Discover the Adventurous Side of Madeira

Madeira has always seemed a little sedate, a sweet-wine-sipping sun-trap in the Atlantic, but recently it’s found its adventurous edge.

There is a whole lot of up in Madeira and a whole lot of down. A little undulating flatness occasionally, but then the serious business of up and down starts again. Stay for longer than a day in Funchal, the capital, and there’s a good chance you’ll go up to Monte in a cable car and come down in a basket. These wicker toboggans have been skidding along since the 19th century, steered by carreiros, straw-boatered figures in white suits who gather like a convention of gondoliers, flicking cigarettes to the ground as passengers arrive. Then they push off, sprint, and hitch a ride on the back, careering around bends on a road polished smooth as black ice.

Adventures Await on the Island

However, there are bigger adventures to be had on Madeira. A couple of years ago, a nomadic Australian blogger called Jackson Groves spent six months criss-crossing the island. Eagle-tattooed and with a beard a sparrowhawk could nest in, he followed rarely used trails over peaks and along crumbling cliff paths. In one film, he traverses the Miradouro do Ninho da Manta, a jagged stairway ridge a few miles north of Funchal, in a white-out. It’s as if someone had built a mountain staircase then whittled away the sides until only the steps remained, teetering over the mottled iguana-back of the crag.

Local Insights and Experiences

Cristina Leitão Abreu, a local, shared insights about the changes in perception of Madeira. ‘He showed the outside world, as well as many locals, parts of Madeira that few knew existed; that it was far from the cosy place that many imagined, but bursting with the possibility of adventure.’ Cristina’s roots are on the mainland, but she moved here years ago. The last time I saw her, she excitedly shared her New Year’s Eve gathering, watching as a pod of 13 cruise ships gathered in the harbour for fireworks, heralded by skydivers streaking across the heavens.

Madeira’s Unique Flora and Fauna

Moreover, Madeira boasts a unique variety of flora and fauna. The island is almost ridiculously diverse, resembling a vast botanical garden shaped by historical influences from ships stopping on their way back from Africa, India, and the New World. Roadsides explode with lilac hydrangeas and purple agapanthus, showcasing the battle between indigenous and invasive species.

Gastronomy and Culinary Delights

The island’s larder could be reduced to two key ingredients: passion fruit and the formidable black scabbardfish. The latter is found on menus at many local restaurants. Furthermore, enjoy culinary treats designed by innovative chefs, utilizing ingredients grown in Madeira’s seven microclimates.

Conclusion

In conclusion, as the island develops, it’s easy to imagine new opportunities in eco-tourism and agritourism emerging amidst its natural beauty. An island with its head in the clouds, Madeira’s allure lies not only in its breathtaking views but in the spirit of adventure that permeates its culture.