Calheita

Friday night, we quickly ask to reserve a car with the agency recommended by Tiago, our local contact from the accomodation.

Stef is still working while Marc finalizes the luggages. Leaving just on time to catch the bus, we buy some lunch then head for the check-in. No queue, done. Security goes fast as well, no queue. Leaving us plenty of time to eat lunch while waiting for the gate to be anounced. Boarding goes pretry smoothly, even if the plane is full. Flight was fine, some turbulences on the descent on Funchal. Having our Covid papers prepared, leaving the airport is done very fast. Marc, from the car rental agency is waiting for us. After filling the rental form and paying, the car is ours for two weeks! Let’s discover the island. The “highway” is very sinuous, the only straight and almost flat parts are underground. After countless tunnels, roundabounts and 90-70-90-70-50-60-70-90 speed limits, we make it to Calheita in almost an hour.

Arrived at the campound, Tiago welcomes us warmly. Entering our new temporary home, it is already filled with food. Quickly going throught the facilities, Tiago gives us the keys and leaves. We’ll be alone until tomorrow night, when our german neighboors will be arriving. We have to try the hamam, nice and warm way to start the evening. The welcome white wine bottle is a good campanion to the jamon and the white cheese breads. Eventually, we’ll never leave the house and fume ourselves with the fireplace. We will later learn than we shouldn’t use it at all, sad…