Took a tour of the East of the Island, starting at 7am, still dark but the sun due to rise soon. Nico was our driver & guide from Madiera Happy Tours.

First was a drive up steep streets, which formerly was a steam train route, on the only cog railway in Madiera, which finished in 1942. At the top, was the final stop and where now stands Terreiro de Luta, a monument to the list souls of ships destroyed in the harbour in the War, a chain from one draped around the statue of Our Lady of Peace.

Next onto Pico do Arieiro, the highest point in Madiera, at 1,818m, with fabulous views over the clouds, lots of walking tracks here and so busy at 8am.

Down the hill to Ribeiro Frio, a small village, in the middle of the natural laurel forest, another UNESCO site, with a trout farm which is used to reintroduce them into local waterways.

Santana, where there are still examples of the small grass roofed houses. The village was setting up for Carnival, with a theme of Comrades, lots of human effigies hanging from lampposts. Huge variety of fruit available in the local market.

Lunch stop at Portela, volcanic sand beach, with a number of local cafes and modern church. A stop at the only rum distillery in Madiera, obviously a tasting was needed, Nigel liked it but not to my taste.

We then headed to the furthest Eastern point at Ponta San Lourenco, again with fabulous views of the airport and Machico, which has a sandy beach, imported from Morocco!  Lots of viewpoints on our trip.

Nico was great with lots of info on life on the island, glad he was driving!