Madeira Island - 7 Secrets to Discover

Madeira Island is one of the islands in the Madeira Archipelago, and was discovered by the Portuguese in the early 1400's. It's still part of Portugal today, and is a popular holiday destination with tourists from all over Europe. The stunning coastal scenery with a backdrop of soaring mountains, mixed with a rich heritage and artistic culture, make it a fascinating place to visit and stay awhile. Here are seven little known places to visit on Madeira Island - discover them for yourself!

Caniçal

Whaling has always been part of Caniçal's history, and in the past it was the center of Madeira's whaling industry. Whaling ceased in 1981, and now the waters around Caniçal have become a marine mammal sanctuary. It is illegal to kill whales, seals or dolphins here now. The old whaling company's offices have been converted into a very interesting whaling Museum (Museu de Baleia), and if you've watched John Huston's movie Moby Dick (1956), you might recognize some of the local scenery.

Santana

This is a fascinating area on Madeira Island, and is a perfect place to see the triangular thatches houses unique to Madeira. These houses were originally built in the 16th century, although currently the oldest examples are only around 100 years old. The steep triangular shape protects the house from the rain, and they are mainly for sleeping in, with bathrooms located well away from the houses. There are thatched cow byres dotted around the hillsides, and the valley is home to fruits, vegetables and willow trees in abundance.

View from Santana

Traditional House at Santana

Ilhéu da Camara de Lobos

Did you know that Winston Churchill enjoyed painting? Ilhéu da Camara de Lobos was one of his favorite subjects. It's still home to fishermen today, and still manages to maintain the feel of a picturesque fishing village. There's a 15th century chapel named after St Nicholas, which contains some fascinating decorations. Overlooking Ilhéu da Camara de Lobos is the highest sea cliff in Europe, Cabo Girão, which rises 589m above sea level.

Machico

When the Portuguese first settled the island, it was divided into two parts. Funchal, the current hub of Madeira Island, became the center of the western part, and Machico the eastern side. Unlike Funchal, Machico developed slowly and quietly into a primarily agricultural town. There's a beautiful 15th-century church, the Igreja Matriz, and also the lovely Chapel of Miracles (Capela dos Milagres).

Golf

Golf is very popular in Madeira, and in face that Open da Madeira is part of the European PGA Tour. It's held around March, and is held at the Santo da Serra Golf Club. This course was originally designed by Robert Trent Jones, and currently contains 3 nine-hole golf courses. A new clubhouse with every possible amenity was opened in 2000. There are other golf courses dotted around the island, including the recently completed Estalagem do Santo.

Teleférico - Cable car

Catching a cable car is always fun, and if you're wandering around the old part of Funchal, give this one a go. It travels up to Monte, which is near the tropical gardens of Caminho das Babosas. It takes about 30 minutes return, and gives you a unique birds eye view of the city and surrounding hills. In colder months, it's even possible to toboggan back down to Funchal.

Quinta Vigia

This now the official residence of the Regional Government, and is a magnificent old building. It was originally built in 1662, and has received many illustrious guests over the centuries, including Princess Adelaide (Queen Victoria's daughter) and the Empress Sissi. It has charming gardens, and along with the house itself makes it worth a visit.

These are seven highlights worth visiting on Madeira Island, but there are plenty more to explore. Give yourself plenty of time to discover everything this beautiful and historic island has to offer.

Read More

On Procrastinating

I just wanted to say really quickly that if you haven't made your Christmas cards yet, you are in luck.

Kim at What am I Going To be When I Grow Up tipped me off on a great deal. Shutterfly is giving away 50 free holiday cards to bloggers! I already made my cards unfortunately, but maybe I will get started with next years' cards! Wink, Wink!

Anyway, even though I am probably not taking advantage of this great deal, I though you may want to! Good luck, Happy Blogging and Happy Holidays!

By the way, if you are a friend or family that normally receives a card from me and you haven't gotten it yet, please email me! They should have been there by now!

Read More

Road Trip: Day Five (aka Last Day)

Oh the last day of a road trip! You just want to get to your destination, so you don't stop to take photos or go to the Wizard of Oz museum because it is 30 miles off the highway and you don't want to spend another half an hour on the road.

Today's trip: Salina, KS to Des Moines, IA

Have you ever taken a road trip? We used to take them as kids. My dad had a 1970s era motorhome that was orange and white. I remember going to the Grand Canyon. I remember asking him, "how much gas mileage does this thing get?" (I think the answer was about 8 mpg.) I think asked him, "and how much does gas cost?" Then I would figure out how many miles we had to go and how much the entire trip would cost us. That was fun for me.

We would also play the license plate game, which is where you try to find as many different states' license plates as you can. My brother and I had a contest to see who could get the most. I honestly can't tell you who won those games. However, I still play that game, even when I am by myself. I found so many different plates on this drive!

The License Plate Game:
Farthest away plates: Alaska, Maine, Florida
Most common plate (other than states I was in): Minnesota

On this trip, I went through a total of 7 states. California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa. 
Here are some of the stats:
Flattest state: Colorado (I did not go through the Rockies in CO)
Snowiest state: California
Coldest state: Nevada
Warmest state: Kansas

I have to say, call me biased, that the most beautiful state of all the states that I went through was, you guessed it, California. I like trees, preferably green ones that smell like pine. And mountains. If you can have both, that is even better. Although all the other states were beautiful in their own way, I still love California the best!

So, I guess what I am trying to say is that no matter how far you roam, "There's no place like home!"

Which state do think is the most beautiful? and why? 

Highway 70, California

Read More

LEONARD D.HAWKINS 02/03

Read More

Hagimit Falls

As what other people believe, a waterfall is a symbol of rejuvenated cleansing. It’s hard to ignore its natural free flowing water no matter how big or small it is. Look beyond what you see and you seem to realize a waterfall is nature’s way of saying wash yourself and live the life you want to have.

Located in the Southern part of the Philippines (just two kilometers away from Penaplata), there stood the Hagimit Falls – the Garden City of Samal’s crowning glory due to its relaxing ambiance. The formation of the rocks where the water is flowing (about 6 feet high to 3 feet high) is in its finest. The numerous trees that surround the place are its mighty soldiers keeping the entire area clean and green. Dip your body on the flow of the current and you’ll instantly discover its invisible magic that soothes not only the exterior side of you but for the most part, it also heals the inner part of you.

Hagimit Falls is also an ideal camping site for a small group of friends or a family of five members who want to reboot themselves from all the types of stress by living in the city. Tents can be built on the side, cook some nutritious food, drink some wine while witnessing the real beauty what Mother Nature can bring. The Hagimit Falls certainly offers you the serenity you’ve been searching for in years that even the prominent writers such as John Grisham and JK Rowling might want to stay here to finish their next bestselling novel.

The entrance fee is cheap and affordable. Of all the negative feedback circulated around the Internet, seeing Hagimit Falls is not a disappointment. Getting here is worth all your effort and worth all your money you need to spend.

Read More

Design Trends: Singapore

Yesterday we got a look at an Australian based magazine.  Today, I am taking you to Singapore.  


I always enjoy picking up local magazines when I travel to get a glimpse into the interests of the country I am visiting.  (Not to mention if you want to pick up an imported U.S. magazine, you will be paying over $16 so if you run out of reading material, local is the way to go.)


This time, I found Style Living, a Singapore based design magazine.  They featured a section on design trends and this is what they highlighted.  The world seems to be getting smaller and interests uniform in some ways, but there are still some diverging trends.


For one, there is this:

Plywood?  "Neither cheap nor nasty."  That is good to know.  Plywood is bringing "sexy back."  I will make sure to make a note of that.


This one is universal and classic.  Ikat is a perpetual global staple in terms of interiors, and now, it is also a fashion trend.

This one too, is no surprise.  The global trend here is: well, global.

The color teal.  I love all shades of blue in interiors, and teal pieces in small or large doses would be a welcome break from muted neutrals.  

I guess I was hoping for something a little more shocking or different, and all I got was plywood.  Still, Style Living with its guide to entertaining and interpretation of "country" decor (that's a whole other story) was entertaining and made for good plane reading.

Read More

Capones Island Zambales

Capones Island is one of the main attractions in Pundaquit Zambales. The island is actually a big lump of rock formation with very little soil. Beaches around the island aren’t that homie for the usual tourist mainly because of the sand and rock mixture from the crashing waves of the open ocean.

One of the best things to do on the island, aside from just hanging around and not being able to enjoy the beach, is go up and take a tour of the lighthouse. The lighthouse is at the back of the island when you’re facing the open sea. The steep steps up to the lighthouse is no walk in the park. So be ready and carry only what you need. If you do need to carry a lot of stuff like camera gears, make sure you put them in a sturdy bag with a strong strap and ask your guide (boatman or sometimes another local) to carry them for you.

Read More

J'Adore ADORE

The new (and 2nd ever) edition of the Australian based online home and lifestyle magazine Adore has arrived.  While in the U.S. we find ourselves in the winter months, the light and bright features (primarily white) throughout the magazine are a testament to the fact that this is Australia's summer.  


I was mesmerized by the feature on Brisbane, Australia.  I spent five months in Brisbane (in 2003) and it was quite interesting to read about its progress.  Brisbane was not a sleepy town then, but was often overlooked for its more famous Australian big city counterparts (read Sydney and Melbourne).  Currently, it appears that Brisbane is coming into its own, with up and coming hotels, shopping, and dining spots.  

Brisbane is a perfect home base, as it's not only a fabulous city in its own right, but is nearby to some not to be missed beach towns: Surfers Paradise, Noosa, and Byron Bay.  (Noosa is paradise--think walking through a lush forest steps away from a beach with koalas sleeping high in the branches.)  Not to mention, it is the closest "large" city to the Great Barrier Reef.

Adore was also rife with inspirational interior design images.  The first is a home in Paradise Valley, Arizona designed by Jamie Herzlinger. 

There was a definite affinity towards using Venetian Mirrors, and I have to say I don't mind the repetition.  In this case, the more the better.

The nightstand: covered in what looks like a heavy linen with nailheads, is gorgeous.

The second, and my favorite, is a Hamptons home designed by Elsa Soyars.


It just happens to include all my favorite interior colors: white, gray, and turquoise peppered throughout in unexpected places.

I don't think it gets any better than this turquoise door flanked by greenery, with a view of the silver twig table inside.

White walls, a crystal chandelier, and a glass fireplace.

An all white kitchen aside from the the turquoise backsplash.

Lastly, this adorable girl's bedroom, especially with that hot pink rug.

images via Adore Magazine

Read More