There is an awe about Madeira. A staircase of quaint, white houses with red, sunbathed roofs paint the mountains. The roads wind tightly around great cliffs like spools of yarn. The streets of Funchal are still, but alive with vibrant sounds and colors.
The morning sunlight found its way into our beautiful Airbnb, warming my face until my eyes opened. It was a sun I had not felt before, a bit softer than the Caribbean sun, but bold, nonetheless. Strong enough to keep my coffee warm as we sat along the coast to watch the distant ships swim by. Today we would make the climb to Fanal Forest, which sits more than 1100 meters above sea level. What defines this forest is the Ocotea Foetens Tree; a plant with large branches that wind and twist, posing like extraterrestrial beings. It is rare to witness the legendary fog of Fanal Forest, known for eerily dancing through the trees, creating chilling silhouettes. Yet, it was the uncomfortable familiarity of the fog and the trees that piqued my artistic interest and called me to the forest.
