestled within Madeira's mystical landscape.

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Monstera Deliciosa Fruit

4/15/2024

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Monstera fruit, also known as Swiss cheese plant fruit, is a tropical delicacy that is gaining popularity for its unique flavor.

This is another potentially poisonous fruit. If you eat it unripe, it will feel like a thousand tiny needles stabbed your tongue, and then you’ll get pains along your digestive tract (I don't know this first hand, because we waited until the fruit was ripe. But this is what the man who sold the fruit to us told us). These ill effects are due to it containing calcium oxalate crystals when the fruit is unripe.

This fruit has a way of telling you when it’s ripe. First, ripe fruits have a strong, sweet smell. Second, when the scales easily flake off with just your fingernail, that part of the fruit is ripe. The whole thing doesn’t ripen at once, either, so you can only take a few bites at a time.

The plant the fruit comes from is actually a beautiful philodendron—and is the only type of philodendron that gives edible fruit. Some people call it the Swiss cheese plant. The holes in the leaves do remind you of Swiss cheese!

It tasted as we expected once we had read about it on the Internet - a cross between pineapple (flavor) and banana (flavor and texture). Not something I'd rush out to buy again (because it was expensive - we bought two for €21), but definitely interesting and quite pleasant.

Have you ever tried this fruit? What did you think?

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Painted Doors of Funchal - Street Art in Madeira

4/15/2024

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The painted doors of Rua da Santa Maria in old town Funchal (Zona Velha).

Exploring new places is a wonderful thing. I enjoy learning about new places, cultures and food. Madeira is located off the coast of northwest Africa lies the archipelago of Madeira, a Portuguese autonomous territory made up of four islands.

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I just returned from 5 days in Madeira Island. It was supposed to be 6 but the weather was not kind to us on Friday. We boarded our flight, got so close to landing and the powers that be decided it wasn't safe to land. Madeira airport the world's ninth most dangerous airport, and the third most dangerous in Europe.

The Painted Doors

In 2014, when the “Art of Open Doors” project was started, the street was turned into a public art space, as local artists were invited to paint over two hundred of the street’s restaurants, cafes and shops.

These were just a few of the 200 doors, but hopefully you get a taste of what this revitalization project has to offer.

My following were my favorites.

I had to wait a long time to take this photo. There was a man standing in front of this door smoking.

And of course, the cat door. :)

Do you have a favorite? Post yours in the comment below.

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Magical Fanal Forest

Monstera Deliciosa Fruit

Monstera fruit, also known as Swiss cheese plant fruit, is a tropical delicacy that is gaining popularity for its unique flavor.

Painted Doors of Funchal - Street Art in Madeira

Linda Roisum

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