Day Two of my Madeira Island adventure started off with a one-of-a-kind experience. Our itinerary said a toboggan ride, so I assumed we were taking some kind of mountain coaster ride down the side of a mountain, but I have never been more wrong in my life.

When we got to the attraction, I learned we would be sitting in a hand-crafted wicker basket seat on top of wooden runners while being pushed/pulled down a functioning street by two men with rubber-soled shoes. This is one of the most sought-after experiences in Madeira; and if you don’t get there first thing in the morning, you could be waiting in line for three hours. Luckily, we got there first thing, so we only had one group in front of us. I am glad I wasn’t the first to go so I could get a quick look at what actually happens — I was nervous, to say the least.

Before I knew it, it was our turn to go. We sat in the basket and the men explained a little bit about the ride, and then we were off to the races. It lasted about 10 minutes, and throughout, we were either free-riding down the hill with our “drivers” on the back of the basket or they were pulling us down the sleek curves of the roads. The craziest part was there were actual cars mixed in the route. I’m pretty sure we had to stop at one point to let a car pass. But as we went down the hilly roads, my nerves were replaced by laughter and smiles. This was truly a one-of-a-kind experience, and I highly recommend it’s included in your itinerary if you ever find yourself in Madeira.

Afterwards, we made our way back up the windy roads in our van for our next activity, a cable car ride. Cable car rides are one of my favorite activities to do while traveling because you get to see the destination from a different perspective. This ride was extra special because, depending on where you looked, you had a different view. Behind me I had the city, to my right I had the mountains, and to the front was a beautiful view of the ocean.

Once we made it to the bottom of the island, we set off for lunch at popular restaurant Vila de Carne, where we learned how to make the traditional Madeiran drink, poncha. Poncha was originally created by sailors and local fishermen to warm up at night as well as prevent diseases like scurvy. Now it’s a drink enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, but you better be careful because it’s high in alcohol content. Our meal included different meats on skewers and an array of different sides; it was delicious and filling.

After lunch we had some free time, so we decided to take a walk around the harbor and local town, where we saw stunning art, wandered into local stores, and took in the local culture and way of life.

Next, we headed back to the top of the town to go to Cabo Girão, one of the highest lookout cliffs in the world. Part of the lookout even had a glass floor so we could see everything below us. It was honestly scary and exhilarating at the same time and provided some of the most beautiful views of the island and sea.

We ended the day with dinner at Kampo, created by Chef Júlio Pereira. We ordered a variety of appetizers and each got our own meal. I ended up getting the Black Rice with Octopus and Prawn; it was delicious. Afterward, we still had room for dessert, so we decided to order one of everything to share.

Come back for Day Three!

— Mary Melnick, social media & editorial manager