The cold lingers like the afterword in a film when the Swedish winter enters its second phase. It is the end of February, and the cold feels like the freezer in the kitchen.
At Arlanda Airport, winter clothes should be put away, and more lightly dressed adventurers should head to warmer regions. Time passed quickly, and we almost missed the plane. There was a lot to check out in the duty-free shop at the airport. But we managed. With breaths caught in our throats and drops of sweat on our foreheads, we sat there on the plane, anyway. If we had missed the plane, it would have been a disaster. From now on, we must always be on time. You don’t make the same mistake twice, do you? OrâŠ?
We exchanged the Swedish winter for warmth and a snow-free landscape. Not at all unusual when you live in the cold north. This time, we have chosen to focus on nature experiences, wilderness, and adventure instead of art. Hiking among mountains, forests, and gardens, as well as Madeira’s food culture, has become our priority. A new pair of hiking boots was purchased for all of the week’s adventures. Of course, we had clothes and equipment for long hikes in the mountains, gardens, and forests with us.
The flight was long in contrast to the distance to the seat in front. There were closely placed airplane seats with short legroom. My knees scraped against the backrest in front of me. It ached in all parts of my knees and down to my feet.
An Airbus A319 received landing clearance five hours later on one of the world’s shortest runways. The landing was as calm as a dip in the pool and a quick taxi ride to Funchal. Once at the hotel, we had to recharge both our own batteries and those in our iPhones.
The small island group far out in the Atlantic Ocean still has great opportunities for a rich life of adventure. The longing for everything was like a dog’s drool along the corners of our mouths. The island attracts those who thirst for wilderness and natural experiences, but also those who just want to enjoy it. đ·
Madeira is an island group in the Atlantic Ocean, 400 kilometers north of the Canary Islands. It belongs to Portugal but is politically self-governing. It consists of the main island of Madeira, the island of Porto Santo, as well as some uninhabited islands.
The capital is Funchal. In the harbor stands one of the world’s best soccer players, but only in muscles and clothes of bronze. Madeira-born Cristiano Ronaldo is in all his glory, but the protagonist of this journey is once again a soon-to-be 50-year-old. Besides him, there are, of course, boats of all sizes. Sailboats and giant cruise ships mingle with a replica of Christopher Columbus‘ flagship, the carrack Santa Maria. It was with this ship that he accidentally reached America in 1492. A new continent was discovered, but we know that the Vikings landed there 500 years before him. For those who are keen, you can travel around the bay with her.
The distance from the hotel to the beach was as short as Ronaldo’s free kicks. After fully charged batteries and with a dribble signed by Ronaldo, our bellies were empty, but expectations were high. On the first day, it was, of course, the first attempt to taste Madeira’s local specialties. With the smell of the sea and the aroma of fish restaurants, we filled our hungry bellies.
After that, the ground will be trampled, nature experienced, and mountains climbed. Tomorrow, plants will meet us with their beauty. The Madeira Botanical Garden and Jardim Monte Palace, high up in the mountains, will welcome us with their charm.
đŹ See you tomorrow
© Björn Blomqvist 2024-10-17
Blomman's Art and Poetry Blog 
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