Today we set out to drive the coast road and take a dip in the natural pools of the Atlantic Ocean in Porto Muniz.
Madeira is a relatively small island but the terrain leaves us in total awe. The mountains jet out of the shores and climb straight up into the clouds.
Madeira has over 100 tunnels and vastly more bridges. The total highway network is only 140 km.
When you map out stops they may only be 20k away but 45 minutes to get there. The roads are in great shape, but often challenging with sharp hairpin turns for miles. To get around you will travel through lots and lots of tunnels, that are an integral part of the infrastructure.
Many of these tunnels are modern or at least, seem very new, but in fact plenty of them were built in the 19th and early 20th century with human physical effort.
All this on a relatively small island that measures roughly 57.5 km in length, 23 km in width!
If you haven’t been to Madeira we highly recommend you add it to your future travel plans.
Part of the adventure is finding surprise treasures along the way. In Madeira it’s important to look for a sign with a set of binoculars, stunning beauty awaits
We planned a stop at Cabo Girão.
Up the road a bit was a lovely church and as most, at the tip top.
The views continued to amazing
More tunnels but of course
Binoculars on another sign turn off and drive drive drive on the curvy roads following the lighthouse signs
On the way out of Ponto do Pargo we had to have a stop at Gato Legal coffee roasters
Another sign to follow as we drove down a long way on a narrow curvy road. There were cars parked everywhere. Our parking angels came through for a spot at the very front near the attraction. We wanted to see the cable car to the beach.
NO WAY!!!!! Not today!! NOT EVER!
We reset the GPS, onward to Porto Muniz for some fun in the Atlantic Ocean.
The trip down was San Francisco’s crooked street on steroids. A breathtaking drive of hairpin turns and our destination awaits at the bottom.
For 3 Euros you get to play in this natural pool. The waves crash over the wall while swimmers get thrashed around.
It was a blast even with the 72 degree water. Once you’re immersed the waves help you forget the temperature.🤒
We decided to take the coast road back and the views were spectacular and the waves so powerful they came onto the road.
We ended the day by filling our tummies at a cafe down the street topped off with perfect sangrias.
And lovely popcorn skies
We will sleep good tonight
