Curral das Freiras, Madeira-The tiny village from the photo comes to life…

Bus ride to Eira de Serrado

We took a local bus from Funchal to Eira de Serrado. The bus ride itself was an experience. On the Portuguese island of Madeira the old jerky buses zigzag often on very narrow roads with fantastic views. The drivers confidently steered in the endless hairpin beds. However it was certainly not an ideal transport for someone with motion sickness.

An elderly local man was sitting by the window, entertaining the passengers – mainly tourists – on the bus. The fact that nobody understood his story didn`t bother him. He passionately pointed to the village down below in a hairpin bend . I glanced out of the window and caught the first glimpse of the tiny village jealously hugged by mountains.

View of Curral das Freiras

Nun's walk

Luckily it wasn`t long before we could get off the old bus near a viewpoint. My nausea was gone as soon as I peered down to the valley.

The small group of houses appeared in the deep valley as the morning mist was slowly lifting. We followed the popular Nun`s walk from the viewpoint. It is believed that when French pirates looted the island in 1566 the nuns followed this path to the valley. Here they finally found refuge. We walked on the well-trodden path downhill. As we reached the first building of Curral das Freiras, a café, we were invited in to try some local specialities.

Chestnuts

We treated ourselves with home-made chestnut cake and tasted one of the local drinks. Fallen chestnuts carpet the forest floor around Curral das Freiras in the autumns. The chestnuts are collected and used to make many unique, local products. The unforgettable chestnut cake and the sweet chestnut liquor was very special.

View of Curral das Freiras and Eira de Serrado

Locals live from agriculture and from the growing numbers of visitors They usually arrive via the famous Nun`s walk.

Mountain trails

Along with the Nun`s walk, there are several other trails leading to the village from the mountains. These paths bring keen hikers to this tiny place. The quiet village usually comes to life in the early afternoon when small restaurants offer local food with fine views for the tired walkers. But on the evening bus to Funchal, there are no locals only tired visitors packed with sweet memories.