Posts Tagged ‘Madeira’
An Article by Paul Abiatti in Madeira about Fraser’s Dolphins being sighted in Madeiran Waters.
In Summer 2010 Madeiran whale and dolphin boats are sighting a new species of dolphin in Madeiran waters. The specie named ‘Fraser’s Dolphin’ is normally only sighted in Azorean waters. Experts say that one of the reasons they have come into Madeiran waters is the higher sea temperature which was on the day of the sightings the 23rd August, 2010 about 24 degrees.
Fraser´s dolphin group (Lagenodelphis hosei)
Confusion with the Striped Dolphin
From wikipedia:
Fraser Dolphins’ are about 1 m long and 20 kg weight at birth, growing to 2.75 m and 200 kg at adulthood. They have a stocky build, a small fin in relation to the size of the body, conspicuously small flippers. The dorsal fin and beak are also insubstantial. The upper side is a gray-blue to gray-brown. A dirty cream colored line runs along the flanks from the beak, above the eye, to the anus. There is a dark stripe under this line. The belly and throat are usually white, sometimes tinged pink. The lack of a prominent is a distinguishing characteristic of the Dolphin. From a distance however it may be confused with the Striped Dolphin which has a similar coloration and is found in the same areas of ocean.
Fraser Dolphins’ swim quickly in large tightly packed groups of about 100 to 1000 in number.
Often porpoising, the group chop up the water tremendously. The sight of seeing a large group fleeing from a fishing vessels has been reported as “very dramatic”.
It is also marked by having the smallest genitalia of any open sea dolphin.
The species feeds on pelagic fish, squid and shrimp found some distance below the surface of the water (200& or 500 meters). Virtually no sunlight penetrates this depth, so feeding is carried out using echolocation alone.
Read more about Fraser’s Dolphins in Wikipedia
Paul Abiatti, the writer, is a contact for properties on Madeira’s sunniest and hottest south west coast – Calheta coast. Whale and dolphin-watch boats operate from Calheta marina
Sunny House West is one of these holiday rental properties in Calheta on the south west coast of Madeira.
View of Calheta beaches & marina from Casa das Mudas Art Centre
Paul Abbiati, who lives in Madeira and is a contact for 4 properties in Calheta region including ‘Sunny House’ in Paul do Mar writes about how much there is on offer on Madeira’s sunniest and hottest South-West Coast.
History
Calheta, now with a population of 12,000 was one of the first areas in Madeira to be farmed. Its capital Calheta Town is about 31 kilometres from Funchal about 40-45 minutes drive time. As the Tourism website puts it “The municipality was once linked to the primary sector, and “industry” used to be important in the region.”
There were once as many as eight sugar cane processing factories, though only one of them ‘Engenhos da Calheta’ is still operating today. With its museum with guided tours, shop and café its well worth a visit. Its about half-way up the hill from the Marina. Calheta’s ocean front has been refurbished with the construction of a marina with white sand beaches next to it surrounded by spacious gardens.
Engenhos da Calhet
The Parishes of Paul do Mar and Jardim do Mar: surfer’s paradise
Two of its parishes, Paul do Mar and Jardim do Mar, challenge surfers to ride their spectacular waves. These surfing spots are nicknamed ‘Europe’s Hawaii’ and are considered among some of the best surfspots in Europe. Both villages, surfing beaches were venues for the World Surfing Championships in 2001. There are several restaurants in both these fishing villages, which of course specialise in fish dishes.
Prazeres
Prazeres is a historic agriculture market village with a 17th century church perched on Calheta’s mountains Atlantic Ocean views. It’s a mountain and levada (water canal) walking paradise with its proximity to some of the most popular walks on the island such
as Levada Nova and the Prazeres to Paul do Mar walk which starts from the award-winning eco-hotel Hotel Jardim Atlantico.
“The atmosphere in Prazeres is of one incomparable peace and charm, where time
stands still and no-one is ever in a hurry.”
Paul da Serra & the famous Rabacal levada walk
From Calheta you can go up to Paul da Serra a 1,500-metre-high plateau, where there is a view of both Madeira’s coasts. You can get to Rabaçal from there. Here the untouched UNESCO Laurissilva forest covers the mountains with a green mantle.
You can start out from Rabaçal to walk along some of the most beautiful, impressive paths into the depths of the island, until you find yourself surrounded by the Laurissilva Forest.
The Miradouros of Fonte do Bispo and the Farol (lighthouse) da Ponta do Pargo
“This belvedere (viewing point) is on the Paul da Serra plateau and nature lovers will feel the sensation of being enveloped by the exuberant vegetation of the Laurissilva Forest.”
“This belvedere is at the island’s westernmost point and from here we can see the rugged landscape from the lighthouse to Sítio das Achadas da Cruz.”
The perils of leaving Calheta by boat before ‘rampas’ slipways or marinas were constructed
World class art in Calheta: Casa das Mudas Art Centre & Prazeres Art Gallery
The award-winning ‘Casa das Mudas’ art centre in Calheta is divided into two parts, a mansion built in the 16th century that belonged to a granddaughter of João Gonçalves Zarco, the discoverer of Madeira, and a new, modern wing that blends in perfectly with the surrounding scenery.
This cultural centre built into the cliff with spectacular views of the countryside and the Ocean houses presents exhibitions, musical performances, plays, conferences and many other events. The Centre has run exhibitions displaying the works of artists such as Francis Bacon, David Salle, Eric Fischl, Picasso and Dali.
The new Prazeres Art Gallery part of ‘the Quinta Pedagogica’ complex which includes a small zoo and tea and cider houses run by the local priest is behind Prazeres Church. In early 2010 it displayed works of the world famous Poruguese artist ‘Paula Rego’.
A Tourist Guide to Calheta in English including recommended swimming areas such as Calheta’s white sandy beaches and the slipway (‘the rampa’ at Paul do Mar) is available on Calheta’s Town Hall website:
The source and inspiration for Paul’s article was this page on Calheta on the official Tourism website:
The award-winning eco-hotel Hotel Jardim Atlantico
This article is written by Paul Abbiati, the contact for 4 properties in Calheta region including: ‘Sunny House’ in Paul do Mar, Madeira
Visit Paul Abbiati’s blog for Accommodation in Madeira
You can also visit Paul Abbiati’s property web pages on the Lupain Holiday Rentals website and check out his properties on the beautiful Island of Madeira.
As Paul says about Calheta;
“Calheta region “closer to nature” but, not far away from everything you need!”
This is the page for Sunny House West which looks like a wonderful place to take a holiday 50 metres from the beach!
