Cabo Girao…

and Camara de Lobos.

This is where our walk led us today along the ocean side paths to the west of Funchal. 9 -10 k we think so we are pretty done especially in the heat we’ve had again today.

Of course it’s not a straight forward walk along the coast as you have to descend from the main road only to climb back up again when the path disappears. You pass several Lidos, some in enclosed seawater though we did see people swimming in the ocean, eek!

We stopped for coffee at the Magic tea house about half way there and then descended to a lovely fish restaurant at Doca do Cavacas with it’s own little seawater bathing area - extra. We just had a drink but the food smelled amazing. We could see the path that has been built out on stilts to allow walkers along the base of the cliffs at the ocean edge but the connecting  tunnel here is currently closed so it was back up to the road and down again.

When we stayed here all those years ago Cabo Girao was our view and we did walk that way along the road but Camara de Lobos was a very different place then and not a place for tourists other than to be admired from above as famously did Churchill who painted it. Much nicer now with cafes etc but so much building everywhere it was hard to recognise other places.The cliff itself is the highest sea cliff in Madeira and also claims to be the second highest in the world! It now apparently has a viewing platform at the top no doubt for island tours but we didn’t venture up there today we were ready for the bus back.

We bought a Giro ticket which you can load for use on the bus, unfortunately the bus from Camara de Lobos is the wrong one so we just paid, couldn’t facing walking 2k back along the road to get the right one! We did spot our old hotel from the bus back though we hadn’t been able to see it from the path.

We also booked tomorrows activity - a walk! Need to get some rest tonight.

Thank you all so much for the hearts for yesterdays blip. Chris says to remind you it was his photo!!