Another place that’s long been on my bucket list is Madeira, praised for its nature and hikes. As a holiday destination, I found it a bit overhyped and underwhelming — I’ve seen similar or better landscapes elsewhere, without the crowds. Despite that, and the fact that the theme of the trip seemed to be either getting soaked or hiding from the rain, the incredible photographic opportunities made it a success. I also learned that in Madeira, you’re always in, next to, under, above, or surrounded by a rainbow, which I found pretty spectacular.
Man-made Madeira
I’ll start with the less exciting part, the man-made side of the island. The main town is Funchal, with a small section dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. This historic core, mainly around the Praça do Município, still preserves some of the old architecture. However, I found much of the rest of the town less photogenic and a bit chaotic. In fact, if Romania were an island, it might feel a bit like Madeira — a place with some charm but lacking cohesive planning and maintenance, it could always be worse, but it does have its rough edges.
Fanal forest
If ever looking for a creepy forest to shoot the Blair Witch Project 3, I would highly recommend checking out the Fanal forest for it’s misty atmosphere and moss-covered trees. No wonder it’s one of the most famous attractions on the island.
Rainbows and hikes above the clouds
One of the most iconic hikes on Maideira are the stairways to heaven, where you get to hike in, or above the clouds, on very steep stairs with massive drops on both sides. Here I got to experience the Brocken specter, which is a rare optical phenomenon and added a few photos to my portofolio.
