SUNDAY MORNING, 8AM
Prepared with a loaded backpack full of food, water, clothes and other essential items as well as non-essentials for increasing loading weight, I start my little one-day adventure.
I plotted together a route the evening before that will take me over 4 peaks on the east of the Porto Santo with some promising views and will be challenging enough for training purposes (I’ll be doing a Madeira Island Crossing over 5 days in a few weeks).
The first 3 peaks were easy. It took my legs an hour or so to get used to the inclination, but the weather was fantastically grey (fresh and not to hot – sun is nice for beach days, but for hiking I prefer cloudy weather).
Trees on the Island
I got a short history lesson from a local trailrunner whom I met at Pico do Facho.
Porto Santo was first discovered around 500-600 years ago. Many pine trees, among them the Aleppo Pine were planted on the island by initiative of António Schiappa de Azevedo, whose statue can be seen on Pico Castelo.
TERRA CHÁ / PICO BRANCO, 12PM
This was my favourite part of the hike. Beautiful rock formations, fairytale like wooden railings along narrow paths. I stopped many times to soak in the stunning view.
What I listened to
Hiking time is contemplation time! I love feeling boundless in nature, letting thoughts fly and sometimes infuse my soul with gentle meditations or other form of nourishing content.
1. Episodes from the Podcast botanical studies of internet magic by Kening Zhu.
She shares her soul journey and lessons learned on being an artist-entrepreneur, jumping into the void and carving her own path.
I can very much relate with the Asian family background and the conditionings that come with it. As well as with all the limiting beliefs around money, achievement & art.
Life without challenges wouldn’t be life, would it? I love listening to people who have achieved what I want to achieve. Who cultivate an open mindset, share their growth & dedicate their lives to following their hearts longing. I have yet to encounter someone who regretted jumping into the void!
I’m at the stage in my life where I go all in every day, leaving no stones unturned. We are all incredible creators and all I want is to keep dreaming, dreaming big and bringing dreams into physical manifestations.
2. The Ecstasy of Silence – Cold Mountain by Richard Rudd, founder of the Gene Keys
The Gene Keys have a special place in my heart and all the transmissions from Richard just go straight into my core.
I don’t even know what there is to say about his contemplative audios.
They are best served on a peaceful walk in nature.
They will transport you into many dimensions through space & time.
They will leave you full & empty at the same time.
Ecstatic.
Cold Mountain explores the theme of silence, nature, being through the Chinese poems and left me in silence & awe.
The Descent
My official moving time according to Komoot was 5:28h, but inofficially I took some extended breaks, got lost once, battled against hurting feet towards the end.. and randomly met some nomads in a café in the mountains!
Sat down for a while, talked about technology (I’m seriously considering getting a smart watch as well, listening to so many people’s excitement!) and I even got to test drive an electric unicycle.
After 8 hours in total, I arrived home happily, safe & sound from this little adventure.
Body tired, mind calm, heart bursting from contentment.
