A view of Laurel Forest in Madeira

Second place prize: a view of the Laurissilva (laurel forest) of Madeira, Portugal. Photo by Jorge Nelson Alves

Wiki Loves Earth, a competition where participants take photographs of protected natural areas and upload their photos to Wikimedia Commons, was held internationally for the second time in 2015.

The world’s largest LAURISSILVA forest is located on the island of Madeira. In 1999 the 15,000 hectare indigenous ‘living relic’ was awarded the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site. It plays an important role in the ecological balance of Madeira thus sustaining the endemic flora and fauna.

(Please, click on the picture to enlarge it or here.)

Christmas and New Year 2013-2014

Please, check the photography album by Madeira Tourism

As always, the Festive Season is lived intensely in Madeira islands. Lots of joy, religious celebrations, social gatherings and good food (and drinks, too).

On Christmas Eve it is customary serving chicken soup and various meat dishes at family gatherings. In addition, home-made tangerine, orange or aniseed liquors or a good glass of Madeira wine are also drunk. On Christmas Day generally people eat pork in wine and garlic or stuffed turkey. Furthermore the most common sweets for this season are "Bolo de Família" (Family Cake), "Bolo de Mel" (Honey Cake), and popular sweets like "rosquilhas de manteiga" (butter biscuits) "broas de mel" e "broas de manteiga" (honey and butter biscuits) and "palitos de cerveja" (beer finger biscuits)

Please, also check the Christmas and New Year festivities programme HERE (or in pdf files English, French and German).

(picture by Francisco Correia)

Madeira goodies

Madeira goodies in Castrinhos Bar, Pub and Grocery

In Funchal, Caminho do Pinheiro das Voltas, nr.12 (Monday-Saturday: from 07h00 to 00h00 and Sunday from 08h00 to 15h00)

Jardim do Mar from air

Jardim do Mar by Hugo Reis

Check our Jardim do Mar slideshow

Dolphins just outside Jardim do Mar

Jardim do Mar 2012

Please, click on picture to enlarge

(Photo copyright: unknown)

Portinho

Portinho rocky beach at Jardim do Mar.

Old Madeira (1)

Wine barrels

New picture in the surf bedroom

Tony Kitchell (photo by Andrea)

 
Tony Kitchell is a dear friend strongly connected with Jardim do Mar and Sofia's Place.

Tony helped painting some details inside eleven years ago and there is some art of his in the house.

Now, in Sofia's Place there is a picture of Tony hanging on the wall in the Surf bedroom.