We came very early morning to Funchal and after check-in in the hotel we're going immediately to the city. The hotel is located in the western hotel zone of Funchal and it is necessary to take a bus to the centre. We're buying 7-day public transport ticket for 15Eu/per. It is quite difficult to get oriented in the public bus system here. The bus stops are scattered alonside the streets of Funchal, usually main seaside bulevar. We took a bus No.20 to Monte - hilltop recreation area of Funchal 550 metres above the sea level. Monte is also a pilgrime place with nice church and the biggest tourist attraction - tobogan - downill sliding towards capital.
Bypassing tourist crowds we're going to first Levada - Dos Tornos. It is not easy to find. From the church stairs turn left along cobbled road passing botanical garden and cable car station to the turning end stop of the bus line No.22 Babosas where is a small chaptel and sign.
Than down via rocky road. At junction turn left uphill through forest path to meet levada on place where going out of tunnel. A nice path leads alonside levada which copy the valley. The views are magnificant. It's hard to believe that we're close to public buses of capital.
Levada continue acroos village Curral dos Romeiros to enter again lush forest. Big surprise was existence of the fern trees growing in house gardens. It looks quite "tropical".
After next valley levada goes beside luxury tourist villas and big water tank to enter eucalyptus forest.
A nice flowers are growing along levada. It must be wonderful at a spring time here.
We're entering clouds / fog. It's also much colder. Forest in the mist is always excellent for photography. I have digital camera with me so no problem to experiment a bit ...
After concrete tunnel beneth a road there is a sign "Hortensia Tea House". It is a very nice place surrounded by nearly tropical vegetation / garden. We're giving some beer and sandwich. Outside heavy rain started. It looks like in the middle of African tropical forest there. If you will go levada dos Tornos dont miss this nice place.
We're taking raincoats and continue by levada until asphalt main road to the bus stop.
It's heavy fog and people are driving without car lights on! From the bus stop I am making a photo with fern trees.
After cca 15 minutes we have a bus driving downhill to Funchal where is warm and sunny. The climate difference is huge.