Dec 22, 2011

4 villages, Madeira, December 2011.

A steep trail is leading the 550 meters down from Hotel Jardim Atlantico to the village below: Paul do Mar.
Hotel Jardim Atlantico is situated in the outskirts of the small village Prazeres.
Calheta in the main city of the local municipality.
Jardim do Mar is a small village at the sea, close to Hotel Jardim Atlantico.


A steep trail is leading from Hotel Jardim Atlantico to the village below: Paul do Mar.

Paul do Mar.

The harbour of Paul do Mar.

Playing domino at the local cafeteria.

View from the local cafeteria.

The houses in Maderian villages can be divided into 5 categories:
1. Ruins
2. Badly maintained
3. Normal
4. Nicely maintained
5. Big newly build (“show off”)

Many of the houses of category 4 and 5 is probably owned of Maderians from the Diaspora (2/3 of all Maderians is living aboard) who has returned to Madeira. This is an example of a category 4.

Many houses presented their own nativity scenes (in Danish: Krybbespil) - here is an example.



View from Paul do Mar.

On our way back to the hotel from Paul do Mar.

View from the trail to Paul do Mar.









View from the trail. In the middle of the pictures abandoned terraces for agriculture.

View from the trail to Paul do Mar.



The church in Prazeres.

Prazeres

Houses in Prazeres

Alternative (pagan?) nativity scene.

View over Calheta. The promenade and the (artificial) beach is a new construction, while the old town is situated in the lower part of the picture.

A view of the old town

Sunset over Calheta

Jardim do Mar - a village just downhill from our hotel



The old sugarcane factory in Jardim do Mar. Agriculture in Madeira was heavily focussed on export crops, which led to famine when there were pest or export problems.

View from the sea promenade in Jardim do Mar to Paul do Mar.

View to Paul do Mar.

The bird of the day The Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) (in Danish: Tårnfalk)






Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos (Mudderklire)?

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