the POSH Guide

the best of travel destinations and gear

Beach Waterfall

Oct 15, 2024

1 min read

Madeira MadeiraAday

I only have a few days left here on Madeira and was taking a walk along Formosa beach this morning when I came across this lovely little waterfall cascading over the cliff and onto the beach. The walkway is elevated at this point, so the water flows under the path and into the sea.

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Pico Alto Trail

Oct 14, 2024

1 min read

Madeira MadeiraAday Hikes

Another picture from Caminho Real de Monte, also known as trail PR3.6. About two-thirds of the trail is more or less stairs made from small stones. The last section before you reach the top of Pico Alto is a more traditional trail through a rocky landscape.

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Holy Spring

Oct 13, 2024

1 min read

Madeira MadeiraAday Hikes

The Caminho Real de Monte is part of an old royal road that encircled Madeira back in the sixteenth century. This section was also a pilgrimage route, up to a chapel built to honor the Lady of the Mountain. Just below where the church stands is this spring, where it is said the lady appear to a shepherdess.

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Machico II

Oct 12, 2024

1 min read

Madeira MadeiraAday Hikes

The town of Machico was quite a surprise when I visited it last week. I could see on maps that there were a number of trails around town, but you see trails all around Madeira. However, Machico has proclaimed itself the “trail running capital” of Madeira and the trails around town are well marked and maintained.

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Rainbow!

Oct 10, 2024

1 min read

Madeira MadeiraAday

Another storm rolled through in the night. There was only a little rain but a lot of wind. The sea was even rougher this morning, with swells up to three meters. On the plus side, there was a rainbow.

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More Cat

Oct 9, 2024

1 min read

Madeira MadeiraAday

I found this chonky dude chilling on the path outside one of the big public swimming clubs along the ocean walk between Funchall old town and Formosa beach. He looked relaxed enough, but when I tried to get closer for boop or a scritch, it was definitely a big nope.

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The Morning After

Oct 8, 2024

1 min read

Madeira MadeiraAday

It was a dark and stormy night. Well, not really. It was dark. Night is usually like that. It did rain a little for the first time since I've been here. The rain had stopped by the time I was ready for my morning walk, but the sea was still looking a bit moody along Formosa beach.

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Bananas

Oct 7, 2024

1 min read

Madeira MadeiraAday Hikes

The levada nearest to where I'm staying isn't the prettiest of them. Much of it is a bit suburban, but if you walk west, it quickly turns rural. It's still not very pretty, but there are occassionally some great views down to the ocean, and there are lots of banana plants.

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