Jeep Tour - Amazing West

Starting at 9 o'clock in the morning, we embark on an open jeep tour that takes us to the west of the island.

Our first stop is in Ponta do Sol, where Sergio familiarizes us with today's route and we can enjoy the beautiful view of the coast and the promenade of the sunniest place on the island.

Then we drive through narrow alleys with incredible 55% incline into the mountains. As we reach the eucalyptus forest (you can smell it), the ride gets bumpy and we understand why we're in a jeep. The air becomes cooler and mists pass by.

As the forest clears, we find ourselves on the plateau of Paúl da Serra at 1,400 meters altitude. It's sunny again, but occasional mists and the deformed tree heath create a mystical atmosphere. Appropriately, the filming of "Star Wars" is currently taking place here, so unfortunately we cannot visit the fairy forest with the ancient laurel trees.

Like a carpet, yellow blooming gorse grows in some places. We cross the plateau and reach the northern half of Madeira. Here it rains more than in the dry south, the steep slopes are greener, and the farmers have ideal conditions for growing fruit and vegetables on the terraced fields.

After a steep downhill drive, we reach Porto Moniz on the northwestern tip of Madeira. The black basalt pools shaped by lava, called Piscinas Naturais, are unique: seawater swimming pools that are repeatedly flooded by powerful breakers and supplied with fresh water. From the chic coastal promenade, we observe the numerous tourists who brave the 17°C water temperature for this pleasure.

In the next coastal town of Seixal, there are volcanic pools at breathtaking green cliffs and even a small black sand beach. Wine is grown here.

We wind our way up the mountain to São Vicente and then reach the south coast. At Cabo Girão, the second highest sea cliff in the world at 580 meters above sea level, we look through the glass floor of the viewing platform at the small fields of the farmers in impressive depth.

In the late afternoon, our eventful journey comes to an end, and tomorrow at this time our plane will take off for home.