Camara do Lobos

The fishing village a few kilometres along the coast from Funchal has experienced lots of changes.

Until about twenty years ago it was very poor and not somewhere tourists were very safe. 

Desperately poor families, some with nine or ten children, lived in very poor conditions, unsanitary and overcrowded. It was seriously rough and notoriously hostile.

Winston Churchill loved and painted the view over the port many times and when Pestana bought the site to knock down the houses and develop a pousada, everybody was worried, especially as the hotel was to be named Churchill View. 

The worst of the houses had already been demolished and most of the most desperate families rehoused by the council.

We need not have worried. They’ve retained the charm of the view in this beautiful and friendly hotel. 

It’s my spot of choice to watch the world go by, and use the wifi and lovely loos.

I spent ages just reading, actually at the table next to the Winston Churchill bronze.

I left my visit until this week as my route there is via the Funchal bus which stops about a mile above the village.  I’ve obviously done enough walking and swimming as I managed the road down (past the cement works)  and felt happy and relaxed as I enjoyed my Brisas Maracuja…..

Another day in Paradise.