We're tired.

With a combination of my Madeira Hikes book, and a recommendation from Marco at our guesthouse, we chose what we thought was about a 9 mile walk for our first day on Madeira. This was made up of a 6 mile hike along a levada (ancient drainage ditches that Madeira is known for), a stop at a glass platform over a 1500 foot sea cliff and a return trip via the seaside promenade.

We had an awesome breakfast at the guesthouse, leisurely got ready for our day and caught the 1130am number 96 bus to Estreito, a small town about a thirty minute ride away. We found the start of the levada hike after a short climb up a very steep street and were immediately surrounded by vineyards. Madeira wine is made here and there are many small, family size vineyards that dot the countryside where we walked today. It is the very beginning of spring, so there aren't any green vines, pruning is still happening.  But it was beautiful. We walked next to the winding levada for just over 2 hours. 

Flowers are starting to bloom and they all seem to be very vibrant in color.

Tom walking next to the levada on his right. 

After many miles of small hamlets, valleys and terraced fields, we came out of the levada and found the sea cliff platform (glass-bottomed so not for those afraid of heights). Quite the drop.

From here, we expected a few mile walk/stroll along the seaside promenade. NOT.

The first part was beautiful. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of this portion, but we walked among terraced vegetable and fruit fields for a mile or so, straight down, down down.  Drop offs everywhere and with everything just starting to grow, it was very green. Really interesting and beautiful.  Well I take that back. I took one picture. I like to call it "Creepy baby on a stick".

Then the not so interesting part started. Basically we alternated between being on the seaside promenade, then the promenade disappearing, us hoofing it back up a steep hill to find a passable road, then finding the promenade again. This went on, oh, for about ELEVEN miles.  When a local guesstimates the length of a walk, never trust them. Want to know why?  Because most of the time, they don't walk the routes they're recommending.

Tom got to test out his stellar elliptical skills along the promenade. 

And more good news, we found a Madeira wine tasting house along the way and stopped in for a bit.  

We definitely don't regret a bit of the walk, but 17 miles on a recovering knee, and Tom wearing his Chaco sandles makes for two tired tourists with some aches and pains - but it was beautiful, we saw a good portion of this area of the island and we certainly earned the dinner we woofed down tonight.

15K, my arse, Marco. 

Tomorrow?  Hopefully more hiking, although maybe a bit less of it. 😄