Doing some local walks today to 2 villages in opposite directions. Streets are so crazy steep everywhere in the villages it's not really a good idea but we still want to do it. We can see more by walking. You don't usually see villagers walking up and down these steep streets to exercise or for fun. They all drive or being driven.
DIY wheel choke. I can imagine you also need regular brake maintenance here.
A steep drop behind the palm trees. There's a house behind the big tree, no neighbours.
There are a few abandoned houses/vineyards/vehicles around. A rusty classic Rand Rover. A quick search tells me Santana was around in the 80's.
It's quite OK that garden plants lean into the walking paths or road here. In some countries you might be told by your neighbours or the municipality to do something about it.
This interesting tree and its flowers or seeds.
Growing fruits and vegs like bananas and squashes in own gardens is normal on these islands. I just never can tell the types of squashes.
Some houses are far away from the street. You don't see the houses anywhere nearby but you see letterboxes.
It's a long way down and steep. You are looking at banana plantations (some have covers) and a huge hotel complex with multiple outdoor pools.
If comes down to fruits and flowers then Madeira wins big time. But then again, it's not for nothing Madeira is known as "flower island" or "flower garden in the ocean". But, I don't remember seeing these eye-catching aloe blooms on Madeira. Like most big flowers here, this is buzzing with bees.
A few steps from my lodging
Back at mi casita for a break and lunch. Pan de jamon, filled with smoked ham, olives, raisins and cheese.
Available in the last week of December only.
After a rest and lunch we walk to another village but most of the photos in the second set are taken in my base village en route. Bird of paradise are super common on Madeira, here they are a bit rare.
Firm exterior and unopen, like a capsule, you can see moisture inside.
Volcanic Malvasia grapes. This part of the island grows the most Malvasia. However, it's the first time seeing them still on the vines here so far. As if the harvester had left them behind on purpose.
Another uncommon sight: vertical rows of vines. It does exist after all, on my street no less.
La Palma (LP) motorway number/code and vertical rows of vines. (Also on my street.)
Big La Palma style houses amongst the vineyards.
We walk to the next village using this volcano route. No new photos as we have done a walk to this volcano the other day.
On Lanzarote every municipality has its own style of bus stop. On La Palma they are all the same. Volcanic rock construction with La Palma style tile roof.
Check out this genius' own vineyard on his/her shed roof(s).
Seen from the side.
All white house, unoccupied.
I couldn't have picked a better island (to walk), a better village, and a better lodging. Some locals stick their hand out the car window to give us a thumb up as we walk slowly up these steep streets. This is the kind of steep streets we walk up and down every day. You only see the sea from some distance away because the incline is stupid steep.
A simple dinner when we are back at the lodging. Beef with potatoes and roasted vegetables.
