In sunny Madeira, from September 16th to 25th, I participated as a volunteer of the association, alongside other volunteers Miljenko Dujić, Filipa Šiljeg, and Ivan Vuletić, in the Youth Exchange project Eat, Sleep, Hiking with our project leader, Domagoj Goreta.
Porto Moniz and Funchal: an introduction to Madeira’s natural beauty and culture
Our journey to this island in the Atlantic Ocean began a few days before the project started, and we were fortunate to be accommodated in Porto Moniz. As soon as we arrived, we were captivated by the natural beauty of this village, known for its natural pools of volcanic origin formed by lava cooling over thousands of years.
During our stay in Porto Moniz, we made the most of every moment. As soon as we woke up, we went hiking to Miradouro do Pico and spent the afternoons at the pools. In the evenings, we visited the Fanal forest, one of the last remaining examples of European primeval forest, which is under UNESCO protection due to its biodiversity.
The next day, we headed to Funchal, the island’s capital, where we settled in a hostel with other participants and spent the evening exploring the city.
Intercultural exchange and hiking activities
The first few days were dedicated to getting to know other participants and their cultures. For instance, we took part in a workshop called Sport Realities in Our Countries, where some countries presented their traditional games. We learned about an Estonian competition where the goal is for a man to carry a woman on his back through a special obstacle course in the fastest time, as well as about the Georgian sport Lelo Burti, which involves playing with a 16-kilogram ball.
Our first hiking day was spent on the eastern side of the island, on the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço trail. This path took us along a narrow route right by the ocean, offering us a chance to see stunning panoramas of this part of the island, also shaped by volcanic eruptions. When we reached the end, we had free time, which Filipa and I spent kayaking, where we even saw a seal! The rest of the day was spent at the beach, where some people built pebble towers.
The next hike was the Vereda dos Balcões, leading us through a beautiful forest with various native and endemic species. When we reached the viewpoint, we enjoyed the view of the mountains and spotted different birds. The rest of that day was free of activities, so our group spent time exploring the island. We climbed above the clouds to the highest peak of the island, Pico Ruivo, at 1,862 meters above sea level, and to the second-highest peak, Pico do Areeiro.
Visit to Santana and presentation of Croatian culture
We also visited the municipality of Santana, which UNESCO has declared a biosphere reserve due to its valuable natural and cultural heritage. It is best known for its triangular-shaped houses with thatched roofs.
Each evening of the project, intercultural evenings were held, where representatives from different countries showcased their culture. As part of this, we presented our rich history, taught them the Glagolitic alphabet, introduced them to our regions, and brought our traditional food and drinks. We danced the Slavonian kolo and linđo, and played the famous Sinjska alka with everyone!
The last day of the project was spent in St. Catherine’s Park in Funchal, where we had a picnic and played various games that took us back to our childhood.
This wonderful experience taught us many things, especially how to lead a healthier life and develop habits that will turn us into better versions of ourselves! If you want to be part of similar projects and contribute to the community through volunteering, join Sunce! Become a member or volunteer and participate in activities that connect people and promote a sustainable way of living.
