"An island blessed by the sun but in love with the sea."As a flight attendant I can say that I am used to experience landings on water like San Francisco for instance, but this landing in Madeira somehow made me shiver. The airport of Funchal was built on water, and due to the proximity to the ocean, eventual difficult weather conditions as well as the short length of the runway it has proved to be a seriously challenging landing for many pilots. (As you can see here.) It makes you feel like you are literally landing on water, it is indeed a spectacular landing! Looking out of the plane window, on the right side you can admire the immense Atlantic Ocean, while on the right side the Madeirenses welcome you on their paradise, watching from their little white houses on the forested hills. Stepping out of the aircraft onto the tarmac (airport field), I deeply inhaled the smell of saltwater, pleasant like a bouquet of roses. It was such a lovely morning! And there was my aunt awaiting me on the observation deck, which you can access very easily and provides an amazing view over the runway. The first thing I noticed in the first instant was the banana tree. Banana trees are everywhere! But there was another plant with had a curious form, a curved stem, that really caught my attention. I had never seen it and I just think it looks very funny though... It reminds me of an animal's tail or a swan's neck, take a look here- don't you think so? (I found out its specific designation: agave attenuata... ) However, that is not the only peculiar plant on this exotic island. Madeira is also very popular for its tropical flora and there are many beautiful botanical gardens. If you are a flower child you will fall in love with this place :). In the afternoon it was time for the first tour. My cousins and I went to Funchal, the capital of the autonomous region of the archipelago of Madeira. It is located southeast of the Island on a bay. The name Funchal is related to the growing of fennel on the island. Madeira is great to visit all year long! The geographical location and the mountainous relief provide its mild weather, with average temperature of 25 degrees celsiu during summer season and 17 degrees celsius during winter. |
I'd rather have a passport full of stamps than a house full of stuff. Forever a discoverer
The bad news is time flies. Go check out the amazing photography website of my friend Nicole, who is also a flight attendant!
Click here Fotomeitschi and see the world through her eyes ;-) Es sind die Begegnungen mit Menschen, die das Leben lebenswert machen.
Archives
June 2017
|