Eira do Serrado

We were told that Madeira has one interesting phenomenon. When you don't like weather around you, get in the car and go to other side of island. Alternatively you can go to mountains interior - above cloud level.

We did not have such an experience until now. It was cloudy when we decided to go. I was not expecting anything from this trip, because I believed we will not see anything. As we were getting closes it was getting worse. Actually, we were getting closer to clouds.

Only when we arrived to the place we realized what had happened (well, Zuzka knew all the time, but that does not count, because she is pathological optimist :-) ). We were above clouds, they tried to reach up to ridge, but at the other side it was clear. So we got very nice views of Curral das Freiras.

We arrived from there, just a few moments ago.

It was even worse, when we were leaving, but the other side did not get any clouds. So mountains here work as barrier very well...

... clouds do their best, but they are not able to obscure the place I want to take photos of.

Looking down to Curral das Freiras

It is short walk to viewing platform, but you get wonderful view in just 1 minute. You can see valley Curral das Freiras surrounded by mighty mountains.

Following photos show that we really arrived at last possible moment, shortly before whole valley got obscured with shadows of setting sun. That was another thing that Zuzka was right about. I was sure that we are late (not to mention clouds, of course).

Old road to valley. It does not seem to be used anymore. And it is not needed, there is nice tunnel going there directly.

Encumeada

The 2nd "car hike" happened again unplanned. It was combined with geocaching, but we were not very successful. It was lightly raining at some occasions, but it was only local, because for delight there was also blue sky visible above the mountains.

After leaving motorway at southern side of Madeira, you continue on following curvy road. Then you need to go up the hill in Serra de Agua. From that point you have very nice views of mountains and valley from several viewing places along the road.
    

When we arrived to Encumeada, we took a few photos, decided about not visiting gift shop and discussed shortly what to do next. Because Zuzka stayed at home, we decided to return so we are not away for too long. Heavy cloud cover with possibility of rain did not promise nice photos for impatient photographers (yes, I am aware bad weather is very good opportunity for stunning photos, but that takes patience and coping with that weather).

It happened again. Weather at the other side of mountain ridge was better, with plenty of sunshine.