3 January 2018

IMG 4797 We approached the South East of the island (where the airport is positioned) by flying, first, near Funchal IMG 4798 A modern bridge ... looks like EU support has been here! IMG 4799 The terrain is rugged and population dense IMG 4800 it was so early (8 AM) that the sun was low on the horizon
IMG 4801 and our plan made a perfect shadow IMG 4802 Travelers on the ground IMG 4804 Arrival at the huge villa west of Funchal in area above Camara des Lobos, that would be home for a week IMG 4805 View to the ocean from the driveway in front of the villa
IMG 4806 grand staircase IMG 4807 nice windows and bright light IMG 4808 Five large bedrooms, four on the first floor IMG 4809 Nikki and Austin's room
IMG 4810 The ensuite bathrooms trimmed with gold plated fixtures IMG 4811 designed for royalty! IMG 4812 this bathroom is bigger than some bedrooms I've stayed in IMG 4813 outside the window of our rooms, another huge engineering project for cars and trucks
IMG 4814 Below us, in the gorge over which the bridge passes, an industrial zone IMG 4815 our host is quite the gardener IMG 4826 photographer and traveler documenting the gardens IMG 4827 Aloe vera plants in bloom
IMG 4828 Maybe they bloom all year round? IMG 4829 The levada are irrigation canals along which a trail designed probably first for maintenance but perfect for hiking on contour IMG 4830 Levada directly outside/above the villa IMG 4831 sometimes needed to be sent through tunnels
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