Watching the sunrise in Madeira
From stunning sunrises to beautiful botanical gardens, Etta Stubbings remembers her holiday to Madeira.
Anticipation fills my body as I sit on the uncomfortable rocks, waiting for the sun to emerge from below the crowds. Sitting atop the highest point on the whole island, people mutter to one another and shiver slightly as the morning breeze sweeps across the mountain side. Different languages and accents fill the air, people from a wide variety of backgrounds all gathering together to watch nature’s spectacle. I look out over the landscape, the blanket of green trees covering the flowing hills of the volcanic island is just distinguishable in the dim morning light.
Further away, the sea spreads all around the small island, completely isolating it from the rest of the world. Memories of the day before flood back to me, I recall marvelling at the vibrant blue waters as I sat on the white boat, feeling the sea air on my face. Someone had shouted ‘Look!’ and all at once everyone rushed over to see three dolphins swimming right beside the boat! One jumped out of the water and gasps of awe and childish excitement filled the boat.
I’m drawn back to the present when something catches my eye, I turn my head to see an aeroplane descending onto the runway far below. I see the lights of Funchal, the capital, and can just make out the old town, which in just a few hours will be buzzing with tourists and locals going about their day, exploring the many restaurants, shops and markets which offer a wide range of Portuguese culture. There are also many football pitches below in which a young Cristiano Ronaldo played as he rose to fame. Under the clouds are the cable cars where I ascended up to the beautiful botanical gardens of Monte, not far from where I sit now.
On the north side of the island, you will find natural lava pools where I cooled down from the warm air with a swim amongst the volcanic formations. The north side of the island is also famous for its many waterfalls and the black sand beach in front of the beautiful green hills. As I look over there now, I am reminded of the networks of Levadas which were once used to carry water across the island but now provide easy-to-follow walkways which take you on a unique journey across the island.
But now I refocus on the scene in front of me; the sun has started to rise above the clouds and I am awestruck as it paints the sky a stunning array of colours. As the fierce orange glow shines over the clouds, a golden light settles over the whole landscape and I understand now the true magic of this special island.
Etta Stubbings, Y10
Anticipation fills my body as I sit on the uncomfortable rocks, waiting for the sun to emerge from below the crowds. Sitting atop the highest point on the whole island, people mutter to one another and shiver slightly as the morning breeze sweeps across the mountain side. Different languages and accents fill the air, people from a wide variety of backgrounds all gathering together to watch nature’s spectacle. I look out over the landscape, the blanket of green trees covering the flowing hills of the volcanic island is just distinguishable in the dim morning light.
Further away, the sea spreads all around the small island, completely isolating it from the rest of the world. Memories of the day before flood back to me, I recall marvelling at the vibrant blue waters as I sat on the white boat, feeling the sea air on my face. Someone had shouted ‘Look!’ and all at once everyone rushed over to see three dolphins swimming right beside the boat! One jumped out of the water and gasps of awe and childish excitement filled the boat.
I’m drawn back to the present when something catches my eye, I turn my head to see an aeroplane descending onto the runway far below. I see the lights of Funchal, the capital, and can just make out the old town, which in just a few hours will be buzzing with tourists and locals going about their day, exploring the many restaurants, shops and markets which offer a wide range of Portuguese culture. There are also many football pitches below in which a young Cristiano Ronaldo played as he rose to fame. Under the clouds are the cable cars where I ascended up to the beautiful botanical gardens of Monte, not far from where I sit now.
On the north side of the island, you will find natural lava pools where I cooled down from the warm air with a swim amongst the volcanic formations. The north side of the island is also famous for its many waterfalls and the black sand beach in front of the beautiful green hills. As I look over there now, I am reminded of the networks of Levadas which were once used to carry water across the island but now provide easy-to-follow walkways which take you on a unique journey across the island.
But now I refocus on the scene in front of me; the sun has started to rise above the clouds and I am awestruck as it paints the sky a stunning array of colours. As the fierce orange glow shines over the clouds, a golden light settles over the whole landscape and I understand now the true magic of this special island.
Etta Stubbings, Y10
