Levadas, flowers and mountains
Another highlight of the island are the so-called Levadas. This is the water
supply system of the island. Centuries ago they were developed by the
natives together with slave workers, who are supposed to have relayed the
know-how. The levadas are needful because of the climatological differences on the island. While it is raining in the
north more frequently it is very dry on the south side. For this reason
water-canals were
distributed from the north over the whole island. In size these channels vary
from bigger canals to the small size of our drainages how we have
them in our streets. Beside that, the maderian
people make use of another natural product: the Erika's plant (bot.
Erica carnea).
This has turned out there as an optimal water reservoir. Therefore, they
cultivate this plant on the north heights where it does not grow naturally. If you plan to
visit Madeira, this should not be missing in your "visit plan". Not only the water system, the
Levadas, are impressive, but also the Erika's plant itself . While it is popular
in Germany as a beautiful small little outdoor plant, it reaches
a height of up to four meters here. Unbelievable? Have a look there by
yourself - you will see that also
other plants known by us grow up to an impressive size. So,
for example, the aloe vera plant. Also this plant reaches respectable sizes which would
be a problem for every west-european flowerpot. The Christmas
star (bot. Euphorbia pulcherrima) blooms there incidentally all year round (including the red leaves which becomes green
in western europe in summer), and you would
have to rename the angel's trumpets (Datura suaveolens) here actually in angel's trombones. Madeira is
not named the "flower island" just for fun. If you can not
or do not want to experience the
variety with endless migrations in the wild, the botanic garden in Funchal
can give you an idea about the richness and variety of madeirian
nature.
But
back to the Levadas. Because this irrigation
system must be maintained continually by the "Levadeiros",
by the government employed maintenance experts, and be served (according
to a plan the different fields, wine terraces and banana plantations are
supplied with water), you find very well suitable ways along the Levadas
for walking. But you
should inform yourselves before just walking around. There are different degrees of
difficulty (from "light" to "if-you-have-made-this-you-are-a-real-yeti"-tours everything exists),.
The highest mountain is just 1.900 meters high, and
only conquerable by feet. That means, solid footwear and above all flexible clothing is
inalienable. In the heights, sudden weather-falls can occur, with all, what
belongs to this. Like also in our mountain-regions. There are led
levada-walks in all categories. One or two
of them can be graduated even with
document. For the quite hard ones.
( A mini levada, irrigation
systems of Madeira)
(Christmas in May)
(A small aloe)
(flowers, wherever you
look)
