Step into the charming time capsule of Òbidos, Portugal, where cobblestone streets whisper tales of medieval romance.
The tourist in the quaint town of Obidos
As we strolled through its fortified walls, we were whisked away to an era of knights and fair maidens, surrounded by quaint shops offering treasures from yesteryears.
A picturesque town with lovely shops
But amidst the historical splendor, one thing stole the show – Ginja de Óbidos! This potent potion, served in chocolate cups, was both tempting and intimidating. With hesitant hearts, we pondered its strength until Mario from Ocean Clover dared us to take the plunge. And oh, how we soared on the wings of cherry-scented bravery!
The Kings Best Secret And the last but the best dare ..
With giggles and glee, we wandered, sipping on liquid courage, until we found ourselves posing for a picture-perfect moment outside the fort, thanking Ocean Clover for unveiling Portugal’s spirited soul. In the end, Òbidos wasn’t just a town; it was a whimsical journey through time, with a cherry on top!
Nestled in the Atlantic Ocean, Madeira beckons as a paradise for those enchanted by nature’s wonders and seekers of thrilling adventures. For me, it’s always been a dream destination, with its lush landscapes and inviting trails. Positioned about 700 km from Marrakesh, Morocco, this island, despite its proximity to Africa, proudly stands as an autonomous region of Portugal, boasting tropical weather and crystalline blue seas.
Recently, I embarked on a three-day escapade to Madeira with my dear friends Jennifer, Clara, and Ralla, eager to explore its marvels.
The tourist
Day 1: Discovering Funchal
Mercado Lavadores 0
Our journey kicked off in Funchal, the pulsating heart of Madeira. After dropping off our bags, we dove into the city’s charms. Brunch at Mercado Lavadores fueled us for a leisurely stroll along Rua Santa Maria, the oldest street adorned with captivating door paintings.
Brunch at Mercado Lavadores A chitchat and more Obligatory shot The paintings on the doors of Rua Santa Maria
The cable car ride treated us to panoramic vistas, including the exhilarating toboggan descent, a timeless Madeiran tradition.
Down we gooo
We wrapped up the day with ice cream along Ave. Do Mar, relishing the salty breeze, before indulging in elegance at Reid’s Palace.
Day 2: Chasing Sunrise and Embracing Nature
Rising before dawn, we embarked on a rendezvous with nature.
Our guide whisked us away to witness the breathtaking sunrise from Pico de Aireiro, the island’s second-highest peak. Despite the chilly morning, the radiant sun’s embrace warmed our souls, reinforcing our bond with the natural world.
Good morning world Here comes the sun
A hearty camping breakfast prepared by our guide sustained us for an enchanting hike along the Levadas, deepening our reverence for Mother Nature.
Levada walk
Day 3: The Defender Adventure
Jen and the defender
Our final day dawned with excitement as we embarked on an off-road odyssey with our intrepid guide, Mauricio. From the vertiginous heights of Cabo Girao to the tranquil beauty of Porto Moniz’s volcanic pools, each stop unveiled Madeira’s rugged splendor.
And it will just take your breath away
A gastronomic delight awaited us at a local fisherman’s restaurant, where we savored Espada with banana, a culinary revelation.
Espada with banana on top
Our journey culminated in Fanal Forest, a UNESCO-protected sanctuary graced by majestic Laurisilva trees, leaving an indelible imprint on our hearts.
As we bid farewell to Madeira, we knew our adventure had only scratched the surface of its allure. Until we meet again, Madeira, your beauty continues to beckon us with promises of new discoveries and unforgettable experiences.
In the chaos of life, we dance amidst your eccentricity, a rebel with a soul of pure gold. Your devotion to your mother knows no bounds, akin to your unwavering faith in the Virgin Mary. We laugh, we share in the cacophony of your tales, a friend and protector, steadfast as a brother. Our journeys intertwined, I am blessed to encounter a silent guardian, his heart a treasure trove of compassion and kindness.
Paths that we walked ,tunnels of pain that we go through will always end with a green fields of Hope , new beginnings and joy
My tears are dried , my wounds have been healed and lessons have been taught .
I smile , walk through the rainbows ,dance to the rhythm of the rain as my heart sing with the melody of the wind .
Out of nowhere there you are standing at the other side of the burning bridge .. There you are extending your hands of friendship..
What now?
You are in the other end singing a melody that we used to sing together ..
My dear my tone , my tune my rhythm has changed .. We couldn’t dance with that music again
I have let go ,I have forgiven , I have learned, and I thank you for standing at the other end .. But I love where I am standing that walking back and holding your hands doesn’t give me the same feeling of trust ..
Maybe one day I will nod and say hello to the friendship that we once have .. maybe ..
❤️
My sun is shinning and my path has a different direction now.. I am happier , I am at peace …
“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.”
— John Muir
Introduction
It has been weeks since we have finished the walked in Santiago de Compostela . Weeks seems like days and we have our own way of holding on to that special week of ourlives .
Back to reality
REDISCOVERING OURSELVES
Before the Camino we have this pre concieve notion of ourselves . This is manifested with the line of thinking of ” gosh I am old can’t walk that far.” Or the feeling of we have been friends like forever she will never surprise me.
The week that we have walked redefine our limits, our kindness , our friendship , our determination and our patience .
-REDEFINING OUR LIMITS.
This was that moment that some of you hiked up the hills of Sarria or that moment that Beh Sally just walked in the dark bushes of Palas de Rei not wanting to stop , or ate Violy and Tes saying that that they can only walked 5 hrs a day but ended up doing two 21km , or Mader and Ate cing who walked 28 km .. Their Faith redefine their limits and Hope formed our Determination to see the end of the camino .
– Being Kind in a different level
We shared a certain attentiveness to our fellow peregerinos , experiencing the warmth of their testimonies .
We extend our helping hands without any second thoughts it was like the Cuban Lady story .
“It was one of those downhill trail that we have noticed her. She struggle for her steps as she decends. She was walking alone , her group went ahead . A half blind Cuban lady determine to walk her 115 km pilgrimage trial.
I took her cane, hold her hand as we go down one step at a time ..
She said ” thank you for your time and kindness “
No matter what language you are speaking or nationality . We can always understand gratitude and kindness.”
-The Test of Friendship and Patience
For quiet sometime now I have been traveling with friends and we have this anecdote that says ” we will not travel together for more than 3 days or else we will be with each others nerves .”
Traveling with friend is a break or make things especially if you have been confronted with circumstances like fatique , hunger and all that is in between .
Little rifts arises , walk outs and of course the infamous exchange of words .. we were tired at times wet and most of the time hungry. It was the glare of kuya Libs towards kuya Rey during one of those discussions .. its when kuya Libs just walked away and at our first stop Kuya Rey would buy him a water ..then they smiled towards each other
In us , with us is the Love for our Friend ,it is not those clashes that counts it was those undefine reconciliations ,we never knew when or how but we hug and say sorry .. we moved on .
To Conclude
As we continue with our daily lives , we know that we have been formed by thd bug of the camino , Mader bravely walked more than 10,000 a day when it was a struggle before . As Kuya Libs roamed around Boston and NYC with the itch of the Camino in his heart . And I continued to eat nuts and raisens ( typical lunch that kuya Libs and Ate Beth).
As Ate Luz and I have agreed that the camino have strengthen our friendship .
Above all, there is this unspoken bond that has been created in each one of us .
We continue to say “Buen Camino” to each other…let that bug of kindness and love continue to reign in our hearts ..
