insideKENT Magazine Issue 90 - September 2019 | Page 104

TRAVEL
MAGICAL MADEIRA CONT.
panoramic vistas of Madeira’s coastline, with the
occasional dolphin popping up along the way, as it
makes it three hour journey across the Atlantic to
neighbouring island, Porto Santo.
With a population in the low thousands
until ensconced by the Maderian holiday-homers
and a few keen tourists Porto Santo is characterised
by two contrasting landscapes. The rugged
mountainous northeast and the beautiful coastal
plain of the southwest; which not only offers a nine
kilometre long sandy beach (much to Madeira’s
envy!) but also affords the Hotel Porto Santo,
www.hotelportosanto.com/en/ the opportunity to
offer a rather unique treatment utilising the local
rare sand, renowned for its mineral content,
therapeutic healing and highly nurturing properties.
And it was here in the stunningly sophisticated,
oozing with luxury surroundings of The SPA (think
scandi-inspired wooden clad floors and vaulted
ceilings, marble edged hydrotherapy pools, and
private plunge jacuzzis!), hat, stripped to my bikini,
I came face to face with a white-coated man and his
giant tube of sand! In probably my most bizarre
treatment to date I took up position, lying flat on
some of the sand, in one of the custom-made wooden
treatment areas, which I hasten to add I am likening
to a flower bed rather than a coffin... whilst the
aforementioned man and one of the spa therapists
gently covered me from neck to toe in the surprising
warm therapeutic sand; recognised for its healing
HOTEL PORTO SANTO
104
properties purported to assist everything from arthritis
to fibromialgia, anxiety and various skin complaints;
before covering my eyes with a mask, placing a cold
towel on my forehead and leaving me to drift away
in my warm sandy cocoon for the next thirty minutes.
The treatment is in fact recommended as a course,
and the idea is to leave the sand on for as long as
possible - my end result was soft, rejuvenated skin
and the feeling of being totally de-stressed, enough
to want to fall straight into blissful sleep - pretty
damn good I’d say!
Keen to keep up with the outdoor theme, it seemed
like a great idea that once headed back down from
the mountainous forest to Funchal to head straight
back up again, this time courtesy of the city cable
car, with its amazing views, to Monte, home of the
beautiful Monte Palace Tropical Gardens. Not only
a great place to have a tranquil walk around the
Madeiran and Asian inspired gardens and water
features, but also a great place to take in the stunning
views down the hills to the glistening Atlantic beyond.
And the best bit?
Wanting to connect more with the beautiful
Maderian landscape as well as wanting to connect
more in life in general, meant that even I, excitedly
set the early morning alarm to enable me to embark
on the winding upwards journey to the beautiful
Laurissa Forrest ready for a sunrise like no other.
Here in a clearing surrounded by cows and with
the only noise coming from the gentle breeze in
the trees and the chirruping on birds, I met
the wonderful human that is Emilie Mangoni
www.emiliemangoni.com to embark on one of her
breathe, sing, yoga sessions. Recognising my (quite
obvious) beginner yoga status I was led through
gentle yoga transitions and focused mindfulness
breathing, before ending with a truly inspired sound
bath. If you (like I had) have never had one, you
simply must! You are immersed in beautiful sounds,
vibrations and chants that are healing for body, mind
and spirit and that encourage (even the most resistant
of) us in a meditative journey of deep relaxation and
self discovery - what a way to start the day!
Well the best and most exciting way to get back
down again is by Carreiros de Monte - traditional
wicker sledges that have been run down the steep
Madeiran hills for generations by the wicker boater
hatted men with their shiny shoes, who literally
launch you full pelt down the steep inclines in nothing
more than a basket using sheer running power - a
thrilling end to a blissful trip!
To plan your own Madeira getaway visit
www.madeiraallyear.com
British Airways flies from London Gatwick to
Funchal, Madeira from £47 each-way including
taxes/fees/carrier charges. To book please visit
ba.com/madeira or call 0344 493 0122.
SÃO JORGE MIRADOURO DA VIGIA ©Francisco Correia