VIRTUAL HOLIDAY DAY 5
THE NUNS VALLEY
Every morning from about 9.00 onwards, there is sitting in the hotel a lovely English lady who has been part of the hotel team for a very long time - she even remembered us from our very first visit when I had to leave hurriedly because of Clemmie's difficult birth back in Colchester: she was brilliant then and in a short space of time organised my flight home that same evening and organised a taxi to the airport - I was gone within an hour or so!
Anyway, we had decided that a trip to the Nun's Valley would be worth doing, so she arranged for one of her friends, who is a taxi-driver, to take us on a half-day trip up the Nuns Valley. Here is the description from the Madeira website:
Curral das Freiras ('Nuns Valley') is a small parish nestling between almost perpendicular mountains in the heart of the island. Both Eira do Serrado and Paredão viewpoints are excellent locations to contemplate the magnificent views of this parish.
Curral das Freiras was the property of a couple that sold this land to the captain of Funchal, João Gonçalves da Câmara. This captain gave the lands to his daughters when they entered the Santa Clara convent (also built by him).
It was getting towards lunchtime so we drove down into the village, but really the only place to eat did not look too inviting as the owner was outside touting for business - never a good sign! and it did not look very busy. Our very informative and knowledgeable driver said that there was a much better place generally known only to locals would we liker to try that? You bet. After a few minutes she pulled in beside the road and we entered into a place that looked as if it had been tunnelled out of the hillside! It was not very busy and we were soon seated at a table, a carafe of wine was produced (rough, local, but drinkable.) And then the food arrived. Steak and chips with salad - but steak as you have never tasted it: it arrived on giant skewers hung vertically at the table. Cooked on an open fire, the skewers kept coming and coming until we could eat no more! (Well there was room for a little pud!) And about 2 hours later we reluctantly left to return to our hotel. Our half day had turned into almost the full day, but the agreed price for the taxi was not increased.Another wonderful outing!
Anyway, we had decided that a trip to the Nun's Valley would be worth doing, so she arranged for one of her friends, who is a taxi-driver, to take us on a half-day trip up the Nuns Valley. Here is the description from the Madeira website:
Curral das Freiras ('Nuns Valley') is a small parish nestling between almost perpendicular mountains in the heart of the island. Both Eira do Serrado and Paredão viewpoints are excellent locations to contemplate the magnificent views of this parish.
The huge cauldron in which Curral das Freiras is sitting was either formed by erosion, which is the more recent theory, or as many still believe, by volcanic activity.
In 1566 the nuns from the Santa Clara convent fled from pirates attacking Funchal and found seclusion here, where they also brought the convent treasure.
In 1566 the nuns from the Santa Clara convent fled from pirates attacking Funchal and found seclusion here, where they also brought the convent treasure.
The parish is very isolated, and locals mainly live of what they grow. The local chestnuts are delicious and are used in everyday cooking.
Curral das Freiras was the property of a couple that sold this land to the captain of Funchal, João Gonçalves da Câmara. This captain gave the lands to his daughters when they entered the Santa Clara convent (also built by him).
So, she duly arrived, we loaded up and off we drove, leaving Funchal and heading to the middle of the island, the road steadily climbing until we reached this popular destination, with the most spectacular views.
There is now a visitor centre where we were able to have a coffee and shop for the usual tourist trash before embarking on a walk along specially designed footpaths to further viewpoints. It is a wonderful place to spend an hour or two.
It was getting towards lunchtime so we drove down into the village, but really the only place to eat did not look too inviting as the owner was outside touting for business - never a good sign! and it did not look very busy. Our very informative and knowledgeable driver said that there was a much better place generally known only to locals would we liker to try that? You bet. After a few minutes she pulled in beside the road and we entered into a place that looked as if it had been tunnelled out of the hillside! It was not very busy and we were soon seated at a table, a carafe of wine was produced (rough, local, but drinkable.) And then the food arrived. Steak and chips with salad - but steak as you have never tasted it: it arrived on giant skewers hung vertically at the table. Cooked on an open fire, the skewers kept coming and coming until we could eat no more! (Well there was room for a little pud!) And about 2 hours later we reluctantly left to return to our hotel. Our half day had turned into almost the full day, but the agreed price for the taxi was not increased.Another wonderful outing!
And then there was dinner.....Somehow we managed!
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